The entirety of The Gospel of the Lord by Marcion is presented below. The text is based on "The Gospel of the Lord" by James Hamlyn Hill (1891), which made use of the 1823 reconstruction by August Hahn. This current version is further revised by Daniel Mahar to reflect the reconstruction done by Theodor Zahn ("Geschichte des n.t. Kanons", vol.II., 1888), which places in doubt some of the material Hahn and Hill allowed into their versions. Also here are all the reconstructed Marcion Pauline epistles. Just click on the download button!
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You can also read these texts at: http://www.marcionite-scripture.info/Marcionite_Bible.htm
Seen above is the page from the Codex Sinaiticus which clearly shows that the word "Ephesians" was written into the text of what was once supposedly called Paul's Epistle to the Laodiceans. Tampering of New Testament texts did occur!
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE LAODICEANS TRANSCRIBED BY MARCIONIt is well known that the words "at Ephesus" (Ephesians 1:1) in the inscription of the epistle are very doubtful. The Revised Version (British and American) reads in the margin, "Some very ancient authorites omit `at Ephesus.'" Among the authorities which omit "at Ephesus" are the Vatican and Sinaitic manuscripts, the best and most ancient authorities existing. It is interesting to observe how some Latin manuscripts state: "You must know that the epistle which we have as that written to the Ephesians, the heretics, and especially the Marcionites, entitle the Epistle to the Laodiceans."
The Laodiceans are Asians. They persisted in the faith after the word of truth was accepted. The apostle praises them, writing to them from the city of Rome, from prison, through Tychicus the deacon.
CHAPTER ONE 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of GOD, to the saints that are at Laodicea, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from GOD our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ: 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: 5 having foreordained us unto adoption as children through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: 7 in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to that good pleasure, which GOD hath purposed in the mystery of his will, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might sum up all things in Christ, both which are in the heavens and which are on earth. 11 In him also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; 12 to the end 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; in whom ye believed, and were sealed with the spirit of promise, 14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God’s own possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show for all the saints, 16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the GOD of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; 18 The eyes of your understanding having been enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and the riches of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 20 which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him out from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand, 21 putting all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, 22 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. CHAPTER TWO 1 And ye were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 wherein ye had walked in accord with the reality of the world system, the power of human-rule, the spirit now operating in the children of those in obstinate opposition to divine will; 3 among whom we also all once lived in the passions of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But GOD, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ, 6 and raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavens, in Christ Jesus: 7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: 8 for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of GOD; 9 not of works, that no one should glory. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God afore prepared that we should walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye were once the Gentiles, called uncircumcision by that which has the name of circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants and their promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ, ye who were once afar off are made nigh by his blood. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and the middle wall has been broken down; 15 having nullified the enmity in the flesh, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; 16 that He might reconcile both in one body unto God, having slain therein the enmity through the cross: 17 and he came and preached peace to them that were near and to them which were afar off: 18 for through him we both have our access unto the Father. 19 So then ye are now no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone; 21 in whom each several building, fitly framed together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the spirit. CHAPTER THREE 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles, 2 if indeed ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of GOD which was given to for you; 3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, 4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; 5 which in other generations was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the spirit; 6 to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of GOD which was given me, according to the working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, 9 to enlighten all as to what was the fellowship of the mystery, which has been hidden from the ages; hidden from God, that is, the one who created all things; 10 in order that, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God might now be revealed unto the powers and spiritual- sovereigns, in the heavens, 11 according to the purpose of the ages which he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him. 13 Wherefore I ask that ye be not despondent at my tribulations for you, which are your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father, 15 from whom every family in the heavens and on earth is named, 16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with power through his spirit in the inward being; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, having been rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fullness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen. CHAPTER FOUR 1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, 2 with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. 4 One body, one spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one GOD and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all. 7 But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore the saying, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 Now this, ‘he ascended’, what is it but that he also ‘descended’ into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 11 And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ: 13 till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of GOD, unto a full grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 14 that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ; 16 from whom all the body fitly framed and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in due measure of each several part, causes the growth of the body unto the building up of itself in love. 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; 19 who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye did not so learn of Christ; 21 if indeed ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: 22 that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxes corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. 25 Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry and sin not, let not the sun go down upon your wrath, 27 nor give place to the adversary. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him that hath need. 29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. 30 And grieve not the spirit, the holy one of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 and be ye good one to another, tenderhearted, dealing graciously among each other, even as God also in Christ deals graciously with you. CHAPTER FIVE 1 Be ye therefore imitators of God in Christ, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, ‘an offering and a sacrifice’ to God for ‘an odor of a sweet smell’. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; 4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous person, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon those in obstinate opposition to divine will. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them; 8 For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, 10 proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord; 11 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; 12 for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of. 13 But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light. 14 Wherefore the saying, Awake, you sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. 15 Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the spirit; 19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to him who is GOD, even the Father. 21 Subject yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ. 22 Wives ought to be in subjection to their husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, being himself the savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, for he who loves his wife, loves his own flesh, even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself up for it; 26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, 27 that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself: 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the church. 31 Corresponding to her shall a man leave his father and his mother, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This mystery is great: But I am speaking, of Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she fear her husband. CHAPTER SIX 1 Children should obey their parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honor thy father and mother, 3 that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. 4 And, ye Parents, bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 5 Servants, be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 not in the way of eye service, as person-pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 with good will doing service, as unto the Lord, and not unto men: 8 knowing that whatsoever good thing each one doeth, the same shall he receive again from the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in the heavens, and there is no respect of persons with him. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the adversary. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the archons and spiritual-sovereigns, against the system-holders of the darkness of this age, against the wicked spiritual hosts in the heavens. 13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God: 18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, 19 And on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, making known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, how I do, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 22 whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from GOD the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible. |
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE LAODICEANS FROM THE VULGATEFor centuries some Western Latin Bibles used to contain a small Epistle from Paul to the Laodiceans. The oldest known Bible copy of this epistle is in a Fulda manuscript written for Victor of Capua in 546. It is mentioned by various writers from the fourth century onwards, notably by Pope Gregory the Great, to whose influence may ultimately be due the frequent occurrence of it in Bibles written in England; for it is more common in English Bibles than in others. John Wycliffe included Paul's letter to the Laodiceans in his Bible translation from the Latin to English. However this epistle is not without controversy because there is no evidence of a Greek text.
1 Paul an Apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, to the brethren which are at Laodicea.
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank Christ in every prayer of mine, that you may continue and persevere in good works, looking for that which is promised in the day of judgment. 4 Do not be troubled by the vain speeches of anyone who perverts the truth, that they may draw you aside from the truth of the Gospel which I have preached. 5 And now may God grant that my converts may attain to a perfect knowledge of the truth of the Gospel, be beneficent, and doing good works which accompany salvation. 6 And now my bonds, which I suffer in Christ, are manifest, in which I rejoice and am glad. 7 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation forever, which shall be through your prayer and the supply of the Holy Spirit. 8 Whether I live or die, to me to live shall be a life to Christ, to die will be joy. 9 And our Lord will grant us his mercy, that you may have the same love, and be like-minded. 10 Wherefore, my beloved, as you have heard of the coming of the Lord, so think and act reverently, and it shall be to you life eternal; 11 For it is God who is working in you; 12 And do all things without sin. 13 And what is best, my beloved; rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ, and avoid all filthy lucre. 14 Let all your requests by made known to God, and be steady in the doctrine of Christ. 15 And whatever things are sound and true, and of good report, and chaste, and just, and lovely, these things do. 16 Those things which you have heard and received, think on these things, and peace shall be with you. 17 All the saints salute you. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. 19 Cause this Epistle to be read to the Colossians, and the Epistle of the Colossians to be read among you. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE ALEXANDRIANSTheologian Theodor Zahn believed himself to have found a fragment of the Epistle to the Alexandrians in the shape of a lesson – a liturgical Epistle – in the (eighth century) Sacramentary and Lectionary of Bobbio (Paris Bib cat., Lat. 13246). It is headed Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Colossians, but it is not from that letter or any other.
