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Ephesians 1:1-2 (JDV)
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, a missionary1 of Christ Jesus by God’s preference:2 To the faithful devotees3 in Christ Jesus at Ephesus.
Ephesians 1:2 Favor4 to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
preference and favor
Paul emphasizes God’s sovereignty in this salutation. What mattered the most is not what Paul wanted, nor what the Ephesian Christians wanted, but what God preferred – who he chooses to favor.
We live in a generation that encourages us to go for what we want – to not be satisfied with someone else’s plans and purposes for us. We could choose to live our lives like that – living them to suit ourselves. Or, we could choose God’s favor and peace. That kind of life comes from yielding to God’s preference.
Lord, teach us to know and yield to your preference.
1ἀπόστολος
2θέλημα
3ἅγιος
4χάρις
