The pistel of S. Paul to the Ephesians.

The first Chapter.

    Paul an apostle of Iesu Christ, by the will of God.

    To the saints at Ephesus, and to them which believe on Iesus Christ.

    Grace be with you and peace from God our father, and from the lord Iesus Christ.

    Blessed be God the father of our lord Iesus Christ, which hath blessed us with all manner of spiritual blessings in heavenly things by Christ, according as he had chosen us in him thorow love, before the foundation of the world was laid, that we should be saints, and without blame in his sight. And ordained us before unto him self that we should be chosen to heirs thorow Iesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will, to the praise his glorious grace, where with he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

    By whom we have redemption thorow his blood, that is to say the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, which grace he shed on us abundantly in all wisdom, and prudency. And hath opened unto us the mystery of his will according to his pleasure, and purposed the same in himself 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 worketh all things after the purpose of his own will: that we should be unto the praise of his glory, which before hoped in Christ.

    In whom also ye (after that ye heard the word of truth, I mean the gospell of your health, wherein ye believed) were sealed with the holy spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, to redeem the possession purchased unto the laud of his glory.

    Wherefore even I (after that I heard of the faith which ye have in the lord Iesu, 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 Iesus 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 ye might know what thing that hope is, whereunto he hath called you, and how glorious the riches of his inheritance is upon the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward, which believe according to the working of that his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from death, 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 hath put all things under his feet, and hath made him above all things, the head of the congregation, which is his body, and fullness of him, that filleth all in all things.

The .ij. Chapter.

    And hath quickened you also that were dead in trespass and sin, in the which in time passed ye walked, according to the course of this world, and after the governor, that ruleth in the air, the spirit that now worketh 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 thorow his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead by sin, hath quickened us with Christ (For by grace are ye saved) and with him hath raised us up, and with him hath made us sit in heavenly things, thorow Iesus Christ, For to shew in times to come the exceeding riches of his grace, in kindness to usward, thorow Christ Iesus. For by grace are ye made safe thorow faith, and that not of your selves: For it is the gift of God, and cometh not of works, lest any man should boast himself. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Iesu unto good works, unto the which God ordained us before, that we should walk in them.

    Wherefore remember that ye being in time past gentiles in the flesh, and were called uncircumcision of them which are called circumcision in the flesh, which circumcision is made by hands: Remember I say, that ye were at that time without Christ, and were reputed aliens from the common wealth of Israhel, and were fremed from the testaments of promise, and had no hope, and were without God in this world. But now in Christ Iesu, ye which a while ago were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

    For he is our peace, which hath made of both one, and hath broken down the wall in the midst, that was a stop between us, and hath also put away thorow 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 thorow his cross, and slew hatred thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For thorow him we both have an open way in, in one spirit unto the father.

    Now therefore ye 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, Iesus Christ being the head cornerstone, in whom every building coupled together, groweth unto an holy temple in the lord, in whom ye also are built together, and made an habitation for God in the spirit.

The .iij. Chapter.

    For this cause I Paul the servant of Iesus am in bonds, For your sakes which are gentiles. If ye have heard of the ministration of the grace of God which is given me to youward: For by revelation shewed he this mystery unto me, as I wrote above in few words, whereby, when ye read ye may know mine understanding in the ministry of Christ, which mystery in times passed 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, after 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 give light to all men, that they might know what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God which made all things thorow Iesus Christ, to the intent, that now unto the rulers and powers in heaven might be known by the congregation the manyfold wisdom of God, according to that eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Iesu our lord, by whom we are bold to draw nigh in that trust, which we have by faith on him. Wherefore I desire, that ye faint not because of mine tribulations which I suffer for you: which is your praise.

    For this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our lord Iesus 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 ye may be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye 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 passeth knowledge: that ye might be fulfilled with all manner of fullness which cometh of God.

    Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, be praise in the congregation by Iesus Christ, thorow out all generations from time to time. Amen.

The .iiij. Chapter.

    I therefore which am in bonds for the lord's sake exhort you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, in all humbleness of mind, and meekness, and long suffering, forbearing one another thorow love, and that ye be diligent to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, being one body, and one spirit, even as ye 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, thorow all, and in you all.

    Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith: He is gone up on high, and hath led captivity captive, and hath given gifts unto men. That he ascended: what meaneth 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 withall, to the edifying of the body of Christ, till we everyone (in the unity of faith, and knowledge of the son of God) grow up unto a perfect man, after the measure of age which is in the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children wavering and carried with every wind of doctrine, by the wiliness of men and craftiness, whereby they lay a 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 ministereth to another (according to the operation as every part hath his measure) and increaseth the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.

    This I say herefore, and testify in the lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other gentiles walk, in vanities of their mind, blinded in their understanding, being strangers from the life which is in God, thorow 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 ye have not so learned Christ, If so be ye have heard of him, and are taught in him, even as the truth is in Iesu: so then as concerning the conversation in time past, lay from you that old man, which is corrupt thorow the deceivable lusts, and be ye renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on that new man, which after a godly wise, 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, give no 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 needeth.

    Let no filthy communication proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good to edify withall, when need is: that it may have favour with the hearers. And grieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom ye 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 ye courteous one to another, be merciful forgiving one another, even as God for Christe's sake forgave you.

The .v. Chapter.

    Be ye 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 becometh saints: neither filthiness, neither foolish talking, neither jestings, which are not comely: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, either unclean person, or covetous person (which is the worshipper of images) hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of God.

    Let no man deceive you with vain words. For thorow such things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of unbelief. Be not therefore companions with them. Ye 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 saith: awake thou that sleepest, and stand up from death, and Christ shall give thee light.

    Take heed therefore that ye walk circumspectly: not as fools: but as wise, redeeming the time: for the days are evil: wherefore, be ye 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 yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the lord in your hearts, giving thanks allways for all things in the name of our lord Iesu Christ to God the father: submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

    Women submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the lord. For the husband is the wife's 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 thorow 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 loveth his wife, loveth himself. For no man ever yet, hated his own flesh: But nourisheth, and cherisheth it: even as the lord doth 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 ye so that every one of you love his wife truly even as himself: And let the wife see that she fear her husband.

The .vj. Chapter.

    Children obey your fathers and mothers in the lord: for so is it right. Honour father and mother, that is the first commandment that hath any promise, that thou mayst be in good estate, and live long on the earth. 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, even as though ye served the lord, and not men. And remember that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, that shall he receive again of the lord, whether he be bond or free. And ye 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 ye 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 in heavenly things.

    For this cause take unto you the armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand perfect in all things.

    Stand therefore and your loins gird 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 ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of health, 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 becometh me to speak.

    But that ye may also know that condition I am in, and what I do, Tichicus my dear brother and faithful minister in the lord, shall shew you of all things, whom I sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye 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 Iesu Christ. Grace be with all them which love our lord Iesus Christ in pureness, Amen. 

Sent from Rome unto the Ephesyans by Tichicus.