The 4 “E’s” in Ephesians: Evangelizing the World (Ephesians 2&3)
Translation and notes by Nate Wilson for Christ the Redeemer Church,
Manhattan, KS, 14 Sept. 2008
In my translations of Ephesians 2&3, I have put my first preference followed by a slash and other word translations from the KJV. ESV, NAS,and NIV translations that seemed fitting, but if I felt one of these translations was inaccurate, I made a note in square brackets [like so]. Greek New Testament with parsing by Westcott & Hort as published by E-sword.com; English translations of other texts besides Ephesians 2&3 are modified from the American Standard Version.
William Carey, a shoemaker in 18 century London, took on the pastoring of a Baptist church in 1785.
This was a time when English Baptists and Presbyterians and Congregationalists all shared a common reformed understanding of the sovereignty of God in salvation.
William Carey read the recently-published book of Captain Cook’s Voyages, and his eyes were opened to the vastness of the world and the needs of heathen peoples all over the world.
In a church meeting he suggested that the church do something to save all these lost people and was met with a stern rebuke, “Young man, sit down. When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine.” If God is sovereign in salvation, why should we bother to do anything?
Read excerpt From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya p.115 – publication of Carey’s Inquiry as a rebuttal to hyper-calvinism.
A proper understanding of the reformation doctrines of total depravity and the sovereignty of God in salvation actually provides a strong foundation for evangelism!
2:1 και υμας2AP ονταςPAP-APM νεκρους A-APM τοις DPN παραπτωμασινDPN και ταις DPF αμαρτιαιςDPF υμων2GP
And y’all [KJV, following Tyndale, adds “hath he quickened’] being/were dead in/by the falls/trespasses and in your [KJV & ESV omit “your”] sins
· “He who has small thoughts of sin never has had great thoughts of God” – John Owen
· Ephesians 2:5 …we were dead in sins… cf. Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins … - by the agency of our transgressions of God’s perfect holy standards and in the context of being mired in the multitude of our sins.
· παραπτωμα/tresspasses could be speaking of outward sins, together with sins of the mind designated by αμαρτια (“miss the mark”), to include all kinds of sin, (Earle) or it could be speaking of original sin from the fall of Adam together with actual sins we commit:
· Romans 5: 12 Therefore, as through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned… 18 and as by the offense of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [Jesus] the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
· 2 Corinthians 5:19 God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
· Eph 1:7 …we have redemption through his [Jesus’] blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
2:2 εν αις R-DPF ποτε PRT περιεπατησατεAAI-2P κατα τον ASM αιωναASM του GSM κοσμουGSM τουτου D-GSM
κατα τον ASM αρχονταASM της GSF εξουσιαςGSF του GSM αεροςGSM του GSN πνευματοςGSN
του GSN νυν ADV ενεργουντοςPAP-GSN εν τοις DPM υιοιςDPM της GSF απειθειαςGSF
In which once/in time past/formerly [NIV=used to live] y’all walked around
[NIV= followed]
according to the age/course [NIV=ways] of this world,
according to [ESV=following] the ruler/prince of the authority/power [NIV=kingdom] of the air,
of the spirit which is now energetic/working in the sons/children [NIV omits] of the unpersuaded/unbelieving/disobedient.
· Sin is the “way of the world,” and all of us have participated in it in some form or fashion.
· “Prince of the power of the air” is found nowhere else in Bible, but is generally thought to be speaking of the Devil, who has some measure of liberty to act and exercise dominion, as I Jn. 5:19b – “the whole world lies in the evil one.”
· “Sons of disobedience”
o may be an allusion to Isa 30:9 For they are a rebellious (LXX uses απειθειας here) people, false sons, children who will not choose to heed the Instruction of Jehovah, 10 who say to the seers, “Stop seeing,” and to the visionaries, “Stop envisioning for us what is right; speak to us about what is pleasant. Envision deceptions. 11 Turn away from the way; turn aside from the path; cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before our faces.”
o It is mentioned again in Eph. 5:5 “… no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.”
