even though I am in chains for the sake of the Name," I am
To THE EPHESIANS
appointment and blessed with every gift, I wish he would stay at my side both for your honor and that of the bishop.
But Crocus, too, a man of God and worthy of you, whom I received as a living example of your affection, has brought relief to me in every way; and I wish that the Father of Jesus
Christ may comfort him in turn, as also Onesimus and Burrus and Euplus and Fronto, in whose persons I saw tokens of the affection of all of you. 2 May you ever be my joy, if indeed
I deserve it! It is therefore proper in every way to glorify Jesus Christ who has glorified you, so that you, fully trained in unanimous submission, may be submissive to the bishop and the presbytery, and thus be sanctified in every respect."
3. I give you no orders as though I were somebody. For, even though I am in chains for the sake of the Name," I am not yet perfected in Jesus Christ. Indeed, I am now but being initiated into discipleship, and I address you as my fellow disciples.** Yes, I ought to be anointed*' by you with faith, encouragement, patient endurance, and __ steadfastness.
2 However, since affection does not permit me to be silent when you are concerned, I am at once taking this opportunity to exhort you to live in harmony with the mind of God.
Surely, Jesus Christ, our inseparable life,* for His part is the mind of the Father, just as the bishops, though appointed throughout the vast, wide earth," represent for their part the mind of Jesus Christ.
4. Hence it is proper for you to act in agreement with the mind of the bishop; and this you do. Certain it is that your presbytery, which is a credit to its name, is a credit to God; for it harmonizes with the bishop as completely as the strings with a harp. This is why in the symphony of your concord and love the praises of Jesus Christ are sung. 2 But you, the