1            Acts 18:19-21; 19:1
7            Colossians 1:14
10          Matthew 6:9
20          Psalm 110:1
22-23    Colossians 1:18
22          Psalm 8:6

3-14      Kelley Nikondeha, Adopted, p. 174

3-14      John Michael Talbot, “Ephesians Canticle,” Chant from the Hermitage, track 5
3-14      Lamar Williamson, “The Elect,” God’s Work of Art, p. 60-68
14          Lesslie Newbigin, Mission in Christ’s Way, p. 16-17
15-23    Lamar Williamson, “God’s Poem?” God’s Work of Art, p. 5-11

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are also faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.  5 He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 which he lavished upon us.  9 For he has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of his will, according to his purpose which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fulness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.  11 In him, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory.  13 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power in us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 which he accomplished in Christ when he raised him from the dead and made him sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come; 22 and he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all.

1:1 παυλος αποστολος ιησου χριστου δια θεληματος θεου

τοις αγιοις τοις ουσιν εν εφεσω και πιστοις εν χριστω ιησου

1:2 χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη απο θεου πατρος ημων και κυριου ιησου χριστου

1:3 ευλογητος ο θεος και πατηρ του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου ο ευλογησας ημας εν παση ευλογια πνευματικη εν τοις επουρανιοις εν χριστω 1:4 καθως εξελεξατο ημας εν αυτω προ καταβολης κοσμου ειναι ημας αγιους και αμωμους κατενωπιον αυτου εν αγαπη 1:5 προορισας ημας εις υιοθεσιαν δια ιησου χριστου εις αυτον κατα την ευδοκιαν του θεληματος αυτου 1:6 εις επαινον δοξης της χαριτος αυτου εν η εχαριτωσεν ημας εν τω ηγαπημενω 1:7 εν ω εχομεν την απολυτρωσιν δια του αιματος αυτου την αφεσιν των παραπτωματων κατα τον πλουτον της χαριτος αυτου 1:8 ης επερισσευσεν εις ημας εν παση σοφια και φρονησει 1:9 γνωρισας ημιν το μυστηριον του θεληματος αυτου κατα την ευδοκιαν αυτου ην προεθετο εν αυτω 1:10 εις οικονομιαν του πληρωματος των καιρων ανακεφαλαιωσασθαι τα παντα εν τω χριστω τα επι τοις ουρανοις και τα επι της γης 1:11 1:11 εν αυτω εν ω και εκληρωθημεν προορισθεντες κατα προθεσιν του τα παντα ενεργουντος κατα την βουλην του θεληματος αυτου 1:12 εις το ειναι ημας εις επαινον δοξης αυτου τους προηλπικοτας εν τω χριστω 1:13 εν ω και υμεις ακουσαντες τον λογον της αληθειας το ευαγγελιον της σωτηριας υμων εν ω και πιστευσαντες εσφραγισθητε τω πνευματι της επαγγελιας τω αγιω 1:14 ος εστιν αρραβων της κληρονομιας ημων εις απολυτρωσιν της περιποιησεως εις επαινον της δοξης αυτου

1:15 δια τουτο καγω ακουσας την καθ υμας πιστιν εν τω κυριω ιησου και την αγαπην την εις παντας τους αγιους 1:16 ου παυομαι ευχαριστων υπερ υμων μνειαν υμων ποιουμενος επι των προσευχων μου 1:17 ινα ο θεος του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου ο πατηρ της δοξης δωη υμιν πνευμα σοφιας και αποκαλυψεως εν επιγνωσει αυτου 1:18 πεφωτισμενους τους οφθαλμους της καρδιας υμων εις το ειδεναι υμας τις εστιν η ελπις της κλησεως αυτου και τις ο πλουτος της δοξης της κληρονομιας αυτου εν τοις αγιοις 1:19 και τι το υπερβαλλον μεγεθος της δυναμεως αυτου εις ημας τους πιστευοντας κατα την ενεργειαν του κρατους της ισχυος αυτου 1:20 ην ενηργησεν εν τω χριστω εγειρας αυτον εκ των νεκρων και εκαθισεν εν δεξια αυτου εν τοις επουρανιοις 1:21 υπερανω πασης αρχης και εξουσιας και δυναμεως και κυριοτητος και παντος ονοματος ονομαζομενου ου μονον εν τω αιωνι τουτω αλλα και εν τω μελλοντι 1:22 και παντα υπεταξεν υπο τους ποδας αυτου και αυτον εδωκεν κεφαλην υπερ παντα τη εκκλησια 1:23 ητις εστιν το σωμα αυτου το πληρωμα του τα παντα εν πασιν πληρουμενου

