Ephesus was the chief City of that part of Asia, which was a Roman Province. Here St. Paul preached for three years, (Acts xx. 31.) and from hence the Gospel was spread throughout the whole Province. (Acts xix. 10.) At his taking leave of the Church there, he forewarned them both of great Persecutions from without, and of divers Heresies and Schisms, which would arise among themselves. And accordingly he writes this Epistle (nearly resembling that to the Colossians, written about the same time) to establish them in the Doctrine he had delivered, to arm them against false Teachers, and to build them up in Love and Holiness, both of Heart and Conversation.

He begins this, as most of his Epistles, with thanksgiving to God, for their embracing and adhering to the Gospel. He shews the inestimable Blessings and Advantages they received thereby, as far above all the Jewish Privileges, as all the Wisdom and Philosophy of the Heathens. He proves, that our Lord is the Head of the whole Church: Of Angels and Spirits, the Church triumphant, and of Jews and Gentiles, now equally Members of the Church Militant. In the three last Chapters he exhorts them to various Duties, civil and religious, personal and relative, suitable to their Christian Character, Privileges, Assistances, and Obligations. In this Epistle we may observe,

I.		The Inscription,	C. i.	1, 2.
II.		The Doctrine, pathetically explained, which contains
	I.	Praise to God for the whole Gospel Blessing,		3—14.
		with Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Saints,		15—
			C. ii.	10.
	2.	A more particular Admonition, -- -- concerning their once miserable, but now happy Condition,		11—22.
		A Prayer for their Establishment,	C. iii.	1—19.
		A Doxology,		20, 21.
III.		The Exhortation,
	1.	General, to walk worthy of their Calling, agreeably to
		1. The Unity of the Spirit, and the Diversity of his Gifts,	C. iv.	1—16.
		2. The Difference between their former and their present State,		17—24.
	2.	Particular.
		To avoid,
		1. Lying,		25.
		2. Anger,		26, 27.
		3. Theft,		28.
		4. Corrupt Communication,		29, 30.
		5. Bitterness,		31—
			C. v.	2.
		6. Uncleanness,		3—14.
		7. Drunkenness,		15—21.
		with a Commendation of the opposite Virtues.
		To do their Duty, as
		1. Wives and Husbands,		22—33.
		2. Children and Parents,	C. vi.	1—4.
		3. Servants and Masters,		5—9.
	3.	Final; To war the Spiritual Warfare,		10—20.
IV.		The Conclusion,		21—24.

EPHESIANS. Chap. I.

1   Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, ^note to the saints who are at Ephesus, 2   and to the faithful in Christ Jesus, Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us ^note with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places through Christ, 4   As he hath chosen us ^note through him, before the foundation of the world, that we might be holy and blameless before him in love, 5   Having predestinated us to the adoption of sons ^note to himself by Jesus Christ, according

to the good pleasure of his will, 6   To the praise of the glory of his grace, ^note 7   by which he hath freely accepted us through the beloved, By whom we ^note have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins, 8   according to the riches of his grace, Wherein he hath abounded toward us, 9   in all wisdom ^note and prudence, Having made known unto us ^note the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself, 10   That in the dispensation of the fulness of the times, ^note he might gather together into one in Christ all things which are in heaven, and which are in earth, 11   In him through whom we ^note also have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him that worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, 12   That we ^note who first believed in Christ, might be to the praise of his glory. 13   In whom ye ^note likewise believed, after ye had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom having believed, ye were also sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise, 14   Who ^note is an earnest of our inheritance, till the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.

15   Wherefore I also, since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love ^note to all saints, 16   Cease not ^note to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 17   That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of ^note glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, through the knowledge of him. 18   The eyes of your understanding ^note being inlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19   And what the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, ^note according to the energy of his mighty power, 20   Which he wrought in Christ, raising him from the dead; and he hath made him sit at his own right-hand ^note in heavenly places, 21   Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, ^note and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. 22   And he hath put all things under his feet, and hath

given him to be head over all things to the church, ^note 23   Which is his body; who is the fulness of him that filleth all in all. ^note

