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Ephesians 1-4
New Living Translation
Ephesians 1-4
New Living Translation
Greetings from Paul
1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus,[a] who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Spiritual Blessings
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.[b] 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God,[c] for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own[d] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom
15 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere,[e] 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom[f] and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.[g]
19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Made Alive with Christ
2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[h] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Oneness and Peace in Christ
11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. 15 He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. 16 Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.
17 He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
A Temple for the Lord
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed
3 When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles[i] . . . 2 assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. 3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.[j] 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone[k] this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Because of Christ and our faith in him,[l] we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.
Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth
14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[m] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[n] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
Unity in the Body
4 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all,
who is over all, in all, and living through all.
7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift[o] through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say,
“When he ascended to the heights,
he led a crowd of captives
and gave gifts to his people.”[p]
9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.[q] 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Living as Children of Light
17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.
20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”[r] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[s] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Footnotes
- 1:1 The most ancient manuscripts do not include in Ephesus.
- 1:6 Greek to us in the beloved.
- 1:11 Or we have become God’s inheritance.
- 1:13 Or he put his seal on you.
- 1:15 Some manuscripts read your faithfulness to the Lord Jesus and to God’s people everywhere.
- 1:17 Or to give you the Spirit of wisdom.
- 1:18 Or called, and the rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his holy people.
- 2:2 Greek obeying the commander of the power of the air.
- 3:1 Paul resumes this thought in verse 14: “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father.”
- 3:6 Or because they are united with Christ Jesus.
- 3:9 Some manuscripts do not include to everyone.
- 3:12 Or Because of Christ’s faithfulness.
- 3:14 Some manuscripts read the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 3:15 Or from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
- 4:7 Greek a grace.
- 4:8 Ps 68:18.
- 4:9 Some manuscripts read to the lower parts of the earth.
- 4:26 Ps 4:4.
- 4:30 Or has put his seal on you.
Ephesians 1-4
New American Standard Bible
Ephesians 1-4
New American Standard Bible
The Blessings of Redemption
1 Paul, (A)an apostle of (B)Christ Jesus [a](C)by the will of God,
To the [b](D)saints who are [c]at (E)Ephesus and (F)are faithful in (G)Christ Jesus: 2 (H)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 (I)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in (J)the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as (K)He chose us in Him before (L)the foundation of the world, that we would be (M)holy and blameless before [d]Him. (N)In love 5 [e]He (O)predestined us to (P)adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, (Q)according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 (R)to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in (S)the Beloved. 7 (T)In [f]Him we have (U)redemption (V)through His blood, the (W)forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to (X)the riches of His grace 8 which He [g]lavished on [h]us. In all wisdom and insight 9 He [i](Y)made known to us the mystery of His will, (Z)according to His good pleasure which He (AA)set forth in Him, 10 regarding His plan of (AB)the fullness of the times, (AC)to bring all things together in Christ, things [j]in the heavens and things on the earth. 11 [k]In Him we also (AD)have obtained an inheritance, having been (AE)predestined (AF)according to the purpose of Him who works all things (AG)in accordance with the plan of His will, 12 to the end that [l]we who were the first to hope in the [m]Christ would be (AH)to the praise of His glory. 13 In [n]Him, [o]you also, after listening to (AI)the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also [p]believed, you were (AJ)sealed in [q]Him with (AK)the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a (AL)first installment of (AM)our inheritance, in regard to the (AN)redemption of (AO)God’s own possession, (AP)to the praise of His glory.
15 For this reason I too, (AQ)having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and [r]your love for (AR)all the [s]saints, 16 (AS)do not cease giving thanks for you, (AT)while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the (AU)God of our Lord Jesus Christ, (AV)the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of (AW)wisdom and of (AX)revelation in the [t]knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that (AY)the eyes of your heart [u]may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the (AZ)hope of His (BA)calling, what are (BB)the riches of the glory of (BC)His inheritance in (BD)the [v]saints, 19 and what is the [w]boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. (BE)These are in accordance with the working of the (BF)strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He (BG)raised Him from the dead and (BH)seated Him at His right hand in (BI)the heavenly places, 21 far above (BJ)all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every (BK)name that is named, not only in (BL)this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He (BM)put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him (BN)head over all things to the church, 23 which is His (BO)body, the (BP)fullness of Him who (BQ)fills (BR)all in all.