Rainer Maria Rilke, “II,11,” Book of Hours, p. 112

Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 83
Hans-Ruedi Weber, “Liturgy and Life,” Experiments with Bible Study, p. 250
Lamar Williamson, “God’s Poem?” God’s Work of Art, p. 5-11

1-5     Colossians 2:13

8-10    Stanley Hauerwas, “Sin,” Minding the Web, p. 267

8-10    Søren Kierkegaard, Provocations, p. 275 f.

8        Denise Levertov, “The Avowal,” Oblique Prayers, p. 76

8        John Wesley, Fifty-Three Sermons
10       Bachya ibn Pakuda, quoted by Dan Bellm, “Book of Numbers,” Practice, p. 59

10       Walt Whitman, “Preface,” Leaves of Grass

1 And you he made alive, when you were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.  3 Among these we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, following the desires of body and mind, and so we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.  4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God -9 not because of works, lest any man should boast.  10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

2:1 και υμας οντας νεκρους τοις παραπτωμασιν και ταις αμαρτιαις 2:2 εν αις ποτε περιεπατησατε κατα τον αιωνα του κοσμου τουτου κατα τον αρχοντα της εξουσιας του αερος του πνευματος του νυν ενεργουντος εν τοις υιοις της απειθειας 2:3 εν οις και ημεις παντες ανεστραφημεν ποτε εν ταις επιθυμιαις της σαρκος ημων ποιουντες τα θεληματα της σαρκος και των διανοιων και ημεν τεκνα φυσει οργης ως και οι λοιποι 2:4 ο δε θεος πλουσιος ων εν ελεει δια την πολλην αγαπην αυτου ην ηγαπησεν ημας 2:5 και οντας ημας νεκρους τοις παραπτωμασιν συνεζωοποιησεν τω χριστω χαριτι εστε σεσωσμενοι 2:6 και συνηγειρεν και συνεκαθισεν εν τοις επουρανιοις εν χριστω ιησου 2:7 ινα ενδειξηται εν τοις αιωσιν τοις επερχομενοις τον υπερβαλλοντα πλουτον της χαριτος αυτου εν χρηστοτητι εφ ημας εν χριστω ιησου 2:8 τη γαρ χαριτι εστε σεσωσμενοι δια της πιστεως και τουτο ουκ εξ υμων θεου το δωρον 2:9 ουκ εξ εργων ινα μη τις καυχησηται 2:10 αυτου γαρ εσμεν ποιημα κτισθεντες εν χριστω ιησου επι εργοις αγαθοις οις προητοιμασεν ο θεος ινα εν αυτοις περιπατησωμεν

Stanley Hauerwas, “He is Our Peace,” Minding the Web, p. 215-218

John Michael Talbot, “No Longer Strangers,” No Longer Strangers
Imaging the Word, Vol. 3, p. 258

14    Acts 2:39
15    Colossians 2:14
16    Colossians 1:20
17    Isaiah 57:19; John 20:19-21

11-19    Lamar Williamson, “The Commonwealth of Israel,” God’s Work of Art, p. 32-44
11-16    John Howard Yoder, “Justification of Grace Through Faith,” The Politics of Jesus, p. 223
11-12    Walker Percy, Lost in the Cosmos, p. 244 f.

13-15     Jean Vanier, “To Live in Unity” We Need Each Other, p. 57-72
14-19    Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 290
14-18    Marcus Barth, The Broken Wall, p. 139 (?)

20-22    Lamar Williamson, “A Sacred Temple,” God’s Work of Art, p. 47-58
21-22    Martin Buber, I and You, p. 89

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands -12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ.  14 For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby bringing the hostility to an end.  17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.  19 So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

2:11 διο μνημονευετε οτι υμεις ποτε τα εθνη εν σαρκι οι λεγομενοι ακροβυστια υπο της λεγομενης περιτομης εν σαρκι χειροποιητου 2:12 οτι ητε εν τω καιρω εκεινω χωρις χριστου απηλλοτριωμενοι της πολιτειας του ισραηλ και ξενοι των διαθηκων της επαγγελιας ελπιδα μη εχοντες και αθεοι εν τω κοσμω 2:13 νυνι δε εν χριστω ιησου υμεις οι ποτε οντες μακραν εγγυς εγενηθητε εν τω αιματι του χριστου 2:14 αυτος γαρ εστιν η ειρηνη ημων ο ποιησας τα αμφοτερα εν και το μεσοτοιχον του φραγμου λυσας 2:15 την εχθραν εν τη σαρκι αυτου τον νομον των εντολων εν δογμασιν καταργησας ινα τους δυο κτιση εν εαυτω εις ενα καινον ανθρωπον ποιων ειρηνην 2:16 και αποκαταλλαξη τους αμφοτερους εν ενι σωματι τω θεω δια του σταυρου αποκτεινας την εχθραν εν αυτω 2:17 και ελθων ευηγγελισατο ειρηνην υμιν τοις μακραν και τοις εγγυς 2:18 οτι δι αυτου εχομεν την προσαγωγην οι αμφοτεροι εν ενι πνευματι προς τον πατερα 2:19 αρα ουν ουκετι εστε ξενοι και παροικοι αλλα συμπολιται των αγιων και οικειοι του θεου 2:20 εποικοδομηθεντες επι τω θεμελιω των αποστολων και προφητων οντος ακρογωνιαιου αυτου ιησου χριστου 2:21 εν ω πασα οικοδομη συναρμολογουμενη αυξει εις ναον αγιον εν κυριω 2:22 εν ω και υμεις συνοικοδομεισθε εις κατοικητηριον του θεου εν πνευματι

1         Philippians 1:13
4-6     Colossians 1:26-27
15       Isaiah 43:7

6             Francis Patrick Sullivan, “The Magi Mural,” A Time To Sow, p. 38
14-20    Carla De Sola, The Spirit Moves, p. 110
14-19    H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 17 f.

1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles -2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.  4 When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace which was given me by the working of his power.  8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.  11 This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and confidence of access through our faith in him.  13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.

20 Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

3:1 τουτου χαριν εγω παυλος ο δεσμιος του χριστου ιησου υπερ υμων των εθνων 3:2 ειγε ηκουσατε την οικονομιαν της χαριτος του θεου της δοθεισης μοι εις υμας 3:3 οτι κατα αποκαλυψιν εγνωρισεν μοι το μυστηριον καθως προεγραψα εν ολιγω 3:4 προς ο δυνασθε αναγινωσκοντες νοησαι την συνεσιν μου εν τω μυστηριω του χριστου 3:5 ο ετεραις γενεαις ουκ εγνωρισθη τοις υιοις των ανθρωπων ως νυν απεκαλυφθη τοις αγιοις αποστολοις αυτου και προφηταις εν πνευματι 3:6 ειναι τα εθνη συγκληρονομα και συσσωμα και συμμετοχα της επαγγελιας αυτου εν τω χριστω δια του ευαγγελιου

3:7 ου εγενομην διακονος κατα την δωρεαν της χαριτος του θεου την δοθεισαν μοι κατα την ενεργειαν της δυναμεως αυτου 3:8 εμοι τω ελαχιστοτερω παντων αγιων εδοθη η χαρις αυτη εν τοις εθνεσιν ευαγγελισασθαι τον ανεξιχνιαστον πλουτον του χριστου 3:9 και φωτισαι παντας τις η οικονομια του μυστηριου του αποκεκρυμμενου απο των αιωνων εν τω θεω τω τα παντα κτισαντι δια ιησου χριστου 3:10 ινα γνωρισθη νυν ταις αρχαις και ταις εξουσιαις εν τοις επουρανιοις δια της εκκλησιας η πολυποικιλος σοφια του θεου 3:11 κατα προθεσιν των αιωνων ην εποιησεν εν χριστω ιησου τω κυριω ημων 3:12 εν ω εχομεν την παρρησιαν και την προσαγωγην εν πεποιθησει δια της πιστεως αυτου 3:13 διο αιτουμαι μη εκκακειν εν ταις θλιψεσιν μου υπερ υμων ητις εστιν δοξα υμων

3:14 τουτου χαριν καμπτω τα γονατα μου προς τον πατερα του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου 3:15 εξ ου πασα πατρια εν ουρανοις και επι γης ονομαζεται 3:16 ινα δωη υμιν κατα τον πλουτον της δοξης αυτου δυναμει κραταιωθηναι δια του πνευματος αυτου εις τον εσω ανθρωπον 3:17 κατοικησαι τον χριστον δια της πιστεως εν ταις καρδιαις υμων 3:18 εν αγαπη ερριζωμενοι και τεθεμελιωμενοι ινα εξισχυσητε καταλαβεσθαι συν πασιν τοις αγιοις τι το πλατος και μηκος και βαθος και υψος 3:19 γνωναι τε την υπερβαλλουσαν της γνωσεως αγαπην του χριστου ινα πληρωθητε εις παν το πληρωμα του θεου

3:20 τω δε δυναμενω υπερ παντα ποιησαι υπερ εκ περισσου ων αιτουμεθα η νοουμεν κατα την δυναμιν την ενεργουμενην εν ημιν 3:21 αυτω η δοξα εν τη εκκλησια εν χριστω ιησου εις πασας τας γενεας του αιωνος των αιωνων αμην

Lamar Williamson, God’s Work of Art, p. 12-21

2        Colossians 3:12-13
4-6    Deuteronomy 6:4
8        Psalm 68:18; Jeremiah 15:2
14      James 1:6
16      Colossians 2:19

6            Meister Eckhart, “German Sermons,” Preacher and Teacher, p. 280-283
7            Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water, p. 79

11-16    Dan Damon, “Together We Serve,” The Sound of Welcome, p. 18
14-16    Imaging the Word, Vol. 3, p. 266
15-16    Flora Slosson Wuellner, Prayer and Our Bodies, p. 105 f.

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.

7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  8 Therefore it is said, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”  9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?  10 He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)  11 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.  15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.

4:1 παρακαλω ουν υμας εγω ο δεσμιος εν κυριω αξιως περιπατησαι της κλησεως ης εκληθητε 4:2 μετα πασης ταπεινοφροσυνης και πραοτητος μετα μακροθυμιας ανεχομενοι αλληλων εν αγαπη 4:3 σπουδαζοντες τηρειν την ενοτητα του πνευματος εν τω συνδεσμω της ειρηνης 4:4 εν σωμα και εν πνευμα καθως και εκληθητε εν μια ελπιδι της κλησεως υμων 4:5 εις κυριος μια πιστις εν βαπτισμα 4:6 εις θεος και πατηρ παντων ο επι παντων και δια παντων και εν πασιν ημιν

