The Skeptics Annotated Bible (936 page)

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

(6.11) “See how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.” Paul was proud of his large handwriting.

12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

(6.12-13)
“Many … desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.”
Seems like a strange thing to glory in. But OK.

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
—
Ephesians 5.22

Although Ephesians claims to have been written by Paul to the church in Ephesus (1.1), most scholars think it was written after his death by one of his followers to no one in particular. The writing style, vocabulary, and theological views differ from those of Paul’s undisputed letters (1 Thessalonians, Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Romans, Philippians, and Philemon). But whoever the author was, the letter itself is pretty boring.

Here are the highlights, such as they are.

• We are predestined by God to go to either heaven or hell. None of our thoughts, words, or actions can affect the final outcome.
  1.4-5
  ,
  11
  
• God had his son murdered to keep himself from hurting others for things they didn’t do.
  1.7
  
• Satan is the “prince of the power of the air.”
  2.2
  
• We are all “by nature the children of wrath.”
  2.3
  
• “Be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine.” (Reject the Bible and all religious belief.)
  4.14
  
• “Christ … hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” The bloody death of Jesus smelled good to God.
  5.2
  
• No “unclean person” or “idolater” will inherit the kingdom of God. The wrath of God is on them. Don’t associate with them.
  5.5-7
  
• Wives must submit to their husbands “in every thing” as though they were gods. “For the husband is the head of the wife.”
  5.22-24
  
• Slaves must obey their masters “as unto Christ.”
  6.5
  

1
Paul
, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
to the saints which are at Ephesus
, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

(1.1)
“Paul … to the saints which are at Ephesus”
Although Ephesians claims to have been written by Paul, most scholars think it was written after his death by one of his followers.

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

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

(1.4-5) We are predestined by God to go to either heaven or hell. None of our thoughts, words, or actions can affect the final outcome.
158 Do humans have free will?

4 According as
he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world
, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

(1.4)
“He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.”

5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

(1.5)
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will.”

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom
we have redemption through his blood
, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

(1.7)
“We have redemption through his blood.”
God had his son murdered to keep himself from hurting others for things they didn’t do.

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also
we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

(1.11) “We have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated.”

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,