2:3 εν οις R-DPM και ημεις1NP παντες A-NPM ανεστραφημενAPI-1P ποτεPRT εν ταις επιθυμιαιςDPF τηςGSF σαρκοςGSF ημων1GP ποιουντες PAP-NPM τα θεληματαAPN της σαρκοςGSF και των διανοιωνGPF και ημεθαIAI-1P τεκναNPN φυσειDSF οργηςGSF ως ADV και οι λοιποιNPM
Among whom also we all ourselves once revolved/lived/had conversation in the passions/lusts/cravings of our flesh, doing/carrying out [KJV=fulfilling, NAS-indulging, NIV=following] the wills/desires of the flesh and of the mind/its thinking, and we, like the rest [KJV=others, ESV adds “of mankind”], were being by nature children [NIV=objects] of wrath.
As I stated at the beginning, “A proper understanding of the reformation doctrines of total depravity and the sovereignty of God in salvation provides a strong foundation for evangelism!” Let’s look at what this passage has to say about the sovereignty of God in salvation:
2:4 ο δε θεοςNSM πλουσιοςA-NSM
ωνPAP-NSM εν ελεειDSN δια την πολλην A-ASF
αγαπηνASF αυτουGSM ηνR-ASF
ηγαπησενAAI-3S
ημας1AP
But God, being rich in mercy through/on account of His [ESV=the] great love
with which he loved [NIV omits] us
2:5 και ονταςPAP-APM ημας1AP νεκρους A-APM τοις παραπτωμασινDPN συνεζωοποιησενAAI-3S [εν=P46, B] τω χριστωDSM χαριτιDSF εστεPAI-2P σεσωσμενοιRPP-NPM 2:6 και συνηγειρενAAI-3S και συνεκαθισενAAI-3S εν τοις DPN επουρανιοις A-DPN εν χριστω ιησουDSM
and we being dead in the [ESV, NAS add “our”] falls/transgressions [KJV=sins]
He made alive together in/with Christ, by grace y’all are in the condition of having been saved.
(6) and He raised together [ESV,NAS,NIV add “with Him/Christ”]
and He seated together [ESV,NAS,NIV add “with Him”] in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus
2:7 ινα ενδειξηταιAMS-3S εν τοις DPM αιωσινDPM τοις DPM επερχομενοιςPNP-DPM το ASN υπερβαλλονPAP-ASN πλουτοςASN της GSF χαριτοςGSF αυτουGSM εν χρηστοτητιDSF εφ ημας1AP εν χριστωDSM ιησουDSM
in order that, in the coming ages, He might show/demonstrate/display the hyperbolic/ exceeding/ immeasurable /surpassing/ incomparable riches of His grace in kindness upon/toward us in/through Christ Jesus.
2:8 τη DSF γαρ χαριτιDSF εστεPAI-2P σεσωσμενοιRPP-NPM δια πιστεωςGSF και τουτο D-NSN ουκ εξ υμων2GP θεουGSM το NSN δωρονNSN 2:9 ουκ εξ εργωνGPN ινα μη τις X-NSM καυχησηταιADS-3S
For in grace y’all are in the condition of having been saved through faith,
and this gift is God’s;
it is not from you –
(9) it is not from works, in order than no one may boast.
2:10 αυτουGSM γαρ εσμενPAI-1P ποιημαNSN κτισθεντεςAPP-NPM εν χριστωDSM ιησουDSM επι εργοιςDPN αγαθοις A-DPN οις R-DPN προητοιμασενAAI-3S ο NSM θεοςNSM ινα εν αυτοιςDPN περιπατησωμενAAS-1P
For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus upon/unto/for good works
which God prepared ahead/beforehand/in advance [kjv=before ordained],
in order that we might walk around in [NIV=do] them.
* The sovereignty of God is also displayed in the unfolding of the “mystery” that Paul discusses in 2:11-3:11. We don’t have time to go into depth with this concept of the mystery and the plan of God, so at this point I have to refer you to more in-depth treatments I’ve given in previous sermons on Acts and Isaiah. But briefly:
Going back to the story of William Carey that I started the sermon with: Does the fact that God is sovereign mean that we should sit back and watch God do it all? No! In his published Inquiry William Carey proved:
God blessed Carey’s work and India has a significant population of Christians largely as a result of William Carey’s faithfulness.
