The Online Library of Liberty

A project of Liberty Fund, Inc.

• The Twelfth Annual Report For the Year 1854.
• Translator’s Preface.
• To the Most Illustrious Prince Christopher, Duke of Wirtemberg, Earl of Montbeliard, &c. &c.
• Commentaries On the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians.
• The Argument of the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians.
• Commentaries On the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians.
• The Argument of the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians.
• A Translation of Calvin’s Version of the Epistles of Paul to the Galatians and Ephesians.
• A Translation of Calvin’s Version of the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians.
• A Translation of Calvin’s Version of the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians.
• Tables and Index to the Commentaries On the Epistles to the Galatians and Ephesians.
• Table I.: Of Passages From the Holy Scriptures Which Are Quoted, Or Incidentally Illustrated, In the Commentaries On the Epistles to the Galatians and Ephesians.
• Table II.: Of Greek Words Explained.
• Table III.: Of Hebrew Words Explained.

A TRANSLATION OF CALVIN’S VERSION OF THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS.

CHAPTER I.

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to all the saints who are at Ephesus, and to the believers in Christ 2Jesus; grace (be) to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3Blessed1 (be) the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly24(places) in Christ; as he hath chosen us in him before the creation of the world, that we might be holy and blameless in 5his sight through love: who hath predestinated us to adoption in himself through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure 6of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he hath made us accepted in the Beloved.

7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness 8of sins, according to the riches of his grace; in which he 9hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known to us the secret of his will, according to his good 10pleasure, which he had purposed in himself; in order to the dispensation of the fulness of the times;3 that he might gather together all things in Christ, both those things which are in heaven, and those things which are on the earth, in him; 11through whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all 12things according to the purpose of his will; that we, who first hoped in Christ, might be to the praise of his glory.

13In whom ye also (trusted,) having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, after having believed, 14ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the earnest of our inheritance, till the redemption of the possession obtained, to the praise of his glory.

15Wherefore I also, having heard of the faith which ye have in the Lord Jesus, and of the love (which ye have) toward all 16the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention 17of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and 18revelation, by the knowledge of him,1 the eyes of your mind enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the 19saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the efficacy of the power 20of his strength; which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and caused him to sit at his own right hand 21in the heavenly (places); above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only 22in this age, but also in (the age) which is to come; and hath put all things under his feet, and hath appointed him head 23over all things to the church,2 which is his body, and the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

CHAPTER II.

1And when ye were dead in your trespasses and sins; 2in which for some time ye walked, according to the course3 of this world, according to the prince of the power of air, that is, of the spirit that now worketh4 in the children of disobedience; 3among whom we all also, for some time, had our conversation in the lusts of our flesh, executing what was agreeable to the flesh and to the mind;5 and were by nature children of wrath, even as others.

4But God, who is rich in mercy, on account of his great love, 5with which he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, quickened (us) together with Christ; (by grace ye are saved;) 6and hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together 7in heavenly (places) in Christ Jesus; That he might shew, in the ages to come, the surpassing riches of his grace, in (his) kindness1 toward us in Christ Jesus.

8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of 9yourselves; (it is) the gift of God. Not of works, that no one 10may boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God hath prepared, that we may walk in them.

11Wherefore remember that you, at one time Gentiles in the flesh, who were called Uncircumcision by that which is called 12Circumcision, made by the hand in the flesh, at that time were without Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel,2 strangers from the tables of promise,3 not having 13hope,4 and without God in the world; but now in Christ Jesus5 you, who formerly were far off, have been made nigh through the blood of Christ.

14For he is our peace, who hath made both one,6 and breaking down the middle wall of partition, the enmities in our flesh; 15abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments (which is) contained in ordinances, that he might unite in himself the two 16into one new man, making peace; that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, slaying7 the enmities 17by it; and coming, preached peace to you who were far 18off, and peace to those who were nigh; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

19Therefore ye are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens 20of the saints, and of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, of 21which Jesus Christ himself is the chief corner-stone; in whom the whole building joined together groweth into a holy temple 22in the Lord; in whom ye also are built together8 for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

CHAPTER III.

1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, discharge 2the office of ambassador for you Gentiles; if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, (which was) given me 3towards you; that through revelation he made known to me 4the secret, as I wrote a little before; by attending to which ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, 5which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets 6through the Spirit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ through the gospel.

7Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, which was given to me according to the efficacy 8of his power. To me, the least of all saints, was this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable 9riches of Christ; and that I should make manifest to all, what is the fellowship of the mystery, which hath been hid from ages in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10that the manifold wisdom of God might now be manifested to principalities and powers in heavenly places through the 11church, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed 12in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom we have boldness, 13and access with confidence, through the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my afflictions for you, which is your glory.