1 Brethren, we that are under the power of the Lord ought to keep the commandments of God.
2 Those who keep the precepts of the Lord have eternal life, and they that deny His commandments bring upon themselves ruin and guide their own path to the second death. 3 Now the precepts of the Lord are these: do not swear falsely, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not bear false witness, do not take gifts against the truth, nor be bribed for power. 4 Whoever has power and denies the truth will be denied entrance to the Kingdom of God, and will be trodden down into hell, from which he will never come forth from again. 5 We are frail and deceitful, workers of sin! We do not repent daily, yet daily we commit sin upon sin! 6 In this you may know, dearly beloved brethren, that our works are judged. 7 Hearken therefore to that which is written in this book: “It will be for a memorial against us in the day of judgment.” 8 There will be neither witnesses nor companions, nor will judgment be given by gifts, for there is nothing better than faith, truth, chastity, fasting, and charitable giving, which covers all sins. 9 Those things which you would not have done to yourself, do not do to another. 10 Come together for the Kingdom of God, and you will receive the crown which is in Jesus Christ, our Lord. |
THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE LAODICEANS TRANSCRIBED BY JAKOB LORBERLorber claimed to have heard by the inner voice, in 1844, the "lost" letter Paul wrote to the assembly of the Laodiceans, as referred to in Colossians 4:16. There is no resemblance between the letters produced by Lorber via the inner voice and the original manuscripts that survived. Publisher of this Lorber manuscript claims that the letter's being lost reflects the falling away of the Church from true Christianity.
1 Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, through the Will of God, and the Grace of God and Timothy our Brother.
2 The holy assembly of Laodicea and all the faithful brothers in it, and the wise in the Spirit of God: Grace be with you and the true peace from God, our Father, in the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We thank, extol, and praise God at all times, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and bear much concern for you; and we pray at all times for you to God. 4 We have come into the knowledge through the Spirit of the Lord, and through our Brother Epaphras and through Nymphas, that you have been backsliding in several things. 5 And that you have elected a bishop and a clergy, and that you want to make an idol out of Christ; and that you have selected a house, a day, and magnificent raiments. 6 Consequently, how it was the custom to some extent among the heathens and among the Jews, when the circumcision of the flesh was still valid before God, which He ordered under father Abraham as a foretoken of the living circumcision of the Spirit through Jesus Christ within you. 7 This I let you know now, so that you learn to know what kind of a battle I have to suffer for your sake; you have seen, and yet you have not seen, the flesh of my person. 8 And that you are being severely admonished in your heart and that you may gather your love, wherein is contained all the wealth of t he conscientious reason in order to recognize the great secret of God, the Father, in His Son, Jesus Christ, 9 Where within are concealed all the treasures of wisdom and the living cognition in the Spirit. 10 I caution you for this reason: That no one may entice you through reasonable and flowery speeches, and through the philosophy of the heathens. 11 Even the animals call common sense their own, just as it is with the philosophy of the heathens who offer sacrifices to dead idols. 12 You, however, have been redeemed through the death of the “ONE” to eternal life in God the Father. How can you, since your heart ha s become the dwelling for the Holy Spirit, devote it again to the spirit of the dead? 13 Even though I am not with you in the flesh, I am at all times with you in the Spirit, through the might of Christ within me, and I see your belief and your works. 14 And I want to earnestly caution you and show you, since so many of you, dear brothers, fell into great foolishness; their pretexts I recognize and know, and what they wish to accomplish. 15 But it should be, that you follow Jesus Christ, as I handed over His Legacy to you and as you accepted it from me; and you should also live in accordance with the Gospel, which I preached to you faithfully. 16 In this you should grow firm roots and be firm in your belief, as I have taught you in the Spirit of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the living Son of God, Who rules at the right hand of the Father of Eternity. 17 But, as you want to be and as you wish to be now, you are adversaries of Christ and His Word. 18 What do you want? Do you want to become again slaves and servants in bondage to the law, sin, and death, from everything we have been delivered from through Jesus Christ? 19 Listen to me. I am telling you: Be careful, that you will not be bewitched and robbed through your world-wisdom, and through the loose teachings of those among you, who fear the Romans and the blind Jews more than they do the Lord of Glory Who delivered us, and through whom we, heaven and earth and all things were created. 