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Ephesians 4-6
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Unity in the Body of Christ

4 I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,(A) 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,(B) 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: 4 there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling,(C) 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.[a]

7 But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift.(D) 8 Therefore it is said,

“When he ascended on high, he made captivity itself a captive;[b]
    he gave gifts to his people.”(E)

9 (When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended[c] into the lower parts of the earth?[d] 10 He who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.) 11 He himself granted that some are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers(F) 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,(G) 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity,[e] to the measure of the full stature of Christ.(H) 14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming;(I) 15 but speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,(J) 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

The Old Life and the New

17 Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer walk as the[f] gentiles walk, in the futility of their minds;(K) 18 they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart.(L) 19 They have lost all sensitivity and have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 That is not the way you learned Christ! 21 For surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, 22 to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts,(M) 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.(N)

Rules for the New Life

25 So then, putting away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with your neighbor, for we are members of one another.(O) 26 Be angry but do not sin;[g] do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not make room for the devil. 28 Those who steal must give up stealing; rather, let them labor, doing good work with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. 29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up,[h] as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.(P) 31 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice.(Q) 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.[i](R) 5 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children,(S) 2 and walk in love, as Christ loved us[j] and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(T)

Renounce Pagan Ways

3 But sexual immorality and impurity of any kind or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints.(U) 4 Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5 Be sure of this, that no sexually immoral or impure person or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.(V)

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient.[k](W) 7 Therefore do not be associated with them, 8 for once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light,(X) 9 for the fruit of the light[l] is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, expose them.(Y) 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly, 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Sleeper, awake!
    Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”(Z)

15 Be careful, then, how you live,[m] not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.(AA) 17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.(AB) 18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,(AC) 19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts,(AD) 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,(AE) 21 being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The Christian Household

22 Wives, be subject[n] to your husbands as to the Lord,(AF) 23 for the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.(AG) 24 Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, 27 so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind, so that she may be holy and without blemish.(AH) 28 In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hates his own flesh, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30 because we are members of his body.[o](AI) 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”(AJ) 32 This is a great mystery, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. 33 Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect[p] her husband.

Children and Parents

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord,[q] for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—this is the first commandment with a promise(AK)— 3 “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

4 And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.(AL)

Slaves and Masters

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect[r] and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ,(AM) 6 not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul. 7 Render service with enthusiasm, as for the Lord and not for humans, 8 knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are enslaved or free.

9 And, masters,[s] do the same to them. Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Lord[t] in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.(AN)

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; 11 put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, 12 for our[u] struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present[v] darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.[w](AO) 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm.(AP) 14 Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness(AQ) 15 and lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace. 16 With all of these,[x] take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(AR) 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.(AS) 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.(AT) 19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,[y](AU) 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.(AV)

Personal Matters and Benediction

21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus will tell you everything. He is a dear brother and a faithful minister in the Lord.(AW) 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brothers and sisters and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(AX) 24 Grace be with all who have an undying love for[z] our Lord Jesus Christ.[aa]

Footnotes

  1. 4.6 Other ancient authorities read in us all
  2. 4.8 Or he led captive a host of captives
  3. 4.9 Other ancient authorities add first
  4. 4.9 Or parts, to the earth
  5. 4.13 Gk to a mature man
  6. 4.17 Other ancient authorities add other
  7. 4.26 Or If you are angry, do not sin
  8. 4.29 Other ancient authorities read building up faith
  9. 4.32 Other ancient authorities read us
  10. 5.2 Other ancient authorities read you
  11. 5.6 Gk sons of disobedience
  12. 5.9 Other ancient authorities read of the Spirit
  13. 5.15 Gk walk
  14. 5.22 Gk lacks be subject
  15. 5.30 Other ancient authorities add of his flesh and of his bones
  16. 5.33 Or fear
  17. 6.1 Other ancient authorities lack in the Lord
  18. 6.5 Or fear
  19. 6.9 In Gk the same word is used for master and Lord
  20. 6.9 In Gk the same word is used for master and Lord
  21. 6.12 Other ancient authorities read your
  22. 6.12 Gk lacks present
  23. 6.12 Gk heavenlies
  24. 6.16 Or In all circumstances
  25. 6.19 Other ancient authorities lack of the gospel
  26. 6.24 Or Grace immortal be with all who love
  27. 6.24 Other ancient authorities add Amen
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Ephesians 4-6
New International Version

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:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(Q)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b](R)

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:

“Wake up, sleeper,(CO)
    rise from the dead,(CP)
    and Christ will shine on you.”(CQ)

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]

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
  4. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)
  5. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
  6. Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
  7. Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24
  8. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
  9. Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
  10. Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  11. Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
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