Efesios 4
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
La vida en Cristo
4 Yo, pues, prisionero del[a] Señor(A), les ruego(B) que ustedes vivan[b] de una manera digna(C) de la vocación(D) con que han sido llamados(E). 2 Que vivan con toda humildad y mansedumbre, con paciencia(F), soportándose unos a otros en amor(G), 3 esforzándose por preservar la unidad del Espíritu en[c] el vínculo de la paz(H).
4 Hay un solo cuerpo y un solo Espíritu(I), así como también ustedes fueron llamados en una misma esperanza de su vocación(J); 5 un solo Señor(K), una sola fe, un solo bautismo, 6 un solo Dios y Padre de todos, que está sobre todos, por todos y en todos(L).
7 Pero a cada uno(M) de nosotros se nos ha concedido la gracia(N) conforme a la medida del don de Cristo(O). 8 Por tanto, dice:
«Cuando ascendió a lo alto,
Llevó cautivo un gran número de cautivos(P),
Y dio dones a los hombres(Q)».
9 Esta expresión: «Ascendió», ¿qué significa[d], sino que Él también había descendido(R) a las profundidades de la tierra(S)? 10 El que descendió es también el mismo que ascendió mucho más arriba de todos los cielos(T), para poder llenarlo todo(U).
11 Y Él dio a algunos el ser apóstoles, a otros profetas(V), a otros evangelistas(W), a otros pastores y maestros(X), 12 a fin de capacitar a los santos para la obra del ministerio, para la edificación(Y) del cuerpo de Cristo(Z); 13 hasta que todos lleguemos a la unidad de la fe(AA) y del pleno conocimiento del Hijo de Dios(AB), a la condición de un hombre maduro(AC), a la medida de la estatura de la plenitud de Cristo(AD).
14 Entonces ya no seremos niños(AE), sacudidos por las olas y llevados de aquí para allá por todo viento(AF) de doctrina, por la astucia(AG) de los hombres, por las artimañas engañosas del error[e](AH). 15 Más bien, al hablar la verdad en amor(AI), creceremos(AJ) en todos los aspectos en Aquel que es la cabeza(AK), es decir, Cristo, 16 de quien todo el cuerpo, estando bien ajustado y unido por la cohesión que las coyunturas proveen[f], conforme al funcionamiento adecuado de cada miembro[g], produce el crecimiento del cuerpo(AL) para su propia edificación en amor(AM).
Nueva vida en Cristo
17 Esto digo, pues, y afirmo juntamente con el Señor: que ustedes ya no anden así como andan también los gentiles(AN), en la vanidad[h] de su mente(AO). 18 Ellos tienen entenebrecido(AP) su entendimiento, están excluidos de la vida de Dios(AQ) por causa de la ignorancia(AR) que hay[i] en ellos, por la dureza de su corazón(AS).
19 Habiendo llegado a ser insensibles(AT), se entregaron a la sensualidad para cometer con avidez toda clase de impurezas(AU). 20 Pero ustedes no han aprendido(AV) a Cristo[j] de esta manera. 21 Si en verdad lo oyeron(AW) y han sido enseñados en Él(AX), conforme a la verdad que hay[k] en Jesús, 22 que en cuanto a la anterior manera de vivir, ustedes se despojen(AY) del viejo hombre(AZ), que se corrompe según los deseos engañosos[l](BA), 23 y que sean renovados en el espíritu de su mente(BB), 24 y se vistan del nuevo hombre(BC), el cual, en la semejanza de Dios[m], ha sido creado(BD) en la justicia y santidad de la verdad.
25 Por tanto, dejando a un lado la falsedad(BE), hablen verdad cada cual con su prójimo(BF), porque somos miembros(BG) los unos de los otros. 26 Enójense, pero no pequen(BH); no se ponga el sol sobre su enojo, 27 ni den oportunidad[n] al diablo(BI).
28 El que roba, no robe más, sino más bien que trabaje(BJ), haciendo con sus manos(BK) lo que es bueno, a fin de que tenga qué compartir con el que tiene necesidad(BL). 29 No salga de la boca de ustedes ninguna palabra mala[o](BM), sino solo la que sea buena para edificación, según la necesidad[p] del momento, para que imparta gracia a los que escuchan(BN).
