Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:1-2

This week at a Bible study in Phoenix, the question was asked about Paul’s attitude while confined in prison. From what we can read in Scripture, Paul looked for the opportunity to spread the Gospel in every situation, and while imprisoned in Rome, he was able to write several letters including this one to the church in Ephesus.

These letters not only benefited the believers in Ephesus but every church and believer who has the opportunity to read these words inspired by the Holy Spirit.

According to my study Bible, “Ephesians offers general instruction in the truths of God’s redemptive work in Christ; the unity of the church among diverse peoples; and proper conduct in the church, the home, and the world.”

Paul begins this letter as he often does in the verses above, establishing his credentials as an apostle of Christ, and then directs his attention to the first hearers and readers of his letter, the faithful followers of Christ in Ephesus.

In our world today there appears to be some confusion as to who is a faithful follower of Christ. In recent weeks I’ve heard sermon from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.” The first was built upon Matthew 5:21 where Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

This past Sunday, the pastor moved on to the next familiar passage in Matthew –

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

Matthew 7:24-27

Paul was writing his letter to those people in Ephesus who believe and respond in faith to God’s word. It was their identity.