Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

As a prisoner(A) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy(B) of the calling(C) you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another(D) in love.(E) Make every effort to keep the unity(F) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.(G) There is one body(H) and one Spirit,(I) just as you were called to one hope when you were called(J); one Lord,(K) one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all,(L) who is over all and through all and in all.(M)

But to each one of us(N) grace(O) has been given(P) as Christ apportioned it. This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(Q)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b](R)

(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

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
  4. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)

Unity in the Body

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. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all,
who is over all, in all, and living through all.

However, he has given each one of us a special gift[a] through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say,

“When he ascended to the heights,
    he led a crowd of captives
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b]

Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.[c] 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.”[d] 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,[e] 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. 4:7 Greek a grace.
  2. 4:8 Ps 68:18.
  3. 4:9 Some manuscripts read to the lower parts of the earth.
  4. 4:26 Ps 4:4.
  5. 4:30 Or has put his seal on you.

Unity of the Spirit

Therefore I, (A)the prisoner of the Lord, (B)urge you to (C)walk in a manner worthy of the (D)calling with which you have been (E)called, with all (F)humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another (G)in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the (H)bond of peace. There is (I)one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one (J)hope of your calling; (K)one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all (L)who is over all and through all and in all.

But (M)to each one of us (N)grace was given (O)according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore [a]it says,

(P)When He ascended on high,
He (Q)led captive the captives,
And He gave gifts to people.”

(Now this expression, “He (R)ascended,” what [b]does it mean except that He also [c]had descended into (S)the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended (T)far above all the heavens, so that He might (U)fill all things.) 11 And He (V)gave (W)some as apostles, some as prophets, some as (X)evangelists, some as [d]pastors and (Y)teachers, 12 (Z)for the equipping of the [e]saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of (AA)the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to (AB)the unity of the faith, and of the [f](AC)knowledge of the Son of God, to a (AD)mature man, to the measure of the stature [g]which belongs to the (AE)fullness of Christ. 14 [h]As a result, we are (AF)no longer to be children, (AG)tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by (AH)craftiness [i]in (AI)deceitful scheming; 15 but [j]speaking the truth (AJ)in love, [k]we are to (AK)grow up in all aspects into Him who is the (AL)head, that is, Christ, 16 from whom (AM)the whole body, being fitted and held together [l]by what every joint supplies, according to the [m]proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself (AN)in love.

The Christian’s Walk

17 (AO)So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, (AP)that you are to no longer walk just as the [n]Gentiles also walk, in the (AQ)futility of their minds, 18 being (AR)darkened in their understanding, [o](AS)excluded from the life of God because of the (AT)ignorance that is in them, because of the (AU)hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having (AV)become callous, (AW)have given themselves up to (AX)indecent behavior [p]for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not (AY)learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you (AZ)have heard Him and have (BA)been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to (BB)rid yourselves of the (BC)old [q]self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the (BD)lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be (BE)renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to (BF)put on the (BG)new [r]self, which [s](BH)in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

25 Therefore, (BI)ridding yourselves of falsehood, (BJ)speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are (BK)parts of one another. 26 (BL)Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not (BM)give the devil [t]an opportunity. 28 The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather (BN)he must labor, (BO)producing with his own hands what is good, (BP)so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. 29 Let no [u](BQ)unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for (BR)edification [v]according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 (BS)Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [w]by whom you were (BT)sealed for the day of redemption. 31 (BU)All bitterness, wrath, anger, [x]clamor, and slander must be (BV)removed from you, along with all (BW)malice. 32 (BX)Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, (BY)just as God in Christ also has forgiven [y]you.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or He
  2. Ephesians 4:9 Lit is it except
  3. Ephesians 4:9 One early ms had first descended
  4. Ephesians 4:11 From Gr for shepherds
  5. Ephesians 4:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  6. Ephesians 4:13 Or true knowledge
  7. Ephesians 4:13 Lit of the fullness
  8. Ephesians 4:14 Lit So that we will no longer be
  9. Ephesians 4:14 Lit with regard to the scheming of deceit
  10. Ephesians 4:15 Or holding to; or being truthful in
  11. Ephesians 4:15 Or let’s grow up
  12. Ephesians 4:16 Lit through every joint of the supply
  13. Ephesians 4:16 Lit working in measure
  14. Ephesians 4:17 I.e., unbelieving Gentiles
  15. Ephesians 4:18 Or alienated
  16. Ephesians 4:19 Or greedy for the practice of every kind of impurity
  17. Ephesians 4:22 Lit person
  18. Ephesians 4:24 Lit person
  19. Ephesians 4:24 Lit according to God
  20. Ephesians 4:27 Lit a place
  21. Ephesians 4:29 Lit rotten
  22. Ephesians 4:29 Lit of the need
  23. Ephesians 4:30 Lit in
  24. Ephesians 4:31 Or shouting
  25. Ephesians 4:32 Two early mss us

La vida en Cristo

Yo, pues, prisionero del[a] Señor(A), os ruego(B) que viváis[b] de una manera digna(C) de la vocación(D) con que habéis sido llamados(E), con toda humildad y mansedumbre, con paciencia(F), soportándoos unos a otros en amor(G), esforzándoos por preservar la unidad del Espíritu en[c] el vínculo de la paz(H). Hay un solo cuerpo y un solo Espíritu(I), así como también vosotros fuisteis llamados en una misma esperanza de vuestra vocación(J); un solo Señor(K), una sola fe, un solo bautismo, un solo Dios y Padre de todos, que está sobre todos, por todos y en todos(L). Pero a cada uno(M) de nosotros se nos ha concedido la gracia(N) conforme a la medida del don de Cristo(O). Por tanto, dice:

Cuando ascendió a lo alto,
llevó cautiva una hueste de cautivos(P),
y dio dones a los hombres(Q).

(Esta expresión: Ascendió, ¿qué significa[d], sino que Él también había descendido[e](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 conocimiento pleno 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 para que ya no seamos 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[f](AH); 15 sino que hablando[g] la verdad en amor(AI), crezcamos(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[h]), conforme al funcionamiento adecuado de cada miembro[i], 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 ya no andéis así como andan también los gentiles(AN), en la vanidad[j] de su mente(AO), 18 entenebrecidos(AP) en su entendimiento, excluidos[k] de la vida de Dios(AQ) por causa de la ignorancia(AR) que hay[l] en ellos, por la dureza de su corazón(AS); 19 y ellos, habiendo llegado a ser insensibles(AT), se entregaron a la sensualidad para cometer con avidez toda clase de impurezas(AU). 20 Pero vosotros no habéis aprendido(AV) a Cristo[m] de esta manera, 21 si en verdad lo oísteis(AW) y habéis sido enseñados en Él(AX), conforme a la verdad que hay[n] en Jesús, 22 que en cuanto a vuestra anterior manera de vivir, os despojéis(AY) del viejo hombre(AZ), que se corrompe según los deseos engañosos[o](BA), 23 y que seáis renovados en el espíritu de vuestra mente(BB), 24 y os vistáis del nuevo hombre(BC), el cual, en la semejanza de Dios[p], ha sido creado(BD) en la justicia y santidad de la verdad.

25 Por tanto, dejando a un lado la falsedad(BE), hablad verdad cada cual con su prójimo(BF), porque somos miembros(BG) los unos de los otros. 26 Airaos, pero no pequéis(BH); no se ponga el sol sobre vuestro enojo, 27 ni deis oportunidad[q] 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 vuestra boca ninguna palabra mala[r](BM), sino solo la que sea buena para edificación, según la necesidad[s] del momento, para que imparta gracia a los que escuchan(BN). 30 Y no entristezcáis al Espíritu Santo(BO) de Dios, por[t] el cual fuisteis sellados(BP) para el día de la redención. 31 Sea quitada de vosotros(BQ) toda amargura(BR), enojo, ira, gritos, maledicencia, así como toda malicia(BS). 32 Sed más bien amables unos con otros, misericordiosos, perdonándoos unos a otros(BT), así como también Dios os[u] perdonó en Cristo(BU).

Footnotes

  1. Efesios 4:1 O, en el, o, por el
  2. Efesios 4:1 Lit., andéis
  3. Efesios 4:3 O, con
  4. Efesios 4:9 Lit., ¿qué es
  5. Efesios 4:9 Algunos mss. agregan: primero
  6. Efesios 4:14 Lit., artimaña en relación al artificio del engaño
  7. Efesios 4:15 O, aferrándonos a, o, andando en
  8. Efesios 4:16 Lit., por toda coyuntura de provisión
  9. Efesios 4:16 Lit., parte
  10. Efesios 4:17 O, superficialidad
  11. Efesios 4:18 O, separados
  12. Efesios 4:18 Lit., está
  13. Efesios 4:20 I.e., el Mesías
  14. Efesios 4:21 Lit., está
  15. Efesios 4:22 Lit., las pasiones de engaño
  16. Efesios 4:24 Lit., según Dios
  17. Efesios 4:27 Lit., lugar
  18. Efesios 4:29 Lit., corrompida
  19. Efesios 4:29 Lit., de la necesidad
  20. Efesios 4:30 O, en, o, con
  21. Efesios 4:32 Algunos mss. antiguos dicen: nos