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Thus we will be able to quench the beast, and to be well-pleasing before God, and to obtain the same things as those who are well-pleasing. For perhaps we shall obtain them; and even if we do not obtain them, it will be because it is not expedient that we should; but even so we shall be able, having lived to the glory of God, to obtain the good things promised to those who love Him, by the grace and loving-kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, be glory, dominion, honor, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

HOMILY XII. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always

laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness, that he has a great zeal for 62.380 you, and for those in Laodicea, and those in Hiera

polis. 1. And at the beginning of the Epistle, he recommended the man from love; and to praise 62.381 also shows love; which he said from the beginning: "Who declared to us," he says, "your love in the spirit." And to pray for one shows love, and causes one to be loved. And he recommends him, opening a door for his word (for it is a benefit to the disciples for the teacher to be venerable), and again, by saying, "Of you," that they might also be proud of the man, as producing such men. "And always," he says, "laboring fervently for you in prayers." He did not simply say, "Praying," but, "Laboring fervently," trembling and fearing. "For I bear him witness," he says, "that he has a great zeal for you." A credible witness. "That he has," he says, "a great zeal for you." That is, that he loves you exceedingly, and is inflamed with affection for you. "And for those in Laodicea," he says, "and for those in Hierapolis." He recommends him to them also. But how were they to know this? It is likely, then, that they heard it; but also when the Epistle was read, they learned it. "For cause it," he says, "to be read also in the church of the Laodiceans." -"That you may stand," he says, "perfect." At the same time he accuses them, and without offense exhorts and advises them. For it is possible both to be perfect, and not to stand, as if one knows all things, but is still shaken; it is also possible not to be perfect, and to stand, as if one knows in part, but does not stand firmly. But he prays for both, "That you may stand," he says, "perfect." See where he again reminded them of the discourse concerning the angels, and concerning life. "And complete," he says, "in all the will of God." For it is not simply enough to do the will. The one who is complete does not allow another will to be in him, since he is not fully persuaded. "For I bear him witness," he says, "that he has a great zeal." Both "zeal," and "great"; both are for emphasis; just as he himself says when writing to the Corinthians, "For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy." Luke, the beloved physician, salutes you. This is the evangelist. He does not put him later to humble him, but to exalt Epaphras. It is likely there were also others called by this name. And Demas. And having said, "Luke the physician salutes you," he added, "The beloved." This too is no small praise, but a very great one, to be beloved of Paul. Salute the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. See how he glues and joins them to one another, not only by saluting, but also by exchanging the epistles. Then again he shows favor, addressing him by name. And he does this not simply, but also leading the others to the same