Section 1:1–2
Paul greeted the believers at Ephesus
Paul began his letter in the way that people usually began letters at that time. He gave his name first: “Paul.” Then he identified the people receiving the letter: “the saints in Ephesus.” Next, he gave a Christian greeting in 1:2.
Here are some other examples for a heading for this section:
Greetings from Paul (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
Greetings to the church at Ephesus
Paragraph 1:1–2
1:1a
Paul: The Berean Standard Bible follows the Greek text by beginning this letter with the name of the person who wrote it. In some languages it will be clearer to use a sentence here. For example:
This letter is from Paul (New Living Translation (2004))
In some languages it may be natural to use a word or form to indicate that Paul himself was addressing the believers. For example:
⌊I,⌋ Paul, ⌊am writing this letter⌋.
-or-
⌊This letter is from me⌋, Paul.
1:1b
an apostle of Christ Jesus: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as apostle is literally “sent one.” It refers to a person whom someone sends with his authority to accomplish a mission or a particular purpose. Here, the word apostle refers to Paul whom Jesus chose and to whom he gave authority. After Jesus returned to heaven, his apostles were the leaders of those who believed in him.
Some other ways to translate apostle include:
representative ⌊of Jesus Christ⌋
-or-
(special) messenger ⌊of Jesus Christ⌋
-or-
sent-person ⌊of Jesus Christ⌋
If you have already translated the Gospels, you can probably use the same term for apostle as you used there. In some languages you may need to change it slightly for this context. See apostle in the Glossary for more information.
Christ Jesus: Notice that the word Christ comes before Jesus. The names Christ Jesus and Jesus Christ mean the same thing. In most English translations and other national language translations, “Jesus Christ” and “Christ Jesus” are translated literally, in the same order as they are in the Greek.
If the people who read your translation will be confused by the different order of the names, you may decide to translate Christ Jesus by the more familiar order: “Jesus Christ.” You should talk to many people about this matter and test it with many readers before you decide which order to use. In the Display the names “Christ Jesus,” “Jesus Christ,” and all other names, are translated literally and spelled according to normal English spelling. See Christ in the Glossary for more information.
by the will of God: The phrase by the will of God means that “God wanted Paul to be an apostle.” Paul himself did not decide to become an apostle.
Here is another way to translate by the will of God :
God chose Paul
1:1c
To the saints: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as saints means “people set apart for God.” It does not refer to a special group of “holy people.” All Christians are saints.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
God’s holy people (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the people belonging to God
See Holy, Meaning 1, special use, in the Glossary for more information.
in Ephesus: There is an issue with the Greek text here.
(1) Some Greek manuscripts contain the words in Ephesus. English versions that follow these manuscripts are:
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, King James Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Century Version, English Standard Version)
(2) Other Greek manuscripts do not contain the words in Ephesus. English versions that follow these manuscripts are:
(Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow option (1) as it has more support among English versions.
1:1d
the faithful: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as faithful is ambiguous. It can mean:
(1) people who are loyal or steadfast to Christ Jesus. The Contemporary English Version follows this interpretation:
faithful followers of Christ Jesus (Contemporary English Version)
(New International Version, Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, King James Version, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, English Standard Version)
(2) people who have faith (or who believe) in Christ Jesus. For example:
believers in Christ Jesus (New Century Version)
(New Century Version)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) as it has more support among English versions.
Here are some other ways to translate this word:
those people who continue to follow Christ Jesus
-or-
those who faithfully obey Christ Jesus
in Christ Jesus: The phrase in Christ Jesus occurs many times in Paul’s letters. It means “to be united with Christ.” The Berean Standard Bible always translates it literally, but the Good News Translation usually translates it as “in union with Christ.”
Here it has the usual meaning of “in union with Christ Jesus” or “to be related to Christ by faith.” In many languages, it is difficult to translate this in a way that is clear and meaningful. Search for a good way to say this in your language, for example:
⌊you who⌋ belong to Christ Jesus
-or-
⌊you who have⌋ a close relationship with Christ Jesus
-or-
⌊you who are⌋ joined to Christ Jesus
-or-
⌊you who are⌋ one with Christ Jesus
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