Add parallel Print Page Options

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, to the saints who are in Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Blessed [is] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who did bless us in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

according as He did choose us in him before the foundation of the world, for our being holy and unblemished before Him, in love,

having foreordained us to the adoption of sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

to the praise of the glory of His grace, in which He did make us accepted in the beloved,

in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the remission of the trespasses, according to the riches of His grace,

in which He did abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

having made known to us the secret of His will, according to His good pleasure, that He purposed in Himself,

10 in regard to the dispensation of the fulness of the times, to bring into one the whole in the Christ, both the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth -- in him;

11 in whom also we did obtain an inheritance, being foreordained according to the purpose of Him who the all things is working according to the counsel of His will,

12 for our being to the praise of His glory, [even] those who did first hope in the Christ,

13 in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth -- the good news of your salvation -- in whom also having believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise,

14 which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of the acquired possession, to the praise of His glory.

15 Because of this I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love to all the saints,

16 do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers,

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of the glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the recognition of him,

18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, for your knowing what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

19 and what the exceeding greatness of His power to us who are believing, according to the working of the power of His might,

20 which He wrought in the Christ, having raised him out of the dead, and did set [him] at His right hand in the heavenly [places],

21 far above all principality, and authority, and might, and lordship, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in the coming one;

22 and all things He did put under his feet, and did give him -- head over all things to the assembly,

23 which is his body, the fulness of Him who is filling the all in all,

Also you -- being dead in the trespasses and the sins,

in which once ye did walk according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience,

among whom also we all did walk once in the desires of our flesh, doing the wishes of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath -- as also the others,

and God, being rich in kindness, because of His great love with which He loved us,

even being dead in the trespasses, did make us to live together with the Christ, (by grace ye are having been saved,)

and did raise [us] up together, and did seat [us] together in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus,

that He might show, in the ages that are coming, the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus,

for by grace ye are having been saved, through faith, and this not of you -- of God the gift,

not of works, that no one may boast;

10 for of Him we are workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God did before prepare, that in them we may walk.

11 Wherefore, remember, that ye [were] once the nations in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands,

12 that ye were at that time apart from Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God, in the world;

13 and now, in Christ Jesus, ye being once afar off became nigh in the blood of the Christ,

14 for he is our peace, who did make both one, and the middle wall of the enclosure did break down,

15 the enmity in his flesh, the law of the commands in ordinances having done away, that the two he might create in himself into one new man, making peace,

16 and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having slain the enmity in it,

17 and having come, he did proclaim good news -- peace to you -- the far-off and the nigh,

18 because through him we have the access -- we both -- in one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Then, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens of the saints, and of the household of God,

20 being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being chief corner-[stone],

21 in whom all the building fitly framed together doth increase to an holy sanctuary in the Lord,

22 in whom also ye are builded together, for a habitation of God in the Spirit.

For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you the nations,

if, indeed, ye did hear of the dispensation of the grace of God that was given to me in regard to you,

that by revelation He made known to me the secret, according as I wrote before in few [words] --

in regard to which ye are able, reading [it], to understand my knowledge in the secret of the Christ,

which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit --

that the nations be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in the Christ, through the good news,

of which I became a ministrant, according to the gift of the grace of God that was given to me, according to the working of His power;

to me -- the less than the least of all the saints -- was given this grace, among the nations to proclaim good news -- the untraceable riches of the Christ,

and to cause all to see what [is] the fellowship of the secret that hath been hid from the ages in God, who the all things did create by Jesus Christ,

10 that there might be made known now to the principalities and the authorities in the heavenly [places], through the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God,

11 according to a purpose of the ages, which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord,

12 in whom we have the freedom and the access in confidence through the faith of him,

13 wherefore, I ask [you] not to faint in my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 of whom the whole family in the heavens and on earth is named,

16 that He may give to you, according to the riches of His glory, with might to be strengthened through His Spirit, in regard to the inner man,

17 that the Christ may dwell through the faith in your hearts, in love having been rooted and founded,

18 that ye may be in strength to comprehend, with all the saints, what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height,

19 to know also the love of the Christ that is exceeding the knowledge, that ye may be filled -- to all the fulness of God;

20 and to Him who is able above all things to do exceeding abundantly what we ask or think, according to the power that is working in us,

21 to Him [is] the glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus, to all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen.

Call upon you, then, do I -- the prisoner of the Lord -- to walk worthily of the calling with which ye were called,

with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love,

being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of the peace;

one body and one Spirit, according as also ye 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 you all,

and to each one of you was given the grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ,

wherefore, he saith, `Having gone up on high he led captive captivity, and gave gifts to men,' --

and that, he went up, what is it except that he also went down first to the lower parts of the earth?

