He 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.He magnifieth the grace of Gods eternal predestination and temporal vocation, 11 both of the Iewes, 12 and also of the Ephesians being Gentils, 13 for whose excellent faith and charitie he reioyceth, and continually praiseth for their increase, that they may see more clearely the greatnes both of the inheritance in heauen, and also of Gods might which holpeth them thereunto: 20 an example of which might they may behold in the supereminent exalting of Christ.✦
Paul an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God: to all the saints that are at Ephesus: and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.PAVL an Apostle of IESVS Christ by the wil of God: to al the saincts that are at Ephesus: and to the faithful in Christ IESVS.✦Paulus Apostolus Jesu Christi per voluntatem Dei, omnibus sanctis qui sunt Ephesi, et fidelibus in Christo Jesu.
2Grace to you and peace from God our father, and our Lord Jesus Christ.Grace to you and peace from God our father, and our Lord IESVS Christ.Gratia vobis, et pax a Deo Patre nostro, et Domino Jesu Christo.
3Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which hath blessed us in all spiritual blessing, in celestials, in Christ:Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord IESVS Christ, vvhich hath blessed vs in al spiritual blessing, in coelestials, in Christ:✦Benedictus Deus et Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi, qui benedixit nos in omni benedictione spirituali in cælestibus in Christo,
4as he chose us in him before the constitutionem: founding, establishment of the world, that we should be holy and immaculate in his sight in charity.as he chose vs in him before the constitution of the vvorld, that vve should be holy and immaculate in his sight in charitie.✦sicut elegit nos in ipso ante mundi constitutionem, ut essemus sancti et immaculati in conspectu ejus in caritate.
5Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of sons, by Jesus Christ, unto himself: according to the purpose of his will:VVho hath predestinated vs vnto the adoption of sonnes, by IESVS Christ, vnto him self: according to the purpose of his vvil:✦Qui prædestinavit nos in adoptionem filiorum per Jesum Christum in ipsum : secundum propositum voluntatis suæ,
6unto the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath gratificavit: pleased, indulged; bestowed grace upon, made acceptable us in his beloved son.vnto the praise of the glorie of his grace, vvherein he hath c gratified vs in his beloued sonne.✦in laudem gloriæ gratiæ suæ, in qua gratificavit nos in dilecto Filio suo.
7In whom we have redemption by his blood (the remission of sins) according to the riches of his grace,In vvhom vve haue redemption by his bloud (the remission of sinnes) according to the riches of his grace,✦In quo habemus redemptionem per sanguinem ejus, remissionem peccatorum secundum divitias gratiæ ejus,
8which hath superabounded in us in all wisdom and prudence,vvhich hath superabounded in vs in al vvisdom and prudence,✦quæ superabundavit in nobis in omni sapientia et prudentia :
9that he might make known unto us the sacramentum: mystery, hidden design of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in himself,that he might make knovven vnto vs the sacrament of his vvil, according to his good pleasure, vvhich he purposed in him self,✦ut notum faceret nobis sacramentum voluntatis suæ, secundum beneplacitum ejus, quod proposuit in eo,
10in the dispensation of the fullness of times, to instaurare: re-establish, restore, bring to completion all things in Christ, that are in heaven and in earth, in him.in the dispensation of the fulnes of times, to c perfit al things in Christ, that are in heauen and in earth, in him.✦in dispensatione plenitudinis temporum, instaurare omnia in Christo, quæ in cælis et quæ in terra sunt, in ipso ;
11In whom we also are called by sorte: by allotment, as an inheritance-portion: predestinate according to the purpose of him that worketh all things, according to the counsel of his will:In vvhom vve also are called by lot: predestinate according to the purpose of him that vvorketh al things, according to the counsel of his vvil:✦in quo etiam et nos sorte vocati sumus prædestinati secundum propositum ejus qui operatur omnia secundum consilium voluntatis suæ :
12that we may be unto the praise of his glory, which before have hoped in Christ:that vve may be vnto the praise of his glorie, vvhich before haue hoped in Christ:✦ut simus in laudem gloriæ ejus nos, qui ante speravimus in Christo ;
13in whom you also, when you had heard the word of truth (the Gospel of your salvation:) in which also believing you were signed with the holy Spirit of promise,in vvhom you also, vvhen you had heard the vvord of truth (the Gospel of your saluation:) in vvhich also beleeuing you vvere signed vvith the holy Spirit of promis,✦in quo et vos, cum audissetis verbum veritatis, Evangelium salutis vestræ, in quo et credentes signati estis Spiritu promissionis Sancto,
14which is the pignus: earnest, down-payment, guarantee of our inheritance, to the redemption of acquisitionis: the possession won, purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.vvhich is the pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of acquisition, vnto the praise of his glorie.✦qui est pignus hæreditatis nostræ, in redemptionem acquisitionis, in laudem gloriæ ipsius.
15Therefore I also hearing your faith that is in our Lord Jesus, and love toward all the saints:Therefore I also hearing your faith that is in our Lord IESVS, and loue tovvard al the sainctes:✦Propterea et ego audiens fidem vestram, quæ est in Domino Jesu, et dilectionem in omnes sanctos,
16cease not to give thanks for you, making a memory of you in my prayers,cease not to giue thankes for you, making a memorie of you in my praiers,non cesso gratias agens pro vobis, memoriam vestri faciens in orationibus meis :
17that God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of glory, give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of him,that God of our Lord IESVS Christ, the father of glorie, giue you the spirit of vvisdom and of reuelation, in the knovvledge of him,✦ut Deus, Domini nostri Jesu Christi Pater gloriæ, det vobis spiritum sapientiæ et revelationis in agnitione ejus,
18the eyes of your heart illuminated, that you may know what the hope is of his vocation, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,the eies of your hart illuminated, that you may knovv vvhat the hope is of his vocation, and vvhat are the riches of the glorie of his inheritance in the sainctes,✦illuminatos oculos cordis vestri, ut sciatis quæ sit spes vocationis ejus, et quæ divitiæ gloriæ hæreditatis ejus in sanctis,
19and what is the supereminens: surpassing, exceeding greatness of his power toward us that believe: according to the operation of the might of his power,and vvhat is the passing greatnes of his povver tovvard vs that beleeue: according to the operation of the might of his povver,✦et quæ sit supereminens magnitudo virtutis ejus in nos, qui credimus secundum operationem potentiæ virtutis ejus,
20which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting him on his right hand in celestials,vvhich he vvrought in Christ, raising him vp from the dead, and setting him on his right hand in coelestials,✦quam operatus est in Christo, suscitans illum a mortuis, et constituens ad dexteram suam in cælestibus :
21above all Principality & Potestate & Power, and Domination, and every name that is named not only in this world, but also in that to come.aboue al Principalitie & Potestate & Power, and Domination, and euery name that is named not only in this vvorld, but also in that to come.¶✦supra omnem principatum, et potestatem, et virtutem, et dominationem, et omne nomen, quod nominatur non solum in hoc sæculo, sed etiam in futuro.
22And he hath subdued all things under his feet: and hath made him head over all the Church,And he hath *subdued al things vnder his feete: and hath made him head ouer al the CHVRCH,¶✦Et omnia subjecit sub pedibus ejus : et ipsum dedit caput supra omnem ecclesiam,
23which is his body, the fullness of him which is filled all in all.vvhich is his body, the fulnes of him vvhich is filled al in al.✦quæ est corpus ipsius, et plenitudo ejus, qui omnia in omnibus adimpletur.
Annotationsfrom the original 1582 Rheims New Testament
21All Principality. The Fathers upon this, and other places of the old and new Testament, where they find the orders of holy Angels or spirits named, agree that there be nine orders of them. Of which some be here counted and called, as we see: in the Epistle to the Colossians, the order of Thrones is specified, which maketh five: to which if we add these four, Cherubim, Seraphim, Angels, and Archangels, which are commonly named in holy writ, in all there be nine. St Denis cœl. Hier. c. 7. 8. 9. & Ec. Hier. c. 1. St Athanasius li. de Communi essent. in fine. Gregory Moral. li. 11. c. 13. Therefore, good Reader, make no account of Calvin's and others' infidelity, which blasphemously blame and condemn the holy doctors' diligence in this point, of curiosity and impiety. The whole endeavour of these heretics is, to bring all into doubt, and to corrupt every Article of our Religion.Al Principalitie. The Fathers vpon this, and other places of the old and new Testament, vvhere they finde the orders of holy Angels or spirites named, agree that there be nine orders of them. Of vvhich some be here counted and called, as vve see: in the Epistle to the Colossians, the order of Thrones is specified, vvhich maketh fiue: to vvhich if vve adde these foure, Cherubim, Seraphim, Angels, and Archangels, vvhich are commonly named in holy vvrite, in al there be nine. S. Denys cœl. Hier. c. 7. 8. 9. & Ec. Hier. c. 1. S. Athanas. li. de Communi essent. in fine. Gregor. Moral. li. 11. c. 13. Therfore, good Reader, make no accompt of *Caluins and others infidelitie, vvhich blasphemously blame and condemne the holy doctors diligence in this point, of curiositie and impietie. The vvhole endeuour of these heretikes is, to bring al into doubt, and to corrupt euery Article of our Religion.
22Head. It maketh a high proof among the Protestants, that no man can be head of the Church, because it is a calling and dignity proper to Christ. But in truth by as good reason there should be no king nor lord, because, He is king and lord. neither should there be Bishop or Pastor, because he is, the Bishop and Pastor of our souls: nor Pontifex nor Apostle. for by those titles St Paul termeth him Heb. 3: none should be pillar, foundation, rock, light, or master of the Church or truth, because Christ is properly all these. And yet our new doctors (though they be exceeding seditious and would for the advantage of their sect be gladly rid of kings and all other Superiors temporal, if they feared not the sword more than God, and would find as good Scriptures to be delivered of them, as they now find to discharge themselves of obedience to Popes:) yet (I say) they will not deny, all the former titles and dignities (notwithstanding Christ's sovereign right in the same) to be given and communicated to the Princes and Magistrates of the earth both spiritual and temporal. though Christ in a more divine, ample, absolute, excellent, and transcendent sort, have all these things attributed or appropriated to himself. So then, though he be the head of the Church, and the only head in such sovereign and principal manner, as no earthly man or mere creature ever is or can be, and is joined to the Church in a more excellent sort of conjunction, than any king is to his subjects or Country, or any Pope or Prelate to the Church whereof he is governor, even so far that it is called his body Mystical: life, motion, spirit, grace issuing down from him to it and the members of the same, as from the head to the natural body. though in this sort (we say) no man can be head but Christ, nor the Church be body to any but to Christ: yet the Pope may be the ministerial head, that is to say, the chief Governor, Pastor, and Prelate of the same, and may be his Vicar or Vicegerent in the regiment of that part which is in earth. as St Jerome calleth Damasus the Pope, Summum Sacerdotem, the chief and highest Priest: and the Apostle saith of this ministerial head, The head cannot say to the feet, you are not necessary for me. For therein also is a great difference between Christ and every mortal Prelate, that (as the Apostle here saith) he is head of the whole Church, meaning of the triumphant (& of all Angels also: though in another sort) no less than of the Church militant. So Peter was not, nor any Pope, nor any man can be. Where you must observe, that for this sovereign preeminence of Christ in this case, the Church is not called the body mystical of any Governor, Peter, Paul, or what Prelate or Pope so ever.Head. It maketh a high proofe among the Protestants, that no man can be head of the Church, because it is a calling and dignitie proper to Christ. But in truth by as good reason there should be no king nor lord, because, He is king and lord. neither should there be Bishop or Pastor, because he is, the Bishop and Pastor of our soules: nor Pontifex nor Apostle. for by those titles S. Paul termeth him Hebr. 3: none should be piller, foundation, rocke, light, or maister of the Church or truth, because Christ is properly al these. And yet our new doctors (though they be exceding seditious and vvould for the aduantage of their sect be gladly ridde of kings and al other Superiors temporal, if they feared not the svvord more then God, and vvould finde as good Scriptures to be deliuered of them, as they now finde to discharge them selues of obedience to Popes:) yet (I say) they vvil not deny, al the former titles and dignities (notvvithstanding Christes soueraine right in the same) to be giuen and communicated to the Princes and Magistrates of the earth both spiritual and temporal. though Christ in a more diuine, ample, absolute, excellent, and transcendent sort, haue al these things attributed or appropriated to him self. So then, though he be the head of the Church, and the onely head in such soueraine and principal maner, as no earthly man or mere creature euer is or can be, and is ioyned to the Church in a more excellent sort of coniunction, then any king is to his subiects or Countrie, or any Pope or Prelate to the Church vvhereof he is gouernour, euen so farre that it is called his body Mystical: life, motion, spirit, grace issuing dovvne from him to it and the members of the same, as from the head to the natural body. though in this sort (vve say) no man can be head but Christ, nor the Church be body to any but to Christ: yet the Pope may be the ministerial head, that is to say, the cheefe Gouernour, Pastor, and Prelate of the same, and may be his Vicar or Vicegerent in the regiment of that part vvhich is in earth. as S. Hierom calleth Damasus the Pope, Summum Sacerdotem, the cheefe and highest Priest: and the Apostle saith of this ministerial head, The head can not say to the feete, you are not necessarie for me.* For therein also is a great difference betvvene Christ and euery mortal Prelate, that (as the Apostle here saith) he is head of the vvhole Church, meaning of the triumphant (& of al Angels also: though in an other sort) no lesse then of the Church militant. So Peter vvas not, nor any Pope, nor any man can be. Where you must obserue, that for this soueraine preeminence of Christ in this case, the Church is not called the body mystical of any Gouernour, Peter, Paul, or vvhat Prelate or Pope so euer.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Facsimile available in two scans.