Chapter I.—Praise of the Ephesians.

I have become acquainted with your name, much-beloved in God, which ye have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Jesus Christ our Saviour. Being the followers⁴⁹⁰⁴⁹⁰    Literally, “imitators;” comp. Eph. v. 1. of God, and stirring up⁴⁹¹⁴⁹¹    Comp. in the Greek, 2 Tim. i. 6. yourselves by the blood of God, ye have perfectly accomplished the work which was beseeming to you. For, on hearing that I came bound from Syria for the common name and hope, trusting through your prayers to be permitted to fight with beasts at Rome, that so by martyrdom I may indeed become the disciple of Him “who gave Himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God,”⁴⁹²⁴⁹²    Eph. v. 2. [ye hastened to see me⁴⁹³⁴⁹³    This is wanting in the Greek. ]. I received, therefore,⁴⁹⁴⁴⁹⁴    Literally, “since therefore,” without any apodosis. your whole multitude in the name of God, through Onesimus, a man of inexpressible love,⁴⁹⁵⁴⁹⁵    Or, “unspeakably beloved.” and your bishop in the flesh, whom I pray you by Jesus Christ to love, and that you would all seek to be like him. And blessed be He who has granted unto you, being worthy, to obtain such an excellent bishop.

I have become acquainted with your greatly-desired name in God, which ye have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Christ Jesus our Saviour. Being the followers⁴⁹⁶⁴⁹⁶    Literally, “imitators;” comp. Eph. v. 1. of the love of God towards man, and stirring up⁴⁹⁷⁴⁹⁷    Comp. in the Greek, 2 Tim. i. 6. yourselves by the blood of Christ, you have perfectly accomplished the work which was beseeming to you. For, on hearing that I came bound from Syria for the sake of Christ, our common hope, trusting through your prayers to be permitted to fight with beasts at Rome, that so by martyrdom I may indeed become the disciple of Him “who gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God,”⁴⁹⁸⁴⁹⁸    Eph. v. 2. [ye hastened to see me⁴⁹⁹⁴⁹⁹    This is wanting in the Greek. ]. I have therefore received your whole multitude in the name of God, through Onesimus, a man of inexpressible love,⁵⁰⁰⁵⁰⁰    Or, “unspeakably beloved.” and who is your bishop, whom I pray you by Jesus Christ to love, and that you would all seek to be like him. Blessed be God, who has granted unto you, who are yourselves so excellent, to obtain such an excellent bishop.