20 When I was among you, your world-wise asked me what the differences were between God and His Son, Christ. That is when I took the word and said: 21 “Hear me brothers. God is One, and Christ is One; since there is only one God, therefore, there is only one Christ. What differences should there be between God and Christ? God is Love, and Christ is the Wisdom in God, or the Light, the Truth, the Path, and the Eternal Life. 22 “In Christ dwells personified the whole fullness of the Deity, and we are perfect in Him; because He is the reason and the Head of all Glory, all Might and Power, of all the Authority of the World, and He is the Sovereign of all the Principalities on Earth.” 23 As I, Paul, have spoken to you about this matte r in the Spirit and in Truth, how can you be deluded by the teachings of human beings and laws? 24 You have been circumcised without a hand or a knife through the Holy Spirit, while you casted off your sinful life, which was a mighty root in your body's flesh; and that was a true and alive circumcision in Christ. 25 You have been buried to the world in your sinful flesh with Christ through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and through Christ again newly resurrected through living belief and through the love for Him. 26 What do you want once again with the old circumcision, which no longer should be practiced; this ceremony is now without value, because Christ was already here and has been resurrected and we in Him. What will you d o with the Sabbath, when Christ did His work every day and still does, and through this He made every day a day of the Lord, and He did not celebrate on the Sabbath? 27 For I know you, that is why I tell you: Christ as He is, wants to be poor in the world; but you want gold. That is why you want to have a house of prayer, a feast-day, and magnificent raiment. 28 You say that God, through Christ, His Son, did nowhere abolish the laws of Moses, instead at the Last Supper He confirmed them; therefore there should be a sacrifice- ceremony. 29 I, Paul, chosen by God as a true Apostle of the Lord, filled with the Spirit of God — why is it then, that the Spirit of God never informed me about these things, even though I was, before my calling, a very keen temple servant much more so than you ever were?. 30 I, however, want to tell you now how the Spirit of God awoke me: When I was on the way to Damascus in pursuance of a new Christian congregation, at first I looked – even in my blindness – that the Lord in the Spirit and in truth wanted to be worshipped and admired, however, eternal, but never in a ceremony. 31 God does not call someone into His service after He blinded him. I, however, had to become blind before, so that I would lose everything that is of the world, before I could become one of His lowest servants. 32 But why was I to be blind first? Because my who le being was buried in the matter of the service of the temple, and it had to be take n away from it in this manner. 33 Since the Lord called upon me in my blindness without ceremony, how could I ever have made a ceremony out of the Last Supper? 34 Or, is it not so, as at all times, how the Spirit of God teaches me? Whosoever has the light of the eyes looks at these ceremonies of the world, and is amused by them; 35 But for the blind person, the whole world with its ceremonies is a matter of the past and so is the temple-service with all its magnificent raiment. 36 Consequently, it is an eternal truth: The Lord did not call me to establish a new ceremony; instead, he called me for the uplifting o f hearts, for which Satan forged his pitiless chains for thousands of years; 37 And to preach to everyone the freedom of the Spirit, the peace of the Soul, and therewith tear apart in Christ, the Lord, the old, hard bonds of death. 38 But of what benefit would my teachings be to me and to you; of what benefit would the Gospel of God be, if you voluntarily enter again into the old death? 39 I, however, ask you for the sake of your eternal life: Desist from everything which the old imprisonment of Babel left as a bitter inheritance to all Jews. 40 Behold: Babel, the great whore of the world. The Lord destroyed her because she gave many nations death. What will you gain, if it is your desire to raise out of Laodicea a new Babel? Therefore, desist from everything that could bring about anew the atrocity of devastation which Daniel prophesied, when he stood in a holy place. 41 However, Christ brought you to life, since you were dead in your sins, and in the foreskin of your flesh; He forgave you all the sins, which you ever committed in the temple, as you did in your foreskin. 42 He eradicated the bloody handwriting, which was against us all, which came into being through the world-statutes; and our names were recorded in this handwriting in the book of the world, in the book of justice, and in the book of death, by Him nailing it to the cross. 43 Why do you want to tear down again the handwriting in blood that God Himself eradicated, which was nailed to the cross of justice, the cross of disgrace, the cross of malediction, and the cross of death, and exchange y our new names in Christ for the old ones, which were written in blood in the book of justice? 44 Oh, you blind fools of all folly. In Christ you became liberated, and now you want to become slaves again and servants of sin, justice, and death. Did you not hear, that the one who is nailed to the cross is cursed? 45 Christ, however, took your shame, your disgrace , your sin, your court, and your death upon Himself, and let Himself be nailed to the cross as a damned, to obtain for all of you freedom before God so that you can walk in honor. He took all your disgrace and shame with Him to the cross. 46 Oh, what was it, that bewitched you – those of you who became alive in Christ – that you now want to surrender yourself again anew to death? 