所以,做为蒙爱的儿女,你们要效法神; 要在爱中行事[a],就像基督也爱了我们,为我们舍弃了自己,做供物和祭物献给神,成为馨香的气味。 至于淫乱和一切污秽,或是贪心,在你们中间连提都不可提,这样才与圣徒相宜。 污秽的言行、愚妄的话语、下流的笑话,这些都不合宜;反而倒要说感谢的话。 实际上你们应当清楚知道这一点:所有淫乱的、污秽的,或贪心的——就是拜偶像的——在基督和神的国度里都得不到继业。

光明与黑暗

不要让任何人用虚空的话把你们欺骗了;正是为了这些,神的震怒就临到那些不信从的儿女[b]身上。 所以,不要与他们同伙。 你们从前原是黑暗,但如今在主里就是光;你们要像属于光的儿女行走, 原来属于光的果子[c],就是一切良善、公义、真理; 10 要分辨什么是主所喜悦的事。 11 你们不要参与那些属黑暗结不出果子的事,反而要把那些事揭露出来, 12 因为他们暗中所做的,连说出来也是可耻的。 13 然而,一切被光所揭露的事,都要成为明显的, 14 因为使一切成为明显的,就是光。所以有话说:

“醒过来!睡着的人哪,从死人中起来吧!
基督就要光照你了!”

基督徒生活的一致性

15 所以,你们要仔细察看怎样行事为人,不要像没有智慧的人,而要像有智慧的人; 16 要把握机会[d],因为这时代是邪恶的。 17 为此,不要做愚妄的人,而要领悟主的旨意是什么。 18 不要醉酒,醉酒带来[e]放荡,而要被圣灵充满:

19 用诗篇、圣诗、属灵的诗歌彼此对说,
从你们的心里,歌颂赞美主;
20 奉我们主耶稣基督的名,
为一切常常感谢父神;
21 怀着敬畏基督[f]的心,彼此服从。

妻子与丈夫

22 你们做妻子的,要服从[g]自己的丈夫,如同服从主, 23 因为丈夫是妻子的头,正如基督是教会的头;他也是这身体的救主。 24 而且教会怎样服从基督,妻子也照样要在一切事上服从[h]丈夫。 25 你们做丈夫的,要爱自己的妻子,就像基督也爱了教会,为她舍弃了自己。 26 基督这么做[i],是要藉着话语,用水[j]的洗涤而洁净教会,使她分别为圣, 27 为要给自己预备一个荣耀的教会,没有污渍、皱纹或任何这类的事,却要她成为圣洁、毫无瑕疵。 28 照样,丈夫也应该爱自己的妻子,就像爱自己的身体一样;那爱自己妻子的,就是爱自己。 29 从来没有人恨恶自己的身体,总是保养、顾惜它,就像基督[k]对待教会那样, 30 因为我们是基督身体的各个部分[l][m]

31 “为这缘故,人将离开父母,
与妻子结合,
两个人就成为一体。”[n]

32 这是极大的奥秘,但我是指着基督和教会说的。 33 不过,你们每一个人也要爱自己的妻子,就像爱自己一样;而妻子要敬重[o]丈夫。

Footnotes

  1. 以弗所书 5:2 行事——原文直译“行走”。
  2. 以弗所书 5:6 不信从的儿女——或译作“悖逆的人”。
  3. 以弗所书 5:9 属于光的果子——有古抄本作“圣灵的果子”。参《加拉太书》5:22。
  4. 以弗所书 5:16 要把握机会——原文直译“要赎回时机”。
  5. 以弗所书 5:18 带来——原文直译“就是”。
  6. 以弗所书 5:21 基督——有古抄本作“神”。
  7. 以弗所书 5:22 有古抄本没有“服从”。
  8. 以弗所书 5:24 有古抄本附“自己的”。
  9. 以弗所书 5:26 基督这么做——辅助词语。
  10. 以弗所书 5:26 用水——或译作“在水里”。
  11. 以弗所书 5:29 基督——有古抄本作“主”。
  12. 以弗所书 5:30 部分——或译作“肢体”。
  13. 以弗所书 5:30 有古抄本附“是属他的肉,属他的骨”。
  14. 以弗所书 5:31 《创世记》2:24。
  15. 以弗所书 5:33 敬重——或译作“敬畏”。

Walk in Love

(A)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And (B)walk in love, (C)as Christ loved us and (D)gave himself up for us, a (E)fragrant (F)offering and sacrifice to God.

But (G)sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness (H)must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be (I)no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, (J)which are out of place, but instead (K)let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that (L)everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ((M)that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (N)Let no one (O)deceive you with empty words, for because of these things (P)the wrath of God comes upon (Q)the sons of disobedience. Therefore (R)do not become partners with them; for (S)at one time you were (T)darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. (U)Walk as children of light (for (V)the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and (W)try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 (X)Take no part in the (Y)unfruitful (Z)works of darkness, but instead (AA)expose them. 12 For (AB)it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when (AC)anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

(AD)“Awake, O sleeper,
    and (AE)arise from the dead,
and (AF)Christ will shine on you.”

15 (AG)Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 (AH)making the best use of the time, because (AI)the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what (AJ)the will of the Lord is. 18 And (AK)do not get drunk with wine, for that is (AL)debauchery, but (AM)be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in (AN)psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 (AO)giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father (AP)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 (AQ)submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives and Husbands

22 (AR)Wives, (AS)submit to your own husbands, (AT)as to the Lord. 23 For (AU)the husband is the head of the wife even as (AV)Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is (AW)himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit (AX)in everything to their husbands.

25 (AY)Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and (AZ)gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by (BA)the washing of water (BB)with the word, 27 so (BC)that he might present the church to himself in splendor, (BD)without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a] 28 In the same way (BE)husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because (BF)we are members of his body. 31 (BG)“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and (BH)the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, (BI)let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she (BJ)respects her husband.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:27 Or holy and blameless

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Follow God’s example,(A) therefore, as dearly loved children(B) and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us(C) and gave himself up for us(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(E)

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.(I) For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater(J)—has any inheritance(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a](L) Let no one deceive you(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath(N) comes on those who are disobedient.(O) Therefore do not be partners with them.

For you were once(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light(Q) (for the fruit(R) of the light consists in all goodness,(S) righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.(T) 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,(U) but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light(V) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,(W)
    rise from the dead,(X)
    and Christ will shine on you.”(Y)

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

Instructions for Christian Households(AH)

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

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands(AJ) as you do to the Lord.(AK) 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,(AL) his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands(AM) in everything.

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

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
  2. Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
  3. Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24