The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Part 45

IV.

NOW I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differs in nothing from a servant though he is lord of all; (2)but is under guardians and stewards, until the time appointed by the father. (3)So also we, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elements[4:3] of the world. (4)But when the fullness of the time came, G.o.d sent forth his son, born of a woman, born under law, (5)that he might redeem those under law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6)And because ye are sons, G.o.d sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (7)So that thou art no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, also an heir through G.o.d. (8)But at that time indeed, when ye knew not G.o.d, ye served those which are not in their nature G.o.ds. (9)But now, after having known G.o.d, or rather having been known by G.o.d, how is it that ye turn back again to the weak and poor elements[4:9], to which ye desire to be in bondage again anew? (10)Do ye carefully observe days, and months, and seasons, and years? (11)I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.

(12)Become as I am, for I also became as ye are, brethren, I beseech you. Ye injured me in nothing. (13)Nay, ye know that by reason of weakness of the flesh I preached the glad tidings to you the former time; (14)and my trial[4:14], which was in my flesh, ye despised not nor spurned, but received me as an angel of G.o.d, as Christ Jesus.

(15)Where is[4:15] then the happiness of which ye spoke? For I bear you witness, that if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes, and given them to me. (16)So then, have I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (17)They zealously seek you, not well; but they wish to exclude you, that ye may zealously seek them. (18)But it is good to be zealously sought in a good cause always, and not only when I am present with you. (19)My little children, of whom I travail again in birth, until Christ be formed in you! (20)And I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I am perplexed on account of you.

(21)Tell me, ye who desire to be under law, do ye not hear the law?

(22)For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman, and one by the freewoman. (23)But the one by the bondwoman was born after the flesh, and the one by the freewoman through the promise. (24)Which things are an allegory[4:24]. For these women are two covenants, one from mount Sinai, bearing children into bondage, (25)which is Hagar (for the word Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia), and answers to the Jerusalem that now is, for she is in bondage with her children. (26)But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all[4:26]. (27)For it is written:

Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; Because many are the children of the desolate, rather than of her who has the husband.

(28)But ye, brethren, after the manner of Isaac, are children of promise. (29)But as then, the one born after the flesh persecuted the one born after the spirit, so also is it now. (30)But what says 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. (31)So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the freewoman.

V.

STAND fast, therefore, in the liberty with which Christ made us free, and be not again entangled with the yoke of bondage. (2)Behold, I, Paul, say to you, that if ye be circ.u.mcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (3)Now I testify again to every man who becomes circ.u.mcised, that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. (4)Ye are separated from Christ, whoever of you are justified in the law; ye are fallen away from grace. (5)For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (6)For in Christ Jesus neither circ.u.mcision avails any thing, nor uncirc.u.mcision, but faith working by love.

(7)Ye were running well; who hindered you, that ye should not obey the truth? (8)The persuasion is not from him who calls you. (9)A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (10)I have confidence toward you in the Lord, that ye will be no otherwise minded; but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he may be. (11)But as for me, brethren, if I still preach circ.u.mcision, why am I still persecuted?

Then has the offense of the cross ceased. (12)I would that they were even cut off who unsettle you.

(13)For ye were called unto liberty, brethren; only use not the liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

(14)For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (15)But if ye bite and devour one another, beware lest ye be consumed by one another.

(16)But I say, walk by the Spirit, and ye will not fulfill the desire of the flesh. (17)For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, that ye may not do those things that ye would. (18)But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under law.

(19)Now the works of the flesh are manifest; which are, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, (20)idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, emulation, wraths, contentions, divisions, factions, (21)envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings; and things like these; of which I tell you beforehand, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of G.o.d.

(22)But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, (23)meekness, temperance; against such things there is no law. (24)And they that are Christ's crucified the flesh with its pa.s.sions and desires. (25)If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (26)Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.

VI.

BRETHREN, even if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2)Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill[6:2] the law of Christ. (3)For if a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (4)But let each one prove his own work, and then shall he have ground of glorying in reference to himself alone, and not to another. (5)For each one shall bear his own load.

(6)But let him that is taught in the word share with him that teaches, in all good things. (7)Be not deceived; G.o.d is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. (8)Because he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (9)And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (10)So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

(11)See with what large letters I wrote to you with my own hand.

(12)As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, these constrain you to be circ.u.mcised; only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. (13)For neither do they themselves who are circ.u.mcised keep the law; but they desire that ye should be circ.u.mcised, that they may glory in your flesh. (14)But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. (15)For in Christ Jesus neither circ.u.mcision avails anything, nor uncirc.u.mcision, but a new creation. (16)And as many as walk by this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and on the Israel of G.o.d.

(17)Henceforth let no one trouble me; for I bear the marks of Jesus in my body.

(18)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren.

Amen.

THE LETTER OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS.

I.

PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of G.o.d, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and believers in Christ Jesus: (2)Grace to you, and peace, from G.o.d our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(3)Blessed be the G.o.d and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; (4)as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love; (5)having predestined us unto the adoption of sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6)to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the beloved; (7)in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the remission of our trespa.s.ses, according to the riches of his grace, (8)which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and understanding; (9)making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself, (10)in reference to the dispensation of the fullness of times, to gather for himself into one all things in the Christ, the things which are in the heavens, and the things on the earth; (11)in him, in whom we obtained also the inheritance[1:11], being predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will, (12)that we should be to the praise of his glory who before have hoped in the Christ; (13)in whom ye also, after having heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, in whom [I say] having also believed[1:13], ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise; (14)which is an earnest of our inheritance until the redemption[1:14] of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory.

(15)For this cause I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the saints, (16)cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; (17)that the G.o.d of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give to you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the full knowledge of him; (18)the eyes of your heart being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (19)and what the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (20)which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (21)far above all princ.i.p.ality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come; (22)and subjected all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, (23)which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all[1:23].

II.

YOU also, being dead in trespa.s.ses and sins;--(2)in which ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience; (3)among whom we also all walked in time past in the desires of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as others;--(4)but G.o.d, being rich in mercy, on account of his great love wherewith he loved us, made us, (5)even when we were dead in sins, alive with Christ, (by grace ye are saved,) (6)and raised us with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus; (7)that he might show, in the ages to come, the exceeding richness of his grace, in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

(8)For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of G.o.d; (9)not of works, lest any one should boast. (10)For we are his workmans.h.i.+p, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which G.o.d before prepared that we should walk in them.

(11)Wherefore remember, that in time past ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncirc.u.mcision by that which is called Circ.u.mcision, in the flesh, made by hand,--(12)that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without G.o.d in the world. (13)But now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who in time past were afar off, were made near by the blood of Christ.

(14)For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of part.i.tion; (15)having abolished in his flesh the enmity, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might make the two one new man in himself, making peace; (16)and might reconcile both to G.o.d in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.

(17)And he came and brought the good news of peace to you who were afar off, and to those who were near. (18)Because through him we both have the access in one Spirit to the Father.

(19)So then ye are no longer strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of G.o.d; (20)having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner-stone; (21)in whom all the building, fitly framed together, grows unto a holy temple in the Lord; (22)in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of G.o.d in the Spirit.

III.

FOR this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,--(2)if indeed ye heard of the dispensation of the grace of G.o.d which was given me toward you, (3)that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words; (4)whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ, (5)which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; (6)that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers with us of the promise, in Christ Jesus, through the gospel; (7)whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of G.o.d, which was given to me according to the working of his power. (8)To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, was this grace given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (9)and to make all see what is the dispensation of the mystery, which from ages has been hidden in G.o.d, who created all things; (10)that now, to the princ.i.p.alities and powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of G.o.d, (11)according to the eternal purpose which he made[3:11] in Christ Jesus our Lord, (12)in whom we have boldness and access[3:12]

with confidence through faith in him.

(13)Wherefore I entreat that ye faint not at my afflictions for you, which is your glory. (14)For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ[3:14], (15)from whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named, (16)that he would grant to you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might through his Spirit as to the inner man, (17)that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; having been rooted and grounded in love, (18)that ye may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, (19)and to know the love of Christ, which pa.s.ses knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fullness of G.o.d.

(20)Now to him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (21)to him be the glory in the church, in Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

IV.

I, THE prisoner in the Lord, exhort you, therefore, to walk worthy of the calling with which ye were called, (2)with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love; (3)endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

(4)There is one body, and one Spirit, as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; (5)one Lord, one faith, one immersion, (6)one G.o.d and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.

(7)But to each one of us the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (8)Wherefore he says:

When he ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.

(9)Now this, he ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth? (10)The one who descended, he is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, that he may fill all things. (11)And he gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers; (12)for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; (13)till we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of G.o.d, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; (14)that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, by cunning craftiness after the wily manner of error; (15)but holding the truth, may in love grow up into him in all things, who is the head, Christ; (16)from whom all the body, fitly framed together and compacted by means of every joint of the supply, according to the working in the measure of each single part, effects the increase of the body to the upbuilding of itself in love.

(17)This therefore I say, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk[4:17], in the vanity of their mind, (18)having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of G.o.d because of the ignorance that is in then, because of the hardness of their heart; (19)who, as being past feeling, gave themselves up to wantonness, to work all uncleanness in greediness[4:19]. (20)But ye did not so learn Christ, (21)if indeed ye heard him, and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus; (22)that ye put off, as concerns your former deportment, the old man who is corrupted according to the l.u.s.ts of deceit, (23)and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24)and put on the new man, who was created after G.o.d in the righteousness and holiness of the truth.