ST. PAUL'S EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS.
Introduction:
According to tradition Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians in 62 A.D., while he was a prisoner in Rome, shortly after he had written his letter to the Colossians, and that these two letter and a third one to his friend Philemon were then given to Tychichus to deliver to their intended recipients. While a case can still be made for Paul being the true author of "Ephesians", it is now widely held that this letter, and the earlier one to the Colossians, were written around the turn of the century by a follower of Paul (see the introduction to Sabidius' translation of "Colossians", published on this blog on 12th February 2019).
The port of Ephesus was the largest and most important city in Roman Asia Minor and was situated on the most direct sea and land routes to the Empire's eastern provinces. Ephesus had a number of impressive civic monuments, especially the famous Temple of Diana (Artemis in Greek), which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Paul first visited Ephesus in 50 during his Second Missionary Journey, and by his preaching he quickly established a thriving congregation, and began to make significant inroads into the prophets of other resident religions, notably the Temple of Diana, and, following a riot engineered by his opponents, Paul had to leave hurriedly. During his Third Missionary Journey he returned for a stay of two and a half years in 54-57, where he wrote his famous First Letter to the Corinthians at around Easter 57, before he was obliged to leave again following further serious disturbances which had been whipped up against him in the city.
Unlike several of the other letters attributed to him, "Ephesians" does not seek to address any particular doctrinal error or heresy. Rather, Paul wrote to expand the horizons of his audience, so that they might better appreciate God's eternal purposes and grace, and the high goals which God had set for the church.
The structure of the epistle is as follows:
I. Greetings (1:1-2)
II. The Divine Purpose: the glory and the headship of Christ (1:3-14).
III. Prayer that Christians may realise God's purpose and power (1: 15-23).
IV. Steps towards the fulfilment of God's purpose (2-3).
V. Practical ways to fulfil god's purpose in the church (4.1-6-20).
VI. Conclusion; final greetings and benediction (6.21-24).
At the end of the epistle is the famous calling to Christians to sustain strength in the spiritual conflict against the forces of evil (Chapter 6, 11-17).
CHAPTER 1.
Greetings (vv. 1-2).
(1) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God to the holy ones who are in Ephesus and believers in Christ Jesus. (2) Grace to you and peace from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual blessings in Christ (vv. 3-14).
(3) Blessed (be) the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly (places) in (union with) Christ, just as he chose us in (union with) him, before the foundation of the world, so that we should be holy and unblemished before him in love; for he had predestined us for adoption by him through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the wishes of his will, (6) in praise of his glorious grace which he had bestowed upon us by means of the one he loved, (7) in whom we have our redemption through his blood, (that is) the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the richness of his grace.
(8) This he caused to abound towards us in all wisdom and good sense, (9) making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his wishes which he determined beforehand in himself, (10) for him to act upon in the fullness of time, and that he would bring together everything under Christ, the (things) in the heavens and the (things) on the earth; (yes,) in him, (11) in (union with) whom we obtained our inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who accomplishes everything in accordance with the intention of his will, (12) so that we who have been the first to put our hope in the Christ should be ready for the praise of his glory; (13) in him, you also, having heard the word of the truth, (that is,) the good news of your salvation, in him you also have believed, and you were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit, (14) which is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of his property and to the praise of his glory.
The triumph and the supremacy of Christ (vv. 15-22).
(15) For this (reason), I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus (which is) among you, and your (love) for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you and to make mention of you in my prayers, (17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you "a spirit of wisdom" (vid. Isaiah 11.2; Wisdom 7.7) and a revelation in the knowledge of him, (18) having the eyes of your heart enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (19) and what (is) the surpassing greatness of his power towards (those of) us who believe, according to the working of the strength of his might, (20) which he applied in (the case of) the Christ, when he raised him up from the dead and "seated (him) at his right (hand)" (vid. Psalms 110.1) in the heavenly (places), above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but in the (age) to come; (22) he also put "all (things) in subjection under his feet" (vid. Psalms 8.6), and made him head over all (things) in the congregation, which is his body, the fullness of him (who) is filled, all things in all.
CHAPTER 2.
From death to life: salvation in Christ is a free gift (vv. 1-10).
(1) You were made alive (when you were) dead in your trespasses and your sins, (2) in which you once walked according to the things of this world in accordance with the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience; (3) among them also we all once conducted ourselves in (harmony with) the desires of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of our thoughts, and we are by nature children of wrath, as (are) the rest as well. (4) But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love, with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made (us) alive together with Christ - (it is) by grace (that) you have been saved - (6) and raised (us) up and sat us down together in the heavenly places in (union with) Christ Jesus, (7) so that in the times to come he might show the surpassing richness of his grace in his loving-kindness towards us in (union with) Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this (is) not due to you, (it is) the gift of God. (9) It is not due to works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are a product of his workmanship, created in (union with) Christ Jesus for the good works which God prepared beforehand, so that we might walk in them.
One in Christ: reconciliation of the Jews and the gentiles with each other and with God (vv. 11-22).
(11) Therefore, remember that one you (who were) gentiles with regard to the flesh, and who were called the 'uncircumcision' by that which is called 'circumcision' in the flesh made by hands, (12) - that at that time you were apart from Christ, alienated from the state of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise (i.e. the successive covenants made by God with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and David, which contained the promise of salvation through the Messiah), having no hope and (being) without God in the world. (13) But now, in (union with) Christ Jesus, "you who were once far off have become near" (vid. Isaiah 57.19) in the blood of Christ (i.e. the crucifixion of Jesus brought together Jews and gentiles and reconciled both with the Father). (14) For he is our peace, (he) who made the two (parties) one and destroyed the dividing wall of the partition (i.e. this is symbolised by the wall in the Temple at Jerusalem which separated the court of the Jews and the court of the non-Jews), (15) having destroyed the enmity by means of his flesh, the law of commandments (consisting) in ordinances (i.e. the Mosaic Law), in order that he might create the two (groups) in (union with) himself into one new man (i.e. the proto-type of the new humanity that God re-created in the person of Christ, the second Adam) and to make peace, (16) and that he might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the enmity by means of it; (17) "and he came and declared peace to you who (were) far off and peace to (those) who (were) near" (vid. Isaiah 57. 19; 52.7; Zechariah 9. 10) (18) because through him we both in one spirit have access to the Father.
(19) So you are no longer strangers and resident aliens, but you are fellow-citizens of the holy ones and members of God's household, (20) having been built up upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, "Christ Jesus, himself, being the cornerstone" (vid. Isaiah 28.16), (21) in (union with) whom the whole building, as it is joined together, is growing into a holy temple in (the name of) the Lord, (22) (and) in (union with) whom you too are being built together for a dwelling-place of God in the Spirit.
CHAPTER 3.
Paul's ministry to the gentiles (vv. 1-13).
(1) On account of this, I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you, the gentiles. If it really is the case that you have heard of the stewardship of the grace of God which was given to me on your behalf, (3) that, by means of a revelation, the mystery was made known to me (i.e. in his vision of God on the road to Damascus), just as I wrote previously in a few (words), (4) through which, when you have read (it), you will be able to appreciate the understanding that I have in the mystery of Christ, (5) which, in other generations, was not made known to the sons of man as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit, (6) (namely) that the gentiles are co-heirs and fellow-members of the body and joint partakers of the promise in (union with) Christ Jesus by means of the gospel, (7) whereof I became a servant according to the gift of the grace of God, which was given to me through the working of his power.
(8) To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given - that I should preach to the gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, (9) and should bring to light what (is) the commission of the mystery which has been hidden for ages in God, the creator of all (things), (10) in order that, through the congregation, the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, (11) according to the eternal purpose which he formed in (the person of) Christ Jesus our Lord, in relation to whom we have this freedom of speech and access in confidence through our faith in him. (13) Therefore, I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for this means glory for you.
Paul's prayer that the Ephesians should gain insight (vv. 14-21).
(14) On account of this I bow my knees to the Father, (15) from whom every clan in heaven and on earth is named (i.e. the origin of every human and angelic grouping is in God), (16) so that he might grant you according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened in power through his Spirit in the inner man, (17) that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, (with you) being rooted and grounded in love, (18) so that you may have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what (is) the breadth and length and height and depth, (19) and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
(20) Now to (him) who can do immeasurably more than everything that we ask or think, according to his power that is at work within us, (21) to him (be) the glory in the congregation and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
CHAPTER 4.
A call to the unity of the body (vv. 1-16).
(1) Therefore, I, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk worthily in the calling to which you were summoned, (2) with complete humility and meekness, (and) with endurance, putting up with one another in (the spirit of) love, (3) earnestly endeavouring to observe the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; (4) (there is) one body and one Spirit, just as you were also called in the one hope of your calling; (5) (there is) one Lord, one faith, one baptism; (6) (and there is) one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in all.
(7) Now, to each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (8) Therefore he says, "When he ascended on high, he took captivity captive, and gave gifts to mankind" (Psalms 68.18). (9) Now, what does the (expression) "he ascended" mean, if not that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? (10) The very (one) who descended is also the (one) who ascended high above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
(11) And he made some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some shepherds and teachers, (12) with a view to the training of the saints for the work of the ministry, (and) for the building up of the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, (14) so that we may no longer be children tossed about like waves and carried to and fro by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in the contrivance of deception, (15) but, (while) speaking the truth in love, let us grow up in all respects into him, who is the head, (namely) Christ, (16) from whom the whole body, being fitted and joined together by every supporting ligament, according to the working in (due) measure of every single part of the body, makes for the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
The old life and the new life in Christ (vv. 17-32).
(17) This, therefore, I say and bear witness to in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the gentiles walk in the emptiness of their minds, (18) being darkened in their understanding (and) alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them; due to the hardening of their hearts, (19) and they, becoming callous, gave themselves up to loose conduct, (and) to the pursuit of every (kind of) immorality with covetousness.
(20) But you did not learn Christ in that way, if indeed you heard him and were taught by means of him, even as the truth is in Jesus, (22) that you should put away the old man with regard to your former way of life, who was led astray by the craving for pleasure, (and) that you be renewed by the spirit of your mind, (24) and put on the new man, who has been created by God in righteousness and devoutness towards the truth.
(25) Therefore, (now) that you have put away falsehood, "speak truth each one (of you) with his neighbour" (Zechariah 8. 16), for we are members, one of another. (26) "Be angry, yet do not sin" (Psalms 4.4); do not let the sun go down on your wrath, (27) nor give the Devil a foothold. (28) Let him who steals steal no more, but rather let him toil, doing good work with his hands, that he may have (something) to give to (someone) in need. (29) Do not let any bad language come out of your mouth, but whatever (is) good for building up (your case), as the need (may be), so that it may give grace to those who hear (it). (30) Also, "do not grieve God's Holy Spirit" (vid. Isaiah 63.10), by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
(31) Let all bitterness, and bad temper, and wrath, and shouting, and slander be removed from you, together with all malice. (32) But be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God, in (union with) Christ, also forgave you.
CHAPTER 5.
Clean speech and conduct (vv. 1-5).
(1) Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, (2) and go on walking in love just as Christ also loved you and gave himself up for us (as) "an offering and sacrifice to God" (vid. Psalms 40.6) "so as to (produce) a sweet fragrance" (vid. Exodus 29.18; Ezekiel 20.41).
(3) But let fornication, and uncleanness of every kind, or covetousness not be mentioned among you, as befits holy (people), (4) nor shameful conduct, nor foolish talk, nor obscene jests that are not proper, but rather the giving of thanks. (3) For this you know, as you recognise (it) for yourself, that every fornicator, or unclean (person), or covetous (person), who is an idolator, is without an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Walk as children of light (vv. 6-14).
(6) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for, because of these (things), the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (7) So do not be partakers with them; (8) for once you were darkness, but now (you are) light in (the face of) the Lord; walk as children of light, (9) for the fruit of the light (consists) of every sort of goodness, and righteousness and truth, (10) proving what is well-pleasing to the Lord; (11) and have no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove (them), (12) for the (things) which are done by them in secret it is shameful even to speak of; (13) but all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that is revealed is light. (14) Therefore, he says,"Awake, O sleeper" (vid. Isaiah 26.19; 51.17; 52.1; 60.1), and "arise from the dead" (vid. Isaiah 26.19), and "Christ will shine on you" (Isaiah 60.1).
