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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They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he declined; read more. but on taking leave of them he said, "I will return to you if God wills," and he set sail from Ephesus.
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. read more. And he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all.
And when they came to him, he said to them: "You yourselves know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;
serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,
how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. read more. And now, behold, bound in the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I do not consider my life of any account nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that all of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will see my face no more. Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he purchased with the blood of his Own. read more. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night and day to admonish each one with tears.
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night and day to admonish each one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothes. read more. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace
as a plan for the fullness of the times, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. In him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will,
who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance, until the redemption of those who are God's possessionto the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call,
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, read more. one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean except that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also he who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) And he gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to become mature, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into him, who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, being joined and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each part, causes the growth of the body and builds itself up in love.
from whom the whole body, being joined and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each part, causes the growth of the body and builds itself up in love.
You were taught, with regard to your former manner of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, read more. and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partners with them; read more. for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light
Be careful, then, how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord,
Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. read more. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all this, taking up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and petition. And with this in view, keep alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and also pray for me, that in the opening of my mouth, utterance may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
and also pray for me, that in the opening of my mouth, utterance may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. read more. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. read more. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
and through him, to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Of this church I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our sins,
and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. In these you once walked, when you lived in them. read more. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
So, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord forgave you, so you also must forgive.
bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord forgave you, so you also must forgive. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. read more. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
And pray for us as well, that God may open a door to us for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, so that I may make it clear, as I ought to speak. read more. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;
So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he interposed with 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 every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge
But we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and which God destined for our glory before the ages. None of the rulers of this age understood it; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. read more. But, as it is written, "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived what God has prepared for those who love him," God has revealed them to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.
God has revealed them to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit which is in him? Even so no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. read more. For no other foundation can any one lay than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake 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 service, but the same Lord. read more. There are varieties of working, but the same God who works all of them in all men.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one bodywhether Jews or Greeks, slaves or freeand we were all made to drink of one Spirit. read more. For the body is not made up of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason be any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason be any less a part of the body.
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then those having gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and those speaking in various kinds of tongues.
Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. read more. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. "For God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "All things are put in subjection under him," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus:
as a plan for the fullness of the times, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. In him
In him, you also have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having also believed, you were sealed in him with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance, until the redemption of those who are God's possessionto the praise of his glory. read more. For this reason, ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him.
which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
so that in the coming ages he might show the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
and might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, by which he put to death the hostility.
for through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
for through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are members of God's household, read more. having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord;
in whom the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs and members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner man,
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, read more. being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, read more. one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
And he gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ; read more. until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to become mature, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
from whom the whole body, being joined and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each part, causes the growth of the body and builds itself up in love.
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, each one of you must speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, read more. and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but rather must labor, doing useful work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with those in need. Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building others up according to the need of the moment, that it may impart grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. read more. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is himself the Savior. read more. As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in all her glory, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and blameless.
that he might present the church to himself in all her glory, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and blameless.
Masters, do the same to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. read more. Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, read more. and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all this, taking up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and petition. And with this in view, keep alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and petition. And with this in view, keep alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you stand firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Therefore God also highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name,
For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh,
But our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
When this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read the letter from Laodicea.
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
and all who dwell on earth will worship it, every one whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain.
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him the glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.