The Opening Greeting

1:1 Except for the omission of Timothy, the opening of this greeting is quite similar to Colossians 1:1. The letter claims to be from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus. This term was one that Paul used frequently to indicate that he was “one who was sent” (apostellō, “to send”) as a missionary or special envoy of God. It is used of the twelve disciples as well as for others who fulfill an apostolic function, such as Andronicus and Junias (Rom. 16:7). At times, it is applied to Christians who have a very vivid experience of Christ (Acts 1:21, 22; 1 Cor. 9:1). By the time Ephesians was written, it was used primarily for those who were the founders of the Christian church (2:20).

The statement that Paul’s apostleship is by the will of God repeats a theme that Paul emphas…