But let him who is instructed in the word share in all good things with him who instructs him. Do not err: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap; because he who sows in his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows in the spirit shall of the spirit reap life eternal. And let us not grow weary in well-doing; for in due time we shall reap if we do not faint. Therefore, while we have time, let us work good toward all, but especially toward those who are of the household of faith. XXXIV. FROM THE EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS.
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all humility of mind and meekness, with patience bearing with one another in love, being careful to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. And in another place: This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind, having their understanding darkened, alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to the working of all uncleanness and covetousness. But you have not so learned Christ;
if indeed you have heard him and have been taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, that you put off, according to your former manner of life, the old man, which is corrupted according to the desires of error; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, which is created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak the truth every man with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Do not give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give to him who is in need.
Let no evil word proceed out of your mouth, but if any is good for the edification of the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and indignation and clamor and blasphemy be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind one to another, merciful, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ has forgiven you. Be therefore imitators of God, as most dear children, and walk in love, even as Christ also loved us, and gave himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweetness.
But fornication and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor buffoonery, which is not to the purpose, but rather the giving of thanks. For know this and understand, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, which is a serving of idols, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with empty words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of unbelief. Be not therefore partakers with them. For you were heretofore darkness, but now light in the Lord: walk as children of the light — for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and justice and truth — proving what is well pleasing to God.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For the things that are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light; for all that is made manifest is light. Wherefore he saith: Rise, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall enlighten thee. See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore become not unwise, but understanding what is the will of the Lord; and be not drunk with wine, wherein is riot:
but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God and the Father, being subject one to another in the fear of Christ. Let women be subject to their husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the Church, He is the saviour of the body. But as the Church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their husbands in all things. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church and delivered Himself up for it, that He might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word:
that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. So also ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the Church; because we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh. This is a great sacrament: but I speak in Christ and in the Church. Nevertheless let every one of you also in particular love his wife as himself; and let the wife fear her husband.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest be long-lived upon the earth. And you, fathers, provoke not your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and correction of the Lord. Servants, be obedient to your carnal masters with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to Christ; not serving to the eye, as pleasing men, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with a good will serving as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatsoever good thing any man shall do, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
And you, masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatenings, knowing that both their Lord and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with Him. Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord and in the might of His power. Put on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the snares of the devil; for our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day and to stand perfect in all things. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having put on the breastplate of justice, and your feet shod in
the preparation of the gospel of peace to shoe your feet: in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, by all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit; and in the same watching with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and for me, that speech may be given to me, that in the opening of my mouth I may with confidence make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that therein I may be bold to speak as I ought. XXXV. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS. That in nothing I shall be confounded, but with all confidence, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if to live in the flesh, this is to me the fruit of labour, and what I shall choose I know not. I am straitened between two, having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better; but to abide in the flesh is needful for your sakes. And after six verses: Only let your conversation be worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you, or being absent hear of you, you stand fast in one spirit, of one mind, labouring together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing be ye terrified by the adversaries, which to them is a cause of perdition, but to you of salvation; and this from God. For unto you it is given for Christ, not only that you should believe in Him, but also that you should suffer for Him:
having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear of me. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels of compassion and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that you be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment. Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vainglory, but in humility, each esteeming others better than themselves; each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men's. For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man:
He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted Him and hath given Him a name which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but much more now in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to accomplish, according to His good will.
And do all things without murmurings and hesitations, that you may be blameless and single-hearted children of God, without reproof, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life, to my glory in the day of Christ, because I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain. But even if I be made a victim upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and congratulate with you all. And for the selfsame thing do you also rejoice and congratulate with me. And I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy unto you shortly, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know the things concerning you. For I have no man so of one mind, who with sincere affection is solicitous for you.
For all seek the things that are their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ's. But know ye the proof of him, that as a son with the father, so hath he served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send unto you, as soon as I shall see the things concerning me. And I trust in the Lord that I myself also shall come to you shortly. But I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow-worker and fellow-soldier, but your apostle and the minister of my need: for indeed he longed after you all, and was sorrowful because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick unto death, but God had mercy on him; and not only on him, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Therefore I sent him the more speedily, that seeing him again you may rejoice, and I may be without sorrow. Receive him therefore with all joy in the Lord, and hold such in honour: because for the work of Christ he came near even unto death, delivering up his life, that he might supply what on your part was wanting toward my service. And a little after: Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do: forgetting the things that are behind, and stretching forth myself to those that are before, I press toward the mark, to the prize of the heavenly vocation of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything you be otherwise minded, this also God will reveal to you. Nevertheless, whereunto we are come, that we be of the same mind and continue in the same rule.
Be ye imitators of me, brethren, and observe those who so walk, as you have our example. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. But our conversation is in heaven. And after thirteen verses: Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. The Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous; but in every prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your petitions be made known before God.
And the peace of God, which surpasseth all understanding, keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever chaste, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good report, if there be any virtue, if any praise, think on these things: which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, these do ye: and the God of peace shall be with you. Now I rejoiced in the Lord exceedingly, that at length now once more you have flourished again to care for me, as also you did care; but you were busied. Not that I speak as it were for want; for I have learned in whatsoever state I am to be content.
I know both how to be brought low, and I know how to abound — everywhere and in all things I am instructed — both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer want: I can do all things in Him who strengtheneth me. Nevertheless you have done well in communicating to my tribulation. And you also know, O Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only: for unto Thessalonica also you sent once and again for my use. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that may abound to your account. But I have all and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things you sent, an odour of sweetness, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. XXXVI.
ON THE EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS. Yourselves know, brethren, our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we had confidence in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God in much carefulness. For our exhortation was not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: but as we were approved by God, that the gospel should be committed to us, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who proveth our hearts. For neither have we at any time used speech of flattery, as you know; nor a pretext for covetousness, God is witness; nor sought we glory of men, neither of you, nor of others, when we might have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ:
but we were made little ones in the midst of you, as if a nurse should cherish her own children. So desirous of you, we would gladly have imparted to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls, because you were become most dear unto us. For you remember, brethren, our labour and fatigue: working night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you, we preached among you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and without blame we were toward you that believed: as you know how, entreating you and comforting each one of you, as a father his children, we testified, that you would walk worthily of God, who hath called you unto His own kingdom and glory.
For this cause also we give thanks to God without ceasing: because that, when you had received of us the word of the hearing of God, you received it not as the word of men, but, as it is indeed, the word of God, who worketh in you that have believed. For you, brethren, are become imitators of the churches of God, which are in Judaea, in Christ Jesus, because you have suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they have from the Jews. And in another place: For the rest therefore, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more. For you know what precepts we have given you by the Lord Jesus.
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from fornication, that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour, not in the passion of lust, like the gentiles that know not God; and that no man overreach nor circumvent his brother in business: because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have told you before and have testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto sanctification. Therefore he that despiseth these things despiseth not man, but God, who also hath given His Holy Spirit in us. But as touching the charity of brotherhood, we have no need to write to you: for you yourselves have learned of God to love one another.
For indeed you do it toward all the brethren in all Macedonia. But we entreat you, brethren, that you abound more, and that you give diligence to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that you want nothing of any man's. And we will not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that are asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope. And after a few verses: Therefore let us not sleep, as others do: but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunk, are drunk in the night. But let us who are of the day be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
Because God hath not appointed us unto wrath, but unto the purchasing of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we watch or sleep, we may live together with Him. Wherefore comfort one another, and edify one another, as also you do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among us and preside over us in the Lord and admonish us, that you esteem them more abundantly in charity for their work's sake: have peace with them. And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil to any man: but ever follow that which is good toward one another and toward all men.
Always rejoice, pray without ceasing, in all things give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all. Extinguish not the Spirit. Despise not prophecies. But prove all things: hold fast that which is good. From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves. XXXVII. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE SAME AS ABOVE. We ought to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, as it is meet, because your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth:
so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations, which you endure for an example of the just judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which also you suffer; if so be it is a just thing with God to repay tribulation to them that trouble you, and to you who are troubled, rest with us, in the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of His power, and in a flame of fire yielding vengeance to them who have not known God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Who shall suffer eternal punishments in destruction, from the face of the Lord and from the glory of His power: when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be made admirable in all them who have believed, because our testimony was believed upon you in that day. For which cause also we pray always for you, that our God would vouchsafe you His calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith in power: that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. And in another place: Now we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received of us.
For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we were not disorderly among you; neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing, but in labour and fatigue, working night and day, lest we should be chargeable to any of you. Not as if we had not power, but that we might give ourselves a pattern unto you, to imitate us. For also when we were with you, this we declared to you: that if any man will not work, neither let him eat. For we have heard there are some among you who walk disorderly, working not at all, but curiously meddling. Now to them that are such, we charge and beseech in the Lord Jesus Christ, that working with silence they would eat their own bread. But you, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.
But if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not esteem him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. XXXVIII. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS. Therefore, if you be risen again with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God: mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth. For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with Him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is a serving of idols:
for which things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of unbelief. In which you also walked in time past, when you lived in them; but now put you also away all: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy: let no filthy speech proceed out of your mouth. Lie not one to another: stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds, and putting on the new, him who is renewed unto knowledge, according to the image of Him that created him: where there is neither gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, in grace singing in your hearts to God.
Whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father through Him. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as it behoveth in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to indignation, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your carnal masters, not serving to the eye, as pleasing men, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ.
For he that doth wrong shall receive for that which he hath done unjustly: and there is no respect of persons with God. Masters, do to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Lord in heaven. Be instant in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving: praying withal for us also, that God may open unto us a door of speech to declare the mystery of Christ, for which also I am in bonds, that I may make it manifest as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always in grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man. XXXIX. ON THE EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY.
Now the end of the commandment is charity from a pure heart and a good conscience and an unfeigned faith. From which things some going astray are turned aside unto vain babbling, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither the things they say nor whereof they affirm. But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully: knowing this, that the law is not made for the just man, but for the unjust and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the wicked and defiled, for parricides and matricides, for murderers, for fornicators, for them who defile themselves with mankind, for kidnappers, for liars, for the perjured, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, which is according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which hath been committed to me. And a little after:
I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men: for kings and for all that are in high station, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and chastity. Likewise a little after: I will therefore that men pray in every place, lifting up pure hands without anger and contention. In like manner also women in decent apparel, adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety, not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly attire, but as becometh women professing godliness through good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over the man, but to be in silence.