Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner^(A) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(B) of the calling^(C) you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another^(D) in love.^{(E) 3} Make every effort to keep the unity^(F) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.^{(G) 4} There is one body^(H) and one Spirit,^(I) just as you were called to one hope when you were called^(J); ⁵ one Lord,^(K) one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,^(L) who is over all and through all and in all.^(M)

⁷ But to each one of us^(N) grace^(O) has been given^(P) as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(S) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(T) 11} So Christ himself gave^(U) the apostles,^(V) the prophets,^(W) the evangelists,^(X) the pastors and teachers,^{(Y) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(Z) may be built up^{(AA) 13} until we all reach unity^(AB) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(AC) and become mature,^(AD) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(AE)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(AF) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(AG) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(AH) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(AI) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(AJ) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(AK) and builds itself up^(AL) in love,^(AM) as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer^(AN) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(AO) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(AP) and separated from the life of God^(AQ) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(AR) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(AS) they have given themselves over^(AT) to sensuality^(AU) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off^(AV) your old self,^(AW) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(AX) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(AY) 24} and to put on^(AZ) the new self,^(BA) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(BB)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(BC) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(BD) 26} “In your anger do not sin”^[d]:^(BE) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(BF) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(BG) doing something useful with their own hands,^(BH) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(BI)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(BJ) but only what is helpful for building others up^(BK) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(BL) with whom you were sealed^(BM) for the day of redemption.^{(BN) 31} Get rid of^(BO) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(BP) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(BQ) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(BR) 5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(BS) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(BT) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(BU) and gave himself up for us^(BV) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(BW)

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(BX) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(BY) because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(BZ) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(CA) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(CB)—has any inheritance^(CC) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[e](CD) 6} Let no one deceive you^(CE) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(CF) comes on those who are disobedient.^{(CG) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(CH) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(CI) 9} (for the fruit^(CJ) of the light consists in all goodness,^(CK) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(CL) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(CM) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(CN) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live^(CR)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity,^(CS) because the days are evil.^{(CT) 17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^{(CU) 18} Do not get drunk on wine,^(CV) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(CW) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(CX) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks^(CY) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households^(CZ)

²¹ Submit to one another^(DA) out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands^(DB) as you do to the Lord.^{(DC) 23} For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,^(DD) his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands^(DE) in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(DF) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^{(DG) 26} to make her holy,^(DH) cleansing^[f] her by the washing^(DI) with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself^(DJ) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^{(DK) 28} In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives^(DL) as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body.^{(DM) 31} “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^{[g](DN) 32} This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife^(DO) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^{(DP) 2} “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[h](DQ)

⁴ Fathers,^[i] do not exasperate your children;^(DR) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(DS)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(DT) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(DU) just as you would obey Christ.^{(DV) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(DW) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(DX) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(DY) whether they are slave or free.

⁹ And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours^(DZ) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(EA) with him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(EB) and in his mighty power.^{(EC) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(ED) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(EE) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(EF) against the powers^(EG) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(EH) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(EI) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(EJ) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(EK) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(EL) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(EM) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(EN) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(EO) and the sword of the Spirit,^(EP) which is the word of God.^(EQ)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(ER) on all occasions^(ES) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(ET) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(EU) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(EV) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(EW) make known the mystery^(EX) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(EY) in chains.^(EZ) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

²¹ Tychicus,^(FA) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. ²² I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,^(FB) and that he may encourage you.^(FC)

²³ Peace^(FD) to the brothers and sisters,^[j] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.^[k]