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Ephesians 4-6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Chapter 4

Unity in the Body. 1 [a]I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,(A) 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love,(B) 3 striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace:(C) 4 [b]one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call;(D) 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;(E) 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.(F)

Diversity of Gifts. 7 But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.(G) 8 Therefore, it says:

“He ascended[c] on high and took prisoners captive;
    he gave gifts to men.”(H)

9 What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended into the lower [regions] of the earth? 10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

11 [d]And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,(I) 12 to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,[e] for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[f] to the extent of the full stature of Christ,(J) 14 so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming.(K) 15 Rather, living the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head,(L) Christ,[g] 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, with the proper functioning of each part, brings about the body’s growth and builds itself up in love.(M)

Renewal in Christ.[h] 17 So I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds;(N) 18 darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance, because of their hardness of heart,(O) 19 they have become callous and have handed themselves over to licentiousness for the practice of every kind of impurity to excess.(P) 20 That is not how you learned Christ, 21 assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, 22 that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires,(Q) 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,(R) 24 and put on[i] the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.(S)

IV. Daily Conduct, an Expression of Unity[j]

Rules for the New Life. 25 Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another.(T) 26 Be angry but do not sin;(U) do not let the sun set on your anger,[k] 27 and do not leave room for the devil.(V) 28 The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work[l] with his [own] hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need.(W) 29 No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.(X) 30 And do not grieve the holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.[m] 31 All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.(Y) 32 [And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.(Z)

Chapter 5

1 So be imitators of God,[n] as beloved children,(AA) 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.(AB) 3 Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones,(AC) 4 no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving.(AD) 5 Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.(AE)

Duty to Live in the Light. 6 (AF)Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient.[o] 7 So do not be associated with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,(AG) 9 for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.(AH) 10 Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.(AI) 11 Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them,(AJ) 12 for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,(AK) 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says:(AL)

“Awake, O sleeper,
    and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”[p]

15 [q]Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish persons but as wise,(AM) 16 making the most of the opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but try to understand what is the will of the Lord. 18 And do not get drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,(AN) 19 addressing one another [in] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts,(AO) 20 giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.(AP)

Wives and Husbands. 21 [r]Be subordinate to one another(AQ) out of reverence for Christ.[s] 22 Wives should be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord.(AR) 23 For the husband is head of his wife just as Christ is head of the church, he himself the savior of the body.(AS) 24 As the church is subordinate to Christ, so wives should be subordinate to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her(AT) 26 to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,(AU) 27 that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.(AV) 28 So [also] husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one hates his own flesh but rather nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body.(AW)

31 “For this reason a man shall leave [his] father and [his] mother
    and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.”(AX)

32 This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the church.(AY) 33 In any case, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and the wife should respect her husband.

Chapter 6

Children and Parents. 1 Children, obey your parents [in the Lord], for this is right.(AZ) 2 “Honor your father and mother.”(BA) This is the first commandment with a promise, 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on earth.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.(BB)

Slaves and Masters. 5 Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ,(BC) 6 not only when being watched, as currying favor, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,(BD) 7 willingly serving the Lord and not human beings, 8 knowing that each will be requited from the Lord for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. 9 Masters, act in the same way toward them, and stop bullying, knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven and that with him there is no partiality.(BE)

Battle Against Evil. 10 [t]Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. 11 Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil.(BF) 12 For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.(BG) 13 Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.(BH) 14 So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate,(BI) 15 and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace.(BJ) 16 In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all [the] flaming arrows of the evil one.(BK) 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.(BL)

Constant Prayer. 18 With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones(BM) 19 and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel(BN) 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.(BO)

V. Conclusion

A Final Message.[u] 21 So that you also may have news of me and of what I am doing, Tychicus, my beloved brother and trustworthy minister in the Lord, will tell you everything.(BP) 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and that he may encourage your hearts.(BQ)

23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in immortality.(BR)

Footnotes

  1. 4:1–16 A general plea for unity in the church. Christians have been fashioned through the Spirit into a single harmonious religious community (one body, Eph 4:4, 12; cf. Eph 4:16), belonging to a single Lord (in contrast to the many gods of the pagan world), and by one way of salvation through faith, brought out especially by the significance of baptism (Eph 4:1–6; cf. Rom 6:1–11). But Christian unity is more than adherence to a common belief. It is manifested in the exalted Christ’s gifts to individuals to serve so as to make the community more Christlike (Eph 4:11–16). This teaching on Christ as the source of the gifts is introduced in Eph 4:8 by a citation of Ps 68:18, which depicts Yahweh triumphantly leading Israel to salvation in Jerusalem. It is here understood of Christ, ascending above all the heavens, the head of the church; through his redemptive death, resurrection, and ascension he has become the source of the church’s spiritual gifts. The “descent” of Christ (Eph 4:9–10) refers more probably to the incarnation (cf. Phil 2:6–8) than to Christ’s presence after his death in the world of the dead (cf. 1 Pt 3:19).
  2. 4:4–6 The “seven unities” (church, Spirit, hope; Lord, faith in Christ [Eph 1:13], baptism; one God) reflect the triune structure of later creeds in reverse.
  3. 4:8–10 While the emphasis is on an ascension and gift-giving by Christ, there is also a reference in taking prisoners captive to the aeons and powers mentioned at Eph 1:21; 2:2; 3:10; 6:12.
  4. 4:11 Concerning this list of ministers, cf. 1 Cor 12:28 and Rom 12:6–8. Evangelists: missionary preachers (cf. Acts 21:8; 2 Tm 4:5), not those who wrote gospels. Pastors and teachers: a single group in the Greek, shepherding congregations.
  5. 4:12 The ministerial leaders in Eph 4:11 are to equip the whole people of God for their work of ministry.
  6. 4:13 Mature manhood: literally, “a perfect man” (cf. Col 1:28), possibly the “one new person” of Eph 2:15, though there anthrōpos suggests humanity, while here anēr is the term for male. This personage becomes visible in the church’s growing to its fullness in the unity of those who believe in Christ.
  7. 4:15–16 The head, Christ: cf. Col 1:18 and contrast 1 Cor 12:12–27 and Rom 12:4–5 where Christ is identified with the whole body, including the head. The imagery may derive from ancient views in medicine, the head coordinating and caring for the body, each ligament (perhaps the ministers of Eph 4:11) supporting the whole. But as at Eph 2:19–22, where the temple is depicted as a growing organism, there may also be the idea here of growing toward the capstone, Christ.
  8. 4:17–24 Paul begins to indicate how the new life in Christ contrasts with the Gentiles’ old way of existence. Literally, the old self (Eph 4:22) and the new self (Eph 4:24) are “the old man” and “the new man” (anthrōpos, person), as at Eph 2:15; cf. note on Eph 4:13.
  9. 4:24 Put on: in baptism. See note on Gal 3:27.
  10. 4:25–6:20 For similar exhortations to a morally good life in response to God’s gift of faith, see notes on Rom 12:1–13:14 and Gal 5:13–26.
  11. 4:26 If angry, seek reconciliation that day, not giving the devil (Eph 6:11) opportunity to lead into sin.
  12. 4:28 Honest work: literally, “the good.” His [own] hands: some manuscripts have the full phrase as in 1 Cor 4:12.
  13. 4:30 See note on Eph 1:13.
  14. 5:1 Imitators of God: in forgiving (Eph 4:32) and in loving (as exhibited in how Christ loved us).
  15. 5:6 See note on Eph 2:2.
  16. 5:14 An early Christian hymn, possibly from a baptismal liturgy. For the content compