Ephesians 2:1-22 Through Jesus Christ, the Discord of Those 2 Different Ways, Becomes 1

 

Through Jesus Christ, the Discord of Those 2 Different Ways, Becomes 1

Ephesians 2:1-22    The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians [in Smaller Chunks]

And He [has] quickened you, [a.k.a. brought you to life,] who were dead [through worldly,] trespasses & sins. [Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, & the glorious [appearance] of the great God, & our [Savior] Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, [so] that He might redeem us from all [sin,] & purify a [special] people to Himself, zealous of good works, [a.k.a. deeds.]

In [previous times,] you walked, [a.k.a. followed,] according to the: the course, [a.k.a. path,] of this world, & the prince, [that has] power of the air, & that spirit now [works within] the children of disobedience. [Ephesians 6:12 For we [don't] wrestle against flesh & blood, but against: principalities, against powers, against rulers of this [world's] darkness, & against spiritual wickedness in high places.]

In [previous] times, in the lusts of our flesh, we all also had our [conversations] among [those] whom, were by nature, the children of wrath, even [like] others, fulfilling the desires of the: flesh & mind. [Romans 6:11-12 Likewise, you [consider] yourselves to be indeed dead to sin, but alive to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, [don't] let sin [rule] in your mortal, [a.k.a. perishable,] body, that you should obey it, & [its] lusts.]

But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love [with which] He loved us, even when we were dead, [because of our] sins, (by grace you are saved;) & [God] [has] quickened, [a.k.a. brought] us [to life] together, with Christ. [Romans 6:4-5 Therefore, we are buried with Him, [through] baptism, into death: [so] that, [like] Christ was raised up from the dead, [through] the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk, [a.k.a. follow,] with a newness of life. For if we have been planted, [a.k.a. joined,] together, [similarly, through Christ's] death, we shall also be joined together [similarly through Christ's] resurrection.]

And [the Lord God,] [has] raised us up together, [& will also] [make] us sit together, [with] Christ Jesus, in heavenly places. [Revelation 3:20-21 [Look, I stand at the door, & knock. If any man [hears] My voice, & [opens] the door, I will come in to him, & will [dine] with him, & he with Me. I will grant to him [who overcomes] to sit with Me [on] My throne, even [like] I overcame, & am [sitting] down with My Father [on] His throne.]

That in the [time] to come, [the Lord God] might [display] the exceeding [richness] of His: grace & kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace, through faith [in Jesus Christ.] It is the gift of God; & [its] not [through] yourselves; & not of works, [a.k.a. deeds,] lest any man should boast.

For we are [the Lord God's handiwork,] created [through faith] in Christ Jesus [to do] good works. Which God [has previously] ordained, [a.k.a. appointed,] that we should walk, [a.k.a. follow,] in them. [Isaiah 19:25 Whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed [is] Egypt, My people, & Assyria, the work of My hands, & Israel, [My] inheritance.]

[For this reason,] you Gentiles remember, that in [previous times,] being in the [sinful] flesh, who are called the Uncircumcision, [a.k.a. believers in Christ, who are uncircumcised,] by [those, who are] called the Circumcision, [a.k.a. believers in Christ, who feel all believers should be circumcised,] made by hands in the flesh.

[Romans 10:9-13 That if you [shall] confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth, & shall believe in your heart, that God [has] raised [Jesus] from the dead, you [shall] be saved. For with the heart, man [believes,] [which leads to] righteousness. And confession is made with the mouth, [which leads] to Salvation. For the Scripture [says, Whoever, believes in Jesus Christ,] shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew & the Greek, [a.k.a. Gentiles,] for the same Lord over all, is rich to all, [who] call upon Him. For [whoever] shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.]

[So, during the] time you were without [faith in] Christ, being aliens, [a.k.a. foreigners,] from the [region] of Israel, & strangers [unaware of] covenants, [a.k.a. contracts,] of promise, & without God, & [had] no hope in the world. But now [through] Christ Jesus, you who sometimes were far [away,] are made [close through] the blood of Christ.

[Colossians 3:9-11 [Don't] lie to one another, [since] you have put off the old man with [its] deeds, & have put on the new man, [who] is renewed [by] [the] knowledge of [God's] image, [Who] created him. [For this reason,] there is neither Greek, [a.k.a. Gentiles,] nor Jew, circumcision, nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, [slave,] nor free. But Christ is [for] all, & [within] all.]

