Methodius of Olympus

In his own words on Ephesians

• Ephesians 1:5

  For we believe that, together with the Son, who was made man for our sakes, according to the good pleasure of His will, was also present the Father, who is inseparable from Him as to His divine nature, and also the Spirit, who is of one and the same essence with Him. For, as says Paul, the interpreter of the divine oracle, "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." He thus shows that the Father was in the Son, because that one and the same will worked in them.

  Methodius Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna

• Ephesians 1:21

  For the mountains are to be explained by the heavens, and the ninety and nine sheep by the principalities and powers

  Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia

• Ephesians 3:14

  ...as though those who were baptized into Christ had been made Christs by communication of the Spirit, the Church contributing here their clearness and transformation into the image of the Word. And Paul confirms this, teaching it plainly, where he says: "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith." For it is necessary that the word of truth should be imprinted and stamped upon the souls of the regenerate.

  Methodius Discourse VIII. Thekla

• Ephesians 5:26

  ...the Word, leaving His Father in heaven, came down to be "joined to His wife;" and slept in the trance of His passion, and willingly suffered death for her, that He might present the Church to Himself glorious and blameless, having cleansed her by the laver, for the receiving of the spiritual and blessed seed, which is sown by Him who with whispers implants it in the depths of the mind; and is conceived and formed by the Church, as by a woman, so as to give birth and nourishment to virtue.

  Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia

• Ephesians 5:28

  Chapter I.-Passages of Holy Scripture Compared. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church."

  Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia

• Ephesians 5:31

  For thus will it be most certainly agreed that the Church is formed out of His bones and flesh; and it was for this cause that the Word, leaving His Father in heaven, came down to be "joined to His wife; "

  Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia

• Ephesians 5:32

  Yet, while everything else seems rightly spoken, one thing, my friend, distresses and troubles me, considering that that wise and most spiritual man-I mean Paul-would not vainly refer to Christ and the Church the union of the first man and woman,

  Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia

• Ephesians 5:32

  The apostle's aim was not amiss when he compared the first condition of Adam with that of Christ. It is a perfectly accurate analogy: the church is generated from Adam's bones and flesh. For her sake the Word left his Father in heaven. He came down to be bonded with this woman, the church. Then he fell into the sleep of his passion. He willingly died for her.… He did this to make her ready for the blessed seed which he himself sows secretly in her, which she cherishes in the depth of her soul. The seed is sown that the church might receive it and fashion it like a woman, to bring forth and foster excellence.

  SYMPOSIUM 3.8.71

• Ephesians 6:12

  For being made after the image of the Only-begotten, as I said, it has an unsurpassable beauty, and therefore evil spirits. "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood; "

  Methodius Discourse VI. Agathe

• Ephesians 6:13

  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God"

  Methodius From the Discourse on the Resurrection

• Ephesians 6:17

  Do not, therefore, lose courage on account of the schemes and slanders of the beast, but bravely prepare for the battle, armed with the helmet of salvation,

  Methodius Discourse VIII. Thekla