Chapter XVIII: Front Matter (18)

9:11. That being enriched in all things, you may abound unto all simplicity which worketh through us thanksgiving to God.

9:12. Because the administration of this office doth not only supply the want of the saints, but aboundeth also by many thanksgivings in the Lord.

9:13. By the proof of this ministry, glorifying God for the obedience of your confession unto the gospel of Christ and for the simplicity of your communicating unto them and unto all.

9:14. And in their praying for you, being desirous of you, because of the excellent grace of God in you.

9:15. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

2 Corinthians Chapter 10

To stop the calumny and boasting of false apostles, he set forth the power of his apostleship.

10:1. Now I Paul, myself beseech you, by the mildness and modesty of Christ: who in presence indeed am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

10:2. But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence wherewith I am thought to be bold, against some who reckon us as if we walked according to the flesh.

10:3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

10:4. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty to God, unto the pulling down of fortifications, destroying counsels,

10:5. And every height that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God: and bringing into captivity every understanding unto the obedience of Christ:

10:6. And having in readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience shall be fulfilled.

10:7. See the things that are according to outward appearance. If any man trust to himself, that he is Christ's let him think this again with himself, that as he is Christ's, so are we also.

10:8. For if also I should boast somewhat more of our power, which the Lord hath given us unto edification and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed.

10:9. But that I may not be thought as it were to terrify you by epistles,

10:10. (For his epistles indeed, say they, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible):

10:11. Let such a one think this, that such as we are in word by epistles when absent, such also we will be indeed when present.

10:12. For we dare not match or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but we measure ourselves by ourselves and compare ourselves with ourselves.

10:13. But we will not glory beyond our measure: but according to the measure of the rule which God hath measured to us, a measure to reach even unto you.

10:14. For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as if we reached not unto you. For we are come as far as to you in the Gospel of Christ.

10:15. Not glorying beyond measure in other men's labours: but having hope of your increasing faith, to be magnified in you according to our rule abundantly.

10:16. Yea, unto those places that are beyond you to preach the gospel: not to glory in another man's rule, in those things that are made ready to our hand.

10:17. But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

10:18. For not he who commendeth himself is approved: but he, whom God commendeth.

2 Corinthians Chapter 11

He is forced to commend himself and his labours, lest the Corinthians should be imposed upon by the false apostles.

11:1. Would to God you could bear with some little of my folly! But do bear with me.

My folly. . .So he calls his reciting his own praises, which, commonly speaking is looked upon as a piece of folly and vanity; though the apostle was constrained to do it, for the good of the souls committed to his charge.

11:2. For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

11:3. But I fear lest, as the serpent seduced Eve by his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted and fall from the simplicity that is in Christ.

11:4. For if he that cometh preacheth another Christ, whom we have not preached; or if you receive another Spirit, whom you have not received; or another gospel, which you have not received: you might well bear with him.

11:5. For I suppose that I have done nothing less than the great apostles.

11:6. For although I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge: but in all things we have been made manifest to you.

11:7. Or did I commit a fault, humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached unto you the Gospel of God freely?

11:8. I have taken from other churches, receiving wages of them for your ministry.

11:9. And, when I was present with you and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was wanting to me, the brethren supplied who came from Macedonia. And in all things I have kept myself from being burthensome to you: and so I will keep myself.

11:10. The truth of Christ is in me, that this glorying shall not be broken off in me in the regions of Achaia.

11:11. Wherefore? Because I love you not? God knoweth it.

11:12. But what I do, that I will do: that I may cut off the occasion from them that desire occasion: that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

11:13. For such false apostles are deceitful workmen, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

11:14. And no wonder: for Satan himself transformeth himself into an angel of light.

11:15. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed as the ministers of justice, whose end shall be according to their works.

11:16. I say again (Let no man think me to be foolish: otherwise take me as one foolish, that I also may glory a little):

11:17. That which I speak, I speak not according to God: but as it were in foolishness, in this matter of glorying.

11:18. Seeing that many glory according to the flesh, I will glory also.

11:19. For you gladly suffer the foolish: whereas yourselves are wise.

11:20. For you suffer if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take from you, if a man be lifted up, if a man strike you on the face.

11:21. I seek according to dishonour, as if we had been weak in this part. Wherein if any man dare (I speak foolishly), I dare also.

11:22. They are Hebrews: so am I. They are Israelites: so am I. They are the seed of Abraham: so am I.

11:23. They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise): I am more; in many more labours, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often.

11:24. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes save one.

