Ephesians 1:1

King James Version (KJV)

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:

Translations

Ephesians 1:1 - Amplified Bible

PAUL, AN apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah), by the divine will (the purpose and the choice of God) to the saints (the consecrated, set-apart ones) at Ephesus who are also faithful {and} loyal {and} steadfast in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:1 - American Standard Version

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:1 - Bible in Basic English

Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus by the purpose of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and those who have faith in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:1 - Darby Bible

Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God`s will, to the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus who are at Ephesus.

Ephesians 1:1 - English Standard Version

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:1 - King James Version

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:

Ephesians 1:1 - La Biblia de las Americas

Pablo, apòstol de Cristo Jesùs por la voluntad de Dios:
A los santos que están en Efeso y que son fieles en Cristo Jesùs:

Ephesians 1:1 - The Message

I, Paul, am under God’s plan as an apostle, a special agent of Christ Jesus, writing to you faithful believers in Ephesus. I greet you with the grace and peace poured into our lives by God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:1 - New American Standard Bible

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are (Three early mss do not contain {at Ephesus}) at Ephesus and {who are} faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:1 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Pablo, apòstol de Cristo Jesùs por (mediante) la voluntad de Dios:
A los santos que están en Efeso y que son fieles en Cristo Jesùs:

Ephesians 1:1 - World English Bible

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:1 - Young's Living Translation

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Ephesians 1:1 - Additional Comments

See notes on Acts 19:1 about Ephesus.
Ephesians was written by Paul, one of 4 letters written by him from prison in Rome (3:1, 4:1, 6:20), and therefore written around 61-63 AD. Paul knew the Ephesians well - he spent three years there (Acts 20:17,31, Acts 19:1,8-10, and the rest of chapter 19). The Ephesians had strong affections for Paul - they openly wept when he left (Acts 20:17, 37).
Early manuscripts omit "in Ephesus", so this may have been primarily a circular letter, intended to be read by all the churches in the area of Asia Minor, of which Ephesus was the most important city (in what is modern day Turkey). The circular letter theory is emphasized by the fact that Ephesians contains no direct references to a local church situation or problem. But we do learn about the church in Rev 2:1-6.
Ephesus had primarily a Gentile population. Worship of the Roman God Diana (Acts 19:24-28), practically the same as the Greek god Artemis, goddess of wild animals and the hunt. The Temple of Artemis (or Diana) was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Artemesium was famous not only for its great size (over 350 by 180 feet), but also for the magnificent works of art that adorned it. The temple was destroyed by invading Goths in AD 262 and was never rebuilt.
Ephesus is one of the 7 churches John addresses in Revelations (Rev 1:11, 2:1-7).
Note that Paul was an apostle because God willed it. Each of us has our gifts from God (1 Cor 12:27-30). So, you could write an intro to your letters as Paul did - "Mark, an encourager for Jesus Christ, by the will of God..."
"Saint" means "true believer". The Bible tells us that Christians are the true believers, and thus all Christians are saints. Scripturally, your name could be prefixed by Saint, so add your name after Saint, e.g. Saint Jennifer.
What a statement about these Christians - they were faithful in Christ Jesus. May it be said of us, so when someone write or talks about us, they can use the term faithful. If someone was writing about your relationship with God and your ministry to others, what term would they use? Honest, giving, servant, merciful, patient, supportive, humble, prayer warrier, helps with Scripture, listener, caring? God has placed gifts in you for Him and for others - how are you using them?

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