THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS
Ephesus was the capital of Lesser Asia, and celebrated for the temple of Diana, to which the most part of the people of the East went frequently to worship. But St. Paul having preached the Gospel there, for two years the first time and afterwards for about a year, converted many. He wrote this Epistle to them when he was a prisoner in Rome; and sent it by Tychicus. He admonishes them to hold firmly the faith which they had received and warns them, and also those of the neighbouring cities, against the sophistry of philosophers and doctrine of false teachers who were come among them. The matters of faith contained in this Epistle are exceedingly sublime, and consequently very difficult to be understood. It was written about twenty-nine years after our Lord's Ascension.
Ephesians Chapter 1
The great blessings we have received through Christ. He is the head of all the church.
1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to all the saints who are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
1:2. Grace be to you and peace, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ:
In heavenly places… or, in heavenly things. In coelestibus.
1:4. As he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unspotted in his sight in charity.
1:5. Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto himself: according to the purpose of his will: