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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being arriv'd at Ephesus, he left them there, and went himself to the synagogue, where he disputed with the Jews, who desired him to stay longer with them, but he would not consent to it: for, read more. said he, in taking his leave, I must necessarily keep the approaching feast at Jerusalem: after which I will return to you if God permit.
In the mean time a Jew, nam'd Apollos, born at Alexandria, a man of letters, and vers'd in the scriptures, arriv'd at Ephesus. he had been instructed in the doctrine of the gospel, and being full of zeal, he harangued with great assiduity about what related to Jesus, though he had been only instituted in the baptism of John. read more. having talk'd with great freedom in the synagogue, Aquila and Priscilla, who had heard him, invited him home, and gave him a more distinct view of the gospel.
yet your own eyes and ears have inform'd you, that not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul by his persuasions has turn'd the heads of a world of people, asserting, that these are Gods of our own making, and not really such.
and when they were arriv'd he told them, you know how I have always behav'd towards you from the first day of my arrival in Asia: how I have serv'd the Lord with all resignation, with tears, and trials occasion'd by the insidious practices of the Jews:
how I have serv'd the Lord with all resignation, with tears, and trials occasion'd by the insidious practices of the Jews: that I have conceal'd nothing that might be useful to you, but have inform'd you of it, and instructed you therein, both in publick and in private:
that I have conceal'd nothing that might be useful to you, but have inform'd you of it, and instructed you therein, both in publick and in private: remonstrating both to Jews and Gentiles the advantages of a sincere repentance, and of believing read more. in our Lord Jesus Christ. but now I am fix'd in my resolution to go to Jerusalem, without any apprehension of what may befal me there: save what the holy spirit in every city declares, "that bonds and afflictions wait for me." things that little affect me, nor is life so much my concern, as to finish my course, and the charge I receiv'd from the Lord Jesus, to attest the declaration of the divine favour. and now I am persuaded you will none of you see my face any more: whilst I have been among you, I have proclaim'd the kingdom of the Messias: I therefore declare to you at this present time, that I am not responsible for the ruin of any: for I have acquainted you with the whole dispensation of God without reserve.
for I have acquainted you with the whole dispensation of God without reserve. be therefore upon your guard to secure your selves, and the whole flock over which the holy spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. read more. for I know when I am gone, you will be oppress'd by wolves, that will not spare the flock. nay, among your own body some will start up to vent their intricate conceits, and draw a number of followers. be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears.
be then upon the watch, and remember, that for three years I have not ceased by night, or by day to warn every soul of you, even with tears. and now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to his gracious dispensation, which is able to improve you, and secure to you the inheritance with those who are sanctify'd.
and now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to his gracious dispensation, which is able to improve you, and secure to you the inheritance with those who are sanctify'd.
and now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to his gracious dispensation, which is able to improve you, and secure to you the inheritance with those who are sanctify'd.
and now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to his gracious dispensation, which is able to improve you, and secure to you the inheritance with those who are sanctify'd. I have not desir'd to get from any one either silver, or gold, or apparel. read more. you yourselves can witness, that what was necessary for myself and those who were with me, these very hands have supply'd. my constant example has shown you that the disabled should be assisted by your labours, remembring the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, "it is a greater happiness to give than to receive."
for I have a very fair and promising opportunity given me of propagating the gospel, tho' there are many opposers.
Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the divine appointment to the converts which are at Ephesus, who stand firm in the faith of Christ Jesus: grace be to you, and peace from God our father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
who has by his blood obtained for us the redemption, even the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of his grace,
when the full time of the dispensation was come, to reduce all things both in heaven and on earth, under one head in Christ. It is by him, that we have a share in the inheritance, which was before allotted to us, in consequence of his design, who executes the whole plan, as he himself had contriv'd it:
and this is the pledge of our inheritance, being given for the deliverance of his peculiar people, to the display of his glory. Wherefore having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and of your love to all christians,
an enlightned understanding, that ye may see what great expectations he has called you to, and what abundant glory it is to the saints to be the lot of his inheritance.
being built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, whereof Jesus Christ himself is the main stone of the angle:
This it is that makes me Paul a prisoner for Jesus Christ upon your account, O Gentiles; if so be you have heard of the charge, which God has graciously dispens'd to me for you Gentiles;
Now unto him that is able to do infinitely above what we ask or comprehend, by his power operating in us,
I therefore the prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to live suitably to the offers that have been made to you:
I therefore the prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to live suitably to the offers that have been made to you: with all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love;
with all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love;
with all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love; endeavouring to preserve the spiritual union by your affectionate attachment to one another.