14For this cause I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord 15Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and on 16earth is named, that he would give to you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might through his 17Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that ye may be rooted and grounded in love,118that ye may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the 19breadth, and length, and depth, and height; to know, I say, the love of Christ, which surpasseth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God.

20Now to him who is able to do abundantly above all that we 21ask or think, according to the power working in you, be glory in the church through Jesus Christ, in all ages, for ever and ever. Amen.

CHAPTER IV.

1I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you, that ye may 2walk worthy of the calling to which ye have been called, with all humility and meekness, with patience forbearing one another 3in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4One body and one spirit;1 as ye have been called in one hope 5of your calling. One Lord,2 one faith, one baptism. One God 6and Father of all, who is above all things, and through all things, (or, above all men and through all men,) and in you all.

7But to each of us hath grace been given, according to 8the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith: After having ascended on high, he led captivity captive,39and gave gifts to men. (Ps. lxviii. 18.) Now that (word) he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into 10the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the same also who ascended above all heavens, that he might fill all things.4

11And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some 12evangelists, and others pastors and teachers, for the renewing of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edification of 13the body of Christ; till we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, into a perfect 14man, into the measure of the age of fulness5 of Christ; that we may no longer be children, who are tossed and driven about by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by craftiness 15for lying in wait to deceive; but, following truth with love, may grow up in all things into him who is the head, that is, 16Christ; from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by every joint of supply, according to the efficacy in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, to the edifying of itself, in love.

17This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no 18longer walk, as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, blinded in the understanding, alienated from the life of God on account of the ignorance which is in them, on account 19of the blindness of their heart; who, after having ceased to have any feeling,6 have given themselves up to lasciviousness, to commit all uncleanness with greediness.

20But ye have not so learned Christ; if indeed ye have 21heard him, and have been taught in him, as the truth is in 22Jesus; that ye put off, according to the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupted according to the lusts of 23deceit;1 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24and that ye put on the new man, which hath been created according to God, in righteousness and holiness of truth.2

25Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every one the truth 26with his neighbour; for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and do not sin. (Ps. iv. 4.) Let not the sun go 27down on your wrath; and give not place to the devil. 28He that stole, let him steal no more; but rather let him labour, by working with his hands what is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29Let no filthy speech proceed out of your mouth; but if any (speech) is good for the edification of use, that it may impart 30grace to the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, 31by whom ye have been sealed to the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and anger, and wrath, and clamour, and slander, 32be put away from you with all malice. And be ye kind one to another, merciful, forgiving one another, as God hath forgiven you in Christ.

CHAPTER V.

1Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; 2and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God, for a smell of delightful fragrance.

3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let 4them not even be named among you, as becometh saints. Or 5filthiness, foolish talking, jesting; which are not convenient; but rather grace.3 For this ye know, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, shall obtain inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6Let no man deceive you by vain words; for on account of these things cometh the wrath of God on disobedient (or, unbelieving) 7children.4 Be not ye therefore their companions. 8Ye were once darkness; but now ye are light in the Lord; 9walk as children of light; (for the fruit of the light is in all 10goodness, and righteousness, and truth;) proving what is acceptable to God.1

11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; 12but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to 13speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things, when they are brought forward, are made manifest by the light; for every thing that maketh manifest is light. 14Wherefore he saith: Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead; and Christ shall give thee light.

15See then how you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise; 16redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be 17ye not imprudent, but understanding what is the will of the 18Lord. And be not drunk with wine, in which is lasciviousness; 19but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making 20melody in your heart, to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father.

21Submit yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ (or, of22God). Let wives be subject to their own husbands as to the 23Lord; for the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the saviour of the church; and he is the saviour of the body. 24But, as the church is subject to Christ, in like manner (let) wives (be subject) to their own husbands in all things.

25Husbands, love your wives; as Christ also loved the church, 26and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify it, cleansing 27it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it might be holy and unblamable. 28So ought husbands to love their wives, as their own bodies. 29He who loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it; as also Christ230the church; for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and 31of his bones. For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall be one flesh.

32This is a great secret; but I speak concerning Christ and 33the church. Yet let every one of you love his wife; and let the woman reverence her husband.

CHAPTER VI.

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment 3with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and that 4thou mayest be long-lived on the earth. Ye fathers also, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the instruction and reproof of the Lord.

5Servants, obey your masters1 according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your hearts, as to Christ; 6not with eye-service, as endeavouring to please men, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart:27with good-will, serving the Lord, and not men; knowing 8that every one, whether he be bond or free, shall receive from 9the Lord whatever good he shall have done. And ye, masters, perform your mutual duty toward them, forbearing threatenings; knowing that their Master and yours is in heaven; and there is no respect of persons with him.

10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the 11power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the crafty devices of the devil. 12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the princes of the world, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickednesses in 13heavenly places. Wherefore take to you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the evil day, and, having accomplished everything, to stand.

14Stand therefore, having your loins girt with truth, and having 15put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having your 16feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, by which ye may be able to quench 17all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of 18God; praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication, and watching for this very purpose, with all perseverance 19and supplication for all saints; and for me, that speech may be given to me, in the opening of my mouth with boldness, that I may make known the mystery of the 20gospel;3 for which I discharge the office of ambassador, in the chain; that I may conduct myself in it courageously, as I ought to speak.

21But that ye also may know my affairs, what I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will 22make known to you all things; whom I have sent to you for that purpose, that ye might know my affairs, and might 23comfort your hearts. Peace (be) to the brethren, and love, with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace (be) with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

TABLES AND INDEX TO THE COMMENTARIES ON THE EPISTLES TO THE GALATIANS AND EPHESIANS.

[1 ]“Benit soit Dieu, ou, Loué soit Dieu.” “Blessed be God, or, Praised be God.”

[2 ]“Es (choses) celestes, ou, Es lieux celestes.” “In heavenly things, or, In heavenly places.”

[3 ]“Afin de le dispenser en la plenitude des temps.” “In order to dispense it in the fulness of the times.”

[1 ]“Pour avoir cognoissance (ou, par la cognoissance) de luy.” “In order to have knowledge of him, or, By the knowledge of him.”

[2 ]“Et l’a constitué sur toutes choses, pour estre chef a l’Eglise.” “And hath appointed him over all things, to be head to the Church.”

[3 ]“Secundum sæculum.” “Selon le cours.”

[4 ]“Qui est l’esprit qui besogne maintenant.” “Who is the spirit that now worketh.”

[5 ]“Les desirs de la chair et de (nos) pensees.” “The desires of the flesh and of (our) thoughts.”

[1 ]“Par sa benignité.” “By his kindness.”

[2 ]“N’ayans rien de commun avec la republique d’Israel.” “Having nothing in common with the commonwealth of Israel.”

[3 ]“Estrangers des tables (ou, alliances) de la promesse.” “Strangers to the tables (or covenants) of promise.”

[4 ]“N’ayant point d’esperance.” “Having no hope.”

[5 ]“Par Jesus Christ.” “Through Jesus Christ.”

[6 ]“Qui de tous les deux a fait un.” “Who of both hath made one.”

[7 ]“Ayant destruit.” “Having destroyed.”

[8 ]Or, “In whom also be ye builded together.”

[1 ]“Ou, Afin qu’estans enracinez et fondez en charite, vous puissiez comprendre.” “Or, That, being rooted and founded in love, ye may be able to comprehend.”

[1 ]“Soyez un corps et un esprit; ou, Il n’y a qu’un corps et un esprit.” “Be ye one body and one spirit; or, There is but one body and one spirit.”

[2 ]“Il n’y a qu’un Seigneur.” “There is but one Lord.”

[3 ]“Estant monté en haut, il a mené captive grande multitude de captifs.” “Having ascended on high, he led captive a vast multitude of captives.”

[4 ]“Ou, Accomplist, ou, replist le tout, ascavoir, toute l’Eglise de ses dons et graces.” “Or, That he might complete, or fill the whole, that is, the whole church, with his gifts and graces.”

[5 ]“De l’aage entiere, ou, la parfaicte stature.” “Of the full age, or, the perfect stature.”

[6 ]“Lesquels, sans remors de conscience; ou, Ayans perdu tout sentiment.” “Who, without remorse of conscience; or, Having lost all feeling.”

[1 ]“Par les concupiscences qui seduisent.” “By the lusts which deceive.”

[2 ]“Et sainctete de verite, ou, vraye sainctete.” “And holiness of truth, or, True holiness.”

[3 ]“Grace, ou, action de graces.” “Grace, or, Thanksgiving.”

[4 ]“Sur les enfans de rebellion, ou, de desobeissance, ou, incredulite.” “On the children of rebellion, or of disobedience, or of unbelief.”

[1 ]“Au Seigneur.” “To the Lord.”

[2 ]“Le Seigneur.” “The Lord.”

[1 ]“Obeissez a ceux qui sont (vos) maistres.” “Obey those who are your masters.”

[2 ]“Faisans de courage la volonté de Christ.” “Doing courageously the will of Christ.”

[3 ]“Le secret de l’evangile.” “The secret of the gospel.”