Chapter VIII.—Renewed praise of the Ephesians.
Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed ye are not deceived, inasmuch as ye are
wholly devoted to God. For since there is no strife raging among you which might distress
you, ye are certainly living in accordance with God’s will. I am far inferior to you, and require
to be sanctified by your Church of Ephesus, so renowned throughout the world. They that
are carnal cannot do those things which are spiritual, nor they that are spiritual the things
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which are carnal; even as faith cannot do the works of unbelief, nor unbelief the works of
faith. But even those things which ye do according to the flesh are spiritual; for ye do all
things in Jesus Christ.
Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed ye are not deceived; for ye are wholly devoted
to God. For when there is no evil desire within you, which might defile and torment you,
then do ye live in accordance with the will of God, and are [the servants] of Christ. Cast ye
out that which defiles59 you, who are of the60 most holy Church of the Ephesians, which is
so famous and celebrated throughout the world. They that are carnal cannot do those things
which are spiritual, nor they that are spiritual the things which are carnal; even as faith
cannot do the works of unbelief, nor unbelief the works of faith. But ye, being full of the
Holy Spirit, do nothing according to the flesh, but all things according to the Spirit. Ye are
complete in Christ Jesus, “who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.”61
59 It is difficult to translate περίψημα in this and similar passages; comp. 1 Cor. iv. 13.
60 Literally, “and the.”
61 1 Tim. iv. 10.
Chapter VIII.—Renewed praise of the Ephesians.
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Chapter VIII.—Renewed praise of the Ephesians.