By the Will of God !

Eph 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:

Folks remember, God's Will is Greater than mans wiill ! Paul did not become a Apostle/Believer by his own so called freewill, No, it was by the Sovereign Will of God ! Not only was this True of the Apostle Paul, it was True of all His Apostles, they became Apostles by the Will of God; and not only them, Its a True fact for every member of His Body, the Body of Christ.

Even though the Apostles were much more Gifted and Prominent in the scheme of things, they still belonged equally to One Body 1 Cor 12:11-19

Each member of the Body of Christ was placed Sovereignly by the Will of God, God the Spirit 1 Cor 12:13

13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Now, the Apostles, though in a more prominent role in the Body, yet have they no more special privilege or esteem from God than the lesser role members that God deemed necessary, which is Pauls meaning here 1 Cor 12:18-24

Notice Vs 18, its very instructive :

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

The word pleased here is of the same word for will in Eph 1:1 ! This confirms that each member is placed into service/ministry as Sovereignly as Paul was into the Apostleship by the Will of God !

God the Spirit set each member in the Body, He set who would be the feet, with no less Sovereignty and Purpose and determination as He set those members who would have a more prominent role in the Body, such as the Apostles, or the Eyes !

So when Paul says he is an Apostle by the Will of God, so can it be said of those who are gifted with the Gift of Helps 1 Cor 12:28

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

The word will in Eph 1:1 is the greek word thelēma, the prolonged form of thelō which means:

I.to will, have in mind, intend

A.to be resolved or determined, to purpose


B.to desire, to wish

I.what one wishes or has determined shall be done

A.of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ

That how Paul became an Apostle, by the Will of God, God purposed and determined that it be done, yet no more so than with the one with the Gift of Helps or he that showeth mercy Rom 12:8, like the Apostles, God's Will of Purpose determined it, and in so doing, Faith is given by the same Spirit, to accomplish the Will of God !