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!

  1. The biblical doctrine of the total depravity of mankind, which was brought back to the fore in the reformation, gives us a motivation for evangelism.
    1. If no one is really lost, if sin is not a big deal, if all roads lead to God, then there is no need to be involved in evangelism, but if every little sin carries the punishment of eternal death and hell and if everyone is automatically headed for hell because they are descendents of the first sinners (Adam & Eve) and if one of the many roads in life is the only way to escape the punishment of hell, then we have good reason to be involved in pointing mankind toward that only way.
    2. But wait, does the Bible really say all this? Although there are many places we could go to establish this, let us look at what Ephesians 2 says: [read Eph. 2]

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:

  1. from Scripture that the commission to preach the gospel to all the world is still binding on Christians
  2. from history that Christians ever since the apostles had been preaching the gospel to the world
  3. from current demographics that vast parts of the world were unevangelized
  4. from science that the barriers to evangelizing the world could be overcome
  5. Then Carey went on to propose the formation of the first missionary organization, the London Baptist Mission Society as a means to recruit and send missionaries into the world

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?

Our steering committee has identified 6 strategic leaders in gospel ministry that we believe our particular congregation should support in a special way:

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

How to support missionaries

·       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:

Tips on Evangelism

 

CLOSING:

 

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