10 he who went down is the same also who went up far above all the heavens, that He may fill all things --

11 and He gave some [as] apostles, and some [as] prophets, and some [as] proclaimers of good news, and some [as] shepherds and teachers,

12 unto the perfecting of the saints, for a work of ministration, for a building up of the body of the Christ,

13 till we may all come to the unity of the faith and of the recognition of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a measure of stature of the fulness of the Christ,

14 that we may no more be babes, tossed and borne about by every wind of the teaching, in the sleight of men, in craftiness, unto the artifice of leading astray,

15 and, being true in love, we may increase to Him [in] all things, who is the head -- the Christ;

16 from whom the whole body, being fitly joined together and united, through the supply of every joint, according to the working in the measure of each single part, the increase of the body doth make for the building up of itself in love.

17 This, then, I say, and I testify in the Lord; ye are no more to walk, as also the other nations walk, in the vanity of their mind,

18 being darkened in the understanding, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart,

19 who, having ceased to feel, themselves did give up to the lasciviousness, for the working of all uncleanness in greediness;

20 and ye did not so learn the Christ,

21 if so be ye did hear him, and in him were taught, as truth is in Jesus;

22 ye are to put off concerning the former behaviour the old man, that is corrupt according to the desires of the deceit,

23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

24 and to put on the new man, which, according to God, was created in righteousness and kindness of the truth.

25 Wherefore, putting away the lying, speak truth each with his neighbour, because we are members one of another;

26 be angry and do not sin; let not the sun go down upon your wrath,

27 neither give place to the devil;

28 whoso is stealing let him no more steal, but rather let him labour, working the thing that is good with the hands, that he may have to impart to him having need.

29 Let no corrupt word out of your mouth go forth, but what is good unto the needful building up, that it may give grace to the hearers;

30 and make not sorrowful the Holy Spirit of God, in which ye were sealed to a 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 become one to another kind, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, according as also God in Christ did forgive you.

Become, then, followers of God, as children beloved,

and walk in love, as also the Christ did love us, and did give himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odour of a sweet smell,

and whoredom, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;

also filthiness, and foolish talking, or jesting, -- the things not fit -- but rather thanksgiving;

for this ye know, that every whoremonger, or unclean, or covetous person, who is an idolater, hath no inheritance in the reign of the Christ and God.

Let no one deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the sons of the disobedience,

become not, then, partakers with them,

for ye were once darkness, and now light in the Lord; as children of light walk ye,

for the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth,

10 proving what is well-pleasing to the Lord,

11 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of the darkness and rather even convict,

12 for the things in secret done by them it is a shame even to speak of,

13 and all the things reproved by the light are manifested, for everything that is manifested is light;

14 wherefore he saith, `Arouse thyself, thou who art sleeping, and arise out of the dead, and the Christ shall shine upon thee.'

15 See, then, how exactly ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise,

16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil;

17 because of this become not fools, but -- understanding what [is] the will of the Lord,

18 and be not drunk with wine, in which is dissoluteness, but be filled in 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, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the God and Father;

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

22 The wives! to your own husbands subject yourselves, as to the Lord,

23 because the husband is head of the wife, as also the Christ [is] head of the assembly, and he is saviour of the body,

24 but even as the assembly is subject to Christ, so also [are] the wives to their own husbands in everything.

25 The husbands! love your own wives, as also the Christ did love the assembly, and did give himself for it,

26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed [it] with the bathing of the water in the saying,

27 that he might present it to himself the assembly in glory, not having spot or wrinkle, or any of such things, but that it may be holy and unblemished;

28 so ought the husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies: he who is loving his own wife -- himself he doth love;

29 for no one ever his own flesh did hate, but doth nourish and cherish it, as also the Lord -- the assembly,

30 because members we are 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 to his wife, and they shall be -- the two -- for one flesh;'

32 this secret is great, and I speak in regard to Christ and to the assembly;

33 but ye also, every one in particular -- let each his own wife so love as himself, and the wife -- that she may reverence the husband.

The children! obey your parents in the Lord, for this is righteous;

honour thy father and mother,

which is the first command with a promise, `That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live a long time upon the land.'

And the fathers! provoke not your children, but nourish them in the instruction and admonition of the Lord.

The servants! obey the masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to the Christ;

not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as servants of the Christ, doing the will of God out of soul,

with good-will serving, as to the Lord, and not to men,

having known that whatever good thing each one may do, this he shall receive from the Lord, whether servant or freeman.

And the masters! the same things do ye unto them, letting threatening alone, having known that also your Master is in the heavens, and acceptance of persons is not with him.

10 As to the rest, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might;

11 put on the whole armour of God, for your being able to stand against the wiles of the devil,

12 because we have not the wrestling with blood and flesh, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, with the spiritual things of the evil in the heavenly places;

13 because of this take ye up the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to resist in the day of the evil, and all things having done -- to stand.

14 Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about in truth, and having put on the breastplate of the righteousness,

15 and having the feet shod in the preparation of the good-news of the peace;

16 above all, having taken up the shield of the faith, in which ye shall be able all the fiery darts of the evil one to quench,

17 and the helmet of the salvation receive, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the saying of God,

18 through all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the Spirit, and in regard to this same, watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints --

19 and in behalf of me, that to me may be given a word in the opening of my mouth, in freedom, to make known the secret of the good news,

20 for which I am an ambassador in a chain, that in it I may speak freely -- as it behoveth me to speak.

21 And that ye may know -- ye also -- the things concerning me -- what I do, all things make known to you shall Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful ministrant in the Lord,

22 whom I did send unto you for this very thing, that ye might know the things concerning us, and that he might comfort your hearts.

23 Peace to the brethren, and love, with faith, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ!

24 The grace with all those loving our Lord Jesus Christ -- undecayingly! Amen.

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:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(F)

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

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. 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) he[b] predestined(M) us for adoption to sonship[c](N) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure(O) and will— to the praise of his glorious grace,(P) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.(Q) In him we have redemption(R) through his blood,(S) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches(T) of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 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

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,(BG) 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) 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. But because of his great love for us,(BN) God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions(BO)—it is by grace you have been saved.(BP) And God raised us up with Christ(BQ) and seated us with him(BR) in the heavenly realms(BS) in Christ Jesus, 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. 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— 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

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner(DG) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me(DH) for you, that is, the mystery(DI) made known to me by revelation,(DJ) as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight(DK) into the mystery of Christ, 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) 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)

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) 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) 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

As a prisoner(ES) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy(ET) of the calling(EU) you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another(EV) in love.(EW) Make every effort to keep the unity(EX) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.(EY) There is one body(EZ) and one Spirit,(FA) just as you were called to one hope when you were called(FB); one Lord,(FC) one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all,(FD) who is over all and through all and in all.(FE)

But to each one of us(FF) grace(FG) has been given(FH) as Christ apportioned it. This is why it[i] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(FI)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[j](FJ)

(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) Follow God’s example,(HK) therefore, as dearly loved children(HL) and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us(HM) and gave himself up for us(HN) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(HO)

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

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

“Wake up, sleeper,(IG)
    rise from the dead,(IH)
    and Christ will shine on you.”(II)

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

Instructions for Christian Households(IR)

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

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

25 Husbands, love your wives,(IX) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her(IY) 26 to make her holy,(IZ) cleansing[n] her by the washing(JA) with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself(JB) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.(JC) 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives(JD) 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.(JE) 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.”[o](JF) 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(JG) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.(JH) “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[p](JI)

Fathers,[q] do not exasperate your children;(JJ) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.(JK)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(JL) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(JM) just as you would obey Christ.(JN) Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(JO) doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(JP) because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(JQ) whether they are slave or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours(JR) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(JS) with him.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord(JT) and in his mighty power.(JU) 11 Put on the full armor of God,(JV) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,(JW) but against the rulers, against the authorities,(JX) against the powers(JY) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(JZ) 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,(KA) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,(KB) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,(KC) 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.(KD) 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,(KE) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(KF) 17 Take the helmet of salvation(KG) and the sword of the Spirit,(KH) which is the word of God.(KI)

18 And pray in the Spirit(KJ) on all occasions(KK) with all kinds of prayers and requests.(KL) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying(KM) for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me,(KN) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly(KO) make known the mystery(KP) of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador(KQ) in chains.(KR) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus,(KS) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,(KT) and that he may encourage you.(KU)

23 Peace(KV) to the brothers and sisters,[r] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[s]

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus.
  2. Ephesians 1:5 Or sight in love. He
  3. 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.
  4. Ephesians 1:9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. And he
  5. Ephesians 1:11 Or were made heirs
  6. Ephesians 1:17 Or a spirit
  7. 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.
  8. Ephesians 3:15 The Greek for family (patria) is derived from the Greek for father (pater).
  9. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  10. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  11. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
  12. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)
  13. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
  14. Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
  15. Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24
  16. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
  17. Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
  18. Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  19. Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.