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THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE
EPHESIANS.
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CHAPTER 1.
AUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which
are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from
the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places
in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation
of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him
in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by
Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his
will,
"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that
ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should
remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may
give it you (Jno., 15:16)."
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen (Matt., 28:19, 20)."
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made
us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and
prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according
to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
"Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not
be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye
hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops
(Matt., 10:26, 27)."
"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with
other tongues,
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as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts, 2:4)."
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might
gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in
heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must
bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd (Jno., 10:16)."
"For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all
call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent
(Zeph., 3:9)."
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being
predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all
things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first
trusted in Christ.
13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of
truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and
said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and
brethren, what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts, 2:37, 38)."
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption
of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
"Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our
hearts (II. Cor., 1:22)."
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord
Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in
my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the
knowledge of him:
"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease
to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the
knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
(Col., 1:9)."
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye
may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of
the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law
(Ps., 119:18)."
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to
us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty
power,
"Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which
worketh in me mightily (Col., 1:29)."
20 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 declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the
spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead (Rom., 1:4)."
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world,
but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to
be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in
all.
CHAPTER 2.
ND you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when
the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear
shall live (Jno., 5:25)."
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of
this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in
the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and
of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as
others.
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil
the lust of the flesh (Gal., 5:16)."
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith
he loved us,
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5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together
with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly (Rom., 5:6)."
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together
in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches
of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus, 2:11-13)."
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel
to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned (Mark, 16:15, 16)."
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
"To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he
might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works?
Nay: but by the law of faith.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in
his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin
(Rom., 3:20)."
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
"Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that
hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the
sheep of his pasture (Ps., 100:3)."
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past
Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is
called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from
the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of
promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are
made nigh by the blood of Christ.
"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call
(Acts, 2:39)."
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken
down the middle wall of partition between us;
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace
(Jno., 16:33)."
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there
is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus
(Gal., 3:26-28)."
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law
of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself
of twain one new man, so making peace;
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which
was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his
cross (Col., 2:14)."
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the
cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and
which are on earth; even in him (Eph., 1:10)."
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and
to them that were nigh.
"I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far
off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal
him (Isa., 57:19)."
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the
Father.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions
among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same
mind and in the same judgment (I. Cor., 1:10)."
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
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fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto
an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of
God through the Spirit.
CHAPTER 3.
OR this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God
which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as
I wrote afore in few words,
"Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel,
and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the
mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all
nations for the obedience of faith (Rom., 16:25, 26)."
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men,
as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit;
"But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the
Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God
(I. Cor., 2:10)."
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same
body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
"And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a
man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation;
but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or
unclean (Acts, 10:28)."
"That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith
(Gal., 3:14)."
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the
grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this
grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the
mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in
God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden
wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory
(I. Cor., 2:7)."
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in
heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold
wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ
Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the
faith of him.
"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Rom., 5:2)."
"For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father
(Eph., 2:18)."
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for
you, which is your glory.
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and
which are on earth; even in him (Eph., 1:10)."
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his
glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner
man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye,
being rooted and grounded in love,
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my
words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make
our abode with him (Jno., 14:23)."
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the
breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
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"The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know
what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of
his inheritance in the saints (Eph., 1:18)."
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,
that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
"And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace
(Jno., 1:16)."
"Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all
(Eph., 1:23)."
20 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,
"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of
love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered
to the saints, and do minister (Heb., 6:10)."
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout
all ages, world without end. Amen.
CHAPTER 4.
THEREFORE, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye
walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love;
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Rom., 12:1, 2)."
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace.
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell
together in unity (Ps., 133:1)!"
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in
one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through
all, and in you all.
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must
bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold,
and one shepherd (Jno., 10:16)."
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe
on me through their word;
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that
thou hast sent me (Jno., 17:20, 21)."
"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one
soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he
possessed was his own; but they had all things common (Acts, 4:32)."
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the
measure of the gift of Christ.
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how
shall he not with him also freely give us all things (Rom., 8:32)?"
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led
captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended
first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far
above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
"But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not
in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ
down from above:)
Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again
from the dead.)
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and
in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach
(Rom., 10:6-8)."
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure
of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Eph., 4:5)."
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro,
and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of
men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to
deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly
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joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth,
according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh
increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence (Col., 1:18)."