47 With whom should I compare you that it should strike you as a good throw would a target? Yes, you are like a blighted courtesan, w ho lives in the city, but is nevertheless the daughter of a good family. 48 Listen to me and understand this well. Of what benefit is it to the courtesan that she comes from a good family, when her flesh is more lecherous than the fat of a stuffed scapegoat? 49 Will she not walk to and fro in her room because of her carnal desires, and then will lean with half her body out of one and then another window, and she will look with her lecherous eyes to all sides, to see if she cannot catch a glimpse of someone who has what her lecherous and lustful flesh yearns for? 50 And when she catches sight of him, she will show him through the loose fire of her eyes, what she yearns for, and she will sin with him ten times more through her desire, than a whore in her bed of shame with her paramour. 51 Oh look, you Laodiceans, there you have a picture of yourselves. Do you know however, what the sincere and willing bridegroom of such a girl would do when he passes by her house, and catches sight of her shame full lechery? 52 From that moment on, he will put her out of his heart and immediately he will no longer look at her, even if she should experience t he greatest want. 53 That is what the Lord will do with you, because He raised a new, living temple in your heart, while you will be waiting for Him; but you scorn this temple, this holy chamber, and you run, because of mere worldly lechery to the window of justice to be wanton with the world, because of the gold, the reputation, and the lust for power, since you lust for all those things. 54 But I say this to you: The Lord will withdraw Himself and will let you pass over into all kinds of harlotry, into the old justice, and into the old death, unless you turn around immediately, and totally desist from the clergy – which you yourself elected – from your temples, from your days of feast, and fro m your magnificent raiment; all of this is an abomination before the Lord, just like a lecherous courtesan, which is much more wicked in her heart, than ten whores of Babel. CHAPTER TWO 1 Therefore, let no one influence your conscience, not through a bishop and a priest, not through a day of feast, nor through the old Sabbath and new moon, 2 nor through a temple, nor through a sacrificial ceremony, nor magnificent raiment, and just as little through food and drink. 3 Be moderate in eating and drinking; that is good for the spirit, the soul, and the body and is agreeable to the Lord; 4 But when someone says, teaches, and desires: “This and that particular food should not be eaten, because according to Moses it is unclean.” 5 Then I say in opposition to that: Moses and the prophets are fulfilled and redeemed in Christ; the Lord did not forbid us any food; He Himself ate and drank with sinners and publicans. 6 And He exclaimed: “What you eat does not defile you; but what comes out of your heart such as gossip, evil desires, miserliness, envy, manslaughter, rage, gluttony, voracity, fornication, adultery, and the like — that is what at all times defiles human beings.” 7 Since we have such a Gospel from Him, the sole Lord of all the Glory Himself, what great fools must we be if we voluntarily let ourselves be harnessed into the old evil yoke? 8 Of what significance is at present the shadow which, from Moses’ point-of-view, was a prophetic omen pertaining to what happened in front of our eyes, for us, who have become one body with Christ and in Christ. 9 I ask you, and even implore you: Do not allow anyone to decide for you what your goal should be, especially by one who on his own initiative, wanders around in all humility and total spirituality of the angels of the heavens, but he himself has never seen nor heard anything about it; because of this, he is conceited about his own importance, but only in his carnal sense, 10 And he does not abide by the head from whence comes the energy for the whole body through the members and joints, which maintain each other, contain and grow to divine greatness, 11 But only according to his taste, which is within itself full of dirt and filth, full of self-interest, full of deceit and lies, full of lust for power, full of miserliness and envy. 12 This is how it is with the one who poses as if he was called upon by the Lord and from me, and then afterwards elected by you. 13 I point out now to all of you: This one has the spirit of the devil in him, and walks among you like a wolf in sheep's clothing and like a hungry, roaring lion endeavoring in a diligent manner to devour you. 14 That is why you should drive him away as fast as possible, and return again to Nymphas, whose house is the true congregation of Christ. 15 All of you are dead to the world with Christ, as far as the world and its statutes are concerned. For what reason do you want to be caught again by the statues of the world? You act as if you are still living in it. 16 The house of my dear brother Nymphas remained faithful in its freedom, as I gave it to him through Jesus Christ, the Lord of Eternity. 17 Nymphas recognized the wolf, as I recognized the wolf, through the Spirit of God, who is within me and who prompts me at all times, moves and teaches in all the different things of the only righteous wisdom before God, and that applies to brother Nymphas as well. 18 This is why I admonish you with the power of all righteous devotion in Christ, the Lord, that you go to Nymphas and become again a congregation with his house. 