SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:1
¶ Pablo, apstol de Jess, el Cristo por la voluntad de Dios, a los santos que estn en Efeso, y a los fieles en Cristo Jess que estn en Efeso:
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 1:1
Verse 1. To the saints which are at Ephesus] As some learned men think that this epistle was written to the Church of the Laodiceans, and that the words en efesw, in Ephesus, were not originally in this epistle, the consideration of the subject has appeared to be more proper for the preface; and to that the reader is referred for a particular discussion of this opinion. By the term saints we are to understand those who in that place professed Christianity, and were members of the Christian Church. Saint properly signifies a holy person, and such the Gospel of Christ requires every man to be, and such every true believer is, both in heart and life; but saint appears to have been as ordinary a denomination of a believer in Christ in those primitive times, as the term Christian is now. Yet many had the name who had not the thing. The faithful in Christ Jesus] pistoiv? the believers - the persons who received Christ as the promised Messiah, and the saviour of the world, and continued in the grace which they had received.
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 αποστολος 652 ιησου 2424 χριστου 5547 δια 1223 θεληματος 2307 θεου 2316 τοις 3588 αγιοις 40 τοις 3588 ουσιν 5607 5752 εν 1722 εφεσω 2181 και 2532 πιστοις 4103 εν 1722 χριστω 5547 ιησου 2424
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.