30 Y no entristezcan al Espíritu Santo(BO) de Dios, por[q] el cual fueron sellados(BP) para el día de la redención. 31 Sea quitada de ustedes(BQ) toda amargura(BR), enojo, ira, gritos, insultos, así como toda malicia(BS). 32 Sean más bien amables unos con otros, misericordiosos, perdonándose unos a otros(BT), así como también Dios los[r] perdonó en Cristo(BU).
Footnotes
- 4:1 O en el, o por el.
- 4:1 Lit. anden.
- 4:3 O con.
- 4:9 Lit. ¿qué es.
- 4:14 Lit. artimaña en relación al artificio del engaño.
- 4:16 Lit. por toda coyuntura de provisión.
- 4:16 Lit. parte.
- 4:17 Lit. superficialidad.
- 4:18 Lit. está.
- 4:20 I.e. el Mesías.
- 4:21 Lit. está.
- 4:22 Lit. las pasiones de engaño.
- 4:24 Lit. según Dios.
- 4:27 Lit. lugar.
- 4:29 Lit. corrompida.
- 4:29 Lit. de la necesidad.
- 4:30 O en, o con.
- 4:32 Algunos mss. antiguos dicen: nos.
Efesios 4
Dios Habla Hoy
Conservar la unidad
4 Por esto yo, que estoy preso por la causa del Señor, les ruego que se porten como deben hacerlo los que han sido llamados por Dios, como lo fueron ustedes. 2 Sean humildes y amables; tengan paciencia y sopórtense unos a otros con amor; 3 procuren mantener la unidad que proviene del Espíritu Santo, por medio de la paz que une a todos. 4 Hay un solo cuerpo y un solo Espíritu, así como Dios los ha llamado a una sola esperanza. 5 Hay un solo Señor, una sola fe, un solo bautismo; 6 hay un solo Dios y Padre de todos, que está sobre todos, actúa por medio de todos y está en todos.
7 Pero cada uno de nosotros ha recibido los dones que Cristo le ha querido dar. 8 Por eso, la Escritura dice:
«Subió al cielo llevando consigo a los cautivos,
y dio dones a los hombres.»
9 ¿Y qué quiere decir eso de que «subió»? Pues quiere decir que primero bajó a esta tierra. 10 Y el que bajó es el mismo que también subió a lo más alto del cielo, para llenarlo todo. 11 Y él mismo concedió a unos ser apóstoles y a otros profetas, a otros anunciar el evangelio y a otros ser pastores y maestros. 12 Así preparó a los del pueblo santo para un trabajo de servicio, para la edificación del cuerpo de Cristo 13 hasta que todos lleguemos a estar unidos por la fe y el conocimiento del Hijo de Dios, y alcancemos la edad adulta, que corresponde a la plena madurez de Cristo. 14 Ya no seremos como niños, que cambian fácilmente de parecer y que son arrastrados por el viento de cualquier nueva enseñanza hasta dejarse engañar por gente astuta que anda por caminos equivocados. 15 Más bien, profesando la verdad en el amor, debemos crecer en todo hacia Cristo, que es la cabeza del cuerpo. 16 Y por Cristo el cuerpo entero se ajusta y se liga bien mediante la unión entre sí de todas sus partes; y cuando cada parte funciona bien, todo va creciendo y edificándose en amor.
La nueva vida en Cristo
17 Esto, pues, es lo que les digo y les encargo en el nombre del Señor: que ya no vivan más como los paganos, los cuales viven de acuerdo con sus equivocados criterios 18 y tienen oscurecido el entendimiento. Ellos no gozan de la vida que viene de Dios, porque son ignorantes a causa de lo insensible de su corazón. 19 Se han endurecido y se han entregado al vicio, cometiendo sin freno toda clase de cosas impuras. 20 Pero ustedes no conocieron a Cristo para vivir así, 21 pues ciertamente oyeron el mensaje acerca de él y aprendieron a vivir como él lo quiere, según la verdad que está en Jesús. 22 Por eso, deben ustedes renunciar a su antigua manera de vivir y despojarse de lo que antes eran, ya que todo eso se ha corrompido, a causa de los deseos engañosos. 23 Deben renovarse espiritualmente en su manera de juzgar, 24 y revestirse de la nueva naturaleza, creada a imagen de Dios y que se distingue por una vida recta y pura, basada en la verdad.
Aplicaciones concretas
25 Por lo tanto, ya no mientan más, sino diga cada uno la verdad a su prójimo, porque todos somos miembros de un mismo cuerpo.
