He that doth those things, shall live in them. 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: 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. 15 Brethren (I speak after the manner of man) 7 yet a man's testament, if it be confirmed, no man despiseth, nor addeth to it. 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. 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 annul, to make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise. But God gave it to Abraham by prom ise. 19 Why then was the law? It was set because of trangressions, until the seed should come, to whom he made the promise, being ordained by angels in the hand of a medi ator. 20 Now a mediator is not of one: but God is one. 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. 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. 23 But before the faith came, we were kept under the law shut up, unto that faith which was to be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our pedagogue in Christ, that we might be justified by faith. CHAP. 3, ver. 24. Pedagogue. Schoolmaster, conductor or instructor. Ver. 28. Neither Jew, &c. That is, no distinction of Jew, &c. CHAP. 4, ver. 3. Serving under the ele 25 But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a pedagogue. 26 For you are all the children of God by faith, in Christ JESUS. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ. 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. 29 And if you be Christ's; then are you the seed of Abraham, heirs according to the promise. CHAP. 3.-1. Gen. 15, 6; Rom. 4, 3; James 2, 23.-2. Gen. 12, 3; Eccli. 44, 20. -3. Deut. 27, 26.-4. Habac. 2, 4; Rom. 1, 17.-5. Lev. 18, 5.-6. Deut. 21, 23.-7. Hebr. 9, 17.-8. Rom. 3, 9.-9. Rom. 6, 3. CHAPTER IV. Christ hath freed us from the servitude of the law: we are the free-born sons of Abraham. NOW I say: As long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all: 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed by the father: 3 So we also, when we were children, were serving under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent his Son made of a woman, made under the law, 5 That he might redeem them who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because you are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying: Abba, Father. 7 Therefore now he is not a servant, but a son: And if a son: an heir also through God. 8 But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them who by nature are not gods. 9 But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known by God: how turn you again to the ments, &c. 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, sacritices and sacraments. weak and needy elements, which | Arabia, which hath affinity to that you desire to serve again? 10 You observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest perhaps I have laboured in vain among you. 12 Be ye as I, because I also am as you brethren, I beseech you: you have not injured me at all. 13 And you know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel to you heretofore: and your temptation in my flesh 14 You despised not, nor rejected: but received me as an Angel of God, even as Christ JESUS. 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. 16 Am I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 17 They are zealous in your regard not well: but they would exclude you, that you might be zealous for them. 18 But be zealous for that which is good in a good thing always: and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, of whom I am in labour again, until Christ be formed in you. 20 And I would willingly be pres ent with you now, and change my voice: because I am ashamed for you. 21 Tell me, you that desire to be under the law: have you not read the law? 22 For it is written: that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, and 2 the other by a free Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But that Jerusalem, which is above, is free, which is our mother 27 For it is written: 3 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 busband. 28 Now 4 we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he, that was born according to the flesh, persecuted him that was after the spirit: so also it is now. 30 But what saith the Scripture? 5 Cast out the bond woman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free: by the freedom wherewith Christ hath made us free. CHAP. 4.-1. Gen. 16, 15.-2. Gen. 21, 2. -3. Isai. 54, 1.-4. Rom. 9, 8.-5. Gen. 21. 10. CHAPTER V. He exhorteth them to stand to their Christian liberty. Of the fruits of the flesh, and of the spirit. TAND fast, and be not held Sagain under the yoke of bond age. 2 Behold I Paul tell you: that, if you be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man circumcising himself, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 You are made void of Christ, you who are justified in the law: you are fallen from grace. 5 For we in spirit, by faith, wait for the hope of justice. 6 For in Christ JESUS neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision but faith, that worketh by charity. 7 You did run well: who hath hindered you that you should not obey the truth? Ver. 10. You observe days, &c. He tion of days lucky and unlucky; or else speaketh not of the observation of the of the Jewish festivals, to the observLord's day, or other Christian festivals; ance of which certain Jewish teachers but either of the superstitious observa-sought to induce the Galatians. 8 This persuasion is not from him that calleth you. 9 A2 little leaven corrupteth the whole lump. 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. 11 And I, brethren; if I yet preach circumcisión: why do I yet suffer 26 Let us not be made desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. CHAP. 5.-1. Acts 15, 1.-2. 1 Cor. 5, 6.3. Lev. 19, 18; Matt. 22, 39; Rom. 13, 8.4. 1 Pet. 2, 11. CHAPTER VI. He exhorteth to charity, humility, &c. He glorieth in nothing but in the cross of Christ. persecution? Then is the scandal BEREN, and if a man be of made void. 12 I would they were even cutoff, who trouble you. 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. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word: 3 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if you bite and devour one another: take heed you be not consumed one of another. 16 I say then: Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. 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. 18 But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are, fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury, 20 Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects. 21 Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like, of which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you: that they, who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is, charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, 23 Mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity. Against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's, have crucified their flesh with the vices and concupiscences. 25 If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit, overtaken in any fault, you, who are spiritual, instruct such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so you shall fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if any man think himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every one prove his own work, and so he shall have glory in himself only, and not in another. 5 For every one shall bear his own burden. 6 And let him, that is instructed in the word, communicate to him, that instructeth him, in all good things. 7 Bet deceived: God is not mocked. For 8 For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. 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. 9 And 2 in doing good, let us not fail: for in due time we shall reap not failing. 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. 11 See what a letter I have written to you with my own hand. 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. 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. 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. 15 For in Christ JESUS neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And whosoever shall follow this rule, peace on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From henceforth let no man be troublesome to me: for I bear the marks of the Lord JESUS in my body. 18 The grace of our Lord JESUS CHRIST be with your spirit, Brethren. Amen. CHAP. 6.-1. Psal. 61, 13; Matt. 16, 27; Rom. 2, 6; 1 Cor. 3, 8.-2. 2 Thess, 3, 13. 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 admonisheth them to hold firmly the Faith which they had received, and warneth them, and also those of the neighbouring cities, against the sophistry of philosophers, and the doctrine of false teachers, who were come among them. The matters of Faith contained in this Epistle are exceedingly sublime, and conse quently very difficult to be understood. It was written about twentynine years after our Lord's Ascension.] CHAPTER I. The great blessings we have received through Christ. He is the head of all the church. PA AUL 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. 2 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord JESUS CHRIST. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places, in Christ, 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. CHAP. 1, ver. 3. In calestibus: in heayenly places, or in heavenly things. 5 Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children through JESUS CHRIST unto himself: according to the purpose of his will, 8 Unto the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he hath graced us in his beloved Son. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace, 8 Which hath superabounded in us in all wisdom and prudence: 9 That he might make known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him, 10 In the dispensation of the fullness of times, to reestablish all things in Christ, that are in heaven and on earth, in him: 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: 12 That we may be unto the praise of his glory, we who before hoped iu Carist: 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, 14 Who is the pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of acquisition, unto the praise of his glory. 15 Wherefore I also hearing of your faith that is in the Lord JESUS, and of your love towards all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making commemoration of you in my prayers: 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: 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, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe 2 according to the operation of the might of his power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places: 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. 22 And 3 he hath subjected all things under his feet: and hath made him head over all the Church, 23 Which is his body, and the ful ness of him, who is filled all in all. CHAP. 1.-1. 2 Cor. 1, 3; 1 Peter 1, 3.2. Ephes. 3, 7.-3. Psal. 8, 8. CHAPTER II. All our good cometh through Christ. He is our peace. ND you, when you were dead A in your offences and sins, 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, 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: 4 But God (who is rich in mercy) for his exceeding charity wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ, (by whose grace you are saved), 6 And hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places through Christ JESUS: 7 That he might shew in the ages to come the abundant riches of his grace, in his bounty towards us in Christ JESUS. 8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of your selves: for it is the gift of God, 9 Not of works, that no man may glory. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ JESUS in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them. 11 For which cause be mindful that you being heretofore gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh, made by hands: 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. 13 But now in Christ JESUS, you, who some time were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and breaking down That is, a pur Ver. 14. Acquisition. chased possession. CHAP. 2, ver. 9. Not of works, as of our own growth, or from ourselves: but as from the grace of God. |