Julian Period, 4776. Vulgar Æra, 61. People; and by his Death in the Flesh has abolished the Rome. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in times past 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 be tween 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 both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity 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 fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles Rome. 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. § 5. EPH. iii. 1-12. St. Paul affirms, that for maintaining the Admission of the Gentiles to the same Privileges as the Jews, without being bound by the Law of Moses, he was now suffering Imprisonment a Circumstance they could not doubt, as they had heard of the Dispensation of Grace committed to him on their Account-That God, by immediate Revelation, had revealed to him this Doctrine; as he had already told them, (chap. i. 9, 10. ii. 11, to the end,)— that the Gentiles should be Joint-heirs, united in one Body with the Jews, and Joint-partakers of his Promise 'concerning Christ by the Gospel-of which he was made a Minister, according to the effectual working of the free Gift of Grace, that he might preach the plan of Salvation through Christ-That both Jews and Gentiles may have sufficient Light to be able to comprehend the Mystery of bringing all Mankind to Salvation through Faith in Christ, which God till now hath kept hidden-although, like the other Dispensations, it was created or formed by Jesus Christ from the Foundation of the World-That the manifold Wisdom of God gradually discovering itself, might be made evident to the angelic Spirits, by his dealings with the Church according to the external Arrangements or Economy he made or constituted in Christ Jesus, through whom we may freely address our Prayers, and have Access to God, in the full Assurance of being heard through Faith. 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that 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 the holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the 468 Julian Pe- same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by Rome. riod, 4774. the gospel: Vulgar Era, 61. 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: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. § 6. EPH. iii. 13, to the end. St. Paul desires the Ephesians not to be discouraged by his 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribula- 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 ; Julian Period, 4774. 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that Rome. Valgar Era, ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 61. 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. § 7. EPH. iv. 1-6. As an inducement to the Ephesians to attend to his Ex- 1 I therefore, (the prisoner of the Lord,) beseech you 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. § 8. EPH. iv. 7-16. St. Paul shews that the same God who makes all Mankind Julian Period, 4774, Vulgar Æra, 61. Gifts he has received, according to the Words of David Rome. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to 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 cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But, speaking the truth in love, máy grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ; |