endeavouring to preserve the spiritual union by your affectionate attachment to one another. Being one body, acted by one spirit, since you all have but one expectation in view;
Being one body, acted by one spirit, since you all have but one expectation in view; there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, read more. one God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all. but to every one of us a different charge is given, according to the distribution which Christ has made; wherefore 'tis said, " when he ascended up on high, he made a number of captives, and gave gifts to men." now his having ascended, what does it mean, but that he had descended into the lower parts of the earth? he that descended, is the same too that ascended far above all heavens, to perfect all things. It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers: thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ: till being united in a perfect belief, and acknowledgment of the son of God, we grow up to that full state of maturity required by Christ: that we should be no longer children, fluctuating, and carried about with every empty doctrine, by men vers'd in sleight and the crafty arts of deceit: but being sincere in mutual love, may be entirely united to Christ, who is the head: from which the whole body fitly framed, and compacted by the entire adherence and contribution of every part performing its respective function, increases and improves itself by the mutual concern of the parts.
from which the whole body fitly framed, and compacted by the entire adherence and contribution of every part performing its respective function, increases and improves itself by the mutual concern of the parts.
to quit the vicious habits of your former conversation, corrupted by deceitful passions: and to be renewed in your mind, by living like men formed anew, read more. after the image of God, in justice, sanctity, and truth.
be mutually kind, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
let no man mislead you by vain reasonings: for it is for these vices, that the wrath of God lights upon the incredulous. don't you therefore be concern'd with them. read more. you were heretofore altogether in the dark, but now being enlightned by the Lord, behave as children of light:
See then that you behave circumspectly, and not as fools, but as wise, weighing the circumstances of the season, because the times are dangerous.
expressing yourselves in psalms, in hymns, and spiritual songs; and let your hearts beat the time, in concerts of praises to the Lord,
put on the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. for our conflict is not barely with men, but with principalities, with potentates, with the princes of darkness, with wicked aereal spirits. read more. wherefore invest yourselves with the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to withstand in the difficult day, and having overcome all to maintain your ground. stand firm, the belt of truth round your waist, let justice invest you like mail: wing your feet with the gospel of peace: cover all with the shield of faith, to repel all the fiery darts of the adversary: let salvation be your helmet, and the divine doctrine your spiritual sword. Pour out your souls unto God upon all occasions, watching in prayer with all perseverance and supplication for all christians: in particular for me, that I may have leave to speak without any restraint, and make known the mystery of the gospel,
in particular for me, that I may have leave to speak without any restraint, and make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an embassador, tho' in chains: that I may duely represent it to the full.
for which I am an embassador, tho' in chains: that I may duely represent it to the full.
for which I am an embassador, tho' in chains: that I may duely represent it to the full. As to the state of my affairs, and health, Tychicus our dear brother, and faithful minister in the Lord, will very particularly acquaint you with them. read more. I have sent him to you on purpose to acquaint you with our concerns, and to comfort your hearts.
I have sent him to you on purpose to acquaint you with our concerns, and to comfort your hearts. may our brethren have peace, social affection, and faith from God the father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. read more. grace be with all those that have love uncorrupted for our Lord Jesus Christ. amen.
It is by him, that we have obtain'd the redemption, even the remission of our sins:
and having made peace by the blood of his cross, to reconcile all things to himself, both those in heaven, and those upon earth.
of which I have been established a minister, according to the charge which God has given me to preach his gospel faithfully among you. ---
which were buried (as Christ was) in your baptism, by virtue of which you rise (as he did) to a new life, through a belief of that divine power, which raised him from the dead. Even you, who were in a dying sinful state, and were uncircumcised Gentiles, has God raised to life, as he did Christ, having pardoned all your sins:
not adhering to the head, from which all the parts of the body derive its nutrition, and being firmly united together by its joints and ligaments, receives a divine increase.
these are vices which draw down the divine vengeance upon unbelieving nations; among whom you had your conversation, when you followed their practices. read more. but now renounce them all, as well as anger, animosity, malice: let calumny and obscene discourse be banish'd from your lips. let there be no fraud among you, since you have discarded your former habits and practices, and are become new men, improv'd by knowledge into a resemblance of him, who made this change:
be you therefore adorn'd with a compassionate temper, with benevolence, humility, meekness, patience as becometh saints and chosen favourites of God: bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, when one has any cause of complaint against another: as the Lord forgave you, do you likewise forgive.
bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, when one has any cause of complaint against another: as the Lord forgave you, do you likewise forgive. to all this add love, which is the band of perfect union: read more. may the peace of Christ, to which you are called to be but one body, influence your hearts, to be benevolent. Let the christian doctrine be the familiar subject of your entertainment: in all wisdom instructing and exhorting one another, in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, melodiously tuning your grateful praises to God.
put up your requests likewise for me, that God would give me an opportunity to declare the mystery of Christ (for which I am even in bonds:) that I may publish it in the manner, it should necessarily be done. read more. Be prudent in your conduct to those, who are not christians: and make the best of of every opportunity.