Be filled with spirit (vv. 15-21).
(15) So, watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise (persons) but as wise (ones), (16) making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (17) For this (reason) do not be foolish, but understand what is the Lord's will; (18) also do not get drunk with wine, in which there lies debauchery, but be filled, with the Spirit, (19) speaking with one another through psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (vid. Psalms 33.2,3) (20) always giving thanks for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father, (21) subordinating yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.
Advice to wives and husbands (vv. 22-33).
(22) (Let) wives (be in subjection) to their husbands as to the Lord, (23) because a husband is the head of his wife, as Christ (is) also the head of the congregation, (he) himself (being) the saviour of the body. (24) But, just as the congregation is subject to Christ, so (let) wives also (be subject) to their husbands in everything. (25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the congregation, and gave himself up for it, (26) that he might sanctify it (by) cleansing (it) in the bath of water by means of the word (i.e. baptism), (27) so that he might present the congregation to himself in its splendour, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it might be holy and unblemished.
(28) Thus, husbands also ought to love their wives like their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself, (29) for no man ever hated his own flesh, but he nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ (does) the congregation, (30) because we are members of his body. (31) For this reason, a man will leave his father and his mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. (32) This is a great mystery, but I am speaking of Christ and the congregation. (33) Nevertheless, let each one of you love his wife, as (he does) himself, and so may the wife have respect for her husband.
CHAPTER 6.
Children and parents (vv. 1-4).
(1) Children, be obedient to your parents in (the name of) the Lord, for this is righteous (conduct); (2) "Honour your father and your mother" (Exodus 20.12; Deuteronomy 5.16) which is the first commandment to attract a promise: (3) "That it may go well with you, and you may live a long time on the earth" (Exodus 20.12; Deuteronomy 5.16). (4) "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and admonition of the Lord" (vid. Deuteronomy 6.7, 20-25; Psalms 78.4; Proverbs 19.18; 22.6).
Slaves and masters (vv. 5-9).
(5) Slaves, be obedient to your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling in the sincerity of your hearts, as (you are) to Christ, (6) not by attracting attention as man-pleasers, but as Christ's slaves, doing the will of God from the heart, serving with good-will, in relation to the Lord and not to men, (8) knowing that each (one of you), whatever good he may do, will receive this back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or a freeman. (9) And you, masters, do the same (things) to them, and give up threatening, knowing that their master and yours is in heaven, and "that there is no partiality with him" (vid. Deuteronomy 10.17).
The spiritual war against evil (vv. 10-20).
(10) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armour of God, sot hat you may be able to stand (firm) against the wiles of the Devil; (12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers, against the authorities, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against the (forces) of wickedness in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore, put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day, and, having done all, to stand (your ground).
(14) Stand (firm), therefore, "having your loins girded about with the truth" (vid. Isaiah 11.5), and "having donned the breast-plate of righteousness" (vid. Isaiah 59.17; Wisdom 5.18), (15) and "having bound your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (vid. Isaiah 52.7; Nahum 1.15), (16) in all (things), having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all "the fiery darts of the evil (one)" (vid. Psalms 7.13); (17) also take up "the helmet of salvation" (vid. Isaiah 59.17) and "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (vid. Isaiah 11.4; 49.2; Hosea 6.5), (18) with every kind of prayer and supplication, praying at all times in the Spirit, and to that end keeping awake in all perseverance and supplication concerning all the holy (ones) (19) and on my behalf, that the ability to speak may be given to me when I open my mouth, with the freedom to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am working as an ambassador in chains, so that I may speak about it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Final greetings (vv. 21-24).
(21) But in order that you may also know about my affairs, (and) what I am doing, Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you, (22) and I have sent him to you for this very (purpose), so that you may know our circumstances and he may comfort your hearts.
(23) (May) the brothers (have) peace and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (24) (May) grace (be) with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying (love).