2:11 διο μνημονευετεPAM-2P οτι ποτε PRT υμεις2NP τα NPN εθνηNPN εν σαρκιDSF οι NPM λεγομενοιPPP-NPM ακροβυστιαNSF υπο της GSF λεγομενηςPPP-GSF περιτομηςGSF εν σαρκιDSF χειροποιητου A-GSF
Therefore remember:
that once/formerly/in time past, you gentiles in the flesh [NIV=by birth], who are called “uncircumcision” by the one who is called “circumcision” handmade in the flesh
2:12 οτι ητεIAI-2P τω καιρωDSM εκεινω DSM χωρις ADV χριστουGSM απηλλοτριωμενοιRPP-NPM της GSF πολιτειαςGSF του GSM ισραηλPRI και ξενοι A-NPM των GPF διαθηκωνGPF της GSF επαγγελιαςGSF ελπιδαASF μη εχοντεςPAP-NPM και αθεοι A-NPM εν τω DSM κοσμωDSM
that you were in that time without/separate from Christ, alienated/excluded from the citizenship/commonwealth of Israel, and strangers/foreigners from the covenants of the promise, not having hope, and without God in the world.
2:13 νυνι ADV δε εν χριστωDSM ιησουDSM υμεις2NP οι NPM ποτε PRT οντεςPAP-NPM μακραν ADV εγενηθητεAOI-2P εγγυς ADV εν τω DSN αιματιDSN του GSM χριστουGSM
But now in Christ Jesus you who once/formerly [KJV=sometimes] were far off are/have
been brought near [KJV=made nigh] by the blood of Christ.
2:14 αυτοςNSM γαρ εστινPAI-3S η NSF ειρηνηNSF ημων1GP ο NSM ποιησαςAAP-NSM τα APN αμφοτερα A-APN εν A-ASN και το ASN μεσοτοιχονASN του GSM φραγμουGSM λυσαςAAP-NSM
For He Himself is our peace, He who made [ESV adds “us”] both [NIV=two] one and
destroyed [KJV, ESV, NAS=broken down] the dividing [KJV=middle] wall of
hostility [NAS=barrier, KJV=partition]
2:15 την ASF εχθρανASF εν τη DSF σαρκιDSF αυτουGSM τον ASM νομονASM των GPF εντολωνGPF εν δογμασινDPN καταργησαςAAP-NSM ινα τους APM δυο A-NUI κτισηAAS-3S εν αυτωDSM εις ενα A-ASM καινον A-ASM ανθρωπονASM ποιωνPAP-NSM ειρηνηνASF
[ESV, NAS,NIV add “by”] abolishing in His flesh [ESV omits “the enmity”] the
enmity/hostility of the law of the [NIV=with its] commandments [KJV, NAS adds
“contained”] in [NIV,ESV=and] ordinances in order that He might [NIV=His
purpose was to] create [KJV=make] the two in Himself into [NIV=out of] one new
man, making [NAS=establishing] peace,
2:16 και αποκαταλλαξηAAS-3S τους APM αμφοτερους A-APM εν ενι A-DSN σωματιDSN τω DSM θεωDSM δια του GSM σταυρουGSM αποκτειναςAAP-NSM την ASF εχθρανASF εν αυτωDSM
and that He might reconcile [ESV adds “us” NAS adds “them”] both in [NIV adds
“this”] one body to God through/by the cross, killing [KJV=having slain] the
enmity/hostility by it [the cross].
2:17 και ελθων2AAP-NSM ευηγγελισατοAMI-3S ειρηνηνASF υμιν2DP τοις DPM μακραν ADV και ειρηνηνASF τοις DPM εγγυς ADV
And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace [KJV omits] to
those who were near,
2:18 οτι δι αυτουGSM εχομενPAI-1P την προσαγωγηνASF οι NPM αμφοτεροι A-NPM εν ενι A-DSN πνευματιDSN προς τον ASM πατεραASM
for through Him we both have [NAS adds “our”] access in/by one Spirit to the
Father.
2:19 αρα PRT ουν ουκετι ADV-N εστεPAI-2P ξενοι A-NPM και παροικοι A-NPM αλλα εστεPAI-2P συμπολιταιNPM των GPM αγιων A-GPM και οικειοι A-NPM του GSM θεουGSM
Now then y’all are no longer strangers and aliens/foreigners, but y’all are
[all Eng=fellow] citizens together with the saints [NIV=God’s people] and y’all
are [all Eng add ‘of’] God’s household,
2:20 εποικοδομηθεντεςAPP-NPM επι τω DSM θεμελιωDSM των GPM αποστολωνGPM και προφητωνGPM οντοςPAP-GSM ακρογωνιαιου A-GSM αυτουGSM χριστουGSM ιησουGSM
being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, its [KJV,NIV=the
chief] cornerstone being Jesus Christ [KJV, ESV, NAS,NIV=himself]:
2:21 εν ω R-DSM πασα A-NSF [η = A] οικοδομηNSF συναρμολογουμενηPPP-NSF αυξειPAI-3S εις ναονASM αγιον A-ASM εν κυριωDSM
In whom all the household/building/structure being fitted/joined together is growing [NIV=rises] into a holy temple in the Lord,
2:22 εν ω R-DSM και υμεις2NP συνοικοδομεισθεPPI-2P εις κατοικητηριονASN του GSM θεουGSM εν πνευματιDSN
In whom also y’all are being built together into a habitation/dwelling of God in/by [KJV,ESV,NAS add “the”; NIV adds “his”] spirit.
Just as a proper understanding of total depravity together with the uniqueness of the Gospel give us a context for evangelism, so a proper understanding God’s sovereignty in salvation together with His call for us to preach provides an effective motivation for evangelism. In Chapter 3 we see the call to preach personally in Paul:
3:1 τουτουGSN χαριν ADV εγω1NS παυλοςNSM ο NSM δεσμιοςNSM του GSM χριστουGSM [ιησου]GSM υπερ υμων2GP των GPN εθνωνGPN
For this reason [KJV=cause] I Paul, the [ESV=a] prisoner of [ESV=for] Christ Jesus for the sake of/on behalf of you nations/gentiles-
3:2 ει γε PRT ηκουσατεAAI-2P την ASF οικονομιανASF της GSF χαριτοςGSF του θεουGSM της GSF δοθεισηςAPP-GSF μοι1DS εις υμας2AP
If indeed/surely [ESV=assuming] y’all heard of the dispensation/stewardship/administration/economy
of the grace of God which is given to me unto/for y’all,
3:3 [οτι] κατα αποκαλυψινASF εγνωρισθηAPI-3S μοι1DS το ASN μυστηριονASN καθως ADV προεγραψαAAI-1S εν ολιγω A-DSM
[that] by revelation the mystery was made known to me just as I wrote before/already [ESV omits “before”] in brief [KJV=few words]
3:4 προς οASN δυνασθεPNI-2P αναγινωσκοντεςPAP-NPM νοησαιAAN την ASF συνεσινASF μου1GS εν τω μυστηριωDSN του χριστουGSM
toward which, when you read, y’all can/will be able to understand/perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ
3:5 ο R-NSN ετεραις A-DPF γενεαιςDPF ουκ εγνωρισθηAPI-3S τοις DPM υιοιςDPM των GPM ανθρωπωνGPM ως ADV νυν ADV απεκαλυφθηAPI-3S τοις DPM αγιοις A-DPM αποστολοιςDPM αυτουGSM και προφηταιςDPM εν πνευματιDSN
which in other generations [KJV=ages], was not made known to the sons of [NIV omits “the sons of”] men
like it is has now been revealed to His [NIV=God’s] holy apostles and prophets in [the] Spirit:
3:6 ειναιPAN τα APN εθνηAPN συγκληρονομα A-APN και συσσωμα A-APN και συμμετοχα A-APN της GSF επαγγελιαςGSF εν χριστωDSM ιησουDSM δια του GSN ευαγγελιουGSN
[NIV,ESV add “the mystery is that”] the nations/gentiles [are] to be heirs together/fellow heirs [NIV adds “with Israel”] and a body together [KJV=same, NAS=fellow, ESV,NAS,NIV add “members of the”] and partakers/sharers together of the promise in Christ Jesus [KJV omits “Jesus”] through the Gospel.
3:7 ου R-GSN εγενηθηνAOI-1S διακονοςNSM κατα την ASF δωρεανASF της GSF χαριτοςGSF του GSM θεουGSM της GSF δοθεισηςAPP-GSF μοι1DS κατα την ASF ενεργειανASF της GSF δυναμεωςGSF αυτουGSM
of which [NIV,ESV add “gospel”] I became [KJV,ESV,NAS=was made] a servant/minister/deacon, according to the gift of the grace of God, the one which was given to me according to/by/through the energetic [KJV=effectual] working of His power -
3:8 εμοι1DS τω DSM ελαχιστοτερω A-DSM-C παντων A-GPM αγιων A-GPM εδοθηAPI-3S η NSF χαριςNSF αυτη D-NSF τοις DPN εθνεσινDPN ευαγγελισασθαιAMN το ASN ανεξιχνιαστον A-ASN πλουτοςASN του GSM χριστουGSM
to me [NIV,ESV add “although”] the very least of all [ESV adds “the”] saints [NIV=God’s people], this grace was given: to evangelize concerning/preach good news of the unsearchable/unfathomable riches of Christ to the nations/Gentiles
3:9 και φωτισαιAAN [παντας=A] A-APM τις I-NSF η NSF οικονομιαNSF του GSN μυστηριουGSN του GSN αποκεκρυμμενουRPP-GSN απο των αιωνωνGPM εν τω DSM θεωDSM τω DSM τα APN παντα A-APN κτισαντιAAP-DSM
and to bring to light [all men, KJV=make all men see, NIV=make plain to everyone] what is the economy/administration [ESV=plan, KJV=fellowship] of the mystery which has been hidden from the ages [KJV=beginning of the world, NIV adds “past”] in God the creator of all things [KJV adds “by Jesus Christ”]
3:10 ινα γνωρισθηAPS-3S νυν ADV ταις DPF αρχαιςDPF και ταις DPF εξουσιαιςDPF εν τοις DPN επουρανιοις A-DPN δια της GSF εκκλησιαςGSF η NSF πολυποικιλος A-NSF σοφιαNSF του GSM θεουGSM
KJV: To the intent that now unto the
principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the
church the manifold wisdom of God,
ESV: so
that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to
the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
NAS: so
that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to
the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
NIV: His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should
be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
3:11 κατα προθεσινASF των GPM αιωνωνGPM ην R-ASF εποιησενAAI-3S εν τω DSM χριστωDSM ιησουDSM τω DSM κυριωDSM ημων1GP
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed
in Christ Jesus our Lord:
This was
according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
This
was in
accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our
Lord,
according to his eternal purposewhich he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3:12 εν ω R-DSM εχομενPAI-1P την ASF παρρησιανASF και προσαγωγηνASF εν πεποιθησειDSF δια της GSF πιστεωςGSF αυτουGSM
In whom we have boldness and access with
confidence by the faith of him.
in whom we
have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
in whom we
have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
In him and through fiath in him we may approach God with freedom and
confidence.
3:13 διο αιτουμαιPMI-1S μη εγκακεινPAN εν ταις DPF θλιψεσινDPF μου1GS υπερ υμων2GP ητις R-NSF εστινPAI-3S δοξαNSF υμων2GP
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my
tribulations for you, which is your glory.
So I ask
you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.
Therefore
I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are
your glory.
I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you,
which are your glory.
3:14 τουτου D-GSN χαριν ADV καμπτωPAI-1S τα APN γοναταAPN μου1GS προς τον ASM πατεραASM
For this reason/cause I
bow my knees before/unto the Father KJV addes “of our Lord Jesus Christ”],
In bowing the knee before God after
preaching and showing the light, Paul acknowledges that God is the one who
saves, not man, so all we can do it preach and show, and then pray that God
will use our witness.
1. v.16 That God would “give” His “spiritual power” into men from His “wealth” of “glory” (and also of mercy mentioned in 2:4&7). This may be parallel to the “making alive/quickening” in 2:5 – to the end that Christ may “dwell in [their] hearts by faith.” Paul is praying that God would choose to make His home in the people he (Paul) was preaching to, by sending the Holy Spirit to them!
2. v.18 That they would “be able to comprehend” and “know the love of Christ.” Paul is praying for a transformation of the mind from considering the preaching of the cross foolishness to realizing the truth and greatness of Christ Jesus’ love which He demonstrated to us by dying on the cross for our sins.
3. v.19b That they would “be filled with all the fullness of God.”
3:15 εξ ου R-GSM πασα A-NSF πατριαNSF εν ουρανοιςDPM και επι γηςGSF ονομαζεταιPPI-3S
from whom every [KJV=the whole,NIV=his whole] family in
heaven and on [KJV omits “on”] earth is named [NAS, NIV= derives its name],
3:16 ινα δω2AAS-3S υμιν2DP κατα το ASN πλουτοςASN της GSF δοξηςGSF αυτουGSM δυναμειDSF κραταιωθηναιAPN δια του GSN πνευματοςGSN αυτουGSM εις τον ASM εσω ADV ανθρωπονASM
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 according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be
strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
I pray
that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his
Spirit in your inner being,
3:17 κατοικησαιAAN τον ASM χριστονASM δια της GSF πιστεωςGSF εν ταις DPF καρδιαιςDPF υμων2GP
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;
3:18 εν αγαπηDSF ερριζωμενοιRPP-NPM και τεθεμελιωμενοιRPP-NPM (3:18) ινα εξισχυσητεAAS-2P καταλαβεσθαι2AMN συν πασιν A-DPM τοις DPM αγιοις A-DPM τι I-NSN το NSN πλατοςNSN και μηκοςNSN και υψοςNSN και βαθοςNSN
that ye, being rooted and
grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is
the breadth and length and depth and height;
that you,
being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend w/ all the
saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
and that you, being rooted
and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the
breadth and length and height and depth,
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power,
together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is
the love of Christ,
3:19 γνωναι2AAN τε PRT την ASF υπερβαλλουσανPAP-ASF της GSF γνωσεωςGSF αγαπηνASF του GSM χριστουGSM ινα πληρωθητεAPS-2P εις παν A-ASN το ASN πληρωμαASN του GSM θεουGSM
And to know the love of Christ [NIV omits “of
Christ”], which surpasses knowledge, that y’all may be filled to
[KJV,ESV=with, NIV adds “the measure of”] all the fullness of God.
3:20 τω DSM δε δυναμενωPNP-DSM υπερ παντα A-APN ποιησαιAAN υπερ εκπερισσου ADV ων R-GPN αιτουμεθαPMI-1P η PRT νοουμενPAI-1P κατα την ASF δυναμινASF την ASF ενεργουμενηνPMP-ASF εν ημιν1DP
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,
Now to him
who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according
to the power at work within us,
Now to Him
who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works within us,
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably
more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within
us,
3:21 αυτωDSM η NSF δοξαNSF εν τη DSF εκκλησιαDSF και εν χριστωDSM ιησουDSM εις πασας A-APF τας APF γενεαςAPF του GSM αιωνοςGSM των GPM αιωνωνGPM αμην HEB
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ
Jesus throughout all ages, world without end., Amen.
to him be
glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and
ever. Amen.
to Him be
the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and
ever. Amen.
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen.
Who are the “Paul’s” in our day that we can support as they broadcast and bring to light the Gospel?
1. Ray and Michelle Call – With Border Evangelism and Mercy Ministry, church development in Mexicali.
2. Tim and Ranae – Teaching in the Middle East.
3. Jeff and Heather Vaughn – With Border Evangelism and Mercy Ministry in Reynosa.
4. Brad and Patty Wos – College ministry in St. Louis, MO.
5. Life Choice Ministries, Manhattan, KS – for women with crisis pregnancies
6. Shepherd’s Crossing, Manhattan, KS – for people with financial needs
· Tithe! (Gen. 14:18-20, Lev. 27:30, Deut. 14:22, Neh. 10:37-39, Mal. 3:8-10) The Old Testament tithes actually totaled well over 20%! Try giving 5% beyond your church tithe to support a missionary. Be sacrificial: "I will not offer to God that which costs me nothing," II Sam. 24:24. "God loves a cheerful giver" II Cor. 9:7.
· Communicate with your missionaries. Missionaries love mail, they need encouragement, and overseas postage is only 60¢ for a short letter, email is even cheaper. In fact, some even have local phone numbers that ring overseas! Every so often, mail some American food, a tape, or pictures; be creative!
· When missionaries are in the U.S., give them your nice clothes or take them to a department store to outfit them. Invite them over to dinner or let a family live with you for a time. Help them raise support by inviting your friends to dinner, letting the missionary share about his ministry, and then asking your friends if they would support the missionary financially. By the way, don’t neglect U.S.-based staff in this.
· Pray for them. Consider their:
Relationship to God: devotional and prayer life, victory over sin, maturity;
Physical and Emotional needs: finances, adaptation to climate, health, safety, freedom from loneliness & depression;
Family: relationship with spouse, children, other people, example to nationals;
Communication: language study, fluency, understanding culture;
Ministry: wisdom and boldness in teaching, witnessing, fruitfulness in winning souls, and in developing leaders.
· Read Serving as Senders by Neil Pirolo – the best book on supporting missionaries
· Arrange to visit these missionaries on their field and offer to help them on-site for a week or more!
But evangelizing the world is not a spectator sport. What Paul was called to do, all Christians are called to do, each in your own various callings and giftings. The needs remain: