Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly^(A) 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)^(B)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(C) to the covenants of the promise,^(D) without hope^(E) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(F) were far away have been brought near^(G) by the blood of Christ.^(H)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(I) who has made the two groups one^(J) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(K) the law with its commands and regulations.^(L) His purpose was to create in himself one^(M) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(N) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(O) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(P) 18} For through him we both have access^(Q) to the Father^(R) by one Spirit.^(S)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(T) but fellow citizens^(U) with God’s people and also members of his household,^{(V) 20} built^(W) on the foundation^(X) of the apostles and prophets,^(Y) with Christ Jesus himself^(Z) as the chief cornerstone.^{(AA) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(AB) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(AC)

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(AD) 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^(AE) for you, ³ that is, the mystery^(AF) made known to me by revelation,^(AG) as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(AH) 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.^{(AI) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(AJ) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(AK) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.^(AL)

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel^(AM) by the gift of God’s grace given me^(AN) through the working of his power.^{(AO) 8} Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^(AP) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles^(AQ) the boundless riches of Christ,^{(AR) 9} and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(AS) 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^(AT) should be made known^(AU) to the rulers and authorities^(AV) in the heavenly realms,^{(AW) 11} according to his eternal purpose^(AX) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(AY) with freedom and confidence.^{(AZ) 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^(BA) before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches^(BB) he may strengthen you with power^(BC) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(BD) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(BE) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(BF) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(BG) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(BH) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(BI)—that you may be filled^(BJ) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(BK)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(BL) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(BM) or imagine, according to his power^(BN) 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.^(BO)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner^(BP) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(BQ) of the calling^(BR) you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another^(BS) in love.^{(BT) 3} Make every effort to keep the unity^(BU) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.^{(BV) 4} There is one body^(BW) and one Spirit,^(BX) just as you were called to one hope when you were called^(BY); ⁵ one Lord,^(BZ) one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,^(CA) who is over all and through all and in all.^(CB)

⁷ But to each one of us^(CC) grace^(CD) has been given^(CE) as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[b] says:

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[d]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(CH) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(CI) 11} So Christ himself gave^(CJ) the apostles,^(CK) the prophets,^(CL) the evangelists,^(CM) the pastors and teachers,^{(CN) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(CO) may be built up^{(CP) 13} until we all reach unity^(CQ) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(CR) and become mature,^(CS) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(CT)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(CU) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(CV) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(CW) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(CX) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(CY) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(CZ) and builds itself up^(DA) in love,^(DB) 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^(DC) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(DD) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(DE) and separated from the life of God^(DF) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(DG) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(DH) they have given themselves over^(DI) to sensuality^(DJ) 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^(DK) your old self,^(DL) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(DM) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(DN) 24} and to put on^(DO) the new self,^(DP) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(DQ)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(DR) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(DS) 26} “In your anger do not sin”^[e]:^(DT) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(DU) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(DV) doing something useful with their own hands,^(DW) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(DX)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(DY) but only what is helpful for building others up^(DZ) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(EA) with whom you were sealed^(EB) for the day of redemption.^{(EC) 31} Get rid of^(ED) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(EE) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(EF) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(EG) 5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(EH) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(EI) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(EJ) and gave himself up for us^(EK) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(EL)

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(EM) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(EN) because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(EO) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(EP) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(EQ)—has any inheritance^(ER) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[f](ES) 6} Let no one deceive you^(ET) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(EU) comes on those who are disobedient.^{(EV) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(EW) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(EX) 9} (for the fruit^(EY) of the light consists in all goodness,^(EZ) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(FA) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(FB) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(FC) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

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

Instructions for Christian Households^(FO)

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

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands^(FQ) as you do to the Lord.^{(FR) 23} For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,^(FS) his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands^(FT) in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(FU) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^{(FV) 26} to make her holy,^(FW) cleansing^[g] her by the washing^(FX) with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself^(FY) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^{(FZ) 28} In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives^(GA) 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.^{(GB) 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.”^{[h](GC) 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^(GD) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^{(GE) 2} “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[i](GF)

⁴ Fathers,^[j] do not exasperate your children;^(GG) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(GH)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(GI) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(GJ) just as you would obey Christ.^{(GK) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(GL) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(GM) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(GN) whether they are slave or free.

⁹ 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^(GO) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(GP) with him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(GQ) and in his mighty power.^{(GR) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(GS) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(GT) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(GU) against the powers^(GV) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(GW) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(GX) 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,^(GY) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(GZ) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(HA) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(HB) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(HC) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(HD) and the sword of the Spirit,^(HE) which is the word of God.^(HF)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(HG) on all occasions^(HH) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(HI) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(HJ) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(HK) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(HL) make known the mystery^(HM) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(HN) in chains.^(HO) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

²¹ Tychicus,^(HP) 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,^(HQ) and that he may encourage you.^(HR)

²³ Peace^(HS) to the brothers and sisters,^[k] 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.^[l]