26 Si se enojan, no pequen; que el enojo no les dure todo el día. 27 No le den oportunidad al diablo.
28 El que robaba, deje de robar y póngase a trabajar, realizando un buen trabajo con sus manos para que tenga algo que dar a los necesitados.
29 No digan malas palabras, sino sólo palabras buenas que edifiquen la comunidad y traigan beneficios a quienes las escuchen. 30 No hagan que se entristezca el Espíritu Santo de Dios, con el que ustedes han sido sellados para distinguirlos como propiedad de Dios el día en que él les dé la liberación definitiva.
31 Alejen de ustedes la amargura, las pasiones, los enojos, los gritos, los insultos y toda clase de maldad. 32 Sean buenos y compasivos unos con otros, y perdónense mutuamente, como Dios los perdonó a ustedes en Cristo.
Ephesians 4
Lexham English Bible
Christians Should Live in Unity
4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to live in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called: 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, 3 being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; 4 one body and one Spirit (just as also you were called with 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.
Gifted Leaders Bring the Church to Maturity
7 Now to each one of us was given this grace, according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“Ascending on high he led captivity captive;
he gave gifts to men.”[a]
9 Now “he ascended,” what is it, except that he also descended[b] to the lower regions of the earth? 10 The one who descended himself is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order that he might fill all things.
11 And he himself 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 the ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be infants, tossed about by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of people, by craftiness with reference to the scheming of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.
Appeal for New Behavior
17 This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles walk: in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, 19 who, becoming callous, gave themselves over to licentiousness, for the pursuit of all uncleanness in greediness.
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard about him, and you were taught by him (just as truth is in Jesus), 22 that you take off, according to your former way of life, the old man, who is being destroyed according to deceitful desires, 23 be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man (in accordance with God), who is created in righteousness and holiness from the truth.
Old Behavior, New Behavior, and Motivation
25 Therefore, putting aside the lie, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor,[c] because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin;[d] do not let the sun set on your anger, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 The one who steals must steal no longer, but instead must labor, working with his own hands what is good, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need. 29 No rotten word must proceed[e] from your mouth, but only something good for the building up of the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear, 30 and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, and rage, and wrath, and clamor, and abusive speech, must be removed from you, together with all wickedness. 32 Become[f] kind toward one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as also God in Christ has forgiven you.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 4:8 A quotation from Ps 68:18
- Ephesians 4:9 Some secondary manuscripts add “first”
- Ephesians 4:25 An allusion to Zech 8:16
- Ephesians 4:26 An allusion to Ps 4:4
- Ephesians 4:29 Literally “Every rotten word must not proceed”
- Ephesians 4:32 Some manuscripts have “But become”
Ephesians 4
New International Version
Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ
4 As a prisoner(A) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy(B) of the calling(C) you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another(D) in love.(E) 3 Make every effort to keep the unity(F) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.(G) 4 There is one body(H) and one Spirit,(I) just as you were called to one hope when you were called(J); 5 one Lord,(K) one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all,(L) who is over all and through all and in all.(M)
7 But to each one of us(N) grace(O) has been given(P) as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says:
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(S) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(T) 11 So Christ himself gave(U) the apostles,(V) the prophets,(W) the evangelists,(X) the pastors and teachers,(Y) 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ(Z) may be built up(AA) 13 until we all reach unity(AB) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God(AC) and become mature,(AD) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(AE)
14 Then we will no longer be infants,(AF) tossed back and forth by the waves,(AG) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.(AH) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,(AI) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,(AJ) that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows(AK) and builds itself up(AL) in love,(AM) as each part does its work.
Instructions for Christian Living
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer(AN) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.(AO) 18 They are darkened in their understanding(AP) and separated from the life of God(AQ) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.(AR) 19 Having lost all sensitivity,(AS) they have given themselves over(AT) to sensuality(AU) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off(AV) your old self,(AW) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;(AX) 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;(AY) 24 and to put on(AZ) the new self,(BA) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.(BB)
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully(BC) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.(BD) 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]:(BE) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.(BF) 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,(BG) doing something useful with their own hands,(BH) that they may have something to share with those in need.(BI)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,(BJ) but only what is helpful for building others up(BK) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,(BL) with whom you were sealed(BM) for the day of redemption.(BN) 31 Get rid of(BO) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.(BP) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,(BQ) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(BR)
Footnotes
- 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)
Ephesians 4
King James Version
4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
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