The hidden mystery. CHAP. III. Chap. fil, f. The hidden mystery that the Gentiles should be saved. F OR this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles; 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you ward: 3 How that y revelation he made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote afore in few words: 4 Whereby when ye read ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, 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: 6 That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 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. 8 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; Exhortations to unity 4 There is one body, and one Epirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And 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, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith. and of the knowledge of the Son of Ged, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we nenceforth be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every 9 And to make all men see what is the fel-wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and lowship of the mystery, which from the begin- cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to ning of the world hath been hid in God, who deceive; created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church he manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 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, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amer. CHAP. IV. He exhorteth to unity. 7 Why men have different gifts. 20 The old man to be put off I THEREFORE, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head even Christ: 16 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. 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind. 18 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: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt ac cording to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let in 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. 29 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 bearers. The duty of wives. EPHESIANS. The duty of children. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, Christ also loved the church, and gave himself whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, 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, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. CHAP. V. for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 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. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth 2 He exhorteth to love, 3 to flee fornication.himself. 22 The duties of wives, 25 and of husbands. 29 For no mau ever yet hated his own flesh; Lord the church: Bye therefore followers of God, as dear but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the children; 2 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 sweet-smelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, uor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger nor unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them 8 For ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light; 2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers. provoke not your chil dren to wrath; but bring them up in the nur9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all good-ture and admonition of the Lord. ness, and righteousness, and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ sha. I give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the day's are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and 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 unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 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. 5 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.; 6 Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: Knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persous with him. 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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. 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, 24 Therefore as the church is subject unte wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the Christ, so let the wives be to their own hus-ñery darts of the wicked. bands in every thing. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Paul's prayer to God: Chap. 1, ii. his readiness to suffer. 118 Praying always with all prayer, and sup- and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make plication in the Spirit, and wateing thereunto known to you all things: with all perservance and supplication for all. 22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same saints; purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. 19 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, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.. 24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. ¶ Written from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus. T The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the PHILIPPIANS. CHAP. I. and my hope, that in nothing I shall be asha- 1 Paul's thankfulness and prayer to God for PAU 2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Ithank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that be which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abun dant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence 27. Only let your conversation be as it beand confirmation of the gospel, ye all are par-cometh the gospel of Christ that whether I takers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment; come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries which is to them an evident token of 10 That ye may approve things that are ex-perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of cellent; that ye may be sincere, and without God. offence, till the day of Christ; 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteous-Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to ness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the suffer for his sake; glory and praise of God. 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds la Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation, i 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw 1 He exhorleth to unity and humility, 12 ana ro there be therefore any consolalion in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who being in the form of God, thought it pot robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in fashion as a many Timotheus commended. PHILIPPIANS. he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also bath highly exaited him, and given him a name which is above every name : 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. General exhortations. ship God in the spir, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh: 4 Though I might also bave confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, ( more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have touching the righteousness which is in the law, always obeyed, not as in my presence only, blameless. but now much more in my absence, work 7 But what things were gain to me, those I out your own salvation with fear and trem-counted loss for Christ. bling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state. 20 For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with the in the gospel. 23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that. I also myself shall come shortly. 25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and companion in labour, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed after you all, and was fall of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him erly, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when/ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to sup ply your lack of service toward me. CHAP. III. 1 He warned them of false teachers, 18 and to decline the ways of carnal christians. INALLY, my brethren, rejoice in the 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ; 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. CHAP. IV. 4 General exhortations. 10 His joy for their liberality towards him, and God's grace in them. THEREFORE, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so FLord. To write the same things to you, to stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil-workers, beware of the concision. 2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I entreat thee also, true yoke For we are the circumcision, which wor-fellow, help those women which laboured Paul's prayer for grace Chap. 1. He describeth the true Christ. with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and all things I am instructed, both to be full and with other my fellow-labourers, whose names to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer are in the book of life. 4. Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I Bay, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every 15 Now, ye Philippians, know also, that in thing by prayer and supplication with thanks-the beginning of the gospel, when I departed giving let your requests be made known unto from Macedonia, no church communicated God. with me as concerning giving and receiving but ye only. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 16 Foreven in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire true, whatsoever things are honest, whatso-fruit that may abound to your account. ever things are just, whatsoever things are 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatso- having received of Epaphroditus the things ever things are of good report; if there be which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet any virtue, and if there be any praise, think smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to on these things. God. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do and the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that Dow at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and know how to abound: every where and 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. 22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cesar's household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Ameu. IT It was written to the Philippians from in Rome by Epaphroditus. The Epistle of PAUL the Apostle to the COLOSSIANS. CHAP. I. 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath He thanketh God for their faith, 15 and de- made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; scribeth the true Christ. PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ "Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be, thrones, or deminions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him 7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful min-should all fulness dwell; ister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 20 And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in eth, or things in heaven. 9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual un-now hath he reconciled, derstanding; 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be no moved away from 11 Strengthened with all might, according to the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, bis glorious power, unto all patience and long-and which was preached to every creature Buffering with joyfulness; 114 |