4:7 ενι δε εκαστω ημων εδοθη η χαρις κατα το μετρον της δωρεας του χριστου 4:8 διο λεγει αναβας εις υψος ηχμαλωτευσεν αιχμαλωσιαν και εδωκεν δοματα τοις ανθρωποις 4:9 το δε ανεβη τι εστιν ει μη οτι και κατεβη πρωτον εις τα κατωτερα μερη της γης 4:10 ο καταβας αυτος εστιν και ο αναβας υπερανω παντων των ουρανων ινα πληρωση τα παντα 4:11 και αυτος εδωκεν τους μεν αποστολους τους δε προφητας τους δε ευαγγελιστας τους δε ποιμενας και διδασκαλους 4:12 προς τον καταρτισμον των αγιων εις εργον διακονιας εις οικοδομην του σωματος του χριστου 4:13 μεχρι καταντησωμεν οι παντες εις την ενοτητα της πιστεως και της επιγνωσεως του υιου του θεου εις ανδρα τελειον εις μετρον ηλικιας του πληρωματος του χριστου 4:14 ινα μηκετι ωμεν νηπιοι κλυδωνιζομενοι και περιφερομενοι παντι ανεμω της διδασκαλιας εν τη κυβεια των ανθρωπων εν πανουργια προς την μεθοδειαν της πλανης 4:15 αληθευοντες δε εν αγαπη αυξησωμεν εις αυτον τα παντα ος εστιν η κεφαλη ο χριστος 4:16 εξ ου παν το σωμα συναρμολογουμενον και συμβιβαζομενον δια πασης αφης της επιχορηγιας κατ ενεργειαν εν μετρω ενος εκαστου μερους την αυξησιν του σωματος ποιειται εις οικοδομην εαυτου εν αγαπη

22-24    Romans 12:2
22          Colossians 3:9
24          Genesis 1:26; Colossians 3:10

18    Horace Bushnell, Sermons, p. 205

17 Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; 18 they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart; 19 they have become callous and have given themselves up to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of uncleanness.  20 You did not so learn Christ! -21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus.  22 Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

4:17 τουτο ουν λεγω και μαρτυρομαι εν κυριω μηκετι υμας περιπατειν καθως και τα λοιπα εθνη περιπατει εν ματαιοτητι του νοος αυτων 4:18 εσκοτισμενοι τη διανοια οντες απηλλοτριωμενοι της ζωης του θεου δια την αγνοιαν την ουσαν εν αυτοις δια την πωρωσιν της καρδιας αυτων 4:19 οιτινες απηλγηκοτες εαυτους παρεδωκαν τη ασελγεια εις εργασιαν ακαθαρσιας πασης εν πλεονεξια 4:20 υμεις δε ουχ ουτως εμαθετε τον χριστον 4:21 ειγε αυτον ηκουσατε και εν αυτω εδιδαχθητε καθως εστιν αληθεια εν τω ιησου 4:22 αποθεσθαι υμας κατα την προτεραν αναστροφην τον παλαιον ανθρωπον τον φθειρομενον κατα τας επιθυμιας της απατης 4:23 ανανεουσθαι δε τω πνευματι του νοος υμων 4:24 και ενδυσασθαι τον καινον ανθρωπον τον κατα θεον κτισθεντα εν δικαιοσυνη και οσιοτητι της αληθειας

25     Zechariah 8:16
26     Psalm 4:4
28     Leviticus 19:9-10; Acts 20:35
30     Isaiah 63:10
32     Colossians 3:13

26     Elizabeth O’Connor, Journey Inward, Journey Outward, p. 25

26    Gary Snyder, No Nature, p. 216

28    Wendell Berry, “A Defense of the Family Farm,” Home Economics, p. 173

28     Gordon S. Wood, “Reinventing American Capitalism,” New York Review of Books (June 9, 1994), p. 48

28    George Herbert, “Grieve not the Holy Spirit,” Selected Poetry, p. 192 f.

25 Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.  26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.  28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.  29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

