3:10. That the manifold wisdom of G.o.d may be made known to the princ.i.p.alities and powers in heavenly places through the church,
3:11. According to the eternal purpose which he made in Christ Jesus our Lord:
3:12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
3:13. Wherefore I pray you not to faint at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
3:14. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
3:15. Of whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named:
All paternity... Or, the whole family. G.o.d is the Father, both of angels and men; whosoever besides is named father, is so named with subordination to him.
3:16. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened by his Spirit with might unto the inward man:
3:17. That Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts: that, being rooted and founded in charity,
3:18. You may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
3:19. To know also the charity of Christ, which surpa.s.seth all knowledge: that you may be filled unto all the fulness of G.o.d.
3:20. Now to him who is able to do all things more abundantly than we desire or understand, according to the power that worketh in us:
3:21. To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, unto all generations, world without end. Amen.
Ephesians Chapter 4
He exhorts them to unity, to put on the new man, and to fly sin.
4:1. I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called:
4:2. With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
4:3. Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4:4. One body and one Spirit: as you are called in one hope of your calling.
4:5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
4:6. One G.o.d and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.
4:7. But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.
4:8. Wherefore he saith: Ascending on high, he led captivity captive: he gave gifts to men.
4:9. Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
4:10. He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens: that he might fill all things.
4:11. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors:
Gave some apostles--Until we all meet, etc... Here it is plainly expressed, that Christ has left in his church a perpetual succession of orthodox pastors and teachers, to preserve the faithful in unity and truth.
4:12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the word of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
4:13. Until we all meet into the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of G.o.d, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ:
4:14. That henceforth we be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive.
4:15. But doing the truth in charity, we may in all things grow up in him who is the head, even Christ:
4:16. From whom the whole body, being compacted and fitly joined together, by what every joint supplieth, according to the operation in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in charity.
4:17. This then I say and testify in the Lord: That henceforward you walk not as also the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind:
4:18. Having their understanding darkened: being alienated from the life of G.o.d through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts.
4:19. Who despairing have given themselves up to lasciviousness, unto the working of all uncleanness, unto covetousness.
4:20. But you have not so learned Christ:
4:21. If so be that you have heard him and have been taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus:
4:22. To put off, according to former conversation, the old man, who is corrupted according to the desire of error.
4:23. And be renewed in spirit of your mind:
4:24. And put on the new man, who according to G.o.d is created in justice and holiness of truth.
4:25. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak ye the truth, every man with his neighbour. For we are members one of another.
4:26. Be angry: and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger.
4:27. Give not place to the devil.
4:28. He that stole, let him now steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need.
4:29. Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth: but that which is good, to the edification of faith: that it may administer grace to the hearers.
4:30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of G.o.d: whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.
4:31. Let all bitterness and anger and indignation and clamour and blasphemy be put away from you, with all malice.
4:32. And be ye kind one to another: merciful, forgiving one another, even as G.o.d hath forgiven you in Christ.
Ephesians Chapter 5
Exhortations to a virtuous life. The mutual duties of man and wife, by the example of Christ and of the Church.