The Epistle of St Paul the Apostle
Unto the Ephesians
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The 1st
Chapter
Paul an apostle of *Jesu Christ, by the will of God.
To the saints, which are at Ephesus, and to them which believe
on Jesus Christ.
Grace be with you and peace from God our father, and from the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Blessed be God the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which has
blessed us with all manner of spiritual blessings in heavenly things
by Christ, according as he had chosen us in him, before the
foundation of the world was laid, that we should be saints, and
without blame before him, through love. And ordained us before
through Jesus Christ to be heirs unto him self, according to the
pleasure of his will to the praise of the glory of his grace where
with he has made us accepted in the beloved.
By whom we have redemption through his blood, even the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, which
grace he shed on us abundantly in all wisdom, and *prudence. And has
opened unto us the mystery of his will according to his pleasure,
and purposed the same in him self, to have it declared when the time
were full come, that all things, both the things which are in
heaven, and also the things which are in earth, should be gathered
together, even in Christ: that is to say, in him in whom we are made
heirs, and were thereto *predestinate according to the purpose of
him which works all things after the purpose of his own will: that
we which before believed in Christ should be unto the praise of his
glory.
In whom also you (after that you heard the word of truth, I
mean the Gospell of your salvation, wherein you believed) were
sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our
inheritance, to redeem the purchased possession, and that unto the
*laud of his glory.
Wherefore even I (after that I heard of the faith which you
have in the Lord Jesu, and love unto all the saints) cease not to
give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the
God of our Lord Jesus Christ and the father of glory, might give
unto you the spirit of wisdom, and open to you the knowledge of
himself, and lighten the eyes of your minds that you might know what
that hope is, where unto he has called you, and what the riches of
his glorious inheritance is upon the saints, and what is the
exceeding greatness of his power to us ward which believe according
to the working of that his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ,
when he raised him from the dead, and set him on his right hand in
heavenly things, above all rule, power, and might and domination,
and above all names that are named, not in this world only, but also
in the world to come: and has put all things under his feet, and has
made him above all things, the head of the congregation which is his
body and the fullness of him that fills all in all things.
Jesu: Hebrew for
Jesus. *prudence (rightfull care). *predestinate: to have determined
before or in advance. *laud (praise, honor)
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The 2nd
Chapter
And you has he quickened also that were dead in trespass and
sin, in the which in time past you walked, according to the course
of this world, and after the governor that rules in the air, the
spirit that now works in the children of unbelief, among which we
also had our conversation in time past, in the lusts of our flesh,
and fulfilled the will of the flesh and of the mind: and were
naturally the children of wrath, even as well as *other.
But God which is rich in mercy through his great love wherewith
he loved us, even when we were dead by sin, has quickened us
together in Christ (for by grace are you saved) and has raised us up
together and made us sit together in heavenly things through Christ
Jesus, for to show in times to come the exceeding riches of his
grace, in kindness to us ward in Christ *Jesu. For by grace are you
made safe through faith, and that not of yourselves. For it is the
gift of God, and comes not of works, least any man should boast
himself. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesu unto
good works, unto the which God ordained us before, that we should
walk in them.
Wherefore remember that you being in time past gentiles in the
flesh, and were called uncircumcision to them which are called
circumcision in the flesh, which circumcision is made by hands:
Remember I say, that you were at that time without Christ, and were
reputed aliens from the common wealth of Israel, and were strangers
from the testaments of promise, and had no hope, and were without
God in this world. But now in Christ Jesu, you which a while ago
were far off, are made near by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, which has made of both one, and has broken
down the wall that was a stop between us, and has also put away
through his flesh, the cause of hatred, that is to say, the law of
commandments contained in the law written, for to make of *twain one
new man in himself, so making peace: and to reconcile both unto God
in one body through his cross, and slew hatred thereby: and came and
preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were
nigh. For through him we both have an open way in, in one spirit
unto the father.
Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners: but
citizens with the saints, and of the household of God: and are built
upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ being
the head corner stone, in whom every building coupled together,
grows unto an holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are built
together, and made an habitation for God in the spirit.
*other (others).
*Jesu: Hebrew for Jesus. *twain (two)
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The 3rd
Chapter
For this cause I Paul am in the bonds of Jesus Christ for your
sakes which are heathen: If you have heard of the ministration of
the grace of God which is given me to you ward. For by revelation
showed he this mystery unto me, as I wrote above in few words,
whereby when you read, you may know mine understanding in the
mystery of Christ, which mystery in times past was not opened unto
the sons of men, as it is now declared unto his holy Apostles and
Prophets by the spirit: that the Gentiles should be inheritors also,
and of the same body, and partakers of his promise that is in
Christ, by the means of the Gospell, whereof I am made a minister,
by the gift of the grace of God given unto me through the working of
his power.
Unto me the least of all saints is this grace given, that I
should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
and to make all men see what the fellowship of the mystery is, which
from the beginning of the world has been hid in God which made all
things through Jesus Christ, to the intent, that now unto the rulers
and powers in heaven might be known by the congregation, the many
fold wisdom of God, according to that eternal purpose, which he
purposed in Christ Jesu our Lord, by whom we are bold to draw near
in that trust, which we have by faith on him. Wherefore I desire
that you faint not because of my tribulations for your sakes: which
is your praise.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which is father over all that is called father in heaven and
in earth, that he would grant you according to the riches of his
glory, that you may be strengthened with might by his spirit in the
inner man that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you
being rooted and grounded in love, might be able to comprehend with
all saints, what is that breadth and length, depth and height: and
to know what is the love of Christ, which love passes knowledge:
that you might be fulfilled with all manner of fullness which comes
of God.
Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that
we ask or think according to the power that works in us be praise in
the congregation by Jesus Christ, throughout all generations from
time to time. Amen.
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The 4th
Chapter
I therefore which am in bonds for the Lords sake, exhort you,
that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called, in
all humbleness of mind, and meekness, and long suffering, forbearing
one another through love, and that you be diligent to keep the unity
of the spirit in the bond of peace, being one body, and one spirit,
even as you are called in one hope of your calling. Let there be but
one Lord, one faith, one baptism: one God and father of all, which
is above all through all, and in you all.
Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of
the gift of Christ. Wherefore he says: He is gone up on high, and
has led captivity captive, and has given gifts unto men. That he
ascended: what means it, but that he also descended first into the
lowest parts of the earth? He that descended, is even the same also
that ascended up, even above all heavens, to fulfil all things.
And the very same made some Apostles, some Prophets, some
Evangelists, some Shepherds, some Teachers: that the saints might
have all things necessary to work and minister with all, to the
edifying of the body of Christ, till we every one (in the unity of
faith, and knowledge of the son of God) grow up unto a perfect man,
after the measure of age of the fullness of Christ. That we from
this time on be no more children, wavering and carried with every
wind of doctrine, by the *wiliness of men and craftiness, whereby they
lay wait for us to deceive us. But let us follow the truth in love,
and in all things grow in him which is the head, that is to say
Christ, in whom all the body is coupled and knit together in every
joint wherewith one ministers to another (according to the operation
as every part has his measure) and increases the body, unto the
edifying of itself in love.
This I say therefore and testify in the Lord, that you from
this time walk not as other Gentiles walk, in vanity of their mind,
blinded in their understanding, being strangers from the life which
is in God through the ignorancy that is in them, because of the
blindness of their hearts, which being past repentance, have given
themselves unto wantonness, to work all manner of uncleanness, even
with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if so be you
have heard of him and are taught in him, even as the truth is in
Jesu. So then as concerning the conversation in time past, lay from
you that old man, which is corrupt through the deceivable lusts, and
be you renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on that new man,
which after the image of God is shapen in righteousness and true
holiness. Wherefore put away lying, and speak every man truth unto
his neighbor, for as much as we are members one of another.
Be angry but sin not: let not the *son go down upon your wrath,
neither give place unto the backbiter. Let him that stole, steal no
more, but let him rather labour with his hands some good thing, that
he may have to give unto him that needs.
Let no filthy communication proceed out of your mouths: but
that which is good to edify with all, when need is: that it may have
favour with the hearers. And grieve not the holy spirit of God, by
whom you are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness,
fierceness and wrath, roaring and cursed speaking, be put away from
you, with all maliciousness. Be you courteous one to another, and
merciful, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake
forgave you.