4:25 διο αποθεμενοι το ψευδος λαλειτε αληθειαν εκαστος μετα του πλησιον αυτου οτι εσμεν αλληλων μελη 4:26 οργιζεσθε και μη αμαρτανετε ο ηλιος μη επιδυετω επι τω παροργισμω υμων 4:27 μηδε διδοτε τοπον τω διαβολω 4:28 ο κλεπτων μηκετι κλεπτετω μαλλον δε κοπιατω εργαζομενος το αγαθον ταις χερσιν ινα εχη μεταδιδοναι τω χρειαν εχοντι 4:29 πας λογος σαπρος εκ του στοματος υμων μη εκπορευεσθω αλλ ει τις αγαθος προς οικοδομην της χρειας ινα δω χαριν τοις ακουουσιν 4:30 και μη λυπειτε το πνευμα το αγιον του θεου εν ω εσφραγισθητε εις ημεραν απολυτρωσεως 4:31 πασα πικρια και θυμος και οργη και κραυγη και βλασφημια αρθητω αφ υμων συν παση κακια 4:32 γινεσθε δε εις αλληλους χρηστοι ευσπλαγχνοι χαριζομενοι εαυτοις καθως και ο θεος εν χριστω εχαρισατο ημιν

2            Exodus 29:18; Psalm 40:6
14           Isaiah 26:19; 60:1
15-16    Psalm 90:12
16           Colossians 4:5
19-20    Colossians 3:16-17

14          John Wesley, “Awake Thou That Sleepest,” Fifty-Three Sermons, p. 39-52
14          Flora Slosson Wuellner, Prayer and Our Bodies, p. 106 f.
15-21    Helmut Thielicke, “The Business of Spiritual Training,” Faith: The Great Adventure, p. 2-10
15-17    Wendell Berry, “The Sorrel Filly,” Collected Poems, p. 139

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.  2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But fornication and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints.  4 Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving.  5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  7 Therefore do not associate with them, 8 for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.  11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.  12 For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; 13 but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.  14 Therefore it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.”

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.  17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, 20 always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

5:1 γινεσθε ουν μιμηται του θεου ως τεκνα αγαπητα 5:2 και περιπατειτε εν αγαπη καθως και ο χριστος ηγαπησεν ημας και παρεδωκεν εαυτον υπερ ημων προσφοραν και θυσιαν τω θεω εις οσμην ευωδιας

5:3 πορνεια δε και πασα ακαθαρσια η πλεονεξια μηδε ονομαζεσθω εν υμιν καθως πρεπει αγιοις 5:4 και αισχροτης και μωρολογια η ευτραπελια τα ουκ ανηκοντα αλλα μαλλον ευχαριστια 5:5 τουτο γαρ εστε γινωσκοντες οτι πας πορνος η ακαθαρτος η πλεονεκτης ος εστιν ειδωλολατρης ουκ εχει κληρονομιαν εν τη βασιλεια του χριστου και θεου

5:6 μηδεις υμας απατατω κενοις λογοις δια ταυτα γαρ ερχεται η οργη του θεου επι τους υιους της απειθειας 5:7 μη ουν γινεσθε συμμετοχοι αυτων 5:8 ητε γαρ ποτε σκοτος νυν δε φως εν κυριω ως τεκνα φωτος περιπατειτε 5:9 ο γαρ καρπος του πνευματος εν παση αγαθωσυνη και δικαιοσυνη και αληθεια 5:10 δοκιμαζοντες τι εστιν ευαρεστον τω κυριω 5:11 και μη συγκοινωνειτε τοις εργοις τοις ακαρποις του σκοτους μαλλον δε και ελεγχετε 5:12 τα γαρ κρυφη γινομενα υπ αυτων αισχρον εστιν και λεγειν 5:13 τα δε παντα ελεγχομενα υπο του φωτος φανερουται παν γαρ το φανερουμενον φως εστιν 5:14 διο λεγει εγειρε ο καθευδων και αναστα εκ των νεκρων και επιφαυσει σοι ο χριστος

5:15 βλεπετε ουν πως ακριβως περιπατειτε μη ως ασοφοι αλλ ως σοφοι 5:16 εξαγοραζομενοι τον καιρον οτι αι ημεραι πονηραι εισιν 5:17 δια τουτο μη γινεσθε αφρονες αλλα συνιεντες τι το θελημα του κυριου 5:18 και μη μεθυσκεσθε οινω εν ω εστιν ασωτια αλλα πληρουσθε εν πνευματι 5:19 λαλουντες εαυτοις ψαλμοις και υμνοις και ωδαις πνευματικαις αδοντες και ψαλλοντες εν τη καρδια υμων τω κυριω 5:20 ευχαριστουντες παντοτε υπερ παντων εν ονοματι του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου τω θεω και πατρι

