1:12. That we may be unto the praise of his glory: we who before hoped in Christ:
1:13. In whom you also, after you had heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation), in whom also believing, you were signed with the holy Spirit of promise.
1:14. Who is the pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of acquisition, unto the praise of his glory.
Acquisition... that is, a purchased possession.
1:15. Wherefore, I also, hearing of your faith that is in the Lord Jesus and of your love towards all the saints,
1:16. Cease not to give thanks for you, making commemoration of you in my prayers,
1:17. That the G.o.d of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of him:
1:18. The eyes of your heart enlightened that you may know what the hope is of his calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
1:19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe according to the operation of the might of his power,
1:20. Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places.
1:21. Above all princ.i.p.ality and power and virtue and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
1:22. And he hath subjected all things under his feet and hath made him head over all the church,
1:23. Which is his body and the fulness of him who is filled all in all.
Ephesians Chapter 2
All our good comes through Christ. He is our peace.
2:1. And you, when you were dead in your offences and sins,
2:2. Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of this air, of the spirit that now worketh on the children of unbelief:
2:3. In which also we all conversed in time past, in the desires of our flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:
2:4. But G.o.d (who is rich in mercy) for his exceeding charity wherewith he loved us
2:5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ (by whose grace you are saved)
2:6. And hath raised us up together and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus.
2:7. That he might shew in the ages to come the abundant riches of his grace, in his bounty towards us in Christ Jesus.
2:8. For by grace you are saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of G.o.d.
2:9. Not of works, that no man may glory.
Not of works... as of our own growth, or from ourselves; but as from the grace of G.o.d.
2:10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which G.o.d hath prepared that we should walk in them.
2:11. For which cause be mindful that you, being heretofore gentiles is the flesh, who are called uncirc.u.mcision by that which is called circ.u.mcision in the flesh, made by hands:
2:12. That you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the conversation of Israel and strangers to the testament, having no hope of the promise and without G.o.d in this world.
2:13. But now in Christ Jesus, you, who some time were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
2:14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and breaking down the middle wall of part.i.tion, the enmities in his flesh:
2:15. Making void the law of commandments contained in decrees: that he might make the two in himself into one new man, making peace,
2:16. And might reconcile both to G.o.d in one body by the cross, killing the enmities in himself.
2:17. And coming, he preached peace to you that were afar off: and peace to them that were nigh.
2:18. For by him we have access both in one Spirit to the Father.
2:19. Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners: but you are fellow citizens with the saints and the domestics of G.o.d,
2:20. Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone:
2:21. In whom all the building, being framed together, groweth up into an holy temple in the Lord.
2:22. In whom you also are built together into an habitation of G.o.d in the Spirit.
Ephesians Chapter 3
The mystery hidden from former ages was discovered to the apostle, to be imparted to the Gentiles. He prays that they may be strengthened in G.o.d.
3:1. For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, for you Gentiles:
3:2. If yet you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of G.o.d which is given me towards you:
3:3. How that, according to revelation, the mystery has been made known to me, as I have written above in a few words:
3:4. As you reading, may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,
3:5. Which in other generations was not known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit:
3:6. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs and of the same body: and copartners of his promise in Christ Jesus, by the gospel
3:7. Of which I am made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of G.o.d, which is given to me according to the operation of his power.
3:8. To me, the least of all the saints, is given this grace, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ:
3:9. And to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in G.o.d who created all things: