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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When they came to Ephesus he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they begged him to stay longer, he would not consent, read more. but said, as he took leave of them, "I will return again to you, if God will."
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, a learned man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. He had been instructed in the ways of the Lord, and being full of zeal, he used to speak and to teach accurately the facts about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. read more. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him they took him home and explained to him more accurately the way of God.
"And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but almost throughout all of Asia, this fellow Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, by telling them that they are no gods at all who are made with hands.
and when they arrived, he said to them. "You yourselves know quite well, how I lived among you, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, "serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and amid trials that befell me through the plots of the Jews.
"serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and amid trials that befell me through the plots of the Jews. "You know that I never shrank from declaring to you anything that was profitable, nor from teaching you publicity and in your homes,
"You know that I never shrank from declaring to you anything that was profitable, nor from teaching you publicity and in your homes, testifying both to Jews and Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. read more. And now I am going to Jerusalem, bound in the Spirit, not knowing what will befall me there, except that in city after city the Holy Spirit is warning me that bonds and afflictions are awaiting me. But I hold not my life of any account, as dear unto myself, if only I may run my race, and accomplish the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to attest the gospel of the grace of God. And now I know that not one of you among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will ever see my face again. So I testify to you this day that I am clear from the blood of all men; I never shrank from telling you the whole counsel of God.
I never shrank from telling you the whole counsel of God. Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, and be shepherds of the church of God which he has purchased with his own blood. read more. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock; and that from among your own number, men will arise, perverting the truth, to draw away the disciples after them. So be on guard; and remember that for three years I ceased not to admonish you all, night and day, even with tears.
So be on guard; and remember that for three years I ceased not to admonish you all, night and day, even with tears. "And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace. He is able to build you up, and to give you your inheritance among all those who are consecrated.
"And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace. He is able to build you up, and to give you your inheritance among all those who are consecrated.
"And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace. He is able to build you up, and to give you your inheritance among all those who are consecrated.
"And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace. He is able to build you up, and to give you your inheritance among all those who are consecrated. "No man's silver or gold of clothing did I ever covet. read more. "You yourselves know how these hands of mine provided for my needs, and those of my companions. "In all things I have set you an example, how that so toiling, you ought to help the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
for a door has opened to me, great and effectual, and the opponents are many.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus, grace to you and peace from God our father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is in him we have deliverance, the forgiveness of our trespasses, through his blood;
for the government of the fulness of the ages, that all things in heaven and earth are alike should be gathered up in Christ, as Head. It is he in whom we Jews also have our inheritance, having been chosen beforehand according to the purpose of Him who executes all things according to the counsel of his will,
who for the praise of his glory is the pledge of our common heritage, unto the complete redemption of his purchased property. For this reason I also, from the time when I heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which prevails among you, and your love to all the saints,
and that the eyes of your heart may be flooded with light so that you may understand what is the hope of his calling, what the wealth of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles??2 for surely you have heard of the stewardship of the grace of God entrusted to me for you?
Now unto him who, according to his might that is at work within us, is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or even think,
I summon you then, I the prisoner in the Lord, to live lives worthy of the calling to which you were called.
I summon you then, I the prisoner in the Lord, to live lives worthy of the calling to which you were called. With all humility and gentleness and long-suffering forbear with one another in love;
With all humility and gentleness and long-suffering forbear with one another in love;
With all humility and gentleness and long-suffering forbear with one another in love; and endeavor to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.
and endeavor to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. There is one body and one spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling.
There is one body and one spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, read more. one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. And to each one of us was grace given according to the measure of the munificence of Christ. Thus it is said, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men. Now surely this "he ascended" implies that he also descended into the lower part of the earth. He who descended is he who ascended above the highest heaven, that he might fill the universe. It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, in order to equip the saints for the work of serving, for the building up of the Body of Christ??13 till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the maturity of manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
So we shall no longer be children, tossed up and down, and blown about by every wind of teaching, tricked by the craft of men in the snares of misleading error; but holding the truth in love we shall grow up in every part into him who is our Head, even Christ. read more. From him the whole body (knit together and compacted by all its joints) makes continual growth of the body so as to build itself up in love, through the energy of his bounteous provision, according to the need of each several part.
From him the whole body (knit together and compacted by all its joints) makes continual growth of the body so as to build itself up in love, through the energy of his bounteous provision, according to the need of each several part.
You have learned to lay aside, with your former manner of living, the old self who was on his way to ruin, as he followed the desires which deceive; and to be made new in the spirit of your mind, read more. and to put on the new self, created after God's likeness, in the uprightness and holiness of the truth.
and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Let no man deceive you with empty arguments, for it is these vices that bring down the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience; therefore do not become sharers with them. read more. For you were once darkness, but are now in the Lord.
See to it, then, that you carry on your life carefully; not as foolish, but as wise men. Buy up opportunity, for the times are evil.
when you talk together; with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and with all your hearts making music unto the Lord;
Put on all the panoply of God, so that you may be able to stand your ground against the stratagems of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the despotisms, the empires, the rulers of this present darkness, the spirit-hosts of evil in the heavenly realm. read more. Therefore take up the panoply of God, so that when the evil day comes you may be able to withstand them, and having overthrown them all, to stand your ground. Stand firm then, girt about with the belt of truth, and wearing the breastplate of righteousness, and having your feet shod with the stability of the gospel of peace. And take up to cover you the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the Evil One. Take likewise the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Continue to pray at all times, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for it with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given me to open my mouth boldly, and to make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador,
and for me, that utterance may be given me to open my mouth boldly, and to make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador, and in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it boldly as I ought to speak.
and in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it boldly as I ought to speak.
and in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it boldly as I ought to speak. But that you also may know my affairs and how I do, Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. read more. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may cheer your hearts.
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may cheer your hearts. Peace to the brothers and love, with faith from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. read more. May grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with sincerity.
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.
and by him it chose to reconcile all things alike on earth or in heaven to himself; making peace by him, through the blood of his cross.
It is of this I was made a minister, according to the stewardship entrusted to me by God for you, fully to declare God's message;
when you were buried with him in baptism. In baptism also you were raised with him, through your faith in the energy of that God who raised him from the dead. And you also, at one time dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sensual nature, he has made alive together with himself. For he forgave us all our transgressions,
instead of keeping connection with the Head from the whole body draws nourishment for all its needs by the joints which bind it; and is knit together, and grows with a divine growth.
These things are ever bringing down the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience, among whom you once led your daily life when you lived in them. read more. But now you also must renounce them all. Anger, passion, and ill-will must be put away; slander, too, and foul talk, so that they may never soil your lips. Lie not one to another, but strip off the old self with its doings, and put on that new self which is continually made over according to the likeness of its Creator, into full understanding.
Therefore, as God's chosen people, consecrated and beloved, clothe yourselves with tenderness of heart, kindness, humility, gentleness, good temper; bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if any one has a grievance against another. Just as Christ the Lord forgave you, so must you forgive.
bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if any one has a grievance against another. Just as Christ the Lord forgave you, so must you forgive. Over them all bind on love, which is the girdle of completeness. read more. Let the peace of Christ, to which also you were called in one body, rule in your hearts, and show yourselves thankful. Let the word of Christ have its home in you richly, in all wisdom. Teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ever singing with grace in your hearts unto God.
Keep on praying for me, too, that God may open for me a door of utterance to speak the secret truth of Christ, for which I am a prisoner. Pray that I may unfold it as I ought to speak. read more. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward those without, buying up your opportunities.
I have sent him with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, one of your own number, for this very purpose, to let you know how I am, and to cheer your hearts.