John Dominic Crossan, “Unequal in the Family,” In Search of Paul, p. 116-118
Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 292
Lamar Williamson, “The Bride of Christ,” God’s Work of Art, p. 22-30
John Howard Yoder, “Revolutionary Subordination,” The Politics of Jesus, p. 164

22    Colossians 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1
25    Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7
28    Matthew 22:39
31    Genesis 2:24

25           Jaroslav Pelikan, The Illustrated Jesus through the Centuries, p. 134
29-30    Blaise Pascal, “# 483,” Pensees, p. 134

21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord.  23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.  24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.  28 Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  29 For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body.  31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”  32 This mystery is a profound one, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church; 33 however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

5:21 υποτασσομενοι αλληλοις εν φοβω χριστου

5:22 αι γυναικες τοις ιδιοις ανδρασιν υποτασσεσθε ως τω κυριω 5:23 οτι ανηρ εστιν κεφαλη της γυναικος ως και ο χριστος κεφαλη της εκκλησιας και αυτος εστιν σωτηρ του σωματος 5:24 αλλ ωσπερ η εκκλησια υποτασσεται τω χριστω ουτως και αι γυναικες τοις ιδιοις ανδρασιν εν παντι

5:25 οι ανδρες αγαπατε τας γυναικας εαυτων καθως και ο χριστος ηγαπησεν την εκκλησιαν και εαυτον παρεδωκεν υπερ αυτης 5:26 ινα αυτην αγιαση καθαρισας τω λουτρω του υδατος εν ρηματι 5:27 ινα παραστηση αυτην εαυτω ενδοξον την εκκλησιαν μη εχουσαν σπιλον η ρυτιδα η τι των τοιουτων αλλ ινα η αγια και αμωμος 5:28 ουτως οφειλουσιν οι ανδρες αγαπαν τας εαυτων γυναικας ως τα εαυτων σωματα ο αγαπων την εαυτου γυναικα εαυτον αγαπα 5:29 ουδεις γαρ ποτε την εαυτου σαρκα εμισησεν αλλ εκτρεφει και θαλπει αυτην καθως και ο κυριος την εκκλησιαν 5:30 οτι μελη εσμεν του σωματος αυτου εκ της σαρκος αυτου και εκ των οστεων αυτου 5:31 αντι τουτου καταλειψει ανθρωπος τον πατερα αυτου και την μητερα και προσκολληθησεται προς την γυναικα αυτου και εσονται οι δυο εις σαρκα μιαν 5:32 το μυστηριον τουτο μεγα εστιν εγω δε λεγω εις χριστον και εις την εκκλησιαν 5:33 πλην και υμεις οι καθ ενα εκαστος την εαυτου γυναικα ουτως αγαπατω ως εαυτον η δε γυνη ινα φοβηται τον ανδρα

John Dominic Crossan, “Unequal in the Family,” In Search of Paul, p. 116-118 John
Howard Yoder, “Revolutionary Subordination,” The Politics of Jesus, p. 164

1         Colossians 3:20
2-3    Exodus 20:11; Deuteronomy 5:16
4-8    Colossians 3:21-25
9        Colossians 3:25–4:1; Deuteronomy 10:17

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.”

4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as to Christ; 6 not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as servantsf of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good any one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

9 Masters, do the same to them, and forbear threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

6:1 τα τεκνα υπακουετε τοις γονευσιν υμων εν κυριω τουτο γαρ εστιν δικαιον 6:2 τιμα τον πατερα σου και την μητερα ητις εστιν εντολη πρωτη εν επαγγελια 6:3 ινα ευ σοι γενηται και εση μακροχρονιος επι της γης

6:4 και οι πατερες μη παροργιζετε τα τεκνα υμων αλλ εκτρεφετε αυτα εν παιδεια και νουθεσια κυριου