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye
henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of
their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the
life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the
blindness of their heart:
"For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought
the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts,
excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries
(I. Pet., 4:3)."
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto
lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
"Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot
iron (I. Tim., 4:2)."
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by
him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old
man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created
in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his
neighbour: for we are members one of another.
"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication 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, which is renewed in knowledge after
the image of him that created him (Col., 3:8-10)."
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your
wrath:
"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed,
and be still (Ps., 4:4)."
"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to
do evil (Ps. 37:8)."
27 Neither give place to the devil.
"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of
his devices (II. Cor., 2:11)."
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour,
working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may
have to give to him that needeth.
"I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to
support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
said, It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts, 20:35)."
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but
that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace
unto the hearers.
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they
shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt
be condemned (Matt., 12:36, 37)."
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed
unto the day of redemption.
"And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing
for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also (Isa., 7:13)?"
"But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned
to be their enemy, and he fought against them (Isa., 63:10)."
"Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast
fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will
recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord God: and thou
shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations
(Ezek., 16:43)."
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and
evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses (Matt., 6:14, 15)."
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin
against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but,
Until seventy times seven (Matt., 18:21, 22)."
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"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that
your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven
forgive your trespasses (Mark, 11:25, 26)."
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
CHAPTER 5.
E ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful
(Luke, 6:36)."
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath
given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it
not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
"Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,
uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and
covetousness, which is idolatry:
For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of
disobedience (Col., 3:5, 6)."
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which
are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
"Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree
corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his
fruit.
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for
out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good
things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil
things (Matt., 12:33-35)."
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor
covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom
of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these
things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
"For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your
prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive
you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them,
saith the Lord (Jer., 29:8, 9)."
"For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive
many (Matt., 24:5)."
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the
Lord: walk as children of light:
"While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children
of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself
from them (Jno., 12:36)."
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and
righteousness and truth;)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Gal., 5:22, 23)."
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are
done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the
light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be
made manifest, that they are wrought in God (Jno., 3:21)."
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from
the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is
risen upon thee (Isa., 60:1)."
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as
wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will
of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled
with the Spirit;
"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever
is deceived thereby is not wise (Prov., 20:1)."
"Woe unto them that rise up early in the
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morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until
night, till wine inflame them (Isa., 5:11)!"
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and
the prisoners heard them (Acts, 16:25)."
"How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath
a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying (I. Cor., 14:26)."
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ
(Gal., 6:2)."
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the
Lord.
"Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy
conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire
shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee
(Gen., 3:16)."
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is
the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the
wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the
Lord.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them
(Col., 3:18, 19)."
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word,
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God (Jno., 3:5)."
"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified,
but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit
of our God (I. Cor., 6:11)."
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Spirit (Titus, 3:5)."
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having
our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed
with pure water (Heb., 10:22)."
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not
having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be
holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He
that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and
cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his
bones.
"And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my
flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave
unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Gen., 2:23, 24)."
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of
that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular
(I. Cor., 12:12, 27)."
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and
shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and
the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his
wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her
husband.
CHAPTER 6.
HILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother
when she is old (Prov., 23:22)."
2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment
with promise;)
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on
the earth.
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the
land which the Lord thy God giveth thee (Ex., 20:12)."
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but
bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
discouraged (Col., 3:21)."
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5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters
according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of
your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same
shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to
that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (II. Cor., 5:10)."
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing
threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither
is there respect of persons with him.
"For there is no respect of persons with God (Rom., 2:11)."
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.
"By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of
righteousness on the right hand and on the left (II. Cor., 6:7)."
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places.
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
(Rom., 8:38, 39)."
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may
be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty
through God to the pulling down of strong holds,
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought
to the obedience of Christ (II. Cor., 10:4, 5)."
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong
(I. Cor., 16:13)."
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth
good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of
good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God
reigneth (Isa., 52:7)!"
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the
victory that overcometh the world, even our faith
(I. Jno., 5:4)."
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God:
"For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of
salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance
for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke (Isa., 59:17)."
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints;
"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought
always to pray, and not to faint (Luke, 18:1)."
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may
open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may
speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech
you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye
reconciled to God (II. Cor., 5:20)."
21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do,
Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord,
shall make known to you all things:
22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye
might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.
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23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God
the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity. Amen.
¶ Written from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus.
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