For [Jesus Christ] is our [Savior & provides] peace, Who [has] made both [united as] one, & [has] broken down the partition of the middle wall, [a.k.a. barrier,] between us. [Colossians 1:20 And peace [by Christ,] having made peace through the blood of His cross [through] Him, to reconcile all things to Himself. I say, whether they are things [on] earth, or things in heaven, [they are reconciled] by Him.]

[And Jesus Christ,] having abolished, [a.k.a. put an end, within] His flesh, the enmity, [a.k.a. deep hatred,] even the commandments contained in the ordinances, [a.k.a. rules,] of the Law [of Moses.] [In order] to make [within] Himself, [from] [the 2 differing ways, producing:] one, new man, [& by doing] so, making peace.

And that [Christ] might reconcile both [of those of the 2 ways] to God, in one body, having slain, [through Christ's death on] the cross, the [hatred by this.] [Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old [sinful] man is crucified with [Jesus Christ, so] that the [sinful] body might be destroyed, [so] that [from now on] we should [no longer] serve sin.]

And [believers in Jesus Christ,] came & preached peace to you, [who are far away,] to [those, who are near.] For through [Jesus Christ,] we [from both ways] have access by [being united in] One Spirit to the Father. Therefore, now you are no [longer] strangers & foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the [Lord God's] saints, & the household of God.

And [you] are built, [a.k.a. established,] upon the foundation of the apostles & prophets, Jesus Christ, Himself, being the chief corner stone. [Through] Whom, all the building [is] fitly, [a.k.a. tightly,] framed together & [grows into the] Holy Temple, [through] the Lord. In Whom, you are also [built] together for [a] habitation, [a.k.a. residence, for] God, through the [Holy] Spirit.

Ephesians 1:1-23 Praising the Glory of the Lord God's Grace

 

Praising the Glory of the Lord God's Grace

Ephesians 1:1-23    The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians [in Smaller Chunks]

[From:] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, [through God's] will, to the [Lord God's] saints, [who] are [in] Ephesus, & to the faithful [believers] in Christ Jesus. [May] grace, & peace be to you, from God our Father, & from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed [is] God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who [has] blessed us with all spiritual blessings, [through] Christ, in heavenly places. Before the foundation of the world, [the Lord God] [has] chosen us [for] Him, [so] that we should be holy & without blame, before Him, in [accordance with] love. [Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good, to [those, who] love God, & to [those] who are: the called, [a.k.a. chosen,] according to His purpose.]

Having [predestined, a.k.a. predetermined,] us [for] the adoption [as] children, by Jesus Christ [for] Himself, according to His will & good pleasure. [Acts 13:47-49  For the Lord [has] commanded us so, saying, I have [put] you to be a Light [for] the Gentiles, [so] that you [should] be for Salvation to the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, & glorified the Word of the Lord. And as many as believed, were ordained, [a.k.a. appointed,] to Eternal Life. And the Word of the Lord was published, [a.k.a. proclaimed] throughout all the region.]

To glory, [a.k.a. boast,] & praise [the Lord God's] grace, [with which] He [has] made us accepted [by virtue of] [Jesus Christ, His] beloved. In Whom, we have redemption, & forgiveness of sins, through His blood, according to the [richness] of His grace.

[Romans 5:8-10 *But God [commends, a.k.a. demonstrates,] His love toward us, in that, while we were [still] sinners, Christ died for us. Now, much more [than] being justified by His blood, we shall be saved from [God's] wrath, through Him. For when we were [still] enemies, we were reconciled to God, [through] the death of His Son, [but] much more [significant than] being reconciled, we shall be saved by [Jesus Christ's] life.]

[In which, the Lord God has abundantly assisted] us, in all wisdom & prudence, [a.k.a. understanding;] having the mystery of [God's] will, made known to us, according to His good pleasure, which He, Himself [has intended.]

[When the time's] been [fulfilled,] He might gather all things together which: are in heaven, & are on earth, [through] Christ, & even in [God,] [united as] One. [Through] Whom, we have also obtained an inheritance, being [predestined,] according to the purpose, [a.k.a. plan,] of Him, Who [works, a.k.a. brings about,] all things, [according to] His Own counsel, [a.k.a. Own advice, & Will.]

