TEXT. watching thereunto, with all perseverance, and supplication, for all saints: 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel: 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. PARAPHRASE. spirit, attending and watching hereunto, with all perseverance, and supplication, for all the saints; 19 And for me, in particular, that I may, with freedom and plainness of speech, preach the word, to the manifesting and laying open that part of the gospel, that concerns the calling of the gentiles, which has hitherto, as a mystery, lain concealed, and not been 20 at all understood. But I, as an ambassador, am sent to make known to the world, and am now in prison, upon that very account: but let your prayers be, that, in the discharge of this my commission, I may speak plainly and boldly, as an ambassador from God ought to speak. SECT. XII. CHAP. VI. 21-24. EPILOGUS. TEXT. 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things. PARAPHRASE. 21 Tychicus, a beloved brother, and faithful minister of the Lord, in the work of the gospel, shall acquaint TEXT. 22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love, with faith, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. PARAPHRASE. you how matters stand with me, and how I do, and give you a particular account how all things stand 22 here. I have sent him, on purpose, to you, that you might know the state of our affairs, and that he 23 might comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love, with faith, from God the Father, 24 and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those that love our Lord Jesus Christ with sincerity 66 NOTE. 24 'Ev aplapola, "in sincerity," so our translation; the greek word signifies," in incorruption." St. Paul closes all his epistles, with this benediction, grace be with you;" but this here is so peculiar a way of expressing himself, that it may give us some reason to inquire what thoughts suggested it. It has been remarked, more than once, that the main business of this epistle is that, which fills his mind, and guides his pen, in his whole discourse. In this to the ephesians he sets forth the gospel, as a dispensation so much, in every thing, superiour to the law; that it was to debase, corrupt, and destroy the gospel, to join circumcision and the observance of the law, as necessary to it. Having writ this epistle to this end, he here in the close, having the same thought still upon his mind, pronounces favour on all those that love the Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption, i. e. without the mixing, or joining any with him, in the work of our salvation, that may render the gospel useless and ineffectual. For thus he says, Gal. v. 2, "If ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing." This I submit to the consideration of the judicious reader. 66 INDEX TO THE SEVENTH VOLUME. N. B. Where an asterisk, &c. are added to the Numbers, they refer A. ABIDE in the same calling, how Bondage, what it signifies, (2 Cor. So, C. CALLINGupon Christ, the mean- 2 K D. * DEAD in trespasses and sins, EAT and drink unworthily, (1 Ends of the world, what that ex- 378, *. IV. &c. own sense on them, G. XI. it, the author's way of study- XII Esau have I hated, to be taken in (Rom. xiii.) 405, *. Examine, (1 Cor. xi.) how to be 316, t: 320, t. God, in what sense it is said God abound, (Rom. v.) 317, t. understood, 337, . |