19 And do not listen to those, who say with a hypocritical, pious mien: “Do not touch that, and do not try that, and do not hold onto that, and do this, but do not do that.” All this consumes itself under their hands, and is nothing more than empty man-made laws; 20 But listen to what I have to say out of the Spirit of Christ, which is within me, so that you may become free again, and become truthful co-heirs of Jesus Christ in God's Kingdom which is alive within you. 21 Oh brothers, think of what benefit will it be to those who have the appearance of wisdom, and through themselves self-chosen, hypocritical and feigned spirituality and humility. 22 And those who say: “When you look at a woman, you already have sinned; and if you eat unclean food forbidden by Moses, then you are unclean for a whole day, and when you touch a heathen and you speak more than three words to him, then you must tell the priest of the temple, so that he cleanses you before God.” 23 In reality, they are full of filth, miserliness, and whoredom, and carry on business in secret with all the heathens, and do everything within their abilities that does not spoil their secret friendship with them? 24 I, however, say: “The body requires what is his, just like the Spirit; he has his want and his need. This is why you should give to him in the proper measure, whatever God has intended for him, and he should enjoy what is available; because the physical body requires its care, just as the Spirit requires his freedom. Therefore, be free, and be not slaves to the fools of this world.” 25 How praise-worthy can someone be of himself, even though he fasted with his stomach, but he filled his heart with evil thoughts, wishes, and desires? 26 Would it not have been much wiser to fast in the heart, than in the stomach? How can you be such great fools that someone can make you believe that it would be even pleasing unto the Lord if you would eat fish marinated in oil, than to eat another meat from a warm-blooded animal, and in fat instead of the oil? 27 But I say to you: Eat at all time within reason, whatever you relish, and eat whatever is good for your body's health, and drink wine with water, as I do, whenever it is available, and do not let your conscience trouble you; then you act properly even in this instance. 28 The Lord derives no joy from fasting of the stomach; He does, however, favor fasting of the heart. In the heart, however, fast day and night, then you will fast in the Spirit and in Truth. 29 But how can you fast in accordance with the hypocritical teachings of the one who pretends to be only with one foot on the earth, but everything else is already in heaven. In accordance with that, all heathens fast as well; they eat on their days of feast all kinds of delicacies, and are more lustful for those delicacies than on the common days, when they eat their daily food. 30 Since you are now resurrected in Christ, why do you heed what happens below on the world, and why do you seek to satisfy the world's statutes which are the work of human beings? 31 Seek what is above. There Christ is sitting to the right of the Father; that would be more becoming to you than all the totally valueless follies of the world. 32 If you have been awakened in the Spirit and resurrected with Christ, then you are from above and not from below; therefore, seek what is above and not what is below on the earth. 33 Because you are dead to the world and your life is concealed with Christ in God. 34 However, if Christ, who is now your life, will reveal Himself, then you will be revealed with Him in Glory. 35 Put to death anew your world, which is in many members on the earth, just as the members of your body with which you carried on. And now you want to carry on again as you did before: fornication, dishonesty, shameful lust, evil or carnal desires, avarice, envy, miserliness. Within all these characteristics is contained at all times the true idolatry of the heathens. 36 And of all things, avoid lies, because they are the closest descendant of Satan. Undress the old human being and dress the new one in Christ; whosoever renews, comes into the recognition of the One, and into the harmony of the One Who created him. CHAPTER THREE 1 I, however, say: Avoid lies, which are the close st descendant of Satan, because now to a great extent you changed over to man's law, as I learned from Nymphas, and also through the Spirit of Christ within me. 2 What is the temple? Nothing but man's law – a dead work by the hand of man; nothing but mere phantasy that passes away as soon as you awaken from your sleep. 3 Since it is what it is, it is therefore a lie, which you are getting into, to lie and to deceive yourself; since you are of the opinion that therein you give God the honor, and to God Himself you lie to, and you are of the opinion that you render Him an important sacrifice. 4 You fools. What service do you want to render th e Almighty Who founded heaven and earth before you were created?. What do you hav e now that you did not receive before; but since you did receive it, why do you be have as if you did not receive it? 5 Do you wish to render to the Lord to some extent a pleasant service, that you build Him a temple by the hand of man, and worship Him through ceremony and the burning of incense, and through dead prayers on long or wide ribbons? 6 Oh, look, how much you have been bewitched by an Apostle of Satan. Was Christ not – in whom dwells the fullness of the Deity – in the flesh sentenced to death in the temple, and at the time did He Himself not prophesy its total downfall. 