Note 1 at Eph. 1:1: Paul makes special mention of the fact that he is an apostle "by the will of God." Men appoint themselves to positions and sometimes gain the recognition of other men. But only those whom God appoints carry His authority and anointing. Knowing that we are in God's will makes whatever hardships that come our way bearable. It's not good enough to become a minister just because your mother always wanted a preacher in the family (see note 1 at 1 Cor. 1:1, p. 858).

Note 2 at Eph. 1:1: Paul first preached at Ephesus on his second missionary journey. Later he returned there on his third missionary journey and spent more time there than with any other congregation, a total of three years (Acts 20:31).

Ephesus was the chief city of the Roman province of Asia that is now known as modern Turkey (see note 3 at Acts 16:6, p. 666). It was the site of the temple of Diana, also known as the idol of the many-breasted goddess Artemis, which was worshipped through the act of prostitution. Through this chief city Paul was able to evangelize almost all of Asia.

His letter to the Ephesians was possibly a circular letter reaching to all churches in this Roman province (see INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS: OVERVIEW, p. 1092). See note 3 at Acts 18:19, p. 683; note 1 at Acts 20:18, p. 697; and note 12 at Acts 20:31, p. 700 for more details about Ephesus and Paul's ministry there.

Note 3 at Eph. 1:1: Paul makes a distinction between the saints which are at Ephesus and the faithful in Christ Jesus. It is possible that the phrase "and to the faithful in Christ Jesus" broadened the audience beyond the Ephesian church showing that Paul intended this epistle to be circulated (see INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS: OVERVIEW, p. 1092). It is also possible that "the faithful" was designating a group within the saints at Ephesus.

It is true that in every church there is just a core group who carry the load. They are always present, always give, and are the ones who propagate the faith. While we are all one in the Lord, we don't all live up to our potential. We need to strive to be among the faithful (see note 19 at 1 Cor. 15:10, p. 956).

Note 4 at Eph. 1:1: The term "in Christ Jesus" was a descriptive term used over 130 times in the New Testament sometimes meaning "through Christ." Generally speaking this term implied a "vital union with Christ." Just as the life of a root is found in the soil, or a branch in the vine, or a fish in the sea, so the believer's true life is found to be in union with Christ.

For every one verse that speaks of Christ being in the believer there are at least ten that speak of the believer being "in Christ." Ephesians 1:6 states that our acceptance with God the Father is not ours through some merit of our own but because we are "in the beloved." It is God's acceptance of Christ that has become ours because of our vital union with Christ through salvation.