I sent him on purpose to acquaint you with my circumstances, and give you matter of comfort.
wherefore God was willing to give the heirs of promise a stronger proof of the immutability of his counsel, by the intervention of 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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in your being enriched by him in every gift, with all that light and knowledge,
but we explain that mysterious plan of divine wisdom, which God had contriv'd before the ages, for our glory: which none of the rulers of this age understood: for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. read more. but, as it is written, "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entred into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." this is what God has revealed to us by his spirit: for the spirit penetrates into all things, even the profound counsels of God.
this is what God has revealed to us by his spirit: for the spirit penetrates into all things, even the profound counsels of God. for who knows the thoughts of a man, but the spirit of man which is in him? even so the thoughts of God no one can know, but the spirit of God.
For we are fellow labourers employed by God: you are his field, and his mansion. according to the free gift of God bestowed upon me, I, as a skilful architect, have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. but let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. read more. for no one can lay any other foundation, than what is laid, which is, that Jesus is the Messias.
Don't you know, that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwells in you?
for the bread being one, as many as we are, we are one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
Now there are different gifts, but the same spirit.
Now there are different gifts, but the same spirit. and there are different offices, but the same Lord. read more. and there are different operations, but it is the same God who performs them all in every one.
For as the body is one, tho' it has many members, and all the members of that one body, tho' many, are one body: so also is the body of Christ. for by one spirit we have all been baptized, to be form'd into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free; and have been all made to drink of one spirit. read more. the body is not one member, but many. if the foot should say, "because I am not the hand, I am not of the body;" is it therefore not of the body? and if the ear should say, "because I am not the eye, I am not of the body;" is it therefore not of the body?
which God has placed in the church, first apostles, next prophets, then teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, assistants, governours, interpreters of languages.
and then will be the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God even the father; after having abolished all rule, and all authority, and power. for he must reign, "till God has cast all his enemies under his feet." read more. the last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death. for he hath subjected all things to him. but when it is said all things are subjected, it is plain that he is to be excepted, who did subject all things to him. and when all things shall be reduced under subjection to him, then shall the son also himself be subject to him that put all things under his subjection, that God may be all in all.
Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the divine appointment to the converts which are at Ephesus, who stand firm in the faith of Christ Jesus:
when the full time of the dispensation was come, to reduce all things both in heaven and on earth, under one head in Christ.
by whom you also have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: and having believed in him, ye were mark'd with the seal of the holy spirit, which was promised: and this is the pledge of our inheritance, being given for the deliverance of his peculiar people, to the display of his glory. read more. Wherefore having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and of your love to all christians,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, whereby ye may know him:
which he exerted in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at the head of his heavenly kingdom,
which is his body, a work compleatly finished in all its parts.
that in the ages to come, he might shew the immense riches of his gracious kindness towards us, through Christ Jesus.
Wherefore remember that you were heretofore Gentiles, being denominated the uncircumcised, by those who are the circumcised by a manual operation; that at that time ye were without all knowledge of the Messiah, being aliens from the common-wealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope, and living in the world without any true knowledge of God.
that he might reconcile both in one body unto God by the cross, wherefore he destroyed the enmity that was between them:
for thro' him both of us have access by the same spirit to the father.
for thro' him both of us have access by the same spirit to the father. Therefore now, you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and domesticks of God's family, read more. being built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, whereof Jesus Christ himself is the main stone of the angle:
being built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, whereof Jesus Christ himself is the main stone of the angle: on which the whole structure rises with symmetry into a temple, consecrated by the Lord:
on which the whole structure rises with symmetry into a temple, consecrated by the Lord: who by his spirit has likewise made you a part of this divine mansion.
which preceeding was not discover'd to men, as now it is to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit; to wit, "that the Gentiles should be heirs as well as the Jews, make one body together, and partake of the divine promise in Christ by the gospel."
that the manifold wisdom of God, in ordering his heavenly kingdom, might by his church be now made known, to princes and magistrates, in pursuance of that dispensation which he made to former ages by Christ Jesus our Lord:
Wherefore I desire that you be not dejected at the tribulations I am under for your sake, which are matter of glory to you.
that by his immense power he would strengthen the faculties of your minds by his spirit:
I therefore the prisoner for the Lord, beseech you to live suitably to the offers that have been made to you: with all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love; read more. endeavouring to preserve the spiritual union by your affectionate attachment to one another.
endeavouring to preserve the spiritual union by your affectionate attachment to one another.
endeavouring to preserve the spiritual union by your affectionate attachment to one another. Being one body, acted by one spirit, since you all have but one expectation in view; read more. there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all. but to every one of us a different charge is given, according to the distribution which Christ has made;
It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers: thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ: read more. till being united in a perfect belief, and acknowledgment of the son of God, we grow up to that full state of maturity required by Christ:
from which the whole body fitly framed, and compacted by the entire adherence and contribution of every part performing its respective function, increases and improves itself by the mutual concern of the parts.
