CHAPTER II.

AND you hath he quickened, who

sins;

were dead in trespasses and

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ; (by grace ye are saved ;)

6 And hath raised us up together,

both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the eumity thereby ;

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone;

21 In whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

CHAPTER III.

venly places in Christ Jesus;

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved throngh faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before Iordained that we should walk in them.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumoision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, 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, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

16 And that he might reconcile

See

Ver. 1. A state of sin is justly compared to that of death, inasmuch as it prevents the soul from performing any of the proper offices of a spiritual being.-Ver. 2. Jude, 6. The Jews, it is said, believed the air to be inhabited by evil spirits, and St Paul is supposed to have alluded to their opinion; but as he was not addressing Jews, the expression may be regarded as stating a scriptural doctrine, independent of any national tradition.

Ver. 8. This should always be in the Christian's memory.- Ver. 10. Created in Christ Jesus unto good works: another subject of thought essential to the believer's safety.Ver. 11. 1 Cor. xii. 2; Col. i. 21; Rom. ii. 28, 29. Ver. 14. The wall of partition was the Mosaic covenant, which separated the Israelites from the rest of mankind, and restricted for a time the offer of pardon and salvation.

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 by 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;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who 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 the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

Ver. 1. The reader, by recollecting the eventful history of the apostle, as recorded in the Acts, and alluded to in some of the other epistles, will see how forcible and correct was the appeal he here makes to his past labours.-Ver. 9. The fellowship of the mystery: that is, the union effected through Christ between the different portions of mankind, and which the pride and ignorance of both Jew and Gentile, operating in different modes, but each equally successfully, had prevented their ever imagining. Ver. 10. Might be known by the church: that is, made manifest to every order of intelligent creatures through the establishment of a church composed of Jews and Gentiles, intimately united by a common faith, and working out their salvation through the aid of one and the same Holy Spirit.

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 n;

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. Amen.

CHAPTER IV.

THEREFORE, the prisoner of the Lord,) beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation where with 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.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, 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 God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ :

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and

Ver. 1. The apostle now presses upon the readers of his epistle the application of the grand doctrines he has expounded to the pure and sublime morality which must form the rule of the Christian's conduct. -Ver. 8. Ps. Ixviii. 18. Ver. 9. John, iti. 13; Acts, ii. 33. - Ver. 11. Some apostles: that is, made

cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

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 according 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 him 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.

23 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 hearers.

30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evilpeaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

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, nor jesting, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor 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 sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord walk as children of light;

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, 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 inanifest 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 shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days 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 hymus, 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.

24 Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself 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

The love of God, our adoption in Christ, the impulses of the Spirit, teaching us to cry Abba, Father!" are the true foundation of Christian obedience. Ver. 6. This the world ever attempts to do with all who halt between two opinions: one vice after another is excused; and when the vice is not excused, the mercy and justice of God are profaned by, false representations of the extent of the former and the decrees of the latter. Ver. 14. Isa. lx. 1.Ver. 19. James, v. 13. Ver. 23.

himself a glorious church, not har ing spot, or wrinkle, or any s thing; but that it should be ha and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies: he thi loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hate his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church :

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shail a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they ta shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife set that she reverence her husband. CHAPTER VI. CHILDREN, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 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 children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

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 persons with him.

10 Finally, iny 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

1 Cor. xi. 3; Colos. i. 18. - Ver. 31. Shall a man leave: the shall here is not imperative, and might have been translated will, as simply indicating what will usually take place at marriage-Ver. 32. That is, the intimate union of Christ with the church is a great mystery.

Ver. 1. No relation of life is forgotten by the apostle; and it should be remembered, that he places the necessity of every duty on one foundation our love to God, and union with Christ. Ver. 10. The conclusion of this sublime address is not unworthy the elevation of its commencement, or the noble display of heavenly truth which forms its substance. May the Holy Spirit elevate the minds of Christians to that height of contemplation, in which the language of Scripture becomes familiar, and its doctrines display the light which they em body!

17 And take the helmet of salva

tion, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

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 and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

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.

2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank 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 gos pei, from the first day until now;

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

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 and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers 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;

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere, and without offence, till the day of Christ;

11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the 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 in 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.

Ver. 1. A cheerful and encourging spirit reigns throughout this chapter: the perseverance of the Philippians, and the assurance which the apostle felt that God

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.

IS 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 and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

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, 1 know that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith;

26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me, by my coming to you again.

27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ : that whether I 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

would both perform the good work begun in them, and make his own affliction turn to the furtherance of the gospel, are the subject of his congratulation.-Ver. 27. A practical rule of unfailing importance.

your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

CHAPTER II.

IF there be therefore any consola. tion 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 not 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 man, he humbled himself, and

Ver. 1. The apostle now recalls to mind the only source from which that strength can be derived which gives permanency to Christian faith and obedience. The mind which was in Christ Jesus is the combination of all spiritual graces, freely and constantly at work. - Ver. 2. That is, let not a selfish vanity confine your thoughts to the graces you may yourselves possess, but let every one give the praise and reverence which are due to the holiness of others. Ver. 7. But made himself of no reputation: that is, descended from the state of power and glory which he possessed to become the humblest and the most suffering of

men.

became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted 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;

II And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more. in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling:

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 likeminded, who will naturally care for your fate.

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 me in the gospel.

23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I snail 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 full 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 only, but on ine 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 1 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 supply your lack of service toward me.

CHAPTER III.

3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the desh, I 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; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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 perfeet; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also 1 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, he followers together of me, and mark them which walk so, as ye have us for an ensample.

IS (Por 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

in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

Ver. 2. The Concision, as contrasted with the Circumcision, means an imperfect imitation of the

bigotry than for the fulfilling of all righteousness.-Ver. 5. Gen. xvii. 12. Ver. 12. Who can boast after reading this? Who can imagine that he has not very much yet to do before salvation is secured?-Ver. 15. Perfect: that is, established in faith, and in the desire of glorifying

God.

to the working whereby he is a even to subdue all things wal himself.

CHAPTER IV.

THEREFORE, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

21 beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

3 And I entreat thee also, trae yoke-fellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-labourers, whose names are in the book of life.

4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known snto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and suppl.cation, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, sha keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

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 now 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 I know how to abound: every where, and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound, and to suffer 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.

15 Now, ye Philippians, know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me, as concerning giving an! receiving, but ye only.

16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.

17 Not because I desire a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound

to your account.

18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

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. Amer.

Ver. 1. The epistle ends, as it was begun, with congratulations. -Ver. 14. No stronger evidence could be given of the apostle's noble self-denial and generous feeling, than this passage. He required uo

21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you.

help; but he rejoiced at receiving it, as a proof of the zealous affection of those whom he had taught.

22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Cesar's household.

Ver. 22. Thus we find, that there were already converts to the gospel in the palace of the emperor.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.

CHAPTER I.

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 ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

7 As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ.

8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.

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 understanding;

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;

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Ver. 6. Thus in the course of little more than sixty years from the birth of the Saviour, the religion which he gave mankind had been diffused through all the principal countries of the world. To effect this, no means were employed but those afforded by God himself. In every city in which it was preached there were men of authority to oppose it those who taught it were subjected to oppression and contumely from both Jews and Gentiles, and the philosopher, as well as the magistrate, was ready with his weapons for the assault. The gospe! triumphed against all these opponents and adverse circumstances. What better proof can be given of its immediate descent from

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 dominions, 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 should all fulness dwell:

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 earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated, and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy, and unblameable, and unreproveable in his sight;

23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof Paul am made a minister:

24 Who now rejoice in my suf ferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church :

25 Whereof I ain made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God:

26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints;

27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus :

29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Heaven?-Ver. 14. The reader will not fail to be struck with the similarity of the whole of this passage to the exposition of the same mys

CHAPTER II.

FOR I would that ye knew what

great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him ;

7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ :

12 Buried with him in baptism. wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And, having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew

teries given in the epistle to the Ephesians.

Ver. 4. It is plain, from many expressions in this chapter, that the Judaizing teachers and philosophers were attempting the same perversion of simple evangelical truth, at Colosse, as in other towns.-Ver. 8. Gal. iv. 3-9. See also Ephesians. -Ver. 15. Psal. Ixviii. 18. - Ver.