This is a shot in the dark. Highly doubtful for new Gentile believers to be extremely familiar with Old Testament theology, to the degree that it would be unnecessary to distinguish something like this, where every subsequent generation of the Church has interpreted to apply to them.
It's not a shot in the dark. While the Gentiles wouldn't be that familiar with the OT the Jews would.
Incorrect, it was written to all of God's people in Ephesus. You're trying to create a context out of assumptions which happen to aid your interpretation that are not only unlikely but counter to the text.
"To the saints who are in Ephesus" Ephesian 1:2a
Not at all. Yes the letter was address to Church in Ephesus, however, I don’t think Paul made a copy for every one of the Ephesians. It’s likely that he made one copy and sent it to the church. It would then be read and spread among the congregation. I don’t think it’s a stretch at all when we consider Paul’s ministry. What was his custom upon going to new city? The first place he went was synagogue and made converts of the Jews. It only makes sense that Paul would establish the leadership of these new churches with Jews as they were already grounded in the Scriptures. It doesn’t make sense to a take a Greek who knows practically nothing of Jewish history and make him head of the Church. The Christian learning curve would be much easier for a Jew than a Gentile.
KJV
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts
came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard
this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid
his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve. 8
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing
and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Act 19:1-8 KJV)
Also, you mentioned the opening of the letter, “to the saints who are in Ephesus.” Paul uses this same term in chapter two to draw a distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles which further supports what I’ve said.
11 Wherefore remember, that ye
being in time past
Gentiles in the flesh, who are called
Uncircumcision by that which is called the
Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus
ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath
broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity,
even the law of commandments
contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man,
so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace
to you which were afar off, and
to them that were nigh.
18 For through him
we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore
ye are no more strangers and foreigners,
but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner
stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Paul points out in this passage a contrast between the Jews, who were near, and the Gentiles who were, a far off. His conclusion is that the Gentiles who were far off are now fellow citizens with the saints. This seems like a strong indication to me that the saints in the opening of the letter are these same saints.
In addition to what I already pointed out, remember he distinguishes his audience in particular with the "you" which clearly is pertaining to the new believing Gentiles.
I agree, which is no surprise if the “us” also includes the Jewish leadership at Ephesus.
Or they would have thought of Jesus being the Beloved, as he is referred to in the Gospels.
Where is Jesus ever referred to as “The beloved?” Every time the term “The beloved” is used in the NT it is qualified with the exception of the passage we are considering