*wiliness (deception) *son go down
upon your wrath:exactly as recorded. |
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The 5th
Chapter
Be you followers of God as dear children, and walk in love even
as Christ loved us, and gave himself for us, an offering and a
sacrifice of a sweet savour to God. So that fornication and all
uncleanness or covetousness be not once named among you as it
becomes saints: neither filthiness, neither foolish talking, neither
jestings which are not *comely: but rather giving of thanks. For
this you know, that no whoremonger, either unclean person, or
covetous person, which is the worshipper of images, has any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words. For through such things
comes the wrath of God upon the children of unbelief. Be not
therefore companions with them. you were once darkness, but are now
light in the Lord.
Walk as children of light. For the fruit of the spirit is in
all goodness, righteousness and truth. Accept that which is pleasing
to the Lord: and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness: but rather rebuke them. For it is shame even to name those
things which are done of them in secret: but all things, when they
are rebuked of the light, are manifest. For whatsoever is manifest,
that same is light. Wherefore he says: awake you that sleep, and
stand up from death, and Christ shall give you light.
Take heed therefore that you walk *circumspectly: not as fools:
but as wise redeeming the time: for the days are evil. Wherefore, be
you not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is, and be
not drunk with wine, wherein is excess: but be fulfilled with the
spirit, speaking unto your selves in psalms, and hymns, and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your
hearts, giving thanks all ways for all things unto God the father,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: submitting yourselves one to
another in the fear of God.
Women submit your selves unto your own husbands, as unto the
Lord. For the husband is the wifes head even as Christ is the head
of the congregation, and the same is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the congregation is in subjection to Christ, likewise
let the wives be in subjection to their husbands in all things.
Husbands love your wives even as Christ loved the congregation, and
gave himself for it, to sanctify it, and cleansed it in the fountain
of water through the word, to make it unto himself, a glorious
congregation without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it
should be holy and without blame. So ought men to love their wives,
as their own bodies. He that loves his wife, loves himself. For no
man ever yet hated his own flesh: but nourishes and cherishes it
even as the Lord does the congregation. For we are members of his
body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man
leave father and mother, and shall continue with his wife, and two
shall be made one flesh. This is a great secret, but I speak between
Christ and the congregation. Nevertheless do you so that every one
of you love his wife truly even as himself. And let the wife see
that she fear her husband.
*comely (worthy) *circumspectly (full
of care in all things) |
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The 6th
Chapter
Children obey your fathers and mothers in the Lord: for so is
it right. Honour your father and mother, that is the first
commandment that has any promise, that you may be in good estate,
and live long on the earth. And you fathers move not your children
to wrath: but bring them up with the nurture and information of the
Lord. Servants be obedient unto your carnal masters, with fear and
trembling, in singleness of your hearts, as unto Christ: not with
service in the eye sight, as men pleasers: but as the servants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart with good will serving
the Lord, and not men. And remember that whatsoever good thing any
man does that shall he receive again of the Lord, whether he be bond
or free. And you masters, do even the same things unto them, putting
away threatenings: and remember that even your master also is in
heaven, neither is there any respect of person with him.
Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of
his might. Put on the armour of God, that you may stand steadfast
against the crafty assaults of the devil. For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood: but against rule, against power, and against
worldly rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual
wickedness, for heavenly things.
For this cause take unto you the armour of God, that you may be
able to resist in the evil day, and to stand perfect in all things.
Stand therefore, and your loins girt about with verity, having
on the breastplate of righteousness, and shod with shoes prepared by
the Gospell of peace. Above all take to you the shield of faith,
wherewith you may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the
word of God. And pray always with all manner prayer and
supplication: and that in the spirit: and watch thereunto with all
instance and supplication for all saints and for me, that utterance
may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to utter the
secrets of the Gospell, whereof I am a messenger in bonds, that
therein I may speak freely, as it becomes me to speak.
But that you may also know that condition I am in and what I
do, Tichicus my dear brother and faithful minister in the Lord,
shall show you of all things, whom I sent unto you for the same
purpose, that you might know what case I stand in, and that he might
comfort your hearts.
Peace be with the brethren, and love with faith, from God the
father and from the Lord Jesu Christ. Grace be with all them which
love our Lord Jesus Christ in pureness. Amen.
Here ends the
Epistle of saint Paul unto the Ephesians Sent from Rome unto the
Ephesians by Tychicus |
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