APPENDIX TO THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS.
Listed below are quotations taken from the above text. In each case, the words are given in the original Greek, followed by a translation from the Latin Vulgate, and the English of the traditional Authorised Version of the Bible. Where the wording of the latter may be somewhat opaque, the reader can of course consult the translation above for an alternative, and hopefully more readable, version.
1. ii. 17:
καὶ ἐλθὼν εὐηγγελίσατο εἰρήνην ὑμῖν τοῖς μακρὰν καὶ εἰρήνην τοῖς ἐγγύς.
et veniens evangelizavit pacem vobis qui longe fuistis et pacem his qui prope.
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
2. ii. 19:
Ἄρα οὖν οὐκέτι ἐστὲ ξένοι καὶ πάροικοι, ἀλλὰ ἐστὲ συνπολῖται τῶν ἁγίων καὶ οἰκεῖοι τοῦ θεοῦ.
ergo iam non estis hospites et advenae sed estis cives sanctorum et domestici Dei.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
3. iii. 8:
ἐμοὶ τῷ ἐλαχιστοτέρῳ πάντων ἁγίων ἐδόθη ἡ χάρις αὕτη — τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εὐαγγελίσασθαι τὸ ἀνεξιχνίαστον πλοῦτος τοῦ χριστοῦ.
mihi omnium sanctorum minimo data est gratia haec in gentibus evangelizare ininvestigabiles divitias Christi.
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.
4. iii. 16-19:
ἵνα δῷ ὑμῖν κατὰ τὸ πλοῦτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ δυνάμει κραταιωθῆναι διὰ τοῦ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον:That κατοικῆσαι τὸν χριστὸν διὰ τῆς πίστεως ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν ἐν ἀγάπῃ: ἐρριζωμένοι καὶ τεθεμελιωμένοι, ἵνα ἐξισχύσητε καταλαβέσθαι σὺν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἁγίοις τί τὸ πλάτος καὶ μῆκος καὶ ὕψος καὶ βάθος, γνῶναί τε τὴν ὑπερβάλλουσαν τῆς γνώσεως ἀγάπην τοῦ χριστοῦ, ἵνα πληρωθῆτε εἰς πᾶν τὸ πλήρωμα τοῦ θεοῦ.
ut det vobis secundum divitias gloriae suae virtute corroborari per Spiritum eius in interiore homine; habitare Christum per fidem in cordibus vestris, in caritate radicati et fundati, ut possitis conprehendere cum omnibus sanctis quae sit latitudo et longitudo et sublimitas, et profundum scire etiam supereminentem scientiae caritatem Christi ut impleamini in omnem plenitudinem Dei.
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; / that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, / may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and depth, and length, and height; / and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
5. iii. 20-21:
Τῷ δὲ δυναμένῳ ὑπὲρ πάντα ποιῆσαι ὑπερεκπερισσοῦ ὧν αἰτούμεθα ἢ νοοῦμεν κατὰ τὴν δύναμιν τὴν ἐνεργουμένην ἐν ἡμῖν, αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ καὶ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς πάσας τὰς γενεὰς τοῦ αἰῶνος τῶν αἰώνων: ἀμήν.
ei autem qui potens est omnia facere superabundanter quam petimus aut intellegimus secundum virtutem quae operatur in nobis, ipsi gloria in ecclesia et in Christo Iesu in omnes generationes saeculi saeculorum. amen.
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, / unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
6. iv. 14:
περιφερόμενοι παντὶ ἀνέμῳ τῆς διδασκαλίας.
circumferamur omni vento doctrinae.
Carried about with every wind of doctrine.
7. iv. 25-26:
Διὸ ἀποθέμενοι τὸ ψεῦδος λαλεῖτε ἀλήθειαν ἕκαστος μετὰ τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐσμὲν ἀλλήλων μέλη. ὀργίζεσθε καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε:” ὁ ἥλιος μὴ ἐπιδυέτω ἐπὶ παροργισμῷ ὑμῶν.
propter quod deponentes mendacium loquimini veritatem unusquisque, cum proximo suo quoniam sumus invicem membra. irascimini et nolite peccare sol non occidat super iracundiam vestram.
