Chapter 1. Praise of the Ephesians

Chapter 2

1I have become acquainted with your name, much-beloved in God , which you have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Jesus Christ our Saviour . Being the followers of God , and stirring up yourselves by the blood of God , you 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 , Ephesians 5:2 [you hastened to see me ]. I received, therefore, your whole multitude in the name of God , through Onesimus, a man of inexpressible love , 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 .