Paul,
an apostle
of Jesus Christ
by the will
of God,
to the saints
which are at Ephesus,
and
to the faithful
in Christ Jesus:
Grace be to you,
and peace,
from God our Father,
and
from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed
be
the God
and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who hath blessed us
with all spiritual blessings
in heavenly places
in Christ:
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:
Having predestinated us
unto the adoption
of children
by Jesus Christ
to himself,
according to
the good pleasure
of his will,
To the praise
of the glory
of his grace,
wherein he
hath made us
accepted
in the beloved.
In whom
we have redemption
through his blood,
the forgiveness
of sins,
according to
the riches
of his grace;
Wherein he
hath abounded toward us
in all wisdom
and prudence;
Having made
known
unto us the mystery
of his will,
according to
his good pleasure
which he
hath purposed
in himself:
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:
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:
That we
should be to the praise
of his glory,
who first trusted
in Christ.
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,
Which is the earnest
of our inheritance
until the redemption
of the purchased possession,
unto the praise
of his glory.
Wherefore I also,
after I heard
of your faith
in the Lord Jesus,
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,
the Father
of glory,
may give
unto you the spirit
of wisdom
and revelation
in the knowledge
of him:
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,
And what
is
the exceeding greatness
of his power
to us-ward
who believe,
according to
the working
of his mighty power,
Which he
wrought
in Christ,
when
he raised him
from the dead,
and set him
at his own right
hand in
the heavenly places,
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:
And hath put all things
under his feet,
and gave him to be
the head
over all things
to the church,
Which is his body,
the fulness
of him that
filleth all in all.
And you
hath
he quickened,
who were dead
in trespasses
and sins;
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:
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.
But God,
who is rich in mercy,
for his great
love wherewith
he loved us,
Even
when we
were dead
in sins,
hath quickened
us together
with Christ,
(by grace
ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up
together,
and made us
sit together
in heavenly places
in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages
to come
he might shew
the exceeding riches
of his grace
in his kindness
toward us
through Christ Jesus.
For by
grace
are ye
saved
through faith;
and
that not of yourselves:
it is the gift
of God:
Not of works,
lest any man
should boast.
For we
are his workmanship,
created
in Christ Jesus
unto good works,
which God
hath
before
ordained
that we
should walk in them.
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;
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:
But now in Christ Jesus
ye who
sometimes were far
off are made nigh
by the blood
of Christ.
For he
is our peace,
who hath made
both one,
and hath broken down
the middle wall
of partition
between us;
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;
And
that he
might reconcile both
unto God
in one body
by the cross,
having slain
the enmity thereby:
And came
and preached
peace to you
which were afar off,
and to them
that were nigh.
For through him we both
have
access
by one Spirit
unto the Father.
Now therefore
ye are
no more strangers
and foreigners,
but fellowcitizens
with the saints,
and of the household
of God;
And are built upon the foundation
of the apostles
and prophets,
Jesus Christ himself
being the chief corner stone;
In whom all
the building
fitly framed
together groweth unto an holy temple
in the Lord:
In whom
ye also are builded together
for an habitation
of God
through the Spirit.
For this cause I Paul,
the prisoner
of Jesus Christ
for you Gentiles,
If ye
have heard
of the dispensation
of the grace
of God
which is given me
to you-ward:
How that
by revelation
he made
known unto me the mystery;
(as I
wrote afore
in few words,
Whereby,
when ye read,
ye may understand my knowledge
in the mystery
of Christ)
EPH 3:5
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;
That the Gentiles
should be
fellowheirs,
and
of the same body,
and partakers
of his promise
in Christ
by the gospel:
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.
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;
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:
To the intent
that now unto the principalities
and powers
in heavenly places
might be known
by the church the manifold wisdom
of God,
According to
the eternal purpose which
he purposed
in Christ Jesus our Lord:
In whom
we have boldness
and access
with confidence
by the faith
of him.
Wherefore
I desire
that ye
faint not
at my tribulations
for you,
which is your glory.
For this cause
I bow
my knees
unto the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom
the whole family
in heaven
and earth
is named,
That he
would grant you,
according to
the riches
of his glory,
to 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,
May be able
to comprehend
with all saints
what is the breadth,
and length,
and depth,
and height;
And
to know the love
of Christ,
which passeth knowledge,
that ye
might be filled
with all
the fulness
of God.
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,
Unto him be glory
in the church
by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages,
world without end.
Amen.
I therefore,
the prisoner
of the Lord,
beseech you
that
ye walk worthy
of the vocation
wherewith
ye are called,
With all lowliness
and meekness,
with longsuffering,
forbearing one
another
in love;
Endeavouring
to keep the unity
of the Spirit
in the bond
of peace.
There is one body,
and one Spirit,
even as
ye are called in one hope
of your calling;
One Lord,
one faith,
one baptism,
One God
and Father
of all,
who is above all,
and through all,
and in you all.
But unto every one
of us is given grace
according to the measure
of the gift
of Christ.
Wherefore
he saith,
When
he ascended up
on high,
he led captivity captive,
and gave gifts
unto men.
(Now
that he ascended,
what is
it but that
he also descended first
into the lower parts
of the earth?
He that
descended
is the same also
that ascended
up far above all heavens,
that he
might fill all things.)
