Ephesians

1:1b-2 - to God's holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: ²Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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To God's holy people

NIV's "to God's holy people" is accurate but it explains rather than translate; the Greek has simply "the holy ones." It is translated "to the saints" in most other versions. On Paul's addressing his audience by this term click here.

in Ephesus

As noted in the introduction to the book, these words are missing from many early manuscripts of this letter. For its significance see the The Circumstances and Concerns of Paul's Writing the Letter

the faithful in Christ Jesus

This adjective, pistois, can be used in two ways: 1) as believing, i.e., the person puts his/her trust in Jesus Christ, or 2) as being 'reliable' or 'trustworthy.' Here, as it is in Col 1:2, it is used, hendiadys style, to further characterize his audience who has already been called "saints." is used here, and in the corresponding greetings in Col (1:2), does not indicate two groups of people that Paul is sending greetings to. to

1:2

Grace and peace to you

Instead of the customary greetings found in the conventions of the day, Paul's habit is to wish his readers with "peace and grace." For its significance, click here.

from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ

In defining the source of the grace and peace he wishes upon his audience, Paul reveals at once the heart of his theology and the theocentricity of his heart. Once upon a time he would have anyone put to death who dared set the two names in such close proximity; it was blasphemy! With his encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he can think of God in no other terms. There is no knowing the Father—in every way it is possible to think of Him—except through and in the Christ.

Low Chai Hok

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