6:5 οι δουλοι υπακουετε τοις κυριοις κατα σαρκα μετα φοβου και τρομου εν απλοτητι της καρδιας υμων ως τω χριστω 6:6 μη κατ οφθαλμοδουλειαν ως ανθρωπαρεσκοι αλλ ως δουλοι του χριστου ποιουντες το θελημα του θεου εκ ψυχης 6:7 μετ ευνοιας δουλευοντες αβτω κυριω και ουκ ανθρωποις 6:8 ειδοτες οτι ο εαν τι εκαστος ποιηση αγαθον τουτο κομιειται παρα του κυριου ειτε δουλος ειτε ελευθερος

6:9 και οι κυριοι τα αυτα ποιειτε προς αυτους ανιεντες την απειλην ειδοτες οτι και υμων αυτων ο κυριος εστιν εν ουρανοις και προσωποληψια ουκ εστιν παρ αυτω

14          Isaiah 11:5, 59:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8
15          Isaiah 52:7
16          Psalm 7:10-13
21-22    Colossians 4:7-8

10-18    Frederick Buechner, “The Two Battles,” The Magnificient Defeat, p. 36-43
10-18    H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 180 f.
10-17    Meister Eckhart, “Latin Sermons,” Preacher and Teacher, p. 227-233
12-13    Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 293
12          David Dark, The Sacredness of Questioning Everything, p. 213

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; 16 besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.  17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 Now that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tych’icus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.  22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage 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 who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love undying.

6:10 το λοιπον αδελφοι μου ενδυναμουσθε εν κυριω και εν τω κρατει της ισχυος αυτου 6:11 ενδυσασθε την πανοπλιαν του θεου προς το δυνασθαι υμας στηναι προς τας μεθοδειας του διαβολου 6:12 οτι ουκ εστιν ημιν η παλη προς αιμα και σαρκα αλλα προς τας αρχας προς τας εξουσιας προς τους κοσμοκρατορας του σκοτους του αιωνος τουτου προς τα πνευματικα της πονηριας εν τοις επουρανιοις 6:13 δια τουτο αναλαβετε την πανοπλιαν του θεου ινα δυνηθητε αντιστηναι εν τη ημερα τη πονηρα και απαντα κατεργασαμενοι στηναι 6:14 στητε ουν περιζωσαμενοι την οσφυν υμων εν αληθεια και ενδυσαμενοι τον θωρακα της δικαιοσυνης 6:15 και υποδησαμενοι τους ποδας εν ετοιμασια του ευαγγελιου της ειρηνης 6:16 επι πασιν αναλαβοντες τον θυρεον της πιστεως εν ω δυνησεσθε παντα τα βελη του πονηρου τα πεπυρωμενα σβεσαι 6:17 και την περικεφαλαιαν του σωτηριου δεξασθαι και την μαχαιραν του πνευματος ο εστιν ρημα θεου

6:18 δια πασης προσευχης και δεησεως προσευχομενοι εν παντι καιρω εν πνευματι και εις αυτο τουτο αγρυπνουντες εν παση προσκαρτερησει και δεησει περι παντων των αγιων 6:19 και υπερ εμου ινα μοι δοθη λογος εν ανοιξει του στοματος μου εν παρρησια γνωρισαι το μυστηριον του ευαγγελιου 6:20 υπερ ου πρεσβευω εν αλυσει ινα εν αυτω παρρησιασωμαι ως δει με λαλησαι

6:21 ινα δε ειδητε και υμεις τα κατ εμε τι πρασσω παντα υμιν γνωρισει τυχικος ο αγαπητος αδελφος και πιστος διακονος εν κυριω 6:22 ον επεμψα προς υμας εις αυτο τουτο ινα γνωτε τα περι ημων και παρακαλεση τας καρδιας υμων

6:23 ειρηνη τοις αδελφοις και αγαπη μετα πιστεως απο θεου πατρος και κυριου ιησου χριστου 6:24 η χαρις μετα παντων των αγαπωντων τον κυριον ημων ιησουν χριστον εν αφθαρσια β