Reference: Ephesians, Epistle To
Easton
was written by Paul at Rome about the same time as that to the Colossians, which in many points it resembles.
Contents of. The Epistle to the Colossians is mainly polemical, designed to refute certain theosophic errors that had crept into the church there. That to the Ephesians does not seem to have originated in any special circumstances, but is simply a letter springing from Paul's love to the church there, and indicative of his earnest desire that they should be fully instructed in the profound doctrines of the gospel. It contains (1) the salutation (Eph 1:1-2); (2) a general description of the blessings the gospel reveals, as to their source, means by which they are attained, purpose for which they are bestowed, and their final result, with a fervent prayer for the further spiritual enrichment of the Ephesians (Eph 1:3-2:10); (3) "a record of that marked change in spiritual position which the Gentile believers now possessed, ending with an account of the writer's selection to and qualification for the apostolate of heathendom, a fact so considered as to keep them from being dispirited, and to lead him to pray for enlarged spiritual benefactions on his absent sympathizers" (Eph 2:12-3:21); (4) a chapter on unity as undisturbed by diversity of gifts (Eph 4:1-16); (5) special injunctions bearing on ordinary life (Eph 4:17-6:10); (6) the imagery of a spiritual warfare, mission of Tychicus, and valedictory blessing (Eph 6:11-24).
Planting of the church at Ephesus. Paul's first and hurried visit for the space of three months to Ephesus is recorded in Ac 18:19-21. The work he began on this occasion was carried forward by Apollos (Ac 18:24-26) and Aquila and Priscilla. On his second visit, early in the following year, he remained at Ephesus "three years," for he found it was the key to the western provinces of Asia Minor. Here "a great door and effectual" was opened to him (1Co 16:9), and the church was established and strengthened by his assiduous labours there (Ac 20:20,31). From Ephesus as a centre the gospel spread abroad "almost throughout all Asia" (Ac 19:26). The word "mightily grew and prevailed" despite all the opposition and persecution he encountered.
On his last journey to Jerusalem the apostle landed at Miletus, and summoning together the elders of the church from Ephesus, delivered to them his remarkable farewell charge (Ac 20:18-35), expecting to see them no more.
The following parallels between this epistle and the Milesian charge may be traced:
(1.) Ac 20:19 = Eph 4:2. The phrase "lowliness of mind" occurs nowhere else.
(2.) Ac 20:27 = Eph 1:11. The word "counsel," as denoting the divine plan, occurs only here and Heb 6:17.
(3.) Ac 20:32 = Eph 3:20. The divine ability.
(4.) Ac 20:32 = Eph 2:20. The building upon the foundation.
(5.) Ac 20:32 = Eph 1:14,18. "The inheritance of the saints."
Place and date of the writing of the letter. It was evidently written from Rome during Paul's first imprisonment (Eph 3:1; 4:1; 6:20), and probably soon after his arrival there, about the year 62, four years after he had parted with the Ephesian elders at Miletus. The subscription of this epistle is correct.
There seems to have been no special occasion for the writing of this letter, as already noted. Paul's object was plainly not polemical. No errors had sprung up in the church which he sought to point out and refute. The object of the apostle is "to set forth the ground, the cause, and the aim and end of the church of the faithful in Christ. He speaks to the Ephesians as a type or sample of the church universal." The church's foundations, its course, and its end, are his theme. "Everywhere the foundation of the church is the will of the Father; the course of the church is by the satisfaction of the Son; the end of the church is the life in the Holy Spirit." In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul writes from the point of view of justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ; here he writes from the point of view specially of union to the Redeemer, and hence of the oneness of the true church of Christ. "This is perhaps the profoundest book in existence." It is a book "which sounds the lowest depths of Christian doctrine, and scales the loftiest heights of Christian experience;" and the fact that the apostle evidently expected the Ephesians to understand it is an evidence of the "proficiency which Paul's converts had attained under his preaching at Ephesus."