And he
gave some,
apostles;
and some,
prophets;
and some,
evangelists;
and some,
pastors
and teachers;
For the perfecting
of the saints,
for the work
of the ministry,
for the edifying
of the body
of Christ:
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:
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;
But speaking the truth
in love,
may grow up
into him
in all things,
which is the head,
even Christ:
From whom
the whole body
fitly 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.
This
I say therefore,
and testify
in the Lord,
that ye
henceforth walk not
as other Gentiles walk,
in the vanity
of their mind,
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:
Who being
past feeling
have given themselves over
unto lasciviousness,
to work all uncleanness
with greediness.
But
ye have not
so learned Christ;
If so
be that
ye have heard him,
and
have been taught by him,
as the truth
is in Jesus:
That ye put off concerning
the former conversation
the old man,
which is
corrupt
according to
the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed
in the spirit
of your mind;
And
that ye put on
the new man,
which after God
is created
in righteousness
and true holiness.
Wherefore putting
away lying,
speak every man truth
with his neighbour:
for we
are members one
of another.
Be ye angry,
and sin not:
let not
the sun go down
upon your wrath:
Neither give
place
to the devil.
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.
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.
And grieve not
the holy Spirit
of God,
whereby
ye are sealed
unto the day
of redemption.
Let all bitterness,
and wrath,
and anger,
and clamour,
and evil speaking,
be put away
from you,
with all malice:
And be
ye kind one
to another,
tenderhearted,
forgiving one
another,
even as God
for Christ's sake
hath forgiven you.
Be ye
therefore followers
of God,
as dear children;
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.
But fornication,
and all uncleanness,
or covetousness,
let it
not be once named
among you,
as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness,
nor foolish talking,
nor jesting,
which are not convenient:
but rather giving
of thanks.
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.
Let no man
deceive you
with vain words:
for because
of these things
cometh the wrath
of God
upon the children
of disobedience.
Be not ye
therefore partakers
with them.
For ye
were sometimes
darkness,
but now are
ye light
in the Lord:
walk as children
of light:
(For
the fruit
of the Spirit
is in all goodness
and righteousness
and truth;)
Proving
what is acceptable
unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works
of darkness,
but
rather reprove them.
For it
is
a shame
even
to speak
of those things which
are done of them
in secret.
But all
things
that are reproved
are made
manifest
by the light:
for whatsoever doth make
manifest is light.
Wherefore
he saith,
Awake
thou
that sleepest,
and arise
from the dead,
and Christ
shall give thee light.
See
then that
ye walk circumspectly,
not as fools,
but as wise,
Redeeming
the time,
because
the days are evil.
Wherefore be
ye not unwise,
but understanding
what the will
of the Lord is.
And be not drunk
with wine,
wherein is excess;
but be filled
with the Spirit;
Speaking
to yourselves
in psalms
and hymns
and spiritual songs,
singing
and making melody
in your heart
to the Lord;
Giving thanks
always
for all things
unto God
and the Father
in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Submitting yourselves one
to another
in the fear
of God.
Wives,
submit yourselves
unto your own husbands,
as unto the Lord.
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.
Therefore as the church
is subject
unto Christ,
so let
the wives
be to their own husbands
in every thing.
Husbands,
love your wives,
even as Christ
also loved
the church,
and gave himself
for it;
That he
might sanctify
and cleanse it
with the washing
of water
by the word,
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.
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
the church:
For we
are members
of his body,
of his flesh,
and
of his bones.
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.
This is a great mystery:
but
I speak concerning Christ
and the church.
Nevertheless let every one
of you
in particular so
love his wife
even as himself;
and the wife
see that
she reverence her husband.
Children,
obey your parents
in the Lord:
for this is right.
Honour
thy father
and mother;
which is
the first commandment
with promise;
That it
may be well
with thee,
and
thou mayest live long
on the earth.
And,
ye fathers,
provoke not your children
to wrath:
but bring them up
in the nurture
and admonition
of the Lord.
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;
Not with eyeservice,
as menpleasers;
but as the servants
of Christ,
doing the will
of God
from the heart;
With good will doing service,
as to the Lord,
and not to men:
Knowing that
whatsoever
good thing any man doeth,
the same
shall
he receive
of the Lord,
whether he
be bond or free.
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.
Finally,
my brethren,
be strong
in the Lord,
and
in the power
of his might.
Put on the whole armour
of God,
that ye
may be able
to stand
against the wiles
of the devil.
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.
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.
Stand therefore,
having your loins girt about
with truth,
and having
on the breastplate
of righteousness;
And your feet shod
with the preparation
of the gospel
of peace;
Above all,
taking the shield
of faith,
wherewith
ye shall be able
to 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:
Praying always
with all prayer
and supplication
in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto
with all perseverance
and supplication
for all saints;
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,
For which
I am an ambassador
in bonds:
that therein
I may speak boldly,
as I
ought to speak.
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:
Whom
I have sent
unto you
for the same purpose,
that ye
might know
our affairs,
and
that he
might comfort
your hearts.
Peace be
to the brethren,
and love
with faith,
from God
the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace
be
with all
them that love
our Lord Jesus Christ
in sincerity.
Amen.