1   And he hath quickened you, ^note 2   who were dead in trespasses and sins, Wherein ye formerly walked, according to the course of this world, ^note according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience: Among whom also we ^note all had our conversation in time past, 3    in the desires of the flesh, doing the will of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the others. 4   But God who is rich in mercy, ^note 5   through his great love wherewith he loved us, Hath quickened us together with Christ, ^note even when we were dead in trespasses, (by grace ye are saved) And hath raised us up together, ^note 6   and made us sit

together in heavenly places through Christ Jesus: 7   That he might shew in the ages to come ^note the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8   For by grace ye are saved through faith; ^note and this not of yourselves: 9   it is the gift of God: Not of works, ^note lest any man should boast. 10   For we are his workmanship, ^note created through Christ Jesus unto good works, which God had before prepared, that we might walk in them.

11   Wherefore remember, ^note that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh (who were called the uncircumcision, by that which is called the circumcision made with hands in the flesh) Were at that time without Christ, ^note 12    being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise; having no hope, and without God in the world. 13   But now through Christ Jesus, ye who were once far off ^note are brought nigh by the blood of Christ. 14   For he is our peace, ^note he who hath made

both one, 15   having broken down the middle wall of partition, Having abolished by his ^note flesh the enmity, the law of commandments, through his decrees, that he might make the two one new man in himself, so making peace: 16   And might reconcile both in one body ^note to God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. 17   And he came ^note and preached peace to you that were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18   For through him we both ^note have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19   Therefore ye are no longer strangers, and foreigners, but fellow-citizens ^note with the saints and of the houshold of God, 20   Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, ^note Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone, On whom all the building fitly framed together, ^note 21   groweth into an holy temple in the Lord: 22   On whom ye also are built together, for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

1   For this cause ^note I Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (Seeing ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, 2   given me to you ward, ^note That by revelation he made known to me the mystery: ^note 3   

as I wrote before in few words, 4   By reading which ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ: 5   Which in other ^note ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed to the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6   That the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, ^note and of the same body, and joint-partakers of his promise by Christ through the gospel, 7   Of which I have been made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God ^note given to me by the effectual working of his power. 8   Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given, ^note to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. 9   And to let all men see, what is the fellowship of the mystery, ^note which was hidden from the beginning of the world by God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10   That the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known by the church ^note to the principalities and powers in heavenly places, 11   According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12   By whom we have ^note boldness and access with confidence through faith in him. 13   Wherefore I intreat you not to faint at my afflictions for you, which is your glory. ^note 14   For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15   (Of whom ^note the whole 16   family in heaven and earth is named) That he would give you according to the riches of his glory, ^note to be strengthened with might by his

Spirit in the inner man, That Christ may dwell ^note in your heart by faith: 17    That being rooted and grounded ^note in love, 18   ye may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, And to know ^note the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, 19   that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God. 20   Now to him ^note that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21   To him be glory in the church ^note by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

1   I therefore the prisoner of the Lord ^note beseech you, to walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called, 2   With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, 3   forbearing one another in love, Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit, ^note by the bond of peace. 4   There is one body ^note and one Spirit, as ye are also called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism: 5    6   One ^note God, and Father of all, ^note who is above all, and through all, and in all. 7   But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ^note 8   Wherefore

he saith, ^{note note} Having ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. 9   (Now that he ascended, what is it, but that he also descended ^note first to the lower parts of the earth? 10   He that descended ^note is the same that ascended also, far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11   And ^note he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; 12   For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, to the edifying the body of Christ; ^note 13   Till we all ^note come to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14   That we may be no longer children, fluctuating to and fro, ^note and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the slight of men, by cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive: 15   But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him ^note in all things, who is the head, even

Christ: 16   From whom the whole ^note body fitly joined together and compacted, by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every member, maketh increase of the body, to the edifying of itself in love.

17   This therefore I say ^note and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles, in the vanity of your mind: 18   Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, by the ignorance that is in them, ^note through the hardness of their hearts: 19   Who being past feeling, ^note have given themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20   But ye have not so learned Christ; ^note Since ye have heard him, ^note 21   and been taught by him, (as the truth is in Jesus) To put off, 22   concerning your former conversation, the old man, ^note which is corrupt, according to the deceitful desires: 23   To be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ^note 24   And to put on the new man, ^note which is created after God, in righteousness and true holiness.

25   Wherefore ^note putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour; for we are members one of another. 26   Be ye angry, and sin not; ^note

let not the sun go down upon your wrath, 27   Neither give place to the devil. ^note 28   Let him that stole, steal no more; but rather let him labour, ^note working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29   Let no corrupt discourse proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good, ^note to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. 30   And grieve not the Holy Spirit ^note of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31   Let all bitterness, ^note and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking be put away from you with all malice. 32   And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted; forgiving one another; as God ^note also for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

1   Be ye therefore followers ^note of God, as beloved children: And walk in love, 2   as Christ also hath loved us, and given himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God of a sweet-smelling savour. 3   But let not ^note fornication, or any uncleanness, or covetousness be even named among you, as becometh saints: 4   Neither obscenity, nor foolish talking, ^note or jesting, which are not convenient, but rather thanksgiving. 5   For this ye know, that no whoremonger, or unclean person, or covetous 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 ^note the wrath of God cometh upon the sons of disobedience. 7   Be ye not therefore partakers with them. 8   For ye were once darkness, ^note but now ye are light in the Lord: 9   walk as children of light; (The fruit of the light ^note is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth:) 10   Searching what is acceptable to the Lord. 11   And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. ^note 12   For it is a shame even to speak the things which are done by them in secret. ^note 13   But all things which are reproved are ^note made manifest by the light; for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14   Wherefore he ^note saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15   See then that ye walk circumspectly, ^note 16   not as fools, but as wise men, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ^note 17   Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what is the will of the Lord. ^note 18   And be not drunken with wine, 19   wherein is excess; ^note but be ye filled with the Spirit, Speaking to each other ^note in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts unto the Lord; 20   Giving thanks ^note always for

all things to God even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21   Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22   Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as unto the Lord. ^note 23   For the husband is head ^note of the wife, as Christ also is head of the church: 24   (and he is the Saviour of the body) Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. ^note 25   Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church ^note and gave himself for it; 26   That he might sanctify it (having cleansed it by the washing of water) through the word: ^note 27   That he might present it ^note to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, that it may be holy and unblamable. 28   Men ought so to love their wives as their own bodies: ^note he that loveth his wife, loveth himself. 29   Now no one ever hated his own flesh, ^note but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also the Lord the church. 30   For we ^note are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31   For ^note this cause ^note shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife; and they two shall be one flesh. 32   This is a great mystery; I mean, concerning Christ and the church. 33   But let every one of you in particular so love his wife as himself: and let the wife reverence her husband.

1   Children, obey your parents ^note in the Lord; for this is right. Honour ^note 2   thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise) That it may be well with thee, 3   and thou mayst live long upon the earth. ^note 4   And, ye fathers, ^note provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord.

5   Servants, obey your masters according to the flesh, ^note with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as unto the Lord: 6   Not with eye-service, ^note as men-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7   With good will doing service as unto the Lord, and not to men: ^note 8   Knowing that whatsoever good each man doth, the same shall he receive ^note from the Lord, whether he be a servant or free. 9   And ye masters, do the same things to them, ^note forbearing threatning, knowing that your master is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.

10   Finally, brethren, ^note be strong through the Lord, and through the power of his might. 11   Put on the whole armour of God, ^note that ye may be able

to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12   For we ^note wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the world, of the darkness of this age, against wicked spirits in heavenly places. 13   Wherefore take to you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, ^note and having done all, to stand. 14   Stand therefore, having your loins girt about ^note with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15   And having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel ^note of peace. 16   Above ^note all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17   And take the helmet ^note of salvation, and the sword of the

Spirit, 18   which is the word of God, Praying alway ^note by the Spirit with all prayer and supplication, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, 19   And for me that utterance may be given me, by the opening my mouth ^note to make known boldly the mystery of the gospel, 20   For which I am an ambassador in bonds, ^note that I may speak boldly therein, as I ought to speak.

21   But that ye also ^note may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you all things. 22   Whom I have sent to you for this very thing, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. ^note 23   Peace ^note be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24   Grace be with all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. ^note Amen.

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