11:25. Thrice was I beaten with rods: once I was stoned: thrice I suffered shipwreck: a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea.

11:26. In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren:

11:27. In labour and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness:

11:28. Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches.

My daily instance. . .The labours that come in, and press upon me every day.

11:29. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire?

11:30. If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity.

11:31. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for ever, knoweth that I lie not.

11:32. At Damascus, the governor of the nation under Aretas the king, guarded the city of the Damascenes, to apprehend me.

11:33. And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall: and so escaped his hands.

2 Corinthians Chapter 12

His raptures and revelations, His being buffeted by Satan. His fear for the Corinthians.

12:1. If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed) but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

12:2. I know a man in Christ: above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth), such a one caught up to the third heaven.

12:3. And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth):

12:4. That he was caught up into paradise and heard secret words which it is not granted to man to utter.

12:5. For such an one I will glory: but for myself I will glory nothing but in my infirmities.

12:6. For though I should have a mind to glory, I shall not be foolish: for I will say the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth in me, or any thing he heareth from me.

12:7. And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.

12:8. For which thing, thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me.

12:9. And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee: for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Power is made perfect. . .The strength and power of God more perfectly shines forth in our weakness and infirmity; as the more weak we are of ourselves, the more illustrious is his grace in supporting us, and giving us the victory under all trials and conflicts.

12:10. For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful.

12:11. I am become foolish. You have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended by you. For I have no way come short of them that are above measure apostles, although I be nothing.

12:12. Yet the signs of my apostleship have been wrought on you, in all patience, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

12:13. For what is there that you have had less than the other churches but that I myself was not burthensome to you? Pardon me this injury.

12:14. Behold now the third time I am ready to come to you and I will not be burthensome unto you. For I seek not the things that are yours, but you. For neither ought the children to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

12:15. But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls: although loving you more, I be loved less.

12:16. But be it so: I did not burthen you: but being crafty, I caught you by guile.

12:17. Did I overreach you by any of them whom I sent to you?

12:18. I desired Titus: and I sent with him a brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk with the same spirit? Did we not in the same steps?

12:19. Of old, think you that we excuse ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ: but all things, my dearly beloved, for your edification.

12:20. For I fear lest perhaps, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as you would not. Lest perhaps contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings, swellings, seditions, be among you.

12:21. Lest again, when I come, God humble me among you: and I mourn many of them that sinned before and have not done penance for the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness that they have committed.

2 Corinthians Chapter 13

He threatens the impenitent, to provoke them to penance.

13:1. Behold, this is the third time I am coming to you: In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word stand.

13:2. I have told before and foretell, as present and now absent, to them that sinned before and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare.

13:3. Do you seek a proof of Christ that speaketh in me, who towards you is not weak, but is mighty in you?

13:4. For although he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him: but we shall live with him by the power of God towards you.

13:5. Try your own selves if you be in the faith: prove ye yourselves. Know you not your own selves, that Christ Jesus is in you, unless perhaps you be reprobates?

13:6. But I trust that you shall know that we are not reprobates.

13:7. Now we pray God that you may do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but that you may do that which is good and that we may be as reprobates.

Reprobates. . .that is, without proof, by having no occasion of shewing our power in punishing you.

13:8. For we can do nothing against the truth: but for the truth.

13:9. For we rejoice that we are weak and you are strong. This also we pray for, your perfection.

13:10. Therefore I write these things, being absent, that, being present, I may not deal more severely, according to the power which the Lord hath given me unto edification and not unto destruction.

13:11. For the rest, brethren, rejoice, be perfect, take exhortation, be of one mind, have peace. And the God of grace and of love shall be with you.

13:12. Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the saints salute you.

13:13. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the charity of God and the communication of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen.

THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE GALATIANS

The Galatians, soon after St. Paul had preached the Gospel to them, were seduced by some false teachers, who had been Jews and who were for obliging all Christians, even those who had been Gentiles, to observe circumcision and the other ceremonies of the Mosaical law. In this Epistle, he refutes the pernicious doctrine of those teachers and also their calumny against his mission and apostleship. The subject matter of this Epistle is much the same as that to the Romans. It was written at Ephesus, about twenty-three years after our Lord's Ascension.

Galatians Chapter 1

He blames the Galatians for suffering themselves to be imposed upon by new teachers. The apostle's calling.

1:1. Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead:

1:2. And all the brethren who are with me: to the churches of Galatia.

1:3. Grace be to you, and peace from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

1:4. Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present wicked world, according to the will of God and our Father:

1:5. To whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1:6. I wonder that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel.

1:7. Which is not another: only there are some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

1:8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema.

1:9. As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema.

1:10. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

1:11. For I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.

1:12. For neither did I receive it of man: nor did I learn it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1:13. For you have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion: how that, beyond measure, I persecuted the church of God and wasted it.

1:14. And I made progress in the Jew's religion above many of my equals in my own nation, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

1:15. But when it pleased him who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace,

1:16. To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles: immediately I condescended not to flesh and blood.

1:17. Neither went I to Jerusalem, to the apostles who were before me: but I went into Arabia, and again I returned to Damascus.

1:18. Then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem to see Peter: and I tarried with him fifteen days.

1:19. But other of the apostles I saw none, saving James the brother of the Lord.

1:20. Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not.

1:21. Afterwards, I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

1:22. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea, which were in Christ:

1:23. But they had heard only: He, who persecuted us in times past doth now preach the faith which once he impugned.

1:24. And they glorified God in me.

Galatians Chapter 2

The apostle's preaching was approved of by the other apostles. The Gentiles were not to be constrained to the observance of the law.

2:1. Then, after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.

2:2. And I went up according to revelation and communicated to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles: but apart to them who seemed to be some thing: lest perhaps I should run or had run in vain.

2:3. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Gentile, was compelled to be circumcised.

2:4. But because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privately to spy our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into servitude.

2:5. To whom we yielded not by subjection: no, not for an hour: that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

2:6. But of them who seemed to be some thing, (what they were some time it is nothing to me, God accepteth not the person of man): for to me they that seemed to be some thing added nothing.

2:7. But contrariwise, when they had seen that to me was committed the gospel of the uncircumcision, as to Peter was that of the circumcision.

The gospel of the uncircumcision. . .The preaching of the gospel to the uncircumcised, that is, to the Gentiles. St. Paul was called in an extraordinary manner to be the apostle of the Gentiles; St. Peter, besides his general commission over the whole flock, (John 21. 15, etc.,) had a peculiar charge of the people of the circumcision, that is, of the Jews.

2:8. (For he who wrought in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision wrought in me also among the Gentiles.)

2:9. And when they had known the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship: that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision:

2:10. Only that we should be mindful of the poor: which same thing also I was careful to do.

2:11. But when Cephas was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

I withstood, etc. . .The fault that is here noted in the conduct of St. Peter, was only a certain imprudence, in withdrawing himself from the table of the Gentiles, for fear of giving offence to the Jewish converts; but this, in such circumstances, when his so doing might be of ill consequence to the Gentiles, who might be induced thereby to think themselves obliged to conform to the Jewish way of living, to the prejudice of their Christian liberty. Neither was St. Paul's reprehending him any argument against his supremacy; for in such cases an inferior may, and sometimes ought, with respect, to admonish his superior.

2:12. For before that some came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them who were of the circumcision.

2:13. And to his dissimulation the rest of the Jews consented: so that Barnabas also was led by them into that dissimulation.

2:14. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly unto the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all: If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles and not as the Jews do, how dost thou compel the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

2:15. We by nature are Jews: and not of the Gentiles, sinners.

2:16. But knowing that man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

2:17. But if, while we seek to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ then the minister of sin? God forbid!

2:18. For if I build up again the things which I have destroyed, I make myself a prevaricator.

2:19. For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I may live to God; with Christ I am nailed to the cross.

2:20. And I live, now not I: but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and delivered himself for me.

2:21. I cast not away the grace of God. For if justice be by the law, then Christ died in vain.

Galatians Chapter 3

The Spirit, and the blessing promised to Abraham cometh not by the law, but by faith.

3:1. O senseless Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth: before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you?

3:2. This only would I learn of you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith?

3:3. Are you so foolish that, whereas you began in the Spirit, you would now be made perfect by the flesh?

3:4. Have you suffered so great things in vain? If it be yet in vain.

3:5. He therefore who giveth to you the Spirit and worketh miracles among you: doth he do it by the works of the law or by the hearing of the faith?

3:6. As it is written: Abraham believed God: and it was reputed to him unto justice.

3:7. Know ye, therefore, that they who are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

3:8. And the scripture, foreseeing that God justifieth the Gentiles by faith, told unto Abraham before: In thee shall all nations be blessed.

3:9. Therefore, they that are of faith shall be blessed with faithful Abraham.

3:10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: Cursed is every one that abideth, not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

3:11. But that in the law no man is justified with God, it is manifest: because the just man liveth by faith.