7 How could He at this time find pleasure in this, if He cautioned severely all of His disciples, as He did us in the spirit, when He said : “Beware of the sourdough of the Pharisees and high priests”. And now you want to set up the old “Court of Justice” which has become an abomination before God, as a dwelling for the Lord, so that you may kill Him many times over. 8 How blind can you be and how far must you have passed over into the world, that you did not notice such an occurrence. 9 Is it not enough that Christ died once for all of us, and now all of us with Him, so that we can be resurrected with Him, while still in our flesh, to the true recognition of His Spirit which is within us, and to the recognition of the Father, Who loved us before the World existed? 10 How often do you want to kill Christ? Him, the only eternal Living Being, who once awakened all of us from death to eternal life through His Glorious Resurrection. 11 But I, Paul, say this: “Go and destroy the temple, erase all the designated days of feast in the calendars, remove the false bishop and his servants from his office, just like those from Jerusalem, who want to fatten themselves from the labor of your hands, and they had made for themselves a big iron box to hold your saved-up gold and silver.” 12 And burn the magnificent raiment, which are an abomination before God. Through this, you render the Lord a much more pleasing service, than if you would let yourself for 1.000 years be sacrificed in such a temple. 13 Should you absolutely want to have in your midst a house pleasing unto God, build a hospital for the sick, the paralyzed, the ailing, the cripples, for the blind and the mute, and a house for poor widows and orphans, and a house for homeless foreigners, without exception, whosoever they might be. 14 Accommodate these human beings joyfully and with compassion, and share all your blessings with them, like our Lord, Jesus Christ, did on two occasions, when he fed with His abundance of blessings thousands of hungry people; then you will do Him, the only Holy One, a true and pleasing service for your own sanctification. 15 Because He Himself spoke about this, when He said: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” 16 He spoke often and quite clearly on the matter, and what He considered to be a pleasing service to Him. Then why do you want something that is an atrocity, nauseating and disgusting, and a pestilence to Him? 17 A heart full of love is God, the Lord in Christ, the only pleasing, living temple, and He loves that much more, than a whole world full of Temples of Solomon, which are all dead. Whereas, the heart is alive and can love God and all brothers. Therefore, build this temple spiritually within yourself anewand at all times actively sacrifice in this temple to the Lord. 18 Not the temple, not the ceremony, not the priests and not the bishop, and not Paul and his disciples; not the Jew, not the Greek, nor the circumcision of the Jews and the foreskin, nor Solomon's temple; not even the original Greek, the Scythian, the heathen, the freed-man, the servant; nor the Sabbath, nor the new moon, nor the jubilee year is anything before God – only Christ alone is the all-in-all. 19 Be only drawn to Christ as God's Elect, as His saints and as His loved ones, through the living belief, through love, through heartfelt mercy for your brothers, through friendship, friendliness, humility, gentleness, and through total patience. 20 In everything get along with one another, and forgive each other from the heart, whatever it may be that one has against the other; then I will forgive you and the Lord will too, as soon as you have forgiven each other. 21 Do not sue each other at court, as the heathens do; they have their own courts. Live with each other in peace and tolerate and settle matters in your heart. Then you will be better off before the Lord, as if you conscientiously pay attention to all the laws of Moses. They are very hard to remember, but even harder to keep, because the laws of Moses are not pleasing to the Lord, but only a pure heart that truly loves God and the brothers. 22 Above all draw from love, because love alone is of any value before God, and it is the only fully valid link of all completion and all perfection. 23 In love and through love reigns the true, perfect peace of God in your hearts, and all of you alone are called into this peace and to this peace in the One Body of Christ, the Lord, and that is how you thank Him. That is why you thank Him for all times and eternally in the Spirit and in Truth, 24 But not in a dead temple; before God a temple is nothing. The Lord and Giver of Life looks only into the heart and at the peace it contains. 25 Let the living word of Christ dwell abundantly among you in all love and in true, perfect wisdom. Teach, caution, and edify each other with all kinds of magnificent and spiritual things and observations, 26 With psalms of love and other songs of praise and spiritually delightful songs; but sing in your heart and do not indulge in that empty bawling with your mouth. If you do so, you will be more pleasing unto the Lord, than the conceited bawling of the Pharisees, Jews and heathens, who cause their lips a great problem because of the gold; with all this mannerism, their hearts, however, remain colder than ice. 27 Everything you do, however – may it be with words or deeds – do it in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and through Him thank God, the Father for everything; because He is the Mediator between God and us; in His Heart dwells the fullness of the Father. 