On which principle God, wishing to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his purpose, mediated 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 everything you have been enriched in him, in all speech, and in all knowledge
No, it is God's wisdom that I utter, that hidden wisdom which God had decreed before the world began, unto our glory. None of the rulers of the present age understands it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory. read more. Nay, as it is written. Eye has not seen, Nor ear heard, Neither have entered into man's heart The things which God has prepared For those who love him. Yet God has unveiled them to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit fathoms everything, even the abysmal depths of God.
Yet God has unveiled them to us by his Spirit. For the Spirit fathoms everything, even the abysmal depths of God. For what man knows the depths of man except the man's own inner Spirit? Even so, also, the Spirit of God knows the deeps profound of God.
For we are God's fellow workers; and you are God's field, you are God's building. According to the grace of God vouchsafed me, like a skillful master-builder, I have laid a foundation; but another will be building upon it. Let each take heed how he builds on it. read more. The foundation is already laid??esus Christ??nd no man can lay another.
Do you not know what you are God's sanctuary, and that the Spirit of God is dwelling within you?
Because we who are many are one bread, one body, for we all do share in the one loaf.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; there are various forms of service, and the same Lord; read more. and varieties of work, and the same God, who works in all.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, although they be many, are one body; so also is Christ. And we can see this, for in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jew or Gentile, whether slave or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. read more. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot should say, "Because I am a hand, I am not part a part the body," would it not indeed be a part of the body? Or if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," would it be any less a part of the body?
And God has appointed those in the church to be first of all apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers. then workers of miracles, healers, helpers, administrators, users of various kinds of "tongues."
And then the end, when he shall hand over his kingdom to God his Father, after he has abolished all rule and authority and power. For he must rule until he has put all his enemies under his feet. read more. The last enemy that will be destroyed is Death. For He hast put all things under his feet, but in that quotation All things are put under him, it is evident that God is excepted, who put all things under Him. For when everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself shall subject himself to Him who made them subject, 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 to the faithful in Christ Jesus,
for the government of the fulness of the ages, that all things in heaven and earth are alike should be gathered up in Christ, as Head.
And in him, because you listened to the proclamation of the truth, the evangel of your salvation, and trusted it, you Gentiles too were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who for the praise of his glory is the pledge of our common heritage, unto the complete redemption of his purchased property. read more. For this reason I also, from the time when I heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which prevails among you, and your love to all the saints,
I am praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father most glorious, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, through an intimate knowledge of himself;
which he exercised in raising Christ from the dead, and in seating him at his right hand in the heavenly heights,
which is his body, the fulness of Him who fills the universe.
in order that he might show to the ages to come the amazing riches of his grace by his goodness to us in Christ Jesus.
Do not forget then, that you Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by the "circumcision" made in flesh by man's hand, were once upon a time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants of the Promise, without hope and without God in the world.
Thus he reconciled us both in one body to God by his cross, on which he slew our enmity.
because it is through him that we both have access in one spirit to the Father.
because it is through him that we both have access in one spirit to the Father. Take notice then that no longer are you strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household. read more. You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.
You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. In him the whole building, fitly framed together, rises into a holy temple in the Lord;
In him the whole building, fitly framed together, rises into a holy temple in the Lord; and in him you, too, are continuously built together for a dwelling-place of God through his Spirit.
which was not disclosed to the sons of men in former generations, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets, namely, that in Christ Jesus the Gentiles form one body with us the Jews, and are coheirs and copartners in the promise, through the gospel.
in order that now his manifold wisdom should, through the church, be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly sphere, according to his eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So I beg you not to lose heart over my tribulations in your behalf; they are your glory.
praying him to grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in your inmost being;
I summon you then, I the prisoner in the Lord, to live lives worthy of the calling to which you were called. With all humility and gentleness and long-suffering forbear with one another in love; read more. and endeavor to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.
and endeavor to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.
and endeavor to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. There is one body and one spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling. read more. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. And to each one of us was grace given according to the measure of the munificence of Christ.