Wherefore leave off the practice of lying, and let every man speak truth to his neighbour: for we are all members of one society. are you angry? have a care you don't sin. "let not the sun go down upon your wrath," read more. lest the devil take hold of the opportunity. let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labour, to encrease his fortune with his own hands, that he may have wherewithal to relieve the needy: let no obscene language defile your mouth, use only such as tends to edification, that it may be beneficial to the hearers. grieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom you are sealed against the day of deliverance:
grieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom you are sealed against the day of deliverance: banish all resentment and indignation, anger, vehemence, detraction, and every thing like malice. read more. be mutually kind, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
for Christ loved us, and for us gave himself an offering and a sacrifice acceptable to God.
for Christ loved us, and for us gave himself an offering and a sacrifice acceptable to God.
for the natural effect of light, is universal benevolence, justice, and truth:
let married women be submissive to their husbands, out of regard to the Lord. for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body. read more. as the church then is subordinate to Christ, so let women be to their husbands upon all occasions. You husband, love your spouse, even as Christ loved the church, and laid down his life for her:
You husband, love your spouse, even as Christ loved the church, and laid down his life for her: to sanctify and purify her by the ablution of his word,
to sanctify and purify her by the ablution of his word, that he himself might make her appear illustrious to his own eye, a church without spot, or any thing like a defect; so as to be holy and irreprehensible.
that he himself might make her appear illustrious to his own eye, a church without spot, or any thing like a defect; so as to be holy and irreprehensible.
and you masters have a just regard to them, by softning your authority: knowing that both their and your master is in heaven, where there is no respect of persons with him. Finally, my brethren, place your strength in the transcendent power of the Lord. read more. put on the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. for our conflict is not barely with men, but with principalities, with potentates, with the princes of darkness, with wicked aereal spirits. wherefore invest yourselves with the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to withstand in the difficult day, and having overcome all to maintain your ground.
wherefore invest yourselves with the set of divine armour, that ye may be able to withstand in the difficult day, and having overcome all to maintain your ground. stand firm, the belt of truth round your waist, let justice invest you like mail: read more. wing your feet with the gospel of peace: cover all with the shield of faith, to repel all the fiery darts of the adversary: let salvation be your helmet, and the divine doctrine your spiritual sword. Pour out your souls unto God upon all occasions, watching in prayer with all perseverance and supplication for all christians:
Pour out your souls unto God upon all occasions, watching in prayer with all perseverance and supplication for all christians:
As to the state of my affairs, and health, Tychicus our dear brother, and faithful minister in the Lord, will very particularly acquaint you with them. I have sent him to you on purpose to acquaint you with our concerns, and to comfort your hearts.
only conduct yourselves in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else am absent, I may have this account of you, that you are stedfastly of the same resolution, and unanimously contend for the faith of the gospel,
only conduct yourselves in a manner becoming the gospel of Christ, that whether I come to see you, or else am absent, I may have this account of you, that you are stedfastly of the same resolution, and unanimously contend for the faith of the gospel,
wherefore God has highly exalted and given him a name, which is above every name;
for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages:
but we are the denisons of heaven, from whence we expect the saviour Jesus Christ our Lord.
the Lord is coming: be not in any manner of sollicitude, but in all your occasions lay your requests before God by prayer and supplication accompany'd by thanksgiving.
I have now receiv'd the whole, and have more than sufficient: I am loaded with the presents you sent by Epaphroditus, which I have receiv'd as grateful incense, as a sacrifice which God accepts and approves.
church which uses to meet in his house. when this epistle has been read among you, take care that it be read likewise in the church of the Laodiceans, and
as it were in all his epistles, where he takes notice of these things: in which there are some passages that are difficult to understand, which the illiterate, and unstable wrest, as they do the rest of the scriptures, to their own ruin.
all that dwell upon the earth will worship him, whose names are not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the lamb, that was slain.
let us rejoyce, and triumph, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the lamb is come, and his spouse is already adorn'd.
and he carried me away in an extacy to a great and high mountain, and shewed me the city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.
the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb.