Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Eph 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Eph 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love
Eph 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
Eph 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
Eph 1:8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
Eph 1:9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
Eph 1:10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
Eph 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
Eph 1:12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
Eph 1:13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
Eph 1:15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,
Eph 1:16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Eph 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
Eph 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
Eph 1:21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Eph 1:22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Eph 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
Eph 2:2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Eph 2:3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
Eph 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Eph 2:6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly placesin Christ Jesus,
Eph 2:7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
One in Christ
Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—
Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
Eph 2:15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
Eph 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
Eph 2:17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR;
Eph 2:18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
Eph 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
Eph 2:21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
Eph 2:22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
Eph 3:2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you;
Eph 3:3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.
Eph 3:4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
Eph 3:5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
Eph 3:6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
Eph 3:7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.
Eph 3:8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,
Eph 3:9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;
Eph 3:10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
Eph 3:11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Eph 3:12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
Eph 3:13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
Eph 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
Eph 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
Eph 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Eph 3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
Eph 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
Eph 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
Eph 3:21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Eph 4:1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
Eph 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
Eph 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph 4:6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
Eph 4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Eph 4:8 Therefore it says, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”
Eph 4:9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some asevangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
Eph 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
Eph 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Eph 4:14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
Eph 4:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
Eph 4:16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
The New Life
Eph 4:17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
Eph 4:18 being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
Eph 4:19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
Eph 4:20 But you did not learn Christ in this way,
Eph 4:21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
Eph 4:22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
Eph 4:23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
Eph 4:24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Eph 4:25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.
Eph 4:26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
Eph 4:27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
Eph 4:28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
Eph 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Eph 4:30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Eph 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
Eph 5:2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Eph 5:3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
Eph 5:4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
Eph 5:5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Eph 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Eph 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
Eph 5:8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
Eph 5:9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
Eph 5:10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Eph 5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
Eph 5:12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
Eph 5:13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
Eph 5:14 For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”
Eph 5:15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
Eph 5:16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
Eph 5:17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Eph 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
Eph 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
Eph 5:21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Wives and Husbands
Eph 5:22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
Eph 5:24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
Eph 5:26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
Eph 5:27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
Eph 5:28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;
Eph 5:29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,
Eph 5:30 because we are members of His body.
Eph 5:31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.
Eph 5:32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Eph 6:2 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise),
Eph 6:3 SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.
Eph 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Bondservants and Masters
Eph 6:5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;
Eph 6:6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Eph 6:7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
Eph 6:8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
Eph 6:9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
The Whole Armor of God
Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Eph 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
Eph 6:14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
Eph 6:15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
Eph 6:16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Eph 6:17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Eph 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Eph 6:19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
Eph 6:20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Final Greetings
Eph 6:21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.
Eph 6:22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.
Eph 6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 6:24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.
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The Letter of Paul to the
EPHESIANS
The Blessings of Redemption
Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus cby the will of God,
To the dsaints who are at Ephesus and who are 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 has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love
5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight
9 He amade known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
11 also we ahave obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is agiven as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,
16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.
18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might
20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Made Alive in Christ
2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—
12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, aexcluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near dby the blood of Christ.
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might cmake the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;
18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Paul’s Stewardship
3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you;
3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.
4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
6 to be specific, 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 God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.
8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,
9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;
10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and aconfident access through faith in Him.
13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 may be able to comprehend 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 you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,
21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Unity of the Spirit
4:1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 Therefore it says,
“When He ascended on high,
He led captive a host of captives,
And He gave gifts to men.”
9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)
11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the bknowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
The Christian’s Walk
17 So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 being darkened in their understanding, bexcluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
19 and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new self, which cin the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
26 Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.
28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
29 Let no aunwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Be Imitators of God
5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3 But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 atrying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14 For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16 amaking the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to bGod, even the Father;
21 and be subject to one another in the bfear of Christ.
Marriage Like Christ and the Church
22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
28 So husbands ought 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, just as Christ also does the church,
30 because we are members of His body.
31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.
32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she brespects her husband.
Family Relationships
6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise),
3 so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;
6 not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against bflesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
14 Stand firm 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 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows 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 petition bpray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, dbe on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.
22 aI have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, 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 those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.
====
The Letter of Paul to the*
EPHESIANS
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus cby the will of God, To the dsaints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He amade known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we ahave obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is agiven as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, aexcluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near dby the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might cmake the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and aconfident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, And He gave gifts to men.” (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.) And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the bknowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, bexcluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which cin the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Let no aunwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), atrying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, amaking the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to bGod, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the bfear of Christ. Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are members of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she brespects her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against bflesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition bpray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, dbe on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. aI have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.
====
*The Letter of Paul to the*
# EPHESIANS
Paul,
an apostle
of Christ Jesus
by the will of God,
To the saints
who are
at Ephesus
and *who are*
faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you
and peace from God
our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed *be* the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us
with every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly *places* in Christ,
just as He chose us
in Him
before the foundation of the world,
that we would be
holy
and blameless
before Him.
In love He predestined us
to adoption as sons
through Jesus Christ
to Himself,
according to the kind intention of His will,
to the praise of the glory of His grace,
which He freely bestowed on us
in the Beloved.
In Him we have redemption
through His blood,
the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of His grace
which He lavished on us.
In all wisdom and insight
He made known to us
the mystery of His will,
according to His kind intention
which He purposed
in Him
with a view to an administration suitable
to the fullness of the times,
*that is*, the summing up of all things
in Christ,
things in the heavens
and things on the earth.
In Him also we ahave obtained an inheritance,
having been predestined
according to His purpose
who works all things
after the counsel of His will,
to the end that we
who were the first
to hope in Christ
would be to the praise of His glory.
In Him, you also,
after listening to the message of truth,
the gospel of your salvation—
having also believed,
you were sealed
in Him
with the Holy Spirit of promise,
who is given as a pledge of our inheritance,
with a view
to the redemption
of *God’s own* possession,
to the praise of His glory.
For this reason I too,
having heard
of the faith
in the Lord Jesus
which *exists* among you
and your love
for all the saints,
do not cease giving thanks for you,
while making mention *of you*
in my prayers;
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory,
may give to you
a spirit of wisdom
and of revelation
in the knowledge of Him.
*I pray that*
the eyes of your heart
may be enlightened,
so that you will know
what is the hope of His calling,
what are the riches of the glory
of His inheritance in the saints,
and what is the surpassing greatness
of His power toward us who believe.
*These are* in accordance
with the working
of the strength of His might
which He brought about in Christ,
when He raised Him from the dead
and seated Him at His right hand
in the heavenly *places*,
far above all
rule
and authority
and power
and dominion,
and every name that is named,
not only in this age
but also in the one to come.
And He put all things
in subjection under His feet,
and gave Him as head
over all things to the church,
which is His body,
the fullness of Him
who fills all in all.
And you were dead
in your trespasses
and sins,
in which you formerly walked
according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air,
of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Among them we too
all formerly lived
in the lusts of our flesh,
indulging the desires of the flesh
and of the mind,
and were by nature children of wrath,
even as the rest.
But God,
being rich in mercy,
because of His great love
with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
made us alive
together with Christ
(by grace you have been saved),
and raised us up with Him,
and seated us with Him
in the heavenly *places*
in Christ Jesus,
so that in the ages to come
He might show the surpassing riches of His grace
in kindness toward us
in Christ Jesus.
For by grace
you have been saved
through faith;
and that not of yourselves,
*it is* the gift of God;
not as a result of works,
so that no one may boast.
For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
for good works,
which God prepared beforehand
so that we would walk
in them.
Therefore **remember**
that formerly you,
the Gentiles in the flesh,
who are called “Uncircumcision”
by the so-called “Circumcision,”
*which is* performed in the flesh
by human hands—
*remember* that you were at that time
separate from Christ,
excluded from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers to the covenants of promise,
having no hope
and without God in the world.
But now
in Christ Jesus you
who formerly were far off
have been brought near
by the blood of Christ.
For He Himself is our peace,
who made both *groups into* one
and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
by abolishing in His flesh the enmity,
*which is* the Law of commandments
*contained* in ordinances,
so that
in Himself
He might make the two
into one new man,
*thus* establishing peace,
and might reconcile them both
in one body to God
through the cross,
by it having put to death the enmity.
And He came
and preached peace to you
who were far away,
and peace to those
who were near;
for through Him we both have our access
in one Spirit
to the Father.
So then you are no longer
strangers
and aliens,
but you are
fellow citizens with the saints,
and are of God’s household,
having been built
on the foundation of the apostles
and prophets,
Christ Jesus Himself
being the corner *stone*,
in whom the whole building,
being fitted together,
is growing into a holy temple
in the Lord,
in whom you also
are being built together
into a dwelling of God
in the Spirit.
For this reason
I, Paul,
the prisoner of Christ Jesus
for the sake of you Gentiles—
if indeed you have heard
of the stewardship of God’s grace
which was given to me for you;
that by revelation
there was made known to me the mystery,
as I wrote before in brief.
By referring to this,
when you read you can understand my insight
into the mystery of Christ,
which in other generations was not made known
to the sons of men,
as it has now been revealed
to His holy apostles and prophets
in the Spirit;
*to be specific*,
that the Gentiles
are fellow heirs
and fellow members
of the body,
and fellow partakers
of the promise in Christ Jesus
through the gospel,
of which I was made a minister,
according to the gift of God’s grace
which was given to me
according to the working of His power.
To me,
the very least of all saints,
this grace was given,
to preach to the Gentiles
the unfathomable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light
what is the administration
of the mystery
which for ages
has been hidden in God
who created all things;
so that the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known
through the church
to the rulers
and the authorities
in the heavenly *places.*
*This was*
in accordance
with the eternal purpose
which He carried out
in Christ Jesus our Lord,
in whom
we have boldness
and confident access
through faith in Him.
Therefore I ask you
not to lose heart at my tribulations
on your behalf,
for they are your glory.
For this reason
I bow my knees before the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven
and on earth
derives its name,
that He would grant you,
according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened
with power
through His Spirit
in the inner man,
so that Christ may dwell
in your hearts
through faith;
*and* that you,
being rooted
and grounded
in love,
may be able to comprehend
with all the saints
what is
the breadth
and length
and height
and depth,
and to know
the love of Christ
which surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled up
to all the fullness of God.
Now to Him
who is able to do
far more abundantly
beyond all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works within us,
to Him *be* the glory
in the church
and in Christ Jesus
to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Therefore I,
the prisoner of the Lord,
implore you to walk
in a manner worthy of the calling
with which you have been called,
with all humility
and gentleness,
with patience,
showing tolerance for one another
in love,
being diligent
to preserve the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace.
*There is*
one body
and one Spirit,
just as also you were called
in one hope of your calling;
one Lord,
one faith,
one baptism,
one God and Father of all
who is
over all
and through all
and in all.
# But to each one of us
# grace was given
## according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
## Therefore it says,
## “When He ascended on high,
## He led captive a host of captives,
## And He gave gifts to men.”
### (Now this *expression,*
### “He ascended,”
### what does it mean
### except that He also had descended
### into the lower parts of the earth?
### He who descended
### is Himself also He who ascended
### far above all the heavens,
### so that He might fill all things.)
# And He gave some
*as* apostles,
and some
*as* prophets,
and some
*as* evangelists,
and some
*as* pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints
for the work of service,
to the building up of the body of Christ;
until we all attain to the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a mature man,
to the measure of the stature
which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
As a result,
we are no longer to be children,
tossed here and there
by waves
and carried about
by every wind of doctrine,
by the trickery of men,
by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
but speaking the truth in love,
we are to grow up in all *aspects*
into Him
who is the head,
*even* Christ,
from whom the whole body,
being fitted
and held together
by what every joint supplies,
according to the proper
working of each individual part,
causes the growth of the body
for the building up of itself in love.
The Gentiles’ Manner#
So this I say,
and affirm together with the Lord,
that you walk
no longer just as the Gentiles also walk,
in the futility of their mind,
being darkened in their understanding,
excluded from the life of God
because of the ignorance that is in them,
because of the hardness of their heart;
and they,
having become callous,
have given themselves over to sensuality
for the practice
of every kind of impurity
with greediness.
But you did not learn Christ in this way,
if indeed you have heard Him
and have been taught in Him,
just as truth is in Jesus,
that, in reference to your former manner of life,
you lay aside the old self,
which is being corrupted
in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
and that you be renewed
in the spirit of your mind,
and put on the new self,
which in *the likeness of* God
has been created
in righteousness
and holiness
of the truth.
Therefore,
laying aside falsehood,
**speak** truth
each one *of you*
with his neighbor,
for we are members of one another.
Be **angry**,
and *yet* do not **sin**;
do not let the sun **go down** on your anger,
and do not **give** the devil an opportunity.
He who steals must **steal** no longer;
but rather he must **labor**,
performing with his own hands what is good,
so that he will have *something* to share
with one who has need.
Let no aunwholesome word **proceed** from your mouth,
but only such *a word* as is good for edification
according to the need *of the moment,*
so that it will give grace
to those who hear.
Do not **grieve** the Holy Spirit of God,
by whom you were sealed
for the day of redemption.
Let all
bitterness
and wrath
and anger
and clamor
and slander
be **put away** from you,
along with all malice.
**Be** kind to one another,
tender-hearted,
forgiving each other,
just as God
in Christ
also has forgiven you.
Therefore **be** imitators of God,
as beloved children;
and **walk** in love,
just as Christ
also loved you
and gave Himself up
for us,
an offering
and a sacrifice
to God
as a fragrant aroma.
But
immorality
or any impurity
or greed
must not even be **named** among you,
as is proper among saints;
and *there must be no*
filthiness
and silly talk,
or coarse jesting,
which are not fitting,
but rather giving of thanks.
For this **you know with certainty**,
that no
immoral
or impure person
or covetous man,
who is an idolater,
has an inheritance
in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one **deceive** you
with empty words,
for because of these things the wrath of God
comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Therefore
do not **be** partakers with them;
for you were
formerly darkness,
but now you are
Light in the Lord;
**walk** as children of Light
(for the fruit of the Light *consists*
in all goodness
and righteousness
and truth),
trying to learn
what is pleasing to the Lord.
Do not **participate**
in the unfruitful deeds of darkness,
but instead even **expose** them;
for it is disgraceful
even to speak of the things
which are done by them in secret.
But all things become visible
when they are exposed by the light,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
For this reason it says,
“**Awake**, sleeper,
And **arise** from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
Therefore
**be careful** how you walk,
not as unwise men but as wise,
making the most of your time,
because the days are evil.
So then do not **be** foolish,
but **understand** what the will of the Lord is.
And do not **get drunk** with wine,
for that is dissipation,
but be **filled** with the Spirit,
speaking to one another
in psalms
and hymns
and spiritual songs,
singing
and making melody
with your heart
to the Lord;
always giving thanks
for all things
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
to God,
even the Father;
and be subject
to one another
in the fear of Christ.
Wives,
*be subject* to your own husbands,
as to the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife,
as Christ also is the head of the church,
He Himself
*being* the Savior of the body.
But as the church is subject to Christ,
so also the wives
*ought to be* to their husbands
in everything.
Husbands,
**love** your wives,
just as Christ also
loved the church
and gave Himself up
for her,
so that He might sanctify her,
having cleansed her
by the washing of water
with the word,
that He might present
to Himself the church
in all her glory,
having
no spot
or wrinkle
or any such thing;
but that she would be
holy
and blameless.
So husbands
ought also to love their own wives
as their own bodies.
He who loves his own wife
loves himself;
for no one ever hated his own flesh,
but nourishes
and cherishes it,
just as Christ also *does* the church,
because we are members of His body.
For this reason
a man shall leave his father and mother
and shall be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This mystery is great;
but I am speaking with reference
to Christ
and the church.
Nevertheless,
each individual among you
also is to **love** his own wife
even as himself,
and the wife
must *see to it*
that she respects her husband.
Children,
**obey** your parents
in the Lord,
for this is right.
**Honor** your father and mother
(which is the first commandment with a promise),
so that it may be well with you,
and that you may live long on the earth.
Fathers,
do not **provoke** your children **to anger**,
but **bring** them up
in the discipline
and instruction
of the Lord.
Slaves,
be **obedient** to those
who are your masters
according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling,
in the sincerity of your heart,
as to Christ;
not by way of eyeservice,
as men-pleasers,
but as slaves of Christ,
doing the will of God
from the heart.
With good will render service,
as to the Lord,
and not to men,
knowing that
whatever good thing each one does,
this he will receive back
from the Lord,
whether slave or free.
