when He made known to us the secret of His will. And this is in harmony with God's merciful purpose

for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it--the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ; yes, things in Heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in Him.

In the Messiah we were also chosen when we were predestined according to the purpose of the one who does everything that he wills to do,

in whom also you, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also when you believed you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

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 do not cease to give thanks for you when I remember you in my prayers.

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

And you did he make alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses and sins,

You practiced such things when you lived according to the evil ways of this world, and according to the ruler of the [spiritual] powers of the air. [Note: This refers to Satan, whose influence permeates life around us]. He is the [evil] spirit who is now at work in people who are disobedient [to God].

among whom all of us lived, we as well as you, when we obeyed the passions of our flesh, carrying out the dictates of the flesh and its impulses, when we were objects of God's anger by nature, like the rest of men.

but God who is rich in mercy, on account of his great love with which he loved us,??5 even when we were dead in sins he made us alive with Christ,??y grace are you saved,

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Therefore remember, that when you were Gentiles in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, made in the flesh with hands;

when he nullified in his flesh the law of commandments in decrees. He did this to create in himself one new man out of two, thus making peace,

And when, upon the cross, he had destroyed their mutual enmity, he sought by means of his cross to reconcile them both to God, united in one Body.

When the Messiah came, He proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

I urge you, therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, to live in a way that measures up to [the standard required by] God when He called you.

There is but one body and but one Spirit, as also when you were called you had one and the same hope held out to you.

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.

Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down.

Let no filthy communication proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good to edify withal, when need is, that it may have favour with the hearers.

There was a time when you were nothing but darkness. Now, as Christians, you are Light itself.

But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light.

when you talk together; with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and with all your hearts making music unto the Lord;

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear, trembling, and sincerity, as when you obey the Messiah.

not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand whenever evil comes. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm.

Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.

to spread which I am an ambassador in chains--so that when telling them I may speak out boldly as I ought.