3:12. But the law is not of faith: but he that doth those things shall live in them.

3:13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree).

3:14. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus: that we may receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.

3:15. Brethren (I speak after the manner of man), yet a man's testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth nor addeth to it.

3:16. To Abraham were the promises made and to his seed. He saith not: And to his seeds as of many. But as of one: And to thy seed, which is Christ.

3:17. Now this I say: that the testament which was confirmed by God, the law which was made after four hundred and thirty years doth not disannul, to make the promise of no effect.

3:18. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.

3:19. Why then was the law? It was set because of transgressions, until the seed should come to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Because of transgressions. . .To restrain them from sin, by fear and threats. Ordained by angels. . .The law was delivered by angels, speaking in the name and person of God to Moses, who was the mediator, on this occasion, between God and the people.

3:20. Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one.

3:21. Was the law then against the promises of God: God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could give life, verily justice should have been by the law.

3:22. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise, by the faith of Jesus Christ, might be given to them that believe.

Hath concluded all under sin. . .that is, hath declared all to be under sin, from which they could not be delivered but by faith in Jesus Christ, the promised seed.

3:23. But before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up, unto that faith which was to be revealed.

3:24. Wherefore the law was our pedagogue in Christ: that we might be justified by faith.

Pedagogue. . .That is, schoolmaster, conductor, or instructor.

3:25. But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a pedagogue.

3:26. For you are all the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus.

3:27. For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ.

3:28. There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Neither Jew, etc. . .That is, no distinction of Jew, etc.

3:29. And if you be Christ's, then are you the seed of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.

Galatians Chapter 4

Christ has freed us from the servitude of the law. We are the freeborn sons of Abraham.

4:1. As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all,

4:2. But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father.

4:3. So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world.

Under the elements, etc. . .That is, under the first rudiments of religion, in which the carnal Jews were trained up; or under those corporeal creatures, used in their manifold rites, sacrifices, and sacraments.

4:4. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law:

4:5. That he might redeem them who were under the law: that we might receive the adoption of sons.

4:6. And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father.

4:7. Therefore, now he is not a servant, but a son. And if a son, an heir also through God.

4:8. But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them who, by nature, are not gods.

4:9. But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known by God: how turn you again to the weak and needy elements which you desire to serve again?

4:10. You observe days and months and times, and years.

You observe days, etc. . .He speaks not of the observation of the Lord's day, or other Christian festivals; but either of the superstitious observation of days lucky and unlucky; or else of the Jewish festivals, to the observance of which, certain Jewish teachers sought to induce the Galatians.

4:11. I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you.

4:12. Be ye as I, because I also am as you brethren, I beseech you. You have not injured me at all.

4:13. And you know how, through infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel to you heretofore: and your temptation in my flesh

4:14. You despised not, nor rejected: but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

4:15. Where is then your blessedness? For I bear you witness that, if it could be done, you would have plucked out your own eyes and would have given them to me.

4:16. Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

4:17. They are zealous in your regard not well: but they would exclude you, that you might be zealous for them.

4:18. But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: and not only when I am present with you.

4:19. My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be formed in you.

4:20. And I would willingly be present with you now and change my voice: because I am ashamed for you.

4:21. Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, have you not read the law?

4:22. For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman and the other by a free woman.

4:23. But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh: but he of the free woman was by promise.

4:24. Which things are said by an allegory. For these are the two testaments. The one from Mount Sina, engendering unto bondage, which is Agar.

4:25. For Sina is a mountain in Arabia, which hath affinity to that Jerusalem which now is: and is in bondage with her children.

4:26. But that Jerusalem which is above is free: which is our mother.

4:27. For it is written: Rejoice, thou barren, that bearest not: break forth and cry thou that travailest not: for many are the children of the desolate, more than of her that hath a husband.

4:28. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

4:29. But as then he that was born according to the flesh persecuted him that was after the spirit: so also it is now.

4:30. But what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.

4:31. So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.

Galatians Chapter 5

He exhorts them to stand to their Christian liberty. Of the fruits of the flesh and of the spirit.

5:1. Stand fast and be not held again under the yoke of bondage.

5:2. Behold, I Paul tell you, that if you be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

5:3. And I testify again to every man circumcising himself that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

5:4. You are made void of Christ, you who are justified in the law: you are fallen from grace.

5:5. For we in spirit, by faith, wait for the hope of justice.

5:6. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision: but faith that worketh by Charity.

5:7. You did run well. What hath hindered you, that you should not obey the truth?

5:8. This persuasion is not from him that calleth you.