[So] that, we, who 1st trusted in Christ, should be to praise His glory.  [2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound, [a.k.a. determined,] to always give thanks to God, for you, brethren, [a.k.a. fellow-believers,] beloved of the Lord. Because from the beginning, God has chosen you [for] Salvation, through sanctification of the [Holy] Spirit, & belief [in] the Truth.]

In Whom, you also trusted, after you [had] heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. After that [Jesus Christ,] in Whom, you [also] believed [in,] you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. [Who] is the earnest, [a.k.a. down payment, for] our inheritance, until the [time of] Redemption, [for] the [possessions,] purchased [through Jesus Christ's death & Resurrection,] [until] the praise of His glory.

[Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, & the glorious [appearance] of the great God, & our [Savior] Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, [so] that He might redeem us from all [sin,] & purify a [special] people to Himself, zealous of good works, [a.k.a. deeds.]

[For this reason,] after I also heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, & love to all [the Lord God's] saints, [I] [don't stop giving] thanks for you, & [mentioning] you in my prayers. [So] that the God, the Father of Glory, of our Lord Jesus Christ, may give to you the Spirit of: wisdom & revelation, [through] the knowledge of Him.

Your eyes [have] [been] enlightened [with] understanding, [so] that you may know what the hope is of [the Lord God's] calling. And what the [richness] of the glory, His saints [inherit.] And what the exceeding greatness of His power is [toward] us, who believe [in Jesus Christ,] according to [how] His mighty power [works.]

Which [the Lord God, brought about] in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, & [sat] Him [down] at His Own right hand, in the heavenly places. [Revelation 3:20-21 [Look, I stand at the door, & knock. If any man [hears] My voice, & [opens] the door, I will come in to him, & will [dine] with him, & he with Me. I will grant to him [who overcomes] to sit with Me [on] My throne, even [like] I overcame, & am [sitting] down with My Father [on] His throne.]

Far above all: principality; power; might, [a.k.a. strength;] dominion, [a.k.a. authority;] & every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. [Ephesians 6:12 For we [don't] wrestle against flesh & blood, but against: principalities, against powers, against rulers of this [world's] darkness, & against spiritual wickedness in high places.]

*And [the Lord God] [has] put all things under His feet, & gave [Jesus Christ] to be the head over all things [related] to the church, which is His body, & the fullness of Him, [Who totally fulfills] all [things.]

Galatians 6:1-18 Planting & Harvesting to the Worldly Flesh or to the Spirit of the Lord

 

Planting & Harvesting to the Worldly Flesh or to the Spirit of the Lord

Galatians 6:1-18     The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians [in Smaller Chunks]

Brethren, [a.k.a. fellow-believers,] you, [who] are spiritual, if a man is [taken over] [through] a fault, [a.k.a. weakness,] restore [someone] such [as this,] in the spirit of meekness, [a.k.a. humility,] considering, [a.k.a. examining,] yourself, lest you also [are] tempted.

Bear, [a.k.a. support,] one another's burdens, & [doing] so [fulfills Christ's] Law. For if a man, [thinks] himself to be something [important,] when he's nothing, he [deceives] himself.

But let every man prove, [a.k.a. test,] his own work, & then, he shall have rejoicing alone, [within] himself, & not [rely on] another. For every man shall bear, [a.k.a. carry,] his own burden.

Let him, [who] is taught in the Word [of God, to] communicate to [Jesus Christ, [Who teaches] all good things. [Matthew 5:5-7 And seeing the multitudes, [Jesus] went up into a mountain, & when He was [situated,] His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth, & taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for the Kingdom of heaven is theirs. Blessed are [those, who] mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, [a.k.a. humble:] for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are [those, who] hunger & thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.]

God is not mocked, [so] [don't] be deceived. For [whatever] a man [sows,] he shall also reap, [a.k.a. harvest,] that. For he, [who sows,] to his [sinful] flesh, shall reap [what causes] corruption, from his [sinful] flesh. But he, [who sows] to the [Holy] Spirit, shall reap Everlasting Life [from] the [Holy] Spirit.

