John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God , &c.] (See Gill on Romans 1:1). (See Gill on 1 Corinthians 1:1). (See Gill on 2 Corinthians 1:1). (See Gill on Galatians 1:1). To the saints which are at Ephesus ; of this place, see the note above upon the title of the epistle, and (See Gill on Acts 18:19). The persons residing there, to whom the epistle is written, are described by their character, as saints; being separated by the grace of God the Father in eternal election; whose sins were expiated by the blood and sacrifice of Christ; and to whom he himself was made sanctification; and who were internally sanctified by the Spirit of God, and lived holy lives and conversations. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version, read, to all the saints; whether officers of the church, or private members, whether rich or poor, bond or free, strong or weak believers, of greater or lesser abilities. And to the faithful in Christ Jesus : who were in Christ, not only by electing grace, but were openly and manifestly in him, through converting grace; and abode in him as branches in the vine; continued constant, and persevered in faith and holiness; and were faithful to the cause and interest of Christ, and to his Gospel and ordinances; and were hearty and sincere in the profession of their faith in Christ, and love to him and his: or, as the Arabic version renders it, and to them that believe in Jesus Christ; with all their hearts, to the saving of their souls; who look unto him, venture on him, rely upon him, and trust in him for life and salvation, and who shall certainly be saved; of such the church at Ephesus consisted, to whom this epistle was written: of the church there, (see Gill on Acts 20:17).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1, 2 - All Christians must be saints; if they come not under that character of earth, they will never be saints in glory. Those are not saints, wh are not faithful, believing in Christ, and true to the profession the make of relation to their Lord. By grace, understand the free an undeserved love and favour of God, and those graces of the Spirit whic come from it; by peace, all other blessings, spiritual and temporal the fruits of the former. No peace without grace. No peace, nor grace but from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ; and the bes saints need fresh supplies of the graces of the Spirit, and desire to grow.
Greek Textus Receptus
παυλος 3972 N-NSM αποστολος 652 N-NSM ιησου 2424 N-GSM χριστου 5547 N-GSM δια 1223 PREP θεληματος 2307 N-GSN θεου 2316 N-GSM τοις 3588 T-DPM αγιοις 40 A-DPM τοις 3588 T-DPM ουσιν 5607 5752 V-PXP-DPM εν 1722 PREP εφεσω 2181 N-DSF και 2532 CONJ πιστοις 4103 A-DPM εν 1722 PREP χριστω 5547 N-DSM ιησου 2424 N-DSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. By the will of God. As frequently in the introductions of the epistles, to emphasize his divine appointment. In Rom. i. 1; 1 Cor. i. 1, called is added.To the saints. See on Rom. i. 7; Col. i. 2; Philip. i. 1. At Ephesus. There is much discussion as to the genuineness of these words. They are bracketed by both Westcott and Hort, and Tischendorf.
On their omission or retention turns the question whether the epistle was addressed to the church at Ephesus, or was a circular epistle, addressed to Ephesus along with several other churches. For Ephesus, see on Apoc. ii. 1.
The faithful. Not faithful in the sense of fidelity and perseverance, but believing, as John xx. 27; Acts x. 45. It is to be included with the saints under the one article.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:1 {Of Christ Jesus} (cristou iesou). So B D, though Aleph A L have iesou cristou. Paul is named as the author and so he is. Otherwise the epistle is pseudepigraphic. {By the will of God} (dia qelematos qeou). As in #1Co 1:1; 2Co 1:1; Ro 1:1. {At Ephesus} (en efeswi). In Aleph and B these words are inserted by later hands, though both MSS. give the title pros efesious. Origen explains the words tois hagiois tois ousin as meaning "the saints that are" (genuine saints), showing that his MSS. did not have the words en efeswi. The explanation of the insertion of these words has already been given in the remarks on "The Destination" as one copy of the general letter that was preserved in Ephesus. It is perfectly proper to call it the epistle to the Ephesians if we understand the facts.