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members on of another. / Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.
8. v. 6:
Μηδεὶς ὑμᾶς ἀπατάτω κενοῖς λόγοις, διὰ ταῦτα γὰρ ἔρχεται ἡ ὀργὴ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῆς ἀπειθίας.
nemo vos seducat inanibus verbis; propter haec enim venit ira Dei in filios diffidentiae.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
9. v. 16:
ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν, ὅτι αἱ ἡμέραι πονηραί εἰσιν.
redimentes tempus, quoniam dies mali sunt.
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
10. v. 18:
καὶ μὴ μεθύσκεσθε οἴνῳ, ἐν ᾧ ἐστὶν ἀσωτία, ἀλλὰ πληροῦσθε ἐν πνεύματι.
et nolite inebriari vino in quo est luxuria sed implemini Spiritu.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.
11. vi. 4:
Καὶ οἱ πατέρες, μὴ παροργίζετε τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν.
et patres nolite ad iracundiam provocare filios vestros.
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath.
12. vi. 6-7.
μὴ κατ᾽ ὀφθαλμοδουλίαν ὡς ἀνθρωπάρεσκοι ἀλλ᾽ ὡς δοῦλοι Χριστοῦ ποιοῦντες τὸ θέλημα τοῦ θεοῦ, ἐκ ψυχῆς μετ᾽ εὐνοίας δουλεύοντες, ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ οὐκ ἀνθρώποις.
non ad oculum servientes quasi hominibus placentes sed ut servi Christi facientes voluntatem Dei ex animo, cum bona voluntate servientes sicut Domino et non hominibus.
Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; / with goodwill doing service, as to the lord, and not to men.
13. vi. 11-17.
ἐνδύσασθε τὴν πανοπλίαν τοῦ θεοῦ πρὸς τὸ δύνασθαι ὑμᾶς στῆναι πρὸς τὰς μεθοδίας τοῦδιαβόλου: ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν ἡ πάλη πρὸς αἷμα καὶ σάρκα, ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὰς ἀρχάς, πρὸς τὰς ἐξουσίας, πρὸς τοὺς κοσμοκράτορας τοῦ σκότους τούτου, πρὸς τὰ πνευματικὰ τῆς πονηρίας ἐν τοῖς ἐπουρανίοις. διὰ τοῦτο ἀναλάβετε τὴν πανοπλίαν τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα δυνηθῆτε ἀντιστῆναι ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ πονηρᾷ καὶ ἅπαντα κατεργασάμενοι στῆναι. στῆτε οὖν περιζωσάμενοι τὴν ὀσφὺν ὑμῶν ἐν ἀληθεία, καὶ ἐνδυσάμενοι τὸν θώρακα τῆς δικαιοσύνης, καὶ ὑποδησάμενοι “τους πόδας ἐν ἑτοιμασίᾳ τοῦ εὐαγγελίου τῆς εἰρήνης, ἐν πᾶσιν ἀναλαβόντες τὸν θυρεὸν τῆς πίστεως, ἐν ᾧ δυνήσεσθε πάντα τὰ βέλη τοῦ πονηροῦ [τὰ] πεπυρωμένα σβέσαι: καὶ τὴν περικεφαλαίαν τοῦ σωτηρίου δέξασθε, καὶ τὴν μάχαιραν τοῦ πνεύματος.
induite vos arma Dei ut possitis stare adversus insidias diaboli: quia non est nobis conluctatio adversus carnem et sanguinem sed adversus principes et potestates adversus mundi rectores tenebrarum harum contra spiritalia nequitiae in caelestibus. propterea accipite armaturam Dei ut possitis resistere in die malo et omnibus perfectis stare. state ergo succincti lumbos vestros in veritate et induti loricam iustitiae, et calciati pedes in praeparatione evangelii pacis, in omnibus sumentes scutum fidei in quo possitis omnia tela nequissimi ignea extinguere: et galeam salutis adsumite et gladium Spiritus quod est verbum Dei.
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. / 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. / 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. / Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; / and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; / above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. / And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