And [don't] let us [become] weary, [a.k.a. tired,] [of] doing well, [a.k.a. good.] For we shall reap, in due season, if we [don't] faint, [a.k.a. give up.] Therefore, let us do good to all men, as we have [an] opportunity [to do so,] especially to [those] who are of the household of faith [in Jesus Christ.]

You see [what] a large letter I have written to you, with [my] own hand. [Like] many desire to make [an] [impression] & [require] you to [become] circumcised in the flesh, lest they should suffer persecution for [Christ's] [death on] the cross.

For neither are [those] who are circumcised themselves, [keeping] the Law [of Moses.] But [they] desire to have you circumcised, [so] that they may glory, [a.k.a. boast,] in your flesh. [1 Corinthians 1:18-20 For preaching [about] the cross is foolishness to [those, who] perish; but it is the power of God, to us, [who] are saved. For it is written [in the Scriptures;] I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, & I bring the understanding of the prudent, [a.k.a. shrewd,] to nothing. Where [are] the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? [Hasn't] God made the wisdom of this world foolish?]

But God [forbids] that I should [boast, except] [about] the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, Whom by the [sinful] world is crucified, [Who rose again, & provided Eternal Life] to me, & I [am  called to carry my faith in Jesus Christ] to the world. [1 Peter 2:21-24 For you were called even [to this,] because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, [so] that you should follow [in] His steps: Who [didn't] sin, neither was [deceit] found in His mouth: Who, when He was [ridiculed, didn't ridicule] again. When He suffered, He [didn't threaten,] but committed Himself, to Him, [Who] judges Righteously. Who His Ownself bare, [a.k.a. carried] our sins in His Own body on the [cross made from a] tree, [so] that we, being dead to sins, should live to Righteousness, by Whose stripes, [a.k.a. whip marks,] you were healed.]

For neither [does] circumcision, nor uncircumcision, [benefit] anything, but [becoming] a new creature, [a.k.a. creation,] [through] Christ Jesus [does.] And [may] peace, & mercy be on [those,] & upon the Israel of God, as many as walk, [a.k.a. follow,] according to this rule.

From [now on,] let no man trouble me: for I bear, [a.k.a. carry,] in my body, the [whip] marks [for sharing my faith with others for] the Lord Jesus. Brethren, [may] the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Galatians 5:1-26 Being Circumcised or Uncircumcised Doesn't Benefit Our Faith in Christ

 

Being Circumcised or Uncircumcised Doesn't Benefit Our Faith in Christ

Galatians 5:1-26     The Epistle of Paul to the Galatians [in Smaller Chunks]

Therefore, stand [firm] in the liberty, [a.k.a. freedom, with which] Christ has made us free. And [don't] [become] entangled again, with the yoke, [a.k.a. burden,] of bondage. [Galatians 2:4 And because of false brethren, [a.k.a. those who falsely profess to be Christ's believers,] brought in, [without us being aware.] Who came in [secretly] to spy out our liberty, [a.k.a. freedom, that] we have in Christ Jesus, [so] that they might bring us into bondage, [a.k.a. slavery to sin.]

[Look,] I, Paul, say to you, that if you [are] circumcised, [being circumcised] shall not [benefit] you [as believers in] Christ. For I testify to every man again, [who] is circumcised, that he is [indebted] to do the whole Law.

Christ [has] become [ineffective] to you, [whoever] of you are justified by the Law, & [you've] fallen from grace. [2 Peter 3:17-18 Therefore, you beloved, [since] you [knew] these things before, beware lest you also, [are] led [astray] with the [errors] of the wicked, & fall from your own steadfastness, [a.k.a. focused purpose.] But grow in grace, & [grow] in the knowledge of our Lord & [Savior,] Jesus Christ. To Him be glory, both now & forever. Amen.]

For through the [Holy] Spirit, we wait for the hope of righteousness [through] faith [in Jesus Christ.] For [through] Jesus Christ, neither [does] circumcision [produce] anything, nor [does] uncircumcision. But [only] faith [in Jesus Christ,] [Who works through] love. [1 John 3:16 [By this,] we [are aware] [of] the love of God, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.]

You [ran] the [race] well, [but] who [hindered, a.k.a. interfered with,] you, [so] that you shouldn't obey the Truth? [John 14.6 Jesus [said] to him, I Am the Way, the Truth, & the Life. No man [comes] to the Father, [except] by Me.]

This persuasion [doesn't come from Jesus Christ, Who] calls you. A little leaven, [a.k.a. yeast,] leavens the whole lump [of dough.] [Matthew 16:11-12 How is it that you don't understand that I [didn't speak] to you [about] bread, that you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees & Sadducees? Then, they understood how He [urged] them not [to] beware of the leaven of bread, but [about] the doctrine, [a.k.a. teaching,] of the Pharisees, & the Sadducees.]

I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you [won't] be otherwise minded. But he, [who troubles] you shall bear, [a.k.a. carry,] his judgment, [whoever] he [is.]

And brethren, [a.k.a. fellow-believers,] if I [still] preach circumcision, [a.k.a. belief that all Christians must be circumcised,] why do I [still] suffer persecution? Then the offence of the cross [has] ceased. [1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel. Not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made [ineffective.]

I [wish] [that] [those, who] trouble you were even cut off. For, brethren, you have been called to liberty, [a.k.a. freedom.] Only [don't] use [freedom] for [any] occasion [for] the [sinful] flesh, but [with] love, serve one another. For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, [a.k.a. rule,] even this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

But if you bite [at] & devour one another, [pay attention] that you [aren't] consumed, [a.k.a. destroyed, by] one another. Then, I say this, Walk, [a.k.a. follow,] in the [Holy] Spirit, & you [won't] fulfill the [lusts] of the [sinful] flesh.

For the flesh [lusts, a.k.a. desires,] [what is] against the [Holy] Spirit. And the [Holy] Spirit [is] against the [sinful] flesh. And these are contrary, [a.k.a. the opposite,] to [each] other. So that you can't do the things that you [want.] But if you [are] led [by] the [Holy] Spirit, you aren't under the Law [of Moses.]

Now the works, [a.k.a. deeds,] of the [sinful] flesh are manifest, [a.k.a. made visible,] which are these: adultery; fornication, [a.k.a. infidelity;] uncleanness, [a.k.a. impurity;] lasciviousness, [a.k.a. lustfulness;] idolatry, [a.k.a. worshiping false gods;] witchcraft; hatred; variance, [a.k.a. being contrary;] emulations, [a.k.a. rivalry;] wrath, [a.k.a. fury;] strife, [a.k.a. being argumentative;] seditions, [a.k.a. inciting revolts;] heresies, [a.k.a. abandoning Christian beliefs;] envyings, [a.k.a. jealousy;] murders; drunkenness; [revelings, a.k.a. excessive partying;] & such [things] like [these:] of which I tell you before, [a.k.a. in advance, like] I have also told you in [previous times.]

[So] that, [those, who] do such things, shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [Colossians 3:7-11 In which you also walked, [a.k.a. followed, sometimes,] when you lived in them. But now you [have] also put off all these: anger; wrath; malice, [a.k.a. hostility;] blasphemy, [a.k.a. being disrespectful to the Lord God;] & filthy communication [from] your mouth. [Don't] lie to one another, [since] you have put off the old man & [its] deeds. And you have put on the new man, [who] is renewed in knowledge, [according to] the image of [God, Who] created him. Where there is neither: Greek, [a.k.a. Gentile;] Jew; [those of the belief of] circumcision; [those of the belief of] uncircumcision; Barbarian, Scythian, bond, [a.k.a. slaves;] nor free. But Christ is [for] all, & [within] all.]

But the fruit of the Spirit is: love; joy; peace; long-suffering, [a.k.a. patience;] gentleness, goodness; faith, meekness, [a.k.a. humbleness;] temperance, [a.k.a. balance in all things;] & there is no Law against such [things.]

And [those, who] are Christ's [followers] have crucified the [sinful] flesh, [along] with the affections & lusts. If we live in the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk, [a.k.a. follow,] in the [Holy] Spirit.

Let's not be desirous of vain, [a.k.a. worthless,] glory, provoking one another, & envying one another. [Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife, [a.k.a. disputes,] or [vain glory, a.k.a. worthless pride.] But let each esteem, [a.k.a. respect,] [the] other, [with] lowliness of [minds, a.k.a. humble minds,] [more] than themselves.]