Relation between this epistle and that to the Colossians (q.v.). "The letters of the apostle are the fervent outburst of pastoral zeal and attachment, written without reserve and in unaffected simplicity; sentiments come warm from the heart, without the shaping out, pruning, and punctilious arrangement of a formal discourse. There is such a fresh and familiar transcription of feeling, so frequent an introduction of coloquial idiom, and so much of conversational frankness and vivacity, that the reader associates the image of the writer with every paragraph, and the ear seems to catch and recognize the very tones of living address." "Is it then any matter of amazement that one letter should resemble another, or that two written about the same time should have so much in common and so much that is peculiar? The close relation as to style and subject between the epistles to Colosse and Ephesus must strike every reader. Their precise relation to each other has given rise to much discussion. The great probability is that the epistle to Colosse was first written; the parallel passages in Ephesians, which amount to about forty-two in number, having the appearance of being expansions from the epistle to Colosse. Compare:
The style of this epistle is exceedingly animated, and corresponds with the state of the apostle's mind at the time of writing. Overjoyed with the account which their messenger had brought him of their faith and holiness (Eph 1:15), and transported with the consideration of the unsearchable wisdom of God displayed in the work of man's redemption, and of his astonishing love towards the Gentiles in making them partakers through faith of all the benefits of Christ's death, he soars high in his sentiments on those grand subjects, and gives his thoughts utterance in sublime and copious expression.
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And he came to Ephesus and left behind those there, but having entered into the synagogue himself, he discoursed with the Jews. And when they asked him to remain on more time with them, he did not consent, read more. but separated from them, having said, I must definitely keep the coming feast at Jerusalem, but I will return again to you, God willing. And he launched from Ephesus.
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by origin, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus, being mighty in the scriptures. This was a man who was instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in the Spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things about the Lord, knowing only the immersion of John. read more. And this man began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside, and expounded to him the way of God more accurately.
And ye see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but almost in all Asia, this man Paul, having persuaded them, turned away a considerable multitude, saying that there are no gods made by hands.
And when they came to him, he said to them, Ye know, from the first day in which I stepped in Asia, how I became with you all the time, serving the Lord with all humility, and many tears and trials that befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews.
serving the Lord with all humility, and many tears and trials that befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews. How I kept back nothing of these things that are beneficial, not to inform you, and to teach you in public, and from house to house,
How I kept back nothing of these things that are beneficial, not to inform you, and to teach you in public, and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus. read more. And now behold, I, bound in the spirit, am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me in it, except that the Holy Spirit testifies from city to city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I make nothing of the matter, nor do I hold my life precious to myself, so as to fully complete my course with joy, and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to solemnly testify the good-news of the grace of God. And now behold, I have seen that ye will no longer see my face, ye all among whom I passed through preaching the kingdom of God. Therefore I solemnly declare to you this day, that I am clean from the blood of all men. For I did not withdraw from declaring to you the whole plan of God.
For I did not withdraw from declaring to you the whole plan of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit placed you guardians, to tend the church of the Lord and God, which he purchased by his own blood. read more. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And from you yourselves men will rise up, speaking distorted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore watch ye, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease warning each one with tears.
Therefore watch ye, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease warning each one with tears. And now brothers, I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who have been sanctified.
And now brothers, I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who have been sanctified.
And now brothers, I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who have been sanctified.
And now brothers, I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you an inheritance among all those who have been sanctified. I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. read more. Ye yourselves know that these hands served my needs, and to those who were with me. I gave you a glimpse of all things, that so laboring ye ought to aid the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
For a great and effective door has opened to me, and yet there are many who are hostile.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, to the sanctified who are at Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, according to the wealth of his grace,
for an administration of the fullness of the times. To gather together all things in the Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth, in him in whom also we obtained an inheritance. Having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the deliberation of his will.
which is a pledge of our inheritance for the redemption of the acquired possession, for appreciation of his glory. Because of this I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love for all the sanctified,
having the eyes of your heart enlightened. For you to know what is the hope of his calling, and what is the wealth of the glory of his inheritance in the sanctified.
Which was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner,
For this reason I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, since indeed ye heard of the administration of the grace of God, which was given to me for you,
Now to him who is able to do above extraordinary--above all things that we ask or think--according to the power that works in us,
I therefore, the prisoner in Lord, call on you to walk worthily of the calling in which ye were called,
I therefore, the prisoner in Lord, call on you to walk worthily of the calling in which ye were called, with all humility and mildness, with longsuffering, forbearing each other in love.
with all humility and mildness, with longsuffering, forbearing each other in love.
with all humility and mildness, with longsuffering, forbearing each other in love. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, one body, and one Spirit. Just as also ye were called in one hope of your calling,
one body, and one Spirit. Just as also ye were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one immersion, read more. one God and Father of all. He is over all, and through all, and in us all. But the grace was given to each of us, according to the measure of the gift of the Christ. Therefore he says, Having ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. And what is the ascended, except that he also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the same man who ascended high above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. And indeed he gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the shepherds and teachers for the perfecting of the sanctified, for the work of ministry, for edification of the body of the Christ. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a standard of stature of the fullness of the Christ. So that we may no longer be childish, tossed about and carried about by every wind of doctrine by the trickery of men in craftiness with the methodology of error. But being truthful in love, we may cause all things to grow for him who is the head--the Christ-- from whom the whole body, joined together and united together through every connection of the supply, according to the working of each one part within a standard, makes the growth of the body for the construction of itself by love.
from whom the whole body, joined together and united together through every connection of the supply, according to the working of each one part within a standard, makes the growth of the body for the construction of itself by love.
for you to put off the old man according to your former conduct, the man who is corrupt according to the desires of deceitfulness, and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, read more. and to put on the new man according to God, the man who was created in righteousness and piety of the truth.
And become good toward each other, compassionate, forgiving each other, even as also God in Christ forgave us.
Let no man deceive you by empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Do not become ye therefore partakers with them. read more. For ye were once darkness, but now light in Lord. Walk as children of light
Therefore watch carefully how ye walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and striking strings in your heart to the Lord,
Put on the full armor of God to enable you to stand against the wiles of the devil. Because our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principal offices, against the positions of authority, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual things of wickedness in the he read more. Because of this take ye up the full armor of God, so that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand ye therefore having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet in preparation of the good-news of peace. Above all having taken up the shield of faith, by which ye will be able to quench all the fiery darts of evil. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying through every prayer and entreaty at every time in spirit, and being alert in this same thing in all perseverance and entreaty for all the sanctified, and for me, so that utterance may be given to me in boldness in opening my mouth to make known the mystery of the good-news,
and for me, so that utterance may be given to me in boldness in opening my mouth to make known the mystery of the good-news, for which I am an ambassador in bondage, so that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
for which I am an ambassador in bondage, so that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
for which I am an ambassador in bondage, so that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that ye also may know the things concerning me, what I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful helper in Lord, will make known all things to you. read more. Whom I sent to you for this same thing, so that ye might know the things about us, and that he might encourage your hearts.
Whom I sent to you for this same thing, so that ye might know the things about us, and that he might encourage your hearts. Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. read more. The grace is with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptibility. Truly.
in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
and through him to reconcile all things to himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross, through him whether things upon the earth or things in the heavens.
Of which I became a helper according to the administration of God, which was given to me for you to fulfill the word of God,
Having been buried with him in immersion, in which also ye were raised together through faith of the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you he made alive together with him, having forgiven us all the transgressions,
and not holding to the head, from whom all the body, being supplied and held together through the connections and bonds, develops its growth from God.
Because of which the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience, in which ye also once walked when ye lived in them. read more. But now ye also, put off all these things: anger, wrath, wickedness, reviling, filthy speaking out of your mouth. Do not lie to each other, having stripped off the old man with his practices, and having put on the new man, being renewed in knowledge according to an image of him who created him,
Put on therefore, as chosen men of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, humility, mildness, longsuffering, forbearing each other, and forgiving yourselves, if any man has a complaint against any, just as also the Christ forgave you, so also ye,
forbearing each other, and forgiving yourselves, if any man has a complaint against any, just as also the Christ forgave you, so also ye, and above all these things, love, which is the bond of perfection. read more. And let the peace of God umpire in your hearts, for which also ye were called in one body, and become thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing by grace in your hearts to God.
Praying simultaneously about us also, so that God may open to us a door of the word, to speak the mystery of the Christ, because of which I have also been bound, so that I may make it known as I ought to speak. read more. Walk in wisdom toward those outside, redeeming the time,
Whom I sent to you for this same thing, so that he may know the things about you, and may encourage your hearts,
By which God, wanting to demonstrate more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutableness of his resolve, confirmed it by an oath.
Hastings
This Epistle belongs to the group of Epistles of the Captivity, and was almost certainly, if genuine, written from Rome, and sent by Tychicus at the same time as the Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon (see Colossians).
1. Destination.
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that in everything ye were enriched in him, in all speech and in all knowledge.
But we speak a wisdom of God in a hidden mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age know. For if they knew, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. read more. But as it is written, What an eye has not seen, and an ear has not heard, and have not arisen in a heart of a man, are things that God prepared for those who love him. But God disclosed it to us through his Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
But God disclosed it to us through his Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of the man, except the spirit of the man in him? And so nobody knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
For we are co-workmen of God. Ye are a tillage of God, an edifice of God. According to the grace of God that was given to me, as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation and another man is building on it. But let each man take heed how he is building on it. read more. For no man can lay another foundation besides that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Know ye not that ye are a temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Because we, the many, are one bread, one body, for we are all partakers of the one bread.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of services, and the same Lord. read more. And there are varieties of functions, but it is the same God who works all in all.
For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ. For also by one Spirit we are all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bondmen or freemen, and we were all made to drink into one Spirit. read more. For the body also is not one part, but many. If the foot should say, Because I am not a hand I am not of the body, it is not by this not of the body. And if the ear should say, Because I am not an eye I am not of the body, it is not by this not of the body.
And in the church God has placed men who are first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.
Afterwards the end, when he delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when he will abolishes all rule, and all authority and power. For he must reign until he will put all his enemies under his feet. read more. The last enemy abolished is death. For he subordinated all things under his feet. But when he says that all things have been subordinated, it is clear that he who subordinated all things under him, is excepted. And when all things are made subordinate to him, then the Son himself will also be made subordinate to him who subordinated all things to him, so that God may be all in all.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, to the sanctified who are at Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
for an administration of the fullness of the times. To gather together all things in the Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth,
In whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the good-news of your salvation, in whom also having believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise, which is a pledge of our inheritance for the redemption of the acquired possession, for appreciation of his glory. read more. Because of this I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love for all the sanctified,
So that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowledge of him,
which he wrought in the Christ, having raised him from the dead and seated at his right hand in the heavenly things,
which is his body, the fulfillment of him who fills all in all.
So that in the coming ages he might show the transcending wealth of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Remember therefore that once ye, the Gentiles in flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision (in flesh, made by hands), that ye were at that time independent of Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and alien of the covenants of the promise, having no hope and godless in the world.
and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having slain the enmity by it.
because through him we both have the access in one Spirit to the Father.
because through him we both have the access in one Spirit to the Father. So then ye are no more alien and foreign, but fellow citizens of the sanctified, and belonging to the household of God. read more. Which was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner,
Which was built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner, in whom the whole building joined together grows into a holy temple in Lord,
in whom the whole building joined together grows into a holy temple in Lord, in whom ye also are built together in Spirit into a habitation of God.
which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets. For Gentiles to be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and fellow partakers of his promise in the Christ through the good-news.
So that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principal offices and the positions of authority in the heavenly things, through the church, according to the purpose of the ages, which he made in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Therefore I ask that ye not become discouraged at my tribulations on your behalf, which is your glory.
So that he would grant you, according to the wealth of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit for the inner man.
I therefore, the prisoner in Lord, call on you to walk worthily of the calling in which ye were called, with all humility and mildness, with longsuffering, forbearing each other in love. read more. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, one body, and one Spirit. Just as also ye were called in one hope of your calling, read more. one Lord, one faith, one immersion, one God and Father of all. He is over all, and through all, and in us all. But the grace was given to each of us, according to the measure of the gift of the Christ.
And indeed he gave the apostles, and the prophets, and the evangelists, and the shepherds and teachers for the perfecting of the sanctified, for the work of ministry, for edification of the body of the Christ. read more. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a standard of stature of the fullness of the Christ.
from whom the whole body, joined together and united together through every connection of the supply, according to the working of each one part within a standard, makes the growth of the body for the construction of itself by love.
Therefore having put off falsehood, let each man speak truth with his neighbor, because we are body-parts of each other. Be ye angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath, read more. neither give place to the devil. Let the man who steals steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the good, so that he may have to give to him who has need. Let no corrupt speech go out of your mouth, rather if there is any good word for edification of a need, so that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in which ye are sealed for a day of redemption.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in which ye are sealed for a day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and reviling be taken away from you, with all evil. read more. And become good toward each other, compassionate, forgiving each other, even as also God in Christ forgave us.
And walk in love, as also the Christ loved us, and delivered himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma.
And walk in love, as also the Christ loved us, and delivered himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma.
(for the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. Because a husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church, and himself the savior of the body. read more. But as the church is subject to the Christ, so also the wives to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your own wives even as Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it,
Husbands, love your own wives even as Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it, so that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it with the washing of water by the word,
so that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it with the washing of water by the word, so that he might present it to himself, the glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and unblemished.
so that he might present it to himself, the glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and unblemished.
And ye masters, do the same things to them, easing up the threats, knowing also that the master of you yourselves is in the heavens, and there is no partiality from him. Finally my brothers, be strong in Lord and in the power of his might. read more. Put on the full armor of God to enable you to stand against the wiles of the devil. Because our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principal offices, against the positions of authority, against the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, against the spiritual things of wickedness in the he Because of this take ye up the full armor of God, so that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Because of this take ye up the full armor of God, so that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand ye therefore having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, read more. and having shod your feet in preparation of the good-news of peace. Above all having taken up the shield of faith, by which ye will be able to quench all the fiery darts of evil. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying through every prayer and entreaty at every time in spirit, and being alert in this same thing in all perseverance and entreaty for all the sanctified,
praying through every prayer and entreaty at every time in spirit, and being alert in this same thing in all perseverance and entreaty for all the sanctified,
But that ye also may know the things concerning me, what I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful helper in Lord, will make known all things to you. Whom I sent to you for this same thing, so that ye might know the things about us, and that he might encourage your hearts.
Only be citizens worthy of the good-news of the Christ, so that, whether having come and having seen you or being absent, I may hear things about you that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith o
Only be citizens worthy of the good-news of the Christ, so that, whether having come and having seen you or being absent, I may hear things about you that ye stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith o
Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name above every name,
For we are the circumcision, men who worship in spirit to God, and who boast in Christ Jesus, and not being confident in flesh.
For our citizenship exists in the heavens, from which also we await a Savior, Lord Jesus Christ,
Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thankfulness make your requests known to God.
But I receive all things, and I abound. I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things from you, an aroma of fragrance, an acceptable sacrifice well-pleasing to God.
And when the letter has been read among you, cause that it be read also in the congregation of Laodiceans, and that ye also read the one from Laodicea.
as also in all his letters, speaking in them about these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist, as also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
And all who dwell upon the earth will worship it, whose name has not been written in the book of life of the Lamb who was killed from the foundation of the world.
We should be glad and rejoice and give the glory to him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has prepared herself.
And he carried me away in spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, holy Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
And the wall of the city having twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.