Ephesians

6 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1He magnifieth the grace of God's eternal predestination and temporal vocation, 11 both of the Jews, 12 and also of the Ephesians being Gentiles, 13 for whose excellent faith and charity he rejoiceth, and continually praiseth for their increase, that they may see more clearly the greatness both of the inheritance in heaven, and also of God's might which holpeth them thereunto: 20 an example of which might they may behold in the supereminent exalting of Christ.
2. 2He putteth them in mind of their unworthiness before they were Christians: that all the praise may be given to the grace of God: 11 and of the enmity that was then between the Jew and the Gentile: 13 until now that Christ by his Cross hath made both one, taking away the ceremonies of the Law, and making one body, and building one holy Temple of all, in his Catholic Church.
3. 3For witnessing the vocation of the Gentiles, as being the Apostle of the Gentiles, he is in prison: 13 Wherein the Gentiles therefore have cause to rejoice, rather than to shrink. So he saith, 14 and also prayeth to God (who is almighty) to confirm their inward man, though the outward be infirmed by persecutions.
4. 4He exhorteth them to keep the unity of the Church most carefully with all humility, bringing them many motives thereunto: 7 and assuring that even the diversity it self of offices is not for division, as being the gift of Christ him self, but to build up the Church, and to hold all in the unity thereof against the subtile circumventions of Heretics: that under Christ the head, in the Church being the body, every member may prosper. 17 Neither (as touching life) must we live like the Heathen, but as it becometh Christians, laying of all our old corrupt manners, and increasing daily in all goodness.
5. 5He continueth his exhortation to good life, 5 assuring them against all deceivers, that no committer of mortal sin shall be saved: considering that for such sins it is that the Heathen shall be damned: 8 and that Christians must rather be the light of all others. 22 Then he cometh in particular and exhorteth husbands and wives to do their duty one towards the other, by the example of Christ and his obedient and beloved spouse the Church.
6. 6Likewise children and parents he exhorteth, 5 item servants and masters. 10 Then, that all take courage in the might of God, but so, that withal they arm themselves (considering what mighty enemies they have) with all pieces of spiritual armour, 18 praying always fervently, and for him also.