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Text -- Ephesians 6:14 (NET)

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Context
6:14 Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness,
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Zeal | War | Truth | Temptation | Soldiers | Satan | Sash | LOINS | Justification | EPHESIANS, EPISTLE TO THE | Commandments | Breastplate | BIBLE, THE, I-III INTRODUCTION | Armour | Armor | ARMOR; ARMS | ALLEGORY | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , Defender , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Maclaren , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Eph 6:14 - -- Stand therefore ( stēte oun ). Second aorist active imperative of histēmi (intransitive like the others). Ingressive aorist here, "Take your st...

Stand therefore ( stēte oun ).

Second aorist active imperative of histēmi (intransitive like the others). Ingressive aorist here, "Take your stand therefore"(in view of the arguments made).

Robertson: Eph 6:14 - -- Having girded your loins with truth ( perizōsamenoi tēn osphun humōn en alētheiāi ). First aorist middle participle (antecedent action) of ...

Having girded your loins with truth ( perizōsamenoi tēn osphun humōn en alētheiāi ).

First aorist middle participle (antecedent action) of perizōnnuō , old verb, to gird around, direct middle (gird yourselves) in Luk 12:37; but indirect here with accusative of the thing, "having girded your own loins."So endusamenoi (having put on) is indirect middle participle.

Robertson: Eph 6:14 - -- The breast-plate of righteousness ( ton thōraka tēs dikaiosunēs ). Old word for breast and then for breastplate. Same metaphor of righteousness...

The breast-plate of righteousness ( ton thōraka tēs dikaiosunēs ).

Old word for breast and then for breastplate. Same metaphor of righteousness as breastplate in 1Th 5:8.

Vincent: Eph 6:14 - -- Having your loins girt about ( περιζωσάμενοι τὴν ὀσφὺν ) The verb is middle, not passive. Rev., correctly, having ...

Having your loins girt about ( περιζωσάμενοι τὴν ὀσφὺν )

The verb is middle, not passive. Rev., correctly, having girded . Compare Isa 11:5. The principal terms in this description of the christian armor are taken from the Septuagint of Isaiah.

Vincent: Eph 6:14 - -- Truth ( ἀληθείᾳ ) The state of the heart answering to God's truth; inward, practical acknowledgment of the truth as it is in Him: th...

Truth ( ἀληθείᾳ )

The state of the heart answering to God's truth; inward, practical acknowledgment of the truth as it is in Him: the agreement of our convictions with God's revelation.

The loins encircled by the girdle form the central point of the physical system. Hence, in Scripture, the loins are described as the seat of power. " To smite through the loins" is to strike a fatal blow. " To lay affliction upon the loins" is to afflict heavily. Here was the point of junction for the main pieces of the body-armor, so that the girdle formed the common bond of the whole. Truth gives unity to the different virtues, and determinateness and consistency to character. All the virtues are exercised within the sphere of truth.

Vincent: Eph 6:14 - -- Breastplate of righteousness ( θώρακα τῆς δικαιοσύνης ) Compare Isa 59:17. Righteousness is used here in the sense of...

Breastplate of righteousness ( θώρακα τῆς δικαιοσύνης )

Compare Isa 59:17. Righteousness is used here in the sense of moral rectitude . In 1Th 5:8, the breastplate is described as of faith and love . Homer speaks of light-armed warriors armed with linen corsets; and these were worn to much later times by Asiatic soldiers, and were occasionally adopted by the Romans. Thus Suetonius says of Galba, that on the day on which he was slain by Otho's soldiers, he put on a linen corset, though aware that it would avail little against the enemy's daggers (" Galba," 19). Horn was used for this purpose by some of the barbarous nations. It was cut into small pieces, which were fastened like scales upon linen shirts. Later, the corset of metal scales fastened upon leather or linen, or of flexible bands of steel folding over each other, was introduced. They appear on Roman monuments of the times of the emperors. The Roman spearmen wore cuirasses of chain-mail. Virgil mentions those in which the linked rings were of gold (" Aeneid," iii., 467). The stiff cuirass called στάδιος standing upright , because, when placed upon its lower edge it stood erect, consisted of two parts: the breastplate, made of hard leather, bronze, or iron, and a corresponding plate covering the back. They were connected by leathern straps or metal bands passing over the shoulders and fastened in front, and by hinges on the right side.

