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sus: 7 that in the ages to come, he might show the exceeding riches of his favour, in his kindness towards us as manifested in Christ Jesus.

8 For by favour ye are sav. ed through faith: and this salvation is not from yourselves: it is the gift of God; 9 not from works: so that no one can boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus to good works, in which God before designed

that ye, formerly gentiles in the flesh, (who are called the uncircumcision by that which

at his own right hand in the heavenly places;* 21 far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name which is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is coming; 22 and put all things in subjection under his feet, and appointed him head over all things in the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who filleth all in all: CH. II. 1 even you who were dead in offences and sins, 2 in which ye formerly walk-that we should walk. ed, according to the mannert 11 WHEREFORE remember of this world, according to the powerful ruler of the air, and of the spirit which now worketh in the sons of disobedience: is called the circumcision in the 3 among whom all of us like- flesh made by hands;) 12 rewise lived, formerly, in the de- member, I say, that ye [in] that sires of our flesh, fulfilling the time were without Christ, bewill of the flesh, and of ouring aliens from the citizenship minds; and were by nature of Israel, and strangers to the children of anger, even as others; 4 but God, who is rich in mercy, through his great love with which he loved us, 5 when we were dead in offences, hath given life to us also, together with Christ, (by favour ye are saved,) 6 and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places,§ in Christ Je

covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. 13 But now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who formerly were far off, are brought near in the blood of Christ.[]

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 (having abolished, in his flesh,

In the figurative language of the apostle, all who enjoy the light of divine revelation, whether Jews or Christians, are said to dwell in heaven. See ch. ii. 6. See, also, Im. Ver. note. + Grage.

"The state, or condition, of the gentile world." Newcome.

"As Jews and Christians residing (figuratively) in heaven, are represented as constituting a polity under the government of angels, principalities, and powers, etc. so the unevangelized world are a polity under the government of a fictitious personage called Satan, the ruler of the air. etc. and his angels. This whole imagery is borrowed from the Oriental philosophy, and is not to be taken in a literal sense. See Mr. Lindsey, ubi supra." Im. Ver. note.

"As eh. i. 20, it is said that God hath seated Christ at his own right hand in heavenly places, so here it is also said, that God hath raised us up, and made us sit together in heavenly places." Ibid.

"Jews and gentiles are harmoniously united in that dispensation, which is ratified by the death of Christ, and by which the burdensome ritual of Moses was superseded as the apostle asserts more particularly in the following verses." Im. Ver. noté.

law of the commandments consisting in ordinances, to make in himself of the two, one new man, thus causing peace; 16 and to reconcile both to God, in one body, through the cross, having destroyed by it their enmity;) 17 and hath come and proclaimed the glad tidings of peace to you who were far off, and to those who were near. 18 For through him, we both have access, in one spirit to the Father.

the cause of enmity, even the in other generations, was not made known to the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in spirit; 6 namely, that the gentiles should be jointheirs, and a joint-body, and joint-partakers of [his] promise in Christ, through the gospel; 7 of which I have been made a minister, according to the gift of that favour of God which hath been bestowed on me, according to the mighty working of his power: 8 on me, who am less than the least of all [the saints], this favour hath been bestowed, that I should preach among the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 and should clearly manifest to all what is the dispensation of the mystery, which, from the beginning of the ages, was hidden in God, who hath created all things: 10 to the intent, that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known, through the church, to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places; 11 according to a predisposition of the ages, which he formed in Christ Jesus our Lord; 12 in whom we have freedom of speech, and access with confidence through faith in him: 13 wherefore, I entreat that ye faint not at my afflictions for you, which are your glory): 14 I say, for this cause I bow my knees to the Father [of our Lord Jesus Christ], 15

19 So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; 21 in whom all [the] building, being fitly framed together, groweth to a holy temple in the Lord: 22 in whom ye also are built together, for a habitation of God in the spirit.*

CH. III. 1 FOR this cause, I Paul, a prisoner, on account of Jesus Christ for preaching to you gentiles; 2 (since ye have heard the gracious dispensation of God, which is given me towards you; 3 that by revelation, the mystery was made known to me, as I have written before, in few words, 4 by which, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, 5 which

i. e. for a spiritual hahitation of God.

The apostle's expressions here, and in ver. 4, seem to indicate that the Christians to whom this epistle was addressed, were not personally known to him; and therefore favour the supposition that the epistle was sent to the Laodiceans, and not to the Ephesians.

The words "by Jesus Christ" in the received text, are plainly an interpolation, perhaps

a marginal gloss introduced into the text. See Im. Ver. note.

