Reference: Ephesians, Epistle to
Easton
was written by Paul at Rome about the same time as that to the Colossians, which in many points it resembles.
Contents of. The Epistle to the Colossians is mainly polemical, designed to refute certain theosophic errors that had crept into the church there. That to the Ephesians does not seem to have originated in any special circumstances, but is simply a letter springing from Paul's love to the church there, and indicative of his earnest desire that they should be fully instructed in the profound doctrines of the gospel. It contains (1) the salutation (Eph 1:1-2); (2) a general description of the blessings the gospel reveals, as to their source, means by which they are attained, purpose for which they are bestowed, and their final result, with a fervent prayer for the further spiritual enrichment of the Ephesians (Eph 1:3-2:10); (3) "a record of that marked change in spiritual position which the Gentile believers now possessed, ending with an account of the writer's selection to and qualification for the apostolate of heathendom, a fact so considered as to keep them from being dispirited, and to lead him to pray for enlarged spiritual benefactions on his absent sympathizers" (Eph 2:12-3:21); (4) a chapter on unity as undisturbed by diversity of gifts (Eph 4:1-16); (5) special injunctions bearing on ordinary life (Eph 4:17-6:10); (6) the imagery of a spiritual warfare, mission of Tychicus, and valedictory blessing (Eph 6:11-24).
Planting of the church at Ephesus. Paul's first and hurried visit for the space of three months to Ephesus is recorded in Ac 18:19-21. The work he began on this occasion was carried forward by Apollos (Ac 18:24-26) and Aquila and Priscilla. On his second visit, early in the following year, he remained at Ephesus "three years," for he found it was the key to the western provinces of Asia Minor. Here "a great door and effectual" was opened to him (1Co 16:9), and the church was established and strengthened by his assiduous labours there (Ac 20:20,31). From Ephesus as a centre the gospel spread abroad "almost throughout all Asia" (Ac 19:26). The word "mightily grew and prevailed" despite all the opposition and persecution he encountered.
On his last journey to Jerusalem the apostle landed at Miletus, and summoning together the elders of the church from Ephesus, delivered to them his remarkable farewell charge (Ac 20:18-35), expecting to see them no more.
The following parallels between this epistle and the Milesian charge may be traced:
(1.) Ac 20:19 = Eph 4:2. The phrase "lowliness of mind" occurs nowhere else.
(2.) Ac 20:27 = Eph 1:11. The word "counsel," as denoting the divine plan, occurs only here and Heb 6:17.
(3.) Ac 20:32 = Eph 3:20. The divine ability.
(4.) Ac 20:32 = Eph 2:20. The building upon the foundation.
(5.) Ac 20:32 = Eph 1:14,18. "The inheritance of the saints."
Place and date of the writing of the letter. It was evidently written from Rome during Paul's first imprisonment (Eph 3:1; 4:1; 6:20), and probably soon after his arrival there, about the year 62, four years after he had parted with the Ephesian elders at Miletus. The subscription of this epistle is correct.
There seems to have been no special occasion for the writing of this letter, as already noted. Paul's object was plainly not polemical. No errors had sprung up in the church which he sought to point out and refute. The object of the apostle is "to set forth the ground, the cause, and the aim and end of the church of the faithful in Christ. He speaks to the Ephesians as a type or sample of the church universal." The church's foundations, its course, and its end, are his theme. "Everywhere the foundation of the church is the will of the Father; the course of the church is by the satisfaction of the Son; the end of the church is the life in the Holy Spirit." In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul writes from the point of view of justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ; here he writes from the point of view specially of union to the Redeemer, and hence of the oneness of the true church of Christ. "This is perhaps the profoundest book in existence." It is a book "which sounds the lowest depths of Christian doctrine, and scales the loftiest heights of Christian experience;" and the fact that the apostle evidently expected the Ephesians to understand it is an evidence of the "proficiency which Paul's converts had attained under his preaching at Ephesus."
Relation between this epistle and that to the Colossians (q.v.). "The letters of the apostle are the fervent outburst of pastoral zeal and attachment, written without reserve and in unaffected simplicity; sentiments come warm from the heart, without the shaping out, pruning, and punctilious arrangement of a formal discourse. There is such a fresh and familiar transcription of feeling, so frequent an introduction of coloquial idiom, and so much of conversational frankness and vivacity, that the reader associates the image of the writer with every paragraph, and the ear seems to catch and recognize the very tones of living address." "Is it then any matter of amazement that one letter should resemble another, or that two written about the same time should have so much in common and so much that is peculiar? The close relation as to style and subject between the epistles to Colosse and Ephesus must strike every reader. Their precise relation to each other has given rise to much discussion. The great probability is that the epistle to Colosse was first written; the parallel passages in Ephesians, which amount to about forty-two in number, having the appearance of being expansions from the epistle to Colosse. Compare:
The style of this epistle is exceedingly animated, and corresponds with the state of the apostle's mind at the time of writing. Overjoyed with the account which their messenger had brought him of their faith and holiness (Eph 1:15), and transported with the consideration of the unsearchable wisdom of God displayed in the work of man's redemption, and of his astonishing love towards the Gentiles in making them partakers through faith of all the benefits of Christ's death, he soars high in his sentiments on those grand subjects, and gives his thoughts utterance in sublime and copious expression.
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And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. And when they asked him to stay longer, he consented not; read more. but having taken leave of them, saying, I will return to you, if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.
And a certain Jew, named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught correctly the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John. read more. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But Aquila and Priscilla having heard him, took him to them, and set forth to him the way [of the Lord] more fully.
and ye see and hear, that this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, not only of Ephesus, but of almost all Asia, saying, that those are not gods, which are made with hands.
And when they had come to him, he said to them: Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;
serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was profitable, but have made it known to you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house;
how I kept back nothing that was profitable, but have made it known to you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house; testifying to both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus. read more. And now behold, I go, bound in my spirit, to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will befall me there; save that the Holy Spirit witnesseth to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. But I count life of no value to me, so that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the glad tidings of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will see my face no more. Wherefore I testify to you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men; for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the church of the Lord, which he purchased with his own blood. read more. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And from among yourselves will men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be watchful, and remember that for the space of three years, night and day, I ceased not to warn every one with tears.
Therefore be watchful, and remember that for the space of three years, night and day, I ceased not to warn every one with tears. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified.
And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified.
And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified.
And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified. I have coveted no mans silver, or gold, or apparel. read more. Ye yourselves know, that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those that were with me. In all ways I showed you that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
for a door hath been opened to me great and effective, and there are many adversaries.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are [in Ephesus], and believers in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
in reference to the dispensation of the fullness of the times, to gather for himself into one all things in Christ, the things which are in the heavens, and the things on the earth; even in him, in whom we also obtained the inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will,
which is a pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory. For this cause I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and of your love to all the saints,
the eyes of your mind being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope belonging to his call of you, and what the riches of the glory of the inheritance which he hath given among the saints,
and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
For this cause [I bend my knees], I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you gentiles; if, indeed, ye heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given me toward you,
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
I exhort you, therefore, I the prisoner in the Lord, to walk worthily of the calling with which ye were called,
I exhort you, therefore, I the prisoner in the Lord, to walk worthily of the calling with which ye were called, with all humility and meekness, with longsuffering; bearing with one another in love,
with all humility and meekness, with longsuffering; bearing with one another in love,
with all humility and meekness, with longsuffering; bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye were called in one hope of your calling;
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye were called in one hope of your calling; 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 was given the grace [which he hath] according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith: "When he ascended on high, he led captive a train of captives, and gave gifts to men." Now what is implied in his ascending, but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same as he who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints for the work of ministration, for the building up of the body of Christ; till we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a fullgrown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and borne about by every wind of teaching, through the dishonest tricks of men, and their cunning in the wily arts of error; but cleaving to truth in love, may grow up in all things unto him who is the head, even Christ; from whom the whole body, well put together and compacted by means of every supplying joint, is, according to the working of each part in its proportion, building itself up in love.
from whom the whole body, well put together and compacted by means of every supplying joint, is, according to the working of each part in its proportion, building itself up in love.
that as to your former way of life ye should put off the old man, who perisheth according to the lusts of deceit, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, read more. and that ye put on the new man, who was created according to God in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Let no one deceive you with vain words; for because of these things the wrath of God cometh upon the sons of disobedience. Be not therefore partakers with them. read more. For ye were once darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
See then that ye walk circumspectly; not as unwise men, but as wise; buying up for yourselves opportunities, because the days are evil.
speaking to one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil; for our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the worldrulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of evil in the heavenly regions. read more. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand 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; taking up, in addition to all, the shield of faith, by which ye will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the Evil One; and receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying with all prayer and entreaty at all times in the Spirit; and watching to this end with all perseverance and entreaty for all the saints, and for me, that utterance may be given me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
and for me, that utterance may be given me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, in behalf of which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may proclaim it boldly, as I ought to speak.
in behalf of which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may proclaim it boldly, as I ought to speak.
in behalf of which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may proclaim it boldly, as I ought to speak. But that ye also may know about me, how I am faring, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will inform you of everything; read more. whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that ye may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.
whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that ye may know about us, and that he may comfort 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 those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an incorruptible love.
in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins;
having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him, I say, whether the things on earth, or those in the heavens.
of which I became a minister, according to the stewardship which God entrusted to me, for you, to fulfill the word of God,
having been buried with him in your baptism; in which also ye were raised to life with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead; and to you also who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he given life together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;
and not holding fast the Head, from which the whole body, supported and compacted by means of the joints and ligaments, groweth with an increase wrought by God.
on account of which things cometh the wrath of God. In which things ye also once walked, when ye lived in them; read more. but now put ye away all these, anger, wrath, malice, evilspeaking, filthy language out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, who is renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him;
Clothe yourselves, therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and beloved, with compassionate affections, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with each other, and forgiving each other, if any one have a complaint against another; even as Christ freely forgave you, do ye also freely forgive;
bearing with each other, and forgiving each other, if any one have a complaint against another; even as Christ freely forgave you, do ye also freely forgive; and over all these things put on the robe of love, which is the bond of perfectness; read more. and let the peace of Christ, to which ye were called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, in grace singing in your hearts to God;
praying at the same time for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for the sake of which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. read more. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, buying up opportunities.
whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that he may know your condition, and comfort your hearts;
Wherefore God, wishing more abundantly to show to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his purpose, confirmed it by an oath,
Hastings
This Epistle belongs to the group of Epistles of the Captivity, and was almost certainly, if genuine, written from Rome, and sent by Tychicus at the same time as the Epistles to the Colossians and to Philemon (see Colossians).
1. Destination.
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that in him ye were enriched in everything, in all utterance, and all knowledge,
but we speak Gods wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God determined on before the world was, for our glory; which none of the rulers of this world comprehended; for had they comprehended it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; read more. but, as it is written: "The things which eye hath not seen, and ear hath not heard, and which have not entered into the heart of man, the great things which God hath prepared for those that love him." For God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, even the depths of God.
For God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knoweth the things of a man, but the spirit of the man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no one but the Spirit of God.
For we are Gods fellowlaborers; ye are Gods field, ye are Gods building. According to the grace of God bestowed on me, I, as a skilful masterbuilder, have laid the foundation; and another buildeth thereon; but let every one take heed, how he buildeth thereon. read more. For other foundation can no one lay than that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus.
Know ye not, that ye are Gods temple, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
For we, the many, are one loaf, one body; for we all share in that one loaf.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit;
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are diversities of services, but the same Lord; read more. and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God who worketh all things in all.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or freemen; and were all made to drink one Spirit. read more. For the body also is not one member, but many. If the foot say, Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body, is it for this reason not of the body? And if the ear say, Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body, is it for this reason not of the body?
God appointed some in the church to be, in the first place, apostles, in the second place, prophets, in the third place, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, those of helping and of governing, divers kinds of tongues. Are all apostles?
Then will be the end, when he delivereth up the kingdom to God, the Father, when he shall have destroyed all dominion, and all authority, and power. For he must reign, "till he hath put all enemies under his feet." read more. The last enemy, death, will be destroyed; for "he put all things under his feet." But when it is said that all things have been put under him, it is manifest that he who put all things under him is excepted. And when all things have been put under him, then will also the Son himself become subject to him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are [in Ephesus], and believers in Christ Jesus:
in reference to the dispensation of the fullness of the times, to gather for himself into one all things in Christ, the things which are in the heavens, and the things on the earth; even in him,
in whom ye also, after having heard the word of truth, the glad tidings of your salvation, in whom, I say, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit that was promised, which is a pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory. read more. For this cause I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and of your love to all the saints,
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of him;
which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead; and seated him at his own right hand in the heavenly regions,
which is his body, the fullness of him who filleth all with all;
that he might show in the ages to come the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Wherefore remember, that in time past ye, the gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcised by those who are called circumcised, having the circumcision of the flesh, performed by hand, that ye were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God, in the world;
and might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having slain on it the enmity.
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 ye are no longer strangers and foreigners, but are fellowcitizens with the saints, and members of the household of God, read more. and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all the building, fitly framed together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord;
in whom all the building, fitly framed together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are built together into a dwellingplace of God in the Spirit.
which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the gentiles are fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers with us of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel;
to the intent that now to the principalities and powers in the heavenly regions might be known through the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to his purpose for ages, which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord;
Wherefore I entreat you not to be disheartened by the troubles I am suffering for you, since they are your glory.
that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
I exhort you, therefore, I the prisoner in the Lord, to walk worthily of the calling with which ye were called, with all humility and meekness, with longsuffering; bearing with one another in love, read more. endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye were called in one hope of your calling; 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 was given the grace [which he hath] according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints for the work of ministration, for the building up of the body of Christ; read more. till we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a fullgrown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
from whom the whole body, well put together and compacted by means of every supplying joint, is, according to the working of each part in its proportion, building itself up in love.
Wherefore having put away falsehood, speak truth every one with his neighbor; for we are members one of another. "Be angry, and sin not;" let not the sun go down upon your wrath; read more. and do not give place to the Devil. Let him that stealeth steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands at that which is good, that he may have to give to him that is in need. Let no foul language proceed out of your mouth, but whatever is good for edification, as the need may be, that it may benefit the hearers; and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.
and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evilspeaking, be put away from you, with all malice; read more. and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
and walk in love, as Christ also loved you, and gave himself for you an offering and a sacrifice to God, of a sweet odor.
and walk in love, as Christ also loved you, and gave himself for you an offering and a sacrifice to God, of a sweet odor.
for the fruit of the light is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth,
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord; for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church,he, who is the Saviour of the body. read more. But as the church is subject to Christ, so let wives be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it,
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it, that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the bath of the water in the word;
that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the bath of the water in the word; that he himself might present to himself the church, glorious, having no spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.
that he himself might present to himself the church, glorious, having no spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.
And, ye masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatening; knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons with him. Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. read more. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil; for our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the worldrulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of evil in the heavenly regions. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand 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; taking up, in addition to all, the shield of faith, by which ye will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the Evil One; and receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying with all prayer and entreaty at all times in the Spirit; and watching to this end with all perseverance and entreaty for all the saints,
praying with all prayer and entreaty at all times in the Spirit; and watching to this end with all perseverance and entreaty for all the saints,
But that ye also may know about me, how I am faring, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will inform you of everything; whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that ye may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or remain absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or remain absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Wherefore God also highly exalted him, and gave him a name which is above every name;
For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;
For the country of which we are citizens is heaven, whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God;
But I have all, and abound; I am full, having received from Epaphroditus what was sent from you, a sweet odor, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
And when the letter hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that ye likewise read the letter from Laodicea.
as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which things are some that are hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as also the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
And all who dwell on the earth wilt worship him, every one whose name hath not been written in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain from the foundation of the world.
Let us rejoice and exult, and we will give to him the glory; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath 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 foundationstones, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.