Ephesians 1:1
Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
The Book of Ephesians was a circular letter sent to several churches in the region of Ephesus, and it was the only letter that was not adapted to a case in a singular church. Because of this it carries common concern for all Christians.
I’ve often said that if I was ever to be stranded on a deserted island and, I was to be allowed only one book of the bible, this would probably be the book that I would choose. It has so much depth and meaning. And just looking at the first verse will indicate to you the very depths of this book.
I do want to make this disclaimer; I am not an expert in Hebrew.
Let’s start with verse one:
Ephesians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Okay that was easy enough, and I’m sure you would say what’s so special about this?
Well let’s read it from a transliteration bible called the Cepher. Transliteration means that the authors chose to leave the Hebrew name in place instead of the translated name.
Ephesians 1:1
SHA’UL, an apostle of YAHUSHA HAMASHIACH, by the will of YAHUAHA, to the qodeshiym which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in YAHUSHA HAMASHIACH.
Now I know that was a mouthful but let me take you into the meanings of the names Paul has used to describe himself, the father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and you.
In my devotionals, I always finish out using a Name of God because, if you know God’s character, you know His identity, and your identity wrapped up in His idenity and your idenity is so important.
In Acts 13:9 Saul also called Paul changed his name. But in the transliteration bible Paul, is identified by his Hebrew name: SHA’UL. Dual names were a common practice during this time.
Let’s consider the meaning of Paul’s name:
Sha-ul (Paul,) means: a wooden scoop used for winnowing corn (wheat,) or a tub used for washing¹
an apostle, ap-os'-tol-os a delegate; specifically, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (apostle), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
of YAHUSHA, means: I AM HE who avenges, defends, delivers, helps, preserves, rescues, saves, brings salvation, your Savior, who brings you to victory.
HAMASHIACH means: The Anointed, The Messiah
By the will of YAHUAH, (The LORD, MY DELIVERER)
to the qodeshiym (the Holy Things) ²
Qodeshiym, it’s the Hebrew word for: “Holy Things.” The fifth of the six major divisions, or orders (sedarim), of the Mishna (The Mishna is the codification of Jewish oral laws), Qodeshiym deals primarily with rites and sacrifices that took place in the Temple of Jerusalem, which was destroyed in ad 70 by Roman legions and will be rebuilt soon.
The six orders are:
Zeraim ("Seeds"), dealing with prayer and blessings, tithes and agricultural laws
Moed ("Festival"), pertaining to the laws of the Sabbath and the Festivals
Nashim ("Women"), concerning marriage and divorce, some forms of oaths and the laws of the nazirite
Nezikin ("Damages"), dealing with civil and criminal law, the functioning of the courts and oaths
Qodeshiym ("Holy things"), regarding sacrificial rites, the Temple, and the dietary laws
Tohorot ("Purities" Cleanliness), pertaining to the laws of purity and impurity, including the impurity of the dead, the laws of food purity and bodily purity.
By using the term Qodeshiym, Sha’ul is invoking who you are in the body of Christ, we can clearly see this in:
1Co 6:19
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in YAHUSHA HAMASHIACH (Jesus Christ, Salvation in the Messiah)
So now let’s read the scripture in an amplified format:
SHA’UL, an instrument used for winnowing the wheat, for washing the body of Christ an apostle, an ambassador of the gospel, commissioned by Christ with the authority to do miracles, a messenger that has been sent in the authority of: YAHUSHA HAMASHIACH, I AM HE who avenges, defends, delivers, helps, preserves, rescues, saves, brings salvation, your Savior, who brings you to victory, by the will of YAHUAHA, The LORD, MY DELIVERER to the qodeshiym, Holy Things, regarding sacrificial rites, in you the Temple which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in YAHUSHA HAMASHIACH I AM HE who avenges, defends, delivers, helps, preserves, rescues, saves, brings salvation, your Savior, who brings you to victory.
2 Grace an act of divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection on and in your life, an acceptable benefit, favor upon you, a gift of gracious joy and liberality, pleasure and Thanks for you are worthy. ³ be to you!
Grace be to you! I had to throw the first part of verse two in there, Grace be to you! I hope you have an Ephesians 1:1 day!
He is: "YAHUSHA HAMASHIACH "
"I AM HE who avenges, defends, delivers, helps, preserves, rescues, saves, brings salvation, your Savior, who brings you to victory."
Blessing's
References:
¹ http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/shaul
²http://watchmanreports.com/forum/topic/Book-of-Enoch.htm
³ e-Sword the Sword of the Lord with an Electronic edge
₄ 2014 Cepher Publishing Group, LLC