Made Alive in Christ
2 And [x]you [y]were (BS)dead [z]in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you (BT)previously walked according to the [aa]course of (BU)this world, according to (BV)the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in (BW)the [ab]sons of disobedience. 3 Among them [ac]we too all (BX)previously lived in (BY)the lusts of our flesh, [ad]indulging the desires of the flesh and of the [ae]mind, and were (BZ)by nature (CA)children of wrath, (CB)just as the rest. 4 But God, being (CC)rich in mercy, because of (CD)His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were (CE)dead [af]in our wrongdoings, made us alive together [ag]with Christ ((CF)by grace you have been saved), 6 and (CG)raised us up with Him, and (CH)seated us with Him in (CI)the heavenly places in (CJ)Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the [ah]boundless (CK)riches of His grace in (CL)kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For (CM)by grace you have been saved (CN)through faith; and [ai]this is not of yourselves, it is (CO)the gift of God; 9 (CP)not a result of works, so that (CQ)no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, (CR)created in (CS)Christ Jesus for (CT)good works, which God (CU)prepared beforehand so that we would (CV)walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that (CW)previously (CX)you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “(CY)Uncircumcision” by the so-called “(CZ)Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, [aj](DA)excluded from [ak]the people of Israel, and strangers to (DB)the covenants of the promise, having (DC)no hope and (DD)without God in the world. 13 But now in (DE)Christ Jesus you who (DF)previously were (DG)far away [al]have (DH)been brought near [am](DI)by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is (DJ)our peace, (DK)who made both groups into one and broke down the [an]barrier of the dividing wall, 15 [ao]by (DL)abolishing [ap]in His flesh the hostility, which is (DM)the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might [aq](DN)make the two (DO)one new person, in this way establishing (DP)peace; 16 and that He might (DQ)reconcile them both in (DR)one body to God through the cross, [ar]by it having (DS)put to death the hostility. 17 And (DT)He came and preached (DU)peace to you who were (DV)far away, and peace to those who were (DW)near; 18 for through Him we both have (DX)our access in (DY)one Spirit to (DZ)the Father. 19 So then you are no longer (EA)strangers and foreigners, but you are (EB)fellow citizens with the [as]saints, and are of (EC)God’s household, 20 having been (ED)built on (EE)the foundation of (EF)the apostles and prophets, (EG)Christ Jesus Himself being the (EH)cornerstone, 21 (EI)in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into (EJ)a holy [at]temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being (EK)built together into a (EL)dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Paul’s Stewardship
3 For this reason I, Paul, (EM)the prisoner of (EN)Christ Jesus (EO)for the sake of you (EP)Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the (EQ)administration of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 (ER)that (ES)by revelation there was (ET)made known to me (EU)the mystery, (EV)as I wrote before briefly. 4 [au]By referring to this, when you read you can understand (EW)my insight [av]into the (EX)mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to [aw]mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy (EY)apostles and prophets [ax]in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are (EZ)fellow heirs and (FA)fellow members of the body, and (FB)fellow partakers of the promise in (FC)Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 (FD)of which I was made a (FE)minister, according to the gift of (FF)God’s grace which was given to me (FG)according to the working of His power. 8 To me, (FH)the very least of all [ay]saints, this grace was given, to (FI)preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable (FJ)riches of Christ, 9 and to [az]enlighten all people as to what the plan of the (FK)mystery is which for ages has been (FL)hidden in God, (FM)who created all things; 10 so that the multifaceted (FN)wisdom of God might now be (FO)made known through the church to the (FP)rulers and the authorities in (FQ)the heavenly places. 11 This was in (FR)accordance with the [ba]eternal purpose which He [bb]carried out in (FS)Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and [bc](FT)confident (FU)access through faith [bd]in Him. 13 Therefore I ask [be]you not (FV)to become discouraged about my tribulations (FW)in your behalf, [bf]since they are your glory.
14 For this reason I (FX)bend my knees before the Father, 15 from whom [bg]every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to (FY)the riches of His glory, to be (FZ)strengthened with power through His Spirit in (GA)the inner [bh]self, 17 so that (GB)Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being (GC)rooted and (GD)grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with (GE)all the [bi]saints what is (GF)the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know (GG)the love of Christ which (GH)surpasses knowledge, that you may be (GI)filled to all the (GJ)fullness of God.
20 (GK)Now to Him who is (GL)able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, (GM)according to the power that works within us, 21 (GN)to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [bj]forever and ever. Amen.
Unity of the Spirit
4 Therefore I, (GO)the prisoner of the Lord, (GP)urge you to (GQ)walk in a manner worthy of the (GR)calling with which you have been (GS)called, 2 with all (GT)humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another (GU)in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the (GV)bond of peace. 4 There is (GW)one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one (GX)hope of your calling; 5 (GY)one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all (GZ)who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But (HA)to each one of us (HB)grace was given (HC)according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore [bk]it says,
9 (Now this expression, “He (HF)ascended,” what [bl]does it mean except that He also [bm]had descended into (HG)the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended (HH)far above all the heavens, so that He might (HI)fill all things.) 11 And He (HJ)gave (HK)some as apostles, some as prophets, some as (HL)evangelists, some as [bn]pastors and (HM)teachers, 12 (HN)for the equipping of the [bo]saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of (HO)the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to (HP)the unity of the faith, and of the [bp](HQ)knowledge of the Son of God, to a (HR)mature man, to the measure of the stature [bq]which belongs to the (HS)fullness of Christ. 14 [br]As a result, we are (HT)no longer to be children, (HU)tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by (HV)craftiness [bs]in (HW)deceitful scheming; 15 but [bt]speaking the truth (HX)in love, [bu]we are to (HY)grow up in all aspects into Him who is the (HZ)head, that is, Christ, 16 from whom (IA)the whole body, being fitted and held together [bv]by what every joint supplies, according to the [bw]proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself (IB)in love.
The Christian’s Walk
17 (IC)So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, (ID)that you are to no longer walk just as the [bx]Gentiles also walk, in the (IE)futility of their minds, 18 being (IF)darkened in their understanding, [by](IG)excluded from the life of God because of the (IH)ignorance that is in them, because of the (II)hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having (IJ)become callous, (IK)have given themselves up to (IL)indecent behavior [bz]for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not (IM)learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you (IN)have heard Him and have (IO)been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to (IP)rid yourselves of the (IQ)old [ca]self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the (IR)lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be (IS)renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to (IT)put on the (IU)new [cb]self, which [cc](IV)in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
25 Therefore, (IW)ridding yourselves of falsehood, (IX)speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are (IY)parts of one another. 26 (IZ)Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not (JA)give the devil [cd]an opportunity. 28 The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather (JB)he must labor, (JC)producing with his own hands what is good, (JD)so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. 29 Let no [ce](JE)unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for (JF)edification [cf]according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 (JG)Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [cg]by whom you were (JH)sealed for the day of redemption. 31 (JI)All bitterness, wrath, anger, [ch]clamor, and slander must be (JJ)removed from you, along with all (JK)malice. 32 (JL)Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, (JM)just as God in Christ also has forgiven [ci]you.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 1:1 Lit through
- Ephesians 1:1 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Ephesians 1:1 Three early mss do not contain at Ephesus
- Ephesians 1:4 Or Him, in love. He
- Ephesians 1:5 Lit having predestined
- Ephesians 1:7 Lit whom
- Ephesians 1:8 Lit made abundant toward
- Ephesians 1:8 Or us in all wisdom and insight. He
- Ephesians 1:9 Lit making known
- Ephesians 1:10 Lit upon
- Ephesians 1:11 Lit In whom also
- Ephesians 1:12 I.e., Jewish believers
- Ephesians 1:12 I.e., Messiah
- Ephesians 1:13 Lit whom
- Ephesians 1:13 I.e., Gentile believers
- Ephesians 1:13 Or believed in Him, you were sealed
- Ephesians 1:13 Lit whom
- Ephesians 1:15 Three early mss do not contain your love
- Ephesians 1:15 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Ephesians 1:17 Or true knowledge
- Ephesians 1:18 Lit having been
- Ephesians 1:18 See note 2 v 15
- Ephesians 1:19 Lit surpassing
- Ephesians 2:1 Lit being
- Ephesians 2:1 I.e., Gentile believers
- Ephesians 2:1 Or by reason of
- Ephesians 2:2 Lit age
- Ephesians 2:2 I.e., people opposed to God
- Ephesians 2:3 I.e., Jewish believers
- Ephesians 2:3 Lit doing
- Ephesians 2:3 Lit thoughts
- Ephesians 2:5 Or by reason of
- Ephesians 2:5 Two early mss in Christ
- Ephesians 2:7 Lit surpassing
- Ephesians 2:8 I.e., this salvation
- Ephesians 2:12 Or alienated
- Ephesians 2:12 Or citizenship in Israel
- Ephesians 2:13 Lit became; or were made
- Ephesians 2:13 Or in
- Ephesians 2:14 Lit the dividing wall of the barrier
- Ephesians 2:15 Or the hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the Law
- Ephesians 2:15 I.e., by His death
- Ephesians 2:15 Lit create
- Ephesians 2:16 Or in Himself
- Ephesians 2:19 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Ephesians 2:21 Or sanctuary
- Ephesians 3:4 Lit To which, when you read
- Ephesians 3:4 Lit in
- Ephesians 3:5 Lit the sons of man
- Ephesians 3:5 Or by
- Ephesians 3:8 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Ephesians 3:9 One early ms bring to light what
- Ephesians 3:11 Lit purpose of the ages
- Ephesians 3:11 Or formed
- Ephesians 3:12 Lit access in confidence
- Ephesians 3:12 Lit of Him
- Ephesians 3:13 Or that I may not lose
- Ephesians 3:13 Lit which are
- Ephesians 3:15 Or the whole
- Ephesians 3:16 Lit person
- Ephesians 3:18 See note v 8
- Ephesians 3:21 Lit of the age of the ages
- Ephesians 4:8 Or He
- Ephesians 4:9 Lit is it except
- Ephesians 4:9 One early ms had first descended
- Ephesians 4:11 From Gr for shepherds
- Ephesians 4:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Ephesians 4:13 Or true knowledge
- Ephesians 4:13 Lit of the fullness
- Ephesians 4:14 Lit So that we will no longer be
- Ephesians 4:14 Lit with regard to the scheming of deceit
- Ephesians 4:15 Or holding to; or being truthful in
- Ephesians 4:15 Or let’s grow up
- Ephesians 4:16 Lit through every joint of the supply
- Ephesians 4:16 Lit working in measure
- Ephesians 4:17 I.e., unbelieving Gentiles
- Ephesians 4:18 Or alienated
- Ephesians 4:19 Or greedy for the practice of every kind of impurity
- Ephesians 4:22 Lit person
- Ephesians 4:24 Lit person
- Ephesians 4:24 Lit according to God
- Ephesians 4:27 Lit a place
- Ephesians 4:29 Lit rotten
- Ephesians 4:29 Lit of the need
- Ephesians 4:30 Lit in
- Ephesians 4:31 Or shouting
- Ephesians 4:32 Two early mss us
Ephesians 1-4
New International Version
Ephesians 1-4
New International Version
1 Paul, an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B)
To God’s holy people(C) in Ephesus,[a](D) the faithful(E) in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(F)
Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,(G) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms(H) with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us(I) in him before the creation of the world(J) to be holy and blameless(K) in his sight. In love(L) 5 he[b] predestined(M) us for adoption to sonship[c](N) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure(O) and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace,(P) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.(Q) 7 In him we have redemption(R) through his blood,(S) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches(T) of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery(U) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed(V) in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment(W)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.(X)
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined(Y) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose(Z) of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.(AA) 13 And you also were included in Christ(AB) when you heard the message of truth,(AC) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,(AD) the promised Holy Spirit,(AE) 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance(AF) until the redemption(AG) of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.(AH)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus(AI) and your love for all God’s people,(AJ) 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you,(AK) remembering you in my prayers.(AL) 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,(AM) may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom(AN) and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened(AO) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called(AP) you, the riches(AQ) of his glorious inheritance(AR) in his holy people,(AS) 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power(AT) is the same as the mighty strength(AU) 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead(AV) and seated him at his right hand(AW) in the heavenly realms,(AX) 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,(AY) and every name(AZ) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.(BA) 22 And God placed all things under his feet(BB) and appointed him to be head(BC) over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,(BD) the fullness of him(BE) who fills everything in every way.(BF)
Made Alive in Christ
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,(BG) 2 in which you used to live(BH) when you followed the ways of this world(BI) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,(BJ) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.(BK) 3 All of us also lived among them at one time,(BL) gratifying the cravings of our flesh[g](BM) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us,(BN) God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions(BO)—it is by grace you have been saved.(BP) 6 And God raised us up with Christ(BQ) and seated us with him(BR) in the heavenly realms(BS) in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,(BT) expressed in his kindness(BU) to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace(BV) you have been saved,(BW) through faith(BX)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works,(BY) so that no one can boast.(BZ) 10 For we are God’s handiwork,(CA) created(CB) in Christ Jesus to do good works,(CC) which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ
11 Therefore, remember that formerly(CD) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)(CE)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners(CF) to the covenants of the promise,(CG) without hope(CH) and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once(CI) were far away have been brought near(CJ) by the blood of Christ.(CK)
14 For he himself is our peace,(CL) who has made the two groups one(CM) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh(CN) the law with its commands and regulations.(CO) His purpose was to create in himself one(CP) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,(CQ) by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace(CR) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.(CS) 18 For through him we both have access(CT) to the Father(CU) by one Spirit.(CV)
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,(CW) but fellow citizens(CX) with God’s people and also members of his household,(CY) 20 built(CZ) on the foundation(DA) of the apostles and prophets,(DB) with Christ Jesus himself(DC) as the chief cornerstone.(DD) 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple(DE) in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.(DF)
God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner(DG) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me(DH) for you, 3 that is, the mystery(DI) made known to me by revelation,(DJ) as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight(DK) into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.(DL) 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs(DM) together with Israel, members together of one body,(DN) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.(DO)
7 I became a servant of this gospel(DP) by the gift of God’s grace given me(DQ) through the working of his power.(DR) 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,(DS) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles(DT) the boundless riches of Christ,(DU) 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,(DV) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God(DW) should be made known(DX) to the rulers and authorities(DY) in the heavenly realms,(DZ) 11 according to his eternal purpose(EA) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God(EB) with freedom and confidence.(EC) 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
A Prayer for the Ephesians
14 For this reason I kneel(ED) before the Father, 15 from whom every family[h] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches(EE) he may strengthen you with power(EF) through his Spirit in your inner being,(EG) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts(EH) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted(EI) and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,(EJ) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep(EK) is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge(EL)—that you may be filled(EM) to the measure of all the fullness of God.(EN)
20 Now to him who is able(EO) to do immeasurably more than all we ask(EP) or imagine, according to his power(EQ) that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.(ER)
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
4 As a prisoner(ES) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy(ET) of the calling(EU) you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another(EV) in love.(EW) 3 Make every effort to keep the unity(EX) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.(EY) 4 There is one body(EZ) and one Spirit,(FA) just as you were called to one hope when you were called(FB); 5 one Lord,(FC) one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all,(FD) who is over all and through all and in all.(FE)
7 But to each one of us(FF) grace(FG) has been given(FH) as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[i] says:
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[k]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(FK) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(FL) 11 So Christ himself gave(FM) the apostles,(FN) the prophets,(FO) the evangelists,(FP) the pastors and teachers,(FQ) 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ(FR) may be built up(FS) 13 until we all reach unity(FT) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God(FU) and become mature,(FV) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(FW)
14 Then we will no longer be infants,(FX) tossed back and forth by the waves,(FY) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.(FZ) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,(GA) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,(GB) that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows(GC) and builds itself up(GD) in love,(GE) 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(GF) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.(GG) 18 They are darkened in their understanding(GH) and separated from the life of God(GI) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.(GJ) 19 Having lost all sensitivity,(GK) they have given themselves over(GL) to sensuality(GM) 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(GN) your old self,(GO) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;(GP) 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;(GQ) 24 and to put on(GR) the new self,(GS) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.(GT)
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully(GU) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.(GV) 26 “In your anger do not sin”[l]:(GW) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.(GX) 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,(GY) doing something useful with their own hands,(GZ) that they may have something to share with those in need.(HA)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,(HB) but only what is helpful for building others up(HC) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,(HD) with whom you were sealed(HE) for the day of redemption.(HF) 31 Get rid of(HG) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.(HH) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,(HI) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(HJ)
Footnotes
- Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus.
- Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. 5 He
- Ephesians 1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture.
- Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he
- Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
- Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit
- Ephesians 2:3 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
- Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).
- Ephesians 4:8 Or God
- Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
- Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
- Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.