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cording to the riches of his
glory, that ye may be strength-
ened with might through his
spirit, in the inner man; 17 that
Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith; so that, being
rooted and grounded in love,
ye, 18 with all the saints, may
be able to comprehend what
is the breadth, and length, and
depth, and height, of this mys-
tery; 19 and to know the
surpassing love of the know-
ledge of Christ, so that
that ye
may be filled with all the ful-
ness of God.

from whom the whole family 7 But on every one of us in heaven and upon earth is favour hath been bestowed acnamed, 16 to grant you, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore it is said, "When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, [and] gave gifts to men." 9 (Now, this expression, he ascended, what is it but that he descended also into the lower [parts] of the earth? 10 he who descended is the same who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of 20 Now to him who is able the saints, for the work of the to do exceeding abundantly ministry, for the edification of above all that we can ask or the body of Christ: 13 till we think, according to the power all come to the same faith in which worketh in us, 21 to him the Son of God, and to the be glory in the church in Christ same knowledge of him, to a Jesus, throughout all the gene-perfect man, to the measure of rations [of the age] of ages.

Amen.

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CH. IV. 1 I THEREFORE, prisoner in the cause of the Lord, beseech you, that ye walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which ye have been called; 2 with all humility of mind and meekness, with long-suffering, sustaining one another in love; 3 earnestly endeavouring to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one spirit, even ye have been called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all; who is over all, and through all, and in [us] all.

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the full stature of Christ: 14 that we may be no more children, tossed like waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, through the sleight of men, and through their craftiness for the purpose of artful deceit; 15 but embracing the truth in love, may grow up in all things to him who is the head, even Christ: 16 from whom the whole body, fitly compacted and connected by every assisting joint, according to the mighty working in the measure of every limb, maketh the increase of the body to the edification of itself in love.

17 THIS I say, therefore, and charge you in the Lord, that ye no more walk as the [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 hardness of their heart: 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to the working of all uncleanness with greediness.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 since ye have heard concerning him, and have been instructed in him, even as the truth is in Jesus; 22 to put off, according to your former behaviour, the old man, who was corrupt according to deceitful desires; 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 and to put on the new man, who is created, according to God, in righteousness and true holiness.

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25 WHEREFORE put away lying, and speak every one one truth to his neighbour; for we are members one of another. 26 Though ye be angry, yet do not sin let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 and give no advantage to the impostor. 28 Let him who stole, steal no more: but let him rather labour, acquiring by his hands what is good, that he may be able to bestow on him who needeth. 29 Let no corrupt discourse proceed out of your mouth; but that which is good to the edification of the faith, that it may minister benefit to the hearers: 30 and offend not the holy spirit of God, in which ye have been

sealed to the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and anger, and wrath, and clamourous evil-speaking, be put away from you, and all malice: 32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderly affectioned, forgiving one another, as God in Christ, hath also forgiven you.

CH. V. 1 Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odour of a sweet smell,

3 NOW let not fornication, or any uncleanness, or covetousness, be even named among you, (as becometh saints;) 4 or filthiness, or foolish talking, or scurrilous jesting, which are not fit ; but rather the giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetousness man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no one deceive you with vain words: for because of these things the anger of God cometh on the sons of disobedience. 7 Be not therefore joint-partakers with them. 8 For ye were formerly darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (for the fruit of light is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth;) 10 searching out what is well-pleasing to the Lord: 11 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; but rather even

reprove them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are discovered, are made manifest by the light: (for it is the light which maketh every thing manifest.) 14 Wherefore the spirit saith; "Awake, thou who sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give thee light."

15 See then that ye walk exactly; not as unwise, but as wise: 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be not senseless, but understand what is the will of the Lord. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is dissoluteness; but be filled with the spirit; 19 speaking to one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things to God even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

21 IN submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ, 22 wives [submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord: 23 for the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church (and he [is] the Saviour also of the body:)* 24 however, as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their [own] husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up

for it; 26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water, through the word; 27 that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having blemish, or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that it might be holy and spotless. 28 Husbands ought so to love their wives, as their own bodies. He who loveth his wife, loveth himself: 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh; but every one nourisheth and cherisheth it, as Christ also doth the church: 30 for we are members of his body; [of his flesh, and of his bones.] 31 "Because of this, a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."

32 This mystery is great; but I speak concerning Christ, and concerning the church. 33 However, let every one of you likewise so love his wife as himself; and let the wife take care that she reverence her husband.

CH. VI. 1 Children, obey your parents [in the Lord]: for this is right. 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 in the land." 4 And, fathers, provoke not your children to anger; but nourish them in the instruction and discipline of the Lord.

5 Servants, obey your masters according to the flesh, with

i. e. the church.

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