5:9. A little leaven corrupteth the whole lump.

5:10. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will not be of another mind: but he that troubleth you shall bear the judgment, whosoever he be.

5:11. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the scandal of the cross made void.

5:12. I would they were even cut off, who trouble you.

5:13. For you, brethren, have been called unto liberty. Only make not liberty an occasion to the flesh: but by charity of the spirit serve one another.

5:14. For all the law is fulfilled in one word: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

5:15. But if you bite and devour one another: take heed you be not consumed one of another.

5:16. I say then: Walk in the spirit: and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

5:17. For the flesh lusteth against the spirit: and the spirit against the flesh: For these are contrary one to another: so that you do not the things that you would.

5:18. But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law.

5:19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest: which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury,

5:20. Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects,

5:21. Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God.

5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity,

5:23. Mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity. Against such there is no law.

5:24. And they that are Christ's have crucified their flesh, with the vices and concupiscences.

5:25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

5:26. Let us not be made desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians Chapter 6

He exhorts to charity, humility and all virtue. He glories in nothing but in the cross of Christ.

6:1. Brethren, and if a man be overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

6:2. Bear ye one another's burdens: and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ.

6:3. For if any man think himself to be some thing, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

6:4. But let every one prove his own work: and so he shall have glory in himself only and not in another.

6:5. For every one shall bear his own burden.

6:6. And let him that is instructed in the word communicate to him that instructeth him, in all good things.

6:7. Be not deceived: God is not mocked.

6:8. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.

6:9. And in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not failing.

6:10. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

6:11. See what a letter I have written to you with my own hand.

6:12. For as many as desire to please in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer the persecution of the cross of Christ.

6:13. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law: but they will have you to be circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

6:14. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.

6:15. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision: but a new creature.

6:16. And whosoever shall follow this rule, peace on them and mercy: and upon the Israel of God.

6:17. From henceforth let no man be troublesome to me: for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus in my body.

6:18. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.

THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS

Ephesus was the capital of Lesser Asia, and celebrated for the temple of Diana, to which the most part of the people of the East went frequently to worship. But St. Paul having preached the Gospel there, for two years the first time and afterwards for about a year, converted many. He wrote this Epistle to them when he was a prisoner in Rome; and sent it by Tychicus. He admonishes them to hold firmly the faith which they had received and warns them, and also those of the neighbouring cities, against the sophistry of philosophers and doctrine of false teachers who were come among them. The matters of faith contained in this Epistle are exceedingly sublime, and consequently very difficult to be understood. It was written about twenty-nine years after our Lord's Ascension.

Ephesians Chapter 1

The great blessings we have received through Christ. He is the head of all the church.

1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to all the saints who are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.

1:2. Grace be to you and peace, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ:

In heavenly places. . .or, in heavenly things. In coelestibus.

1:4. As he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unspotted in his sight in charity.

1:5. Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto himself: according to the purpose of his will:

1:6. Unto the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he hath graced us, in his beloved son.

1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his, grace,

1:8. Which hath superabounded in us, in all wisdom and prudence,

1:9. That he might make known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him,

1:10. In the dispensation of the fulness of times, to re-establish all things in Christ, that are in heaven and on earth, in him.

1:11. In whom we also are called by lot, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his will.

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 God 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 principality 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 God (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 God.

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 God.

2:10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God 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 uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision 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 God 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 partition, 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 God 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 God,

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 God 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 God.

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 God 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 God, 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 God who created all things:

3:10. That the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities 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. God 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 surpasseth all knowledge: that you may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

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 God 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 God, 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 God 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 God 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 God: 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 God 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.

5:1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children:

5:2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness.

5:3. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints:

5:4. Or obscenity or foolish talking or scurrility, which is to no purpose: but rather giving of thanks.

5:5. For know you this and understand: That no fornicator or unclean or covetous person (which is a serving of idols) hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

5:6. Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief.

5:7. Be ye not therefore partakers with them.

5:8. For you were heretofore darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk then as children of the light.

5:9. For the fruit of the light is in all goodness and justice and truth:

5:10. Proving what is well pleasing to God.

5:11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness: but rather reprove them.

5:12. For the things that are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.

5:13. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for all that is made manifest is light.

5:14. Wherefore he saith: Rise, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead: and Christ shall enlighten thee.

5:15. See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise,

5:16. But as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

5:17. Wherefore, become not unwise: but understanding what is the will of God.

5:18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury: but be ye filled with the Holy Spirit,

5:19. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord:

5:20. Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father:

5:21. Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ.