To God’s holy people living in Ephesus, believers who belong to Christ Jesus. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The words “living in Ephesus” are not in the earliest manuscripts of Ephesians. Since ancient times, people have debated about the origins of the letter. Some people have thought that what we call “Ephesians” is the letter written to the Laodiceans which Paul refers to in Colossians 4:15-16. The contents of Ephesians are not directed to one particular church. They are directed to all of Paul’s churches.

Paul was in prison when he wrote the letter. Some scholars think he was under house-arrest in Rome when he wrote this letter. Others think he was in much worse conditions in a prison in Asia Minor (likely Apamea). Thinking he would die, Paul wrote a letter, probably to Laodicea with the intention that it be distributed from there.

As he introduces himself from prison, he begins with a blessing of grace. This is not a grace that a person can possess or generate; it comes to us from God. We receive it. Grace does not exist in prison. Paul had no grace in filthy conditions, being starved, and being treated like a criminal. This strange grace was only from God. As he will go on to say in the rest of the letter, God behaves in an odd way toward humans. He loves us before we love him back. He brings us to himself while we are still hostile toward him. This is grace.

God’s grace enables us likewise to behave strangely. We cease hostility with God. We are at peace with God. We are still human, and sin still plagues our lives and world. Paul is still in prison; he is still going to be beaten and killed. And yet, God’s grace to him made him peaceful with God. This peace is bigger than an emotion. Our emotions are ours; they come from us. This peace does not come from us. It is given and renewed.

By Daniel Rodriguez, Bible League International staff, Texas, U.S.