The breastplate covers the vital parts, as the heart.

Wesley: Eph 6:14 - -- That ye may be ready for every motion.

That ye may be ready for every motion.

Wesley: Eph 6:14 - -- Not only with the truths of the gospel, but with "truth in the inward parts;" for without this all our knowledge of divine truth will prove but a poor...

Not only with the truths of the gospel, but with "truth in the inward parts;" for without this all our knowledge of divine truth will prove but a poor girdle "in the evil day." So our Lord is described, Isa 11:5. And as a girded man is always ready to go on, so this seems to intimate an obedient heart, a ready will. Our Lord adds to the loins girded, the lights burning, Luk 12:35; showing that watching and ready obedience are the inseparable companions of faith and love.

Wesley: Eph 6:14 - -- The righteousness of a spotless purity, in which Christ will present us faultless before God, through the merit of his own blood. With this breastplat...

The righteousness of a spotless purity, in which Christ will present us faultless before God, through the merit of his own blood. With this breastplate our Lord is described, Isa 59:17. In the breast is the seat of conscience, which is guarded by righteousness. No armour for the back is mentioned. We are always to face our enemies.

JFB: Eph 6:14 - -- The repetition in Eph 6:11, Eph 6:14, shows that standing, that is, maintaining our ground, not yielding or fleeing, is the grand aim of the Christian...

The repetition in Eph 6:11, Eph 6:14, shows that standing, that is, maintaining our ground, not yielding or fleeing, is the grand aim of the Christian soldier. Translate as Greek, "Having girt about your loins with truth," that is, with truthfulness, sincerity, a good conscience (2Co 1:12; 1Ti 1:5, 1Ti 1:18; 1Ti 3:9). Truth is the band that girds up and keeps together the flowing robes, so as that the Christian soldier may be unencumbered for action. So the Passover was eaten with the loins girt, and the shoes on the feet (Exo 12:11; compare Isa 5:27; Luk 12:35). Faithfulness (Septuagint, "truth") is the girdle of Messiah (Isa 11:5) : so truth of His followers.

JFB: Eph 6:14 - -- Greek, "having put on."

Greek, "having put on."

JFB: Eph 6:14 - -- (Isa 59:17), similarly of Messiah. "Righteousness" is here joined with "truth," as in Eph 5:9 : righteousness in works, truth in words [ESTIUS] (1Jo ...

(Isa 59:17), similarly of Messiah. "Righteousness" is here joined with "truth," as in Eph 5:9 : righteousness in works, truth in words [ESTIUS] (1Jo 3:7). Christ's righteousness inwrought in us by the Spirit. "Faith and love," that is, faith working righteousness by love, are "the breastplate" in 1Th 5:8.

Clarke: Eph 6:14 - -- Stand therefore - Prepare yourselves for combat, having your loins girt about with truth. He had told them before to take the whole armor of God, Ep...

Stand therefore - Prepare yourselves for combat, having your loins girt about with truth. He had told them before to take the whole armor of God, Eph 6:13, and to put on this whole armor. Having got all the pieces of it together, and the defensive parts put on, they were then to gird them close to their bodies with the ζωμα or girdle, and instead of a fine ornamented belt, such as the ancient warriors used, they were to have truth. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth of God; unless this be known and conscientiously believed no man can enter the spiritual warfare with any advantage or prospect of success. By this alone we discover who our enemies are, and how they come on to attack us; and by this we know where our strength lies; and, as the truth is great, and must prevail, we are to gird ourselves with this against all false religion, and the various winds of doctrine by which cunning men and insidious devils lie in wait to deceive. Truth may be taken here for sincerity; for if a man be not conscious to himself that his heart is right before God, and that he makes no false pretences to religion, in vain does he enter the spiritual lists. This alone can give him confidence: -

Hic murus aheneus esto

Nil conscire sibi, nulla pallescere culpa

Let this be my brazen wall; that no man can reproach me with a crime, and that I am conscious of my own integrity

The breast-plate of righteousness - What the θωραξ or breast-plate was, see before. The word righteousness, δικαισυνη, we have often had occasion to note, is a word of very extensive import: it signifies the principle of righteousness; it signifies the practice of righteousness, or living a holy life; it signifies God’ s method of justifying sinners; and it signifies justification itself. Here it may imply a consciousness of justification through the blood of the cross; the principle of righteousness or true holiness implanted in the heart; and a holy life, a life regulated according to the testimonies of God. As the breast-plate defends the heart and lungs, and all those vital functionaries that are contained in what is called the region of the thorax; so this righteousness, this life of God in the soul of man, defends every thing on which the man’ s spiritual existence depends. While he possesses this principle, and acts from it, his spiritual and eternal life is secure.

Calvin: Eph 6:14 - -- 14.Stand therefore Now follows a description of the arms which they were enjoined to wear. We must not, however, inquire very minutely into the meani...

14.Stand therefore Now follows a description of the arms which they were enjoined to wear. We must not, however, inquire very minutely into the meaning of each word; for an allusion to military customs is all that was intended. Nothing can be more idle than the extraordinary pains which some have taken to discover the reason why righteousness is made a breastplate, instead of a girdle. Paul’s design was to touch briefly on the most important points required in a Christian, and to adapt them to the comparison which he had already used.

Truth, which means sincerity of mind, is compared to a girdle. Now, a girdle was, in ancient times, one of the most important parts of military armor. Our attention is thus directed to the fountain of sincerity; for the purity of the gospel ought to remove from our minds all guile, and from our hearts all hypocrisy. Secondly, he recommends righteousness, and desires that it should be a breastplate for protecting the breast. Some imagine that this refers to a freely bestowed righteousness, or the imputation of righteousness, by which pardon of sin is obtained. But such matters ought not, I think, to have been mentioned on the present occasion; for the subject now under discussion is a blameless life. He enjoins us to be adorned, first, with integrity, and next with a devout and holy life.

Defender: Eph 6:14 - -- The "whole armour of God" (Eph 6:11, Eph 6:13) involves seven units, all of which are vital if we are to prevail lastingly in the spiritual conflict w...

The "whole armour of God" (Eph 6:11, Eph 6:13) involves seven units, all of which are vital if we are to prevail lastingly in the spiritual conflict with the great enemy of our souls. We must, first of all, be strongly girded about with truth - the Word of God, and all its counsel (Joh 17:17; Act 20:27) - if we hope to stand against the father of lies (Joh 8:44).

Defender: Eph 6:14 - -- The "breastplate of righteousness," protecting the heart and lungs which provide life and breath to carry on the fight, does not cover personal righte...

The "breastplate of righteousness," protecting the heart and lungs which provide life and breath to carry on the fight, does not cover personal righteous behavior (always imperfect at best) but His righteousness, imputed to us and in us (1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:21) through faith by grace and thus eternally impregnable."

TSK: Eph 6:14 - -- having : Eph 5:9; Isa 11:5; Luk 12:35; 2Co 6:7; 1Pe 1:13 the breastplate : The θωραξ [Strong’ s G2382], or breastplate, consisted of two ...

having : Eph 5:9; Isa 11:5; Luk 12:35; 2Co 6:7; 1Pe 1:13

the breastplate : The θωραξ [Strong’ s G2382], or breastplate, consisted of two parts; one of which covered the whole region of the thorax or breast, and the other the back, as far down as the front part extended. Isa 59:17; 1Th 5:8; Rev 9:9, Rev 9:17

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Eph 6:14 - -- Stand therefore - Resist every attack - as a soldier does in battle. In what way they were to do this, and how they were to be armed, the apost...

Stand therefore - Resist every attack - as a soldier does in battle. In what way they were to do this, and how they were to be armed, the apostle proceeds to specify; and in doing it, gives a description of the ancient armor of a soldier.

Having your loins girt about - The "girdle, or sash,"was always with the ancients an important part of their dress, in war as well as in peace. They wore loose, flowing robes; and it became necessary to gird them up when they traveled, or ran, or labored. The girdle was often highly ornamented, and was the place where they carried their money, their sword, their pipe, their writing instruments, etc.; see the notes on Mat 5:38-41. The "girdle"seems sometimes to have been a cincture of iron or steel, and designed to keep every part of the armor in its place, and to gird the soldier on every side.

With truth - It may not be easy to determine with entire accuracy the resemblance between the parts of the armor specified in this description, and the things with which they are compared, or to determine precisely why he compared truth to a girdle, and "righteousness"to a breast-plate, rather than why he should have chosen a different order, and compared righteousness to a girdle, etc. Perhaps in themselves there may have been no special reason for this arrangement, but the object may have been merely to specify the different parts of the armor of a soldier, and to compare them with the weapons which Christians were to use, though the comparison should be made somewhat at random. In some of the cases, however, we can see a particular significancy in the comparisons which are made; and it may not be improper to make suggestions of that kind as we go along. The idea here may be, that as the girdle was the bracer up, or support of the body, so truth is suited to brace us up, and to gird us for constancy and firmness. The girdle kept all the parts of the armor in their proper place, and preserved firmness and consistency in the dress; and so truth might serve to give consistency and firmness to our conduct. "Great,"says Grotius, "is the laxity of falsehood; truth binds the man."Truth preserves a man from those lax views of morals, of duty and of religion, which leave him exposed to every assault. It makes the soul sincere, firm, constant, and always on its guard. A man who has no consistent views of truth, is just the man for the adversary successfully to assail.

And having on the breast-plate - The word rendered here as "breastplate" θώρἀξ thōrax denoted the "cuirass,"Lat.: lorica , or coat of mail; i. e., the armor that covered the body from the neck to the thighs, and consisted of two parts, one covering the front and the other the back. It was made of rings, or in the form of scales, or of plates, so fastened together that they, would be flexible, and yet guard the body from a sword, spear, or arrow. It is referred to in the Scriptures as a "coat of mail"1Sa 17:5; an "habergeon"Neh 4:16, or as a "breast-plate."We are told that Goliath’ s coat of mail weighed five thousand shekels of brass, or nearly one hundred and sixty pounds. It was often formed of plates of brass, laid one upon another, like the scales of a fish. The following cuts will give an idea of this ancient piece of armor.

Of righteousness - Integrity, holiness, purity of life, sincerity of piety. The breast-plate defended the vital parts of the body; and the idea here may be that the integrity of life, and righteousness of character, is as necessary to defend us from the assaults of Satan, as the coat of mail was to preserve the heart from the arrows of an enemy. It was the incorruptible integrity of Job, and, in a higher sense, of the Redeemer himself, that saved them from the temptations of the devil. And it is as true now that no one can successfully meet the power of temptation unless he is righteous, as that a soldier could not defend himself against a foe without such a coat of mail. A want of integrity will leave a man exposed to the assaults of the enemy, just as a man would be whose coat of mail was defective, or some part of which was missing. The king of Israel was smitten by an arrow sent from a bow, drawn at a venture, "between the joints of his harness"or the "breast-plate"(margin), 1Ki 22:34; and many a man who thinks he has on the "Christian"armor is smitten in the same manner. There is some defect of character; some want of incorruptible integrity; some point that is unguarded - and that will be sure to be the point of attack by the foe. So David was tempted to commit the enormous crimes that stain his memory, and Peter to deny his Lord. So Judas was assailed, for the want of the armor of righteousness, through his avarice; and so, by some want of incorruptible integrity in a single point, many a minister of the gospel has been assailed and has fallen. It may be added here, that we need a righteousness which God alone can give; the righteousness of God our Saviour, to make us perfectly invulnerable to all the arrows of the foe.

Poole: Eph 6:14 - -- Stand therefore: standing here (in a different sense from what it was taken in before) seems to imply watchfulness, readiness for the combat, and kee...

Stand therefore: standing here (in a different sense from what it was taken in before) seems to imply watchfulness, readiness for the combat, and keeping our places, both as to our general and particular callings: if soldiers leave their ranks they endanger themselves.

Having your loins girt about with truth: having exhorted to put on the whole armour of God, he descends to the particulars of it, both defensive and offensive. We need not be over curious in inquiring into the reason of the names here given to the several parts of a Christian’ s armour, and the analogy between them and corporal arms, the apostle using these terms promiscuously, 1Th 5:8 , and designing only to show that what bodily arms are to soldiers, that these spiritual arms might be to Christians; yet some reason may be given of these denominations. He begins with the furniture for the loins, the seat of strength, and alludes to the belt or military girdle, which was both for ornament and strength; and so is

truth understood either of the truth of doctrine, or rather, (because that comes in afterward under the title of the sword of the Spirit), of soundness, and sincerity of heart, than which nothing doth more beautify or adorn a Christian. He alludes to Isa 59:17 : see 2Co 1:12 1Ti 1:5,19 .

And having on the breastplate of righteousness righteousness of conversation, consisting both in a resolvedness for good, and repentance for evil done, which is as a breastplate (that piece of armour which covers the whole breast and belly) to a Christian; that resolvedness against sin fencing him against temptation, and the conscience of well-doing against the accusations of men and devils: see 1Co 4:3,4 1Jo 3:7 .

Haydock: Eph 6:14 - -- Your loins....with truth, both as to doctrine and a good life, keeping your baptismal promises. --- Having on the breastplate of justice, not only ...

Your loins....with truth, both as to doctrine and a good life, keeping your baptismal promises. ---

Having on the breastplate of justice, not only of the particular virtue of justice, but of all virtues in general. (Witham)

Gill: Eph 6:14 - -- Stand therefore,.... Keep your ground, do not desert the army, the church of Christ, nor his cause; continue in the station in which you are placed, k...

Stand therefore,.... Keep your ground, do not desert the army, the church of Christ, nor his cause; continue in the station in which you are placed, keep your post, be upon your watch, stand upon your guard:

having your loins girt about with truth; by which is meant the Gospel, and the several doctrines of it; see Eph 1:13; and to have the loins girt with it, shows, that it should be near and close to the saints, and never departed from; and that it is a means of keeping them close to God and Christ, and of strengthening them against the assaults and attacks of Satan; and is of great use in the Christians' spiritual conflict with their enemies; the girdle is a part of armour, and so considerable as sometimes to be put for the whole, Isa 5:27; and here it is mentioned in the first place:

and having on the breastplate of righteousness; in allusion to Isa 59:17, meaning not works of righteousness done by men, though these are a fence when rightly used against the reproaches and charges of the enemy, as they were by Samuel, 1Sa 12:3, but rather the graces of faith and love, 1Th 5:8, though faith has another place in the Christian armour, afterwards mentioned; wherefore it seems best to understand this of the righteousness of Christ, which being imputed by God, and received by faith, is a guard against, and repels the accusations and charges of Satan, and is a security from all wrath and condemnation.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Eph 6:14 Grk “girding your waist with truth.” In this entire section the author is painting a metaphor for his readers based on the attire of a Rom...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Eph 6:1-24 - --1 The duty of children towards their parents;5 of servants towards their masters.10 Our life is a warfare, not only against flesh and blood, but also ...

Maclaren: Eph 6:14 - --The Girdle Of Truth' Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth.'--Eph. 6:14. (R.V.). THE general exhortation here points to the habitual ...

MHCC: Eph 6:10-18 - --Spiritual strength and courage are needed for our spiritual warfare and suffering. Those who would prove themselves to have true grace, must aim at al...

Matthew Henry: Eph 6:10-18 - -- Here is a general exhortation to constancy in our Christian course, and to encourage in our Christian warfare. Is not our life a warfare? It is so; ...

Barclay: Eph 6:10-20 - --As Paul takes leave of his people he thinks of the greatness of the struggle which lies before them. Undoubtedly life was much more terrifying for th...

Constable: Eph 4:1--6:21 - --III. THE CHRISTIAN'S CONDUCT 4:1--6:20 Practical application (chs. 4-6) now follows doctrinal instruction (chs. ...

Constable: Eph 6:10-20 - --B. Spiritual warfare 6:10-20 That this section is distinct from the five that precede it is evident from two facts. Paul introduced it differently, an...

College: Eph 6:1-24 - --EPHESIANS 6 2. Children and Parents (6:1-4) 1 Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother" - which is ...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Ephesians (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Ephesians From Rome a.d. 63 By Way of Introduction There are some problems of a special nature that confront us about the so-...

JFB: Ephesians (Book Introduction) THE headings (Eph 1:1, and Eph 3:1, show that this Epistle claims to be that of Paul. This claim is confirmed by the testimonies of IRENÆUS, [Against...

JFB: Ephesians (Outline) INSCRIPTION: ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH IN THE FATHER'S ETERNAL COUNSEL, AND THE SON'S BLOODSHEDDING: THE SEALING OF IT BY THE SPIRIT. THANKSGIVING AND PRA...

TSK: Ephesians 6 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Eph 6:1, The duty of children towards their parents; Eph 6:5, of servants towards their masters; Eph 6:10, Our life is a warfare, not onl...

Poole: Ephesians 6 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 6

MHCC: Ephesians (Book Introduction) This epistle was written when St. Paul was a prisoner at Rome. The design appears to be to strengthen the Ephesians in the faith of Christ, and to giv...

MHCC: Ephesians 6 (Chapter Introduction) (Eph 6:1-4) The duties of children and parents. (Eph 6:5-9) Of servants and masters. (Eph 6:10-18) All Christians are to put on spiritual armour aga...

Matthew Henry: Ephesians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians Some think that this epistle to the Ephesians was a circular l...

Matthew Henry: Ephesians 6 (Chapter Introduction) In this chapter, I. The apostle proceeds in the exhortation to relative duties which he began in the former, particularly he insists on the duties...

Barclay: Ephesians (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: Ephesians 6 (Chapter Introduction) Children And Parents (Eph_6:1-4) Children And Parents Eph_6:1-4 (Continued) Masters And Slaves (Eph_6:5-9) Masters And Slaves Eph_6:5-9 (Continue...

Constable: Ephesians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background Almost all Christians believed in the Pauline autho...

Constable: Ephesians (Outline) Outline I. Salutation 1:1-2 II. The Christian's calling 1:3-3:21 A. Indi...

Constable: Ephesians Ephesians Bibliography Abbot, T. K. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles to the Ephesians and t...

Haydock: Ephesians (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE EPHESIANS. INTRODUCTION. Ephesus was a famous city, the metropolis of Asia Minor, upon the Ægean...

Gill: Ephesians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS The city of Ephesus is, by Pliny a, called the other light of Asia; Miletus was one, and Ephesus the other: it was the me...

Gill: Ephesians 6 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS 6 In this chapter the apostle goes on with his exhortations to relative and domestic duties, and considers those of child...

College: Ephesians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION We are saved by grace through faith! We do not earn our salvation - it is the gift of God. This is the shocking good news of Ephesians. ...

College: Ephesians (Outline) OUTLINE I. DOCTRINE: God's Plan for Salvation - Eph 1:1-3:21 A. God's Blessings - 1:1-23 1. Salutation - 1:1-2 2. Present Blessings in Ch...

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