And masters,
**do** the same things to them,
and give up threatening,
knowing that both
their Master
and yours is in heaven,
and there is no partiality with Him.
Finally,
be **strong**
in the Lord
and in the strength
of His might.
**Put on** the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil.
For our struggle is not against
flesh
and blood,
but
against the rulers,
against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness,
against the spiritual *forces* of wickedness
in the heavenly *places.*
Therefore,
**take up**
the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to resist
in the evil day,
and having done everything,
to stand firm.
**Stand** firm therefore,
having girded your loins
with truth,
and having put on
the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet
with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
in addition to all,
taking up the shield of faith
with which you will be able
to extinguish all
the flaming arrows of the evil *one.*
And **take** the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times
in the Spirit,
and with this in view,
be on the alert
with all perseverance
and petition
for all the saints,
and *pray* on my behalf,
that utterance may be given to me
in the opening of my mouth,
to make known
with boldness
the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador
in chains;
that in *proclaiming* it I may speak boldly,
as I ought to speak.
But that you also may know about my circumstances,
how I am doing,
Tychicus,
the beloved brother
and faithful minister
in the Lord,
will make everything known to you.
I have sent him to you
for this very purpose,
so that you may know about us,
and that he may comfort your hearts.
Peace be to the brethren,
and love with faith,
from God the Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace be with all those
who love our Lord Jesus Christ
with incorruptible *love*.
=====
The Letter of Paul to the
EPHESIANS#
A. Introduction: Author and Readers#
# Paul,
## an apostle
### of Christ Jesus
### by the will of God,
# To the saints
## who are
# at Ephesus
## and *who are*
### faithful in Christ Jesus:
## Grace to you
## and peace from God
### our Father
### and the Lord Jesus Christ.
B. Blessed with Christ#
# Blessed *be*
## the
# God
## and Father
### of our Lord Jesus Christ,
# who has blessed us
## with every spiritual blessing
### in the heavenly *places*
### in Christ,
1. Blessed chosen in Him to be blameless#
## just as
# He chose us in Him
## before the foundation of the world,
### that we would be
#### holy
#### and blameless
#### before Him.
2. Blessed with adoption as sons#
## In love
# He predestined us
# to adoption
## as sons
### through Jesus Christ
### to Himself,
### according to the kind intention of His will,
### to the praise of the glory of His grace,
#### which He freely bestowed on us
#### in the Beloved.
3. Blessed with redemption through His blood#
## In Him
# we have redemption
## through His blood,
## the forgiveness of our trespasses,
### according to the riches of His grace
### which He lavished on us.
4. Blessed with the Knowledge of His will#
## In all wisdom and insight
# He made known to us
# the mystery of His will,
## according to His kind intention
### which He purposed
### in Him
### with a view to an administration suitable
### to the fullness of the times,
### *that is*, the summing up of all things
### in Christ,
### things in the heavens
### and things on the earth.
5. Blessed with an inheritance#
## In Him also
# we have obtained an inheritance,
## having been predestined
### according to His purpose
### who works all things
### after the counsel of His will,
#### to the end that we
#### who were the first
### to hope in Christ
### would be to the praise of His glory.
6. Blessed Sealed in Him with Holy Spirit#
## In Him, you also,
## after listening to the message of truth,
## the gospel of your salvation—
## having also believed,
# you were sealed in Him
# with the Holy Spirit of promise,
## who is given
## as a pledge of our inheritance,
### with a view
### to the redemption
### of *God’s own* possession,
### to the praise of His glory.
C. Paul’s prayer for the Ephesian saints#
For this reason I too,
having heard
of the faith
in the Lord Jesus
which *exists* among you
and your love
for all the saints,
do not cease giving thanks for you,
while making mention *of you*
in my prayers;
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory,
may give to you
a spirit of wisdom
and of revelation
in the knowledge of Him.
# *I pray that*
# the eyes of your heart
# may be enlightened,
## so that you will know
### what is the hope of His calling,
### what are the riches of the glory
### of His inheritance in the saints,
### and what is the surpassing greatness
### of His power toward us who believe.
### *These are* in accordance
### with the working
### of the strength of His might
#### which He brought about in Christ,
### when He raised Him from the dead
### and seated Him at His right hand
### in the heavenly *places*,
### far above all
### rule
### and authority
### and power
### and dominion,
### and every name that is named,
#### not only in this age
#### but also in the one to come.
### And He put all things
### in subjection under His feet,
### and gave Him as head
### over all things to the church,
#### which is His body,
#### the fullness of Him
#### who fills all in all.
D. Saved by Grace#
# And you were dead
# in your trespasses
# and sins,
## in which you formerly walked
### according to the course of this world,
### according to the prince of the power of the air,
### of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Among them we too
all formerly lived
in the lusts of our flesh,
indulging the desires of the flesh
and of the mind,
and were by nature children of wrath,
even as the rest.
# But God,
being rich in mercy,
because of His great love
with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
# made us alive
# together with Christ
## (by grace you have been saved),
# and raised us up with Him,
# and seated us with Him
# in the heavenly *places*
## in Christ Jesus,
## so that in the ages to come
### He might show the surpassing riches of His grace
### in kindness toward us
### in Christ Jesus.
# For
by grace
you have been saved
through faith;
and that
not of yourselves,
*it is* the gift of God;
not as a result of works,
so that no one may boast.
For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
for good works,
which God prepared beforehand
so that we would walk
in them.
Therefore **remember**
that formerly you,
the Gentiles in the flesh,
who are called “Uncircumcision”
by the so-called “Circumcision,”
*which is* performed in the flesh
by human hands—
*remember* that you were at that time
separate from Christ,
excluded from the commonwealth of Israel,
and strangers to the covenants of promise,
having no hope
and without God in the world.
But now
in Christ Jesus you
who formerly were far off
have been brought near
by the blood of Christ.
For He Himself is our peace,
who made both *groups into* one
and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
by abolishing in His flesh the enmity,
*which is* the Law of commandments
*contained* in ordinances,
so that
in Himself
He might make the two
into one new man,
*thus* establishing peace,
and might reconcile them both
in one body to God
through the cross,
by it having put to death the enmity.
And He came
and preached peace to you
who were far away,
and peace to those
who were near;
for through Him we both have our access
in one Spirit
to the Father.
So then you are no longer
strangers
and aliens,
but you are
fellow citizens with the saints,
and are of God’s household,
having been built
on the foundation of the apostles
and prophets,
Christ Jesus Himself
being the corner *stone*,
in whom the whole building,
being fitted together,
is growing into a holy temple
in the Lord,
in whom you also
are being built together
into a dwelling of God
in the Spirit.
E. The mystery of Christ#
For this reason
I, Paul,
the prisoner of Christ Jesus
for the sake of you Gentiles—
if indeed you have heard
of the stewardship of God’s grace
which was given to me for you;
that by revelation
there was made known to me the mystery,
as I wrote before in brief.
By referring to this,
when you read you can understand my insight
into the mystery of Christ,
which in other generations was not made known
to the sons of men,
as it has now been revealed
to His holy apostles and prophets
in the Spirit;
*to be specific*,
that the Gentiles
are fellow heirs
and fellow members
of the body,
and fellow partakers
of the promise in Christ Jesus
through the gospel,
of which I was made a minister,
according to the gift of God’s grace
which was given to me
according to the working of His power.
To me,
the very least of all saints,
this grace was given,
to preach to the Gentiles
the unfathomable riches of Christ,
and to bring to light
what is the administration
of the mystery
which for ages
has been hidden in God
who created all things;
so that the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known
through the church
to the rulers
and the authorities
in the heavenly *places.*
*This was*
in accordance
with the eternal purpose
which He carried out
in Christ Jesus our Lord,
in whom
we have boldness
and confident access
through faith in Him.
Therefore I ask you
not to lose heart at my tribulations
on your behalf,
for they are your glory.
For this reason
I bow my knees
before the Father,
from whom every family
in heaven
and on earth
derives its name,
that He would grant you,
according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened
with power
through His Spirit
in the inner man,
so that Christ may dwell
in your hearts
through faith;
*and* that you,
being rooted
and grounded
in love,
may be able to comprehend
with all the saints
what is
the breadth
and length
and height
and depth,
and to know
the love of Christ
which surpasses knowledge,
that you may be filled up
to all the fullness of God.
Now to Him
who is able to do
far more abundantly
beyond all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works within us,
to Him *be* the glory
in the church
and in Christ Jesus
to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
F. The Walk Worthy of the Calling#
Therefore I,
the prisoner of the Lord,
implore you to
# walk in a manner worthy of the calling
with which you have been called,
# with all humility
# and gentleness,
# with patience,
# showing tolerance for one another
## in love,
## being diligent
## to preserve the unity of the Spirit
## in the bond of peace.
*There is*
one body
and one Spirit,
just as also you were called
in one hope of your calling;
one Lord,
one faith,
one baptism,
one God and Father of all
who is
over all
and through all
and in all.
But to each one of us
grace was given
according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Therefore it says,
“When He ascended on high,
He led captive a host of captives,
And He gave gifts to men.”
(Now this *expression,*
“He ascended,”
what does it mean
except that He also had descended
into the lower parts of the earth?
He who descended
is Himself also He who ascended
far above all the heavens,
so that He might fill all things.)
And He gave some
*as* apostles,
and some
*as* prophets,
and some
*as* evangelists,
and some
*as* pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints
for the work of service,
to the building up of the body of Christ;
until we all attain to the unity of the faith,
and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
to a mature man,
to the measure of the stature
which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
As a result,
we are no longer to be children,
tossed here and there
by waves
and carried about
by every wind of doctrine,
by the trickery of men,
by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
but speaking the truth in love,
we are to grow up in all *aspects*
into Him
who is the head,
*even* Christ,
from whom the whole body,
being fitted
and held together
by what every joint supplies,
according to the proper
working of each individual part,
causes the growth of the body
for the building up of itself in love.
G. The Gentiles’ Walk#
So this I say,
and affirm together with the Lord,
that you walk
# no longer just as the Gentiles also walk,
## in the futility of their mind,
## being darkened in their understanding,
## excluded from the life of God
## because of the ignorance that is in them,
## because of the hardness of their heart;
and they,
having become callous,
have given themselves over to sensuality
for the practice
of every kind of impurity
with greediness.
H. How Then?#
But you did not learn Christ in this way,
if indeed you have heard Him
and have been taught in Him,
just as truth is in Jesus,
that, in reference to your former manner of life,
you lay aside the old self,
which is being corrupted
in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
and that you be renewed
in the spirit of your mind,
and put on the new self,
which in *the likeness of* God
has been created
in righteousness
and holiness
of the truth.
Like this#
Therefore,
laying aside falsehood,
**speak** truth
each one *of you*
with his neighbor,
for we are members of one another.
Be **angry**,
and *yet* do not **sin**;
do not let the sun **go down** on your anger,
and do not **give** the devil an opportunity.
He who steals must **steal** no longer;
but rather he must **labor**,
performing with his own hands what is good,
so that he will have *something* to share
with one who has need.
Let no aunwholesome word **proceed** from your mouth,
but only such *a word* as is good for edification
according to the need *of the moment,*
so that it will give grace
to those who hear.
Do not **grieve** the Holy Spirit of God,
by whom you were sealed
for the day of redemption.
Let all
bitterness
and wrath
and anger
and clamor
and slander
be **put away** from you,
along with all malice.
**Be** kind to one another,
tender-hearted,
forgiving each other,
just as God
in Christ
also has forgiven you.
Therefore **be** imitators of God,
as beloved children;
and **walk** in love,
just as Christ
also loved you
and gave Himself up
for us,
an offering
and a sacrifice
to God
as a fragrant aroma.
Not like this#
conduct#
But
immorality
or any impurity
or greed
must not even be **named** among you,
as is proper among saints;
and *there must be no*
filthiness
and silly talk,
or coarse jesting,
which are not fitting,
but rather giving of thanks.
For this **you know with certainty**,
that no
immoral
or impure person
or covetous man,
who is an idolater,
has an inheritance
in the kingdom of Christ and God.
conversatión#
Let no one **deceive** you
with empty words,
for because of these things the wrath of God
comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Therefore
do not **be** partakers with them;
for you were
formerly darkness,
but now you are
Light in the Lord;
**walk** as children of Light
(for the fruit of the Light *consists*
in all goodness
and righteousness
and truth),
trying to learn
what is pleasing to the Lord.
Do not **participate**
in the unfruitful deeds of darkness,
but instead even **expose** them;
for it is disgraceful
even to speak of the things
which are done by them in secret.
But all things become visible
when they are exposed by the light,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
For this reason it says,
“**Awake**, sleeper,
And **arise** from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
Conclusion…by means of the Spirit#
Therefore
**be careful** how you walk,
not as unwise men but as wise,
making the most of your time,
because the days are evil.
So then do not **be** foolish,
but **understand** what the will of the Lord is.
And do not **get drunk** with wine,
for that is dissipation,
but be **filled** with the Spirit,
speaking to one another
in psalms
and hymns
and spiritual songs,
singing
and making melody
with your heart
to the Lord;
always giving thanks
for all things
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
to God,
even the Father;
and be subject
to one another
in the fear of Christ.
1. Wives#
# Wives,
*be subject* to your own husbands,
as to the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife,
as Christ also is the head of the church,
He Himself
*being* the Savior of the body.
But as the church is subject to Christ,
so also the wives
*ought to be* to their husbands
in everything.
2. Husbands#
# Husbands,
**love** your wives,
just as Christ also
loved the church
and gave Himself up
for her,
so that He might sanctify her,
having cleansed her
by the washing of water
with the word,
that He might present
to Himself the church
in all her glory,
having
no spot
or wrinkle
or any such thing;
but that she would be
holy
and blameless.
So husbands
ought also to love their own wives
as their own bodies.
He who loves his own wife
loves himself;
for no one ever hated his own flesh,
but nourishes
and cherishes it,
just as Christ also *does* the church,
because we are members of His body.
For this reason
a man shall leave his father and mother
and shall be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
This mystery is great;
but I am speaking with reference
to Christ
and the church.
Nevertheless,
each individual among you
also is to **love** his own wife
even as himself,
and the wife
must *see to it*
that she respects her husband.
3. Children#
# Children,
**obey** your parents
in the Lord,
for this is right.
**Honor** your father and mother
(which is the first commandment with a promise),
so that it may be well with you,
and that you may live long on the earth.
4. Fathers#
# Fathers,
do not **provoke** your children **to anger**,
but **bring** them up
in the discipline
and instruction
of the Lord.
5. Slaves#
# Slaves,
be **obedient** to those
who are your masters
according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling,
in the sincerity of your heart,
as to Christ;
not by way of eyeservice,
as men-pleasers,
but as slaves of Christ,
doing the will of God
from the heart.
With good will render service,
as to the Lord,
and not to men,
knowing that
whatever good thing each one does,
this he will receive back
from the Lord,
whether slave or free.
6. Masters#
# And masters,
**do** the same things to them,
and give up threatening,
knowing that both
their Master
and yours is in heaven,
and there is no partiality with Him.
I. Amor of God#
Finally,
be **strong**
in the Lord
and in the strength
of His might.
**Put on** the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to stand firm
against the schemes of the devil.
For our struggle is not against
flesh
and blood,
but
against the rulers,
against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness,
against the spiritual *forces* of wickedness
in the heavenly *places.*
Therefore,
**take up**
the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to resist
in the evil day,
and having done everything,
to stand firm.
**Stand** firm therefore,
having girded your loins
with truth,
and having put on
the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet
with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
in addition to all,
taking up the shield of faith
with which you will be able
to extinguish all
the flaming arrows of the evil *one.*
And **take** the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God.
J. Prayer Requested#
With all prayer and petition pray at all times
in the Spirit,
and with this in view,
be on the alert
with all perseverance
and petition
for all the saints,
and *pray* on my behalf,
that utterance may be given to me
in the opening of my mouth,
to make known
with boldness
the mystery of the gospel,
for which I am an ambassador
in chains;
that in *proclaiming* it I may speak boldly,
as I ought to speak.
But that you also may know about my circumstances,
how I am doing,
K. Farewell#
# Tychicus,
## the beloved brother
## and faithful minister
### in the Lord,
# will make everything known to you.
## I have sent him to you
## for this very purpose,
### so that you may know about us,
### and that he may comfort your hearts.
# Peace be to the brethren,
# and love with faith,
## from God the Father
## and the Lord Jesus Christ.
# Grace be with all
## those
### who love our Lord Jesus Christ
### with incorruptible *love*.