28 Listen. You, the women of Laodicea: That is how the Lord, our God of Eternity wants it to be – that you be totally subservient to your men in Christ the Lord, because in the man you have the Head of Christ. 29 You, men, however, love your wives with the proper measure, and do not be hard against them, but do not go too far with your love for your wives, that on account of it, you forget the Lord, because the love of the Lord must remain unattached, as if you would not have a wife. 30 And you, children, obey your parents totally in everything, as long as it is not against Christ; because that is His Will and it pleases Him. 31 You, parents, do not make the hearts of your children bitter through harsh words and abuse, so that they become timid towards you, thereby becoming cowards and hypocrites; but an apparently stubborn child can be reared to be supple through love, but a flatterer and a hypocrite is incorrigible. 32 Therefore, I say to you, the servants of your masters: Obey them in all things, as long as they are not against Christ, but not merely through eye-service to please your master, but in the true simplicity of your hearts, and in the constant fear of God. 33 Everything you carry out for your master, carry it out as if you would serve Christ the Lord in all the faithfulness of your heart — but not, as if you would serve a human being. One day you will be overcome by the Lord with the reward of Glory. 34 Whosoever commits an injustice against his master does it likewise unto the Lord. The Lord does not consider if someone is the master or if he is the servant; He only takes into consideration the work and the reason for the work. 35 Whosoever commits an injustice, one day He will give him his just reward. You may be able to deceive human beings, but the Lord will not allow you to deceive Him; before Him your hearts are always open. 36 But to you, employers, I say: Think about this well – that servants are also your brothers before the Lord, therefore, grant them at all times, what is right before God. Pay them what they are entitled to at the proper time with love in Christ, and remember, that all of us have one Lord in heaven and this Lord is Christ, God's Saint in eternity. 37 Do not abandon prayer, and pray with thanksgiving without intermission, – not with the lips, but in the Spirit and in Truth with all the simplicity of your hearts, and in the true devotion in the love of Christ our Lord. 38 And pray at the same time for me, so that the Lord may open the door to the living word for me at all times, and that I may speak before you at all times and before all the brothers in Christ about His Great Secret and that of His Kingdom: because I am still bound to the world and I am still only a common man, one who is only capable of prophesy, when the Lord opens the door of Grace for him. 39 Simple and wise shall be your way of living for or against anyone – and against those, who are on the outside, the Jews and heathens. You shall not judge anyone – may they be Scythians, heathens, Jews, Greeks, or not Greeks, but conform wisely in accordance with the times and circumstances. 40 Your speech should be at all times seasoned with love, no matter who it may be, and should be full of salt with the true wisdom from God. At all times you should take from this wisdom, whatever you speak of to someone, so that he comes into the knowledge how different divine wisdom is from the knowledge of the wise of the world. 41 I, Paul, am now of the opinion that I did not omit anything in order to show you what it is that is among you, and that it is a poisonous weed; yes, a very harmful, poisonous tree, whose breath suffocates everything; and now I have nothing against you any more. 42 That, however, dear brothers, should be at all times a true ceremony among you; that you in the Spirit and in Truth give honor to God the Father in His Son; that at all times you love Him above all in His Son, Who died out of love for us all on the cross to return to us the kindred, which our fathers altogether forfeited since the times of Adam. 43 I beg of you for God's sake, to bring worthy fruit of a total conversion from your new heathendom into the living church of God, which is within you, but does not dwell in the temples, raiment, or in any kind of ceremony. 44 The love of God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all the time and for eternity. 45 But how things will be with me in Rome, our faithful brother Tychicus will let you know, which I now will send to you and as well to the Colossians, who also have become just like you, captivated by Satan. 46 Greetings to all my dear brothers and Nymphas and to the faithful congregation of his house of which I attest to that he is righteous, as I at all times pray to God for your sake. 47 Extend also my greetings to the Colossians when you visit them, because there are some among them that you know; those who are at all times just, and faithful in the belief and in the love of God. 48 After the Colossians have read their letter, then you should read it as well and I am asking you for God's sake, that you should let the Colossians read this, your letter, as well. 49 Because this letter is as important to them, as it is to you. After all of this has been said, I admonish you in writing – as Tychicus will inform you of everything verbally – that this letter should be read in all congregations, just as the one addressed to the Colossians. 50 My Greetings written by my own hand: Think of my love. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 51 Written from Rome by Tychicus and his companion Onesimus, both have been sent to you and also to the Colossians. |