It is he who made some men apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, in order to equip the saints for the work of serving, for the building up of the Body of Christ??13 till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the maturity of manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
From him the whole body (knit together and compacted by all its joints) makes continual growth of the body so as to build itself up in love, through the energy of his bounteous provision, according to the need of each several part.
So then put away falseness and speak every man the truth to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. "Be angry and sin not"; let not the sun go down upon your anger. read more. Give the devil no place. Let him who stole steal no more, but let him work, and in honest industry toil with his hands, so that he may have something to give to the needy. From your lips let no evil words come forth, but such as occasion warrants, such as are good for upbuilding and give a blessing to the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you have been sealed for the day of redemption.
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you have been sealed for the day of redemption. Banish from among you all bitterness and passion and anger and clamor and slander, as well as all malice; read more. and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you.
and to lead lives of love, just as Christ also loved you and gave himself up for you, an offering and sacrifice unto God, for you, an offering and sacrifice unto God, for "an odor of sweetness."
and to lead lives of love, just as Christ also loved you and gave himself up for you, an offering and sacrifice unto God, for you, an offering and sacrifice unto God, for "an odor of sweetness."
Lead the life of children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in every kind of goodness and uprightness and truth.
Wives likewise to their husbands as to the Lord, because a husband is the head of his wife even as Christ is head of the church, his body, which he saves. read more. But as the church submits itself to Christ, so also wives to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her,
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her, in order that after cleansing her in the bath of baptism, he might sanctify her by his word,
in order that after cleansing her in the bath of baptism, he might sanctify her by his word, so as to present her to himself, the church glorified, without spot or wrinkle or any such blemish; but on the contrary holy and faultless.
so as to present her to himself, the church glorified, without spot or wrinkle or any such blemish; but on the contrary holy and faultless.
And you masters, show the same spirit to your slaves, and stop threatening them; for you know that your masters and theirs is in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons with him. Finally, my brothers, let your hearts be strengthened in the Lord, and in the power of his might. read more. Put on all the panoply of God, so that you may be able to stand your ground against the stratagems of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the despotisms, the empires, the rulers of this present darkness, the spirit-hosts of evil in the heavenly realm. Therefore take up the panoply of God, so that when the evil day comes you may be able to withstand them, and having overthrown them all, to stand your ground.
Therefore take up the panoply of God, so that when the evil day comes you may be able to withstand them, and having overthrown them all, to stand your ground. Stand firm then, girt about with the belt of truth, and wearing the breastplate of righteousness, read more. and having your feet shod with the stability of the gospel of peace. And take up to cover you the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the Evil One. Take likewise the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Continue to pray at all times, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for it with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Continue to pray at all times, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for it with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
But that you also may know my affairs and how I do, Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may cheer your hearts.
Only do lead lives worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come to see you or hear reports concerning you in my absence, I may know that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul, enlisted in a common struggle for the faith of the gospel,
Only do lead lives worthy of the gospel of Christ; so that whether I come to see you or hear reports concerning you in my absence, I may know that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one soul, enlisted in a common struggle for the faith of the gospel,
And for this God highly exalted him, and graciously bestowed upon him the name which is above every name;
For we are the true circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and make our boast in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in outward rites,
But commonwealth is in heaven; and it is from heaven also that we are anxiously awaiting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Do not worry about anything; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
But I give you a receipt in full for all things abound. I am amply supplied with what you sent by Epaphroditus??n odor of sweet fragrance, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.
And when this letter has been read to you, see that it is read also in the church of Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
It is the same in all his letters when he speaks of these things. There are indeed some things in his letters hard to understand, which the ignorant and the shifty wrest, as also they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
and each one whose name has not been written in the Lamb's book of life, the Lamb who has been slain from the foundation of the world. All who dwell on the earth shall worship him.
Let us rejoice and triumph and give him the glory; For the marriage of the Lamb is come, And his bride has made herself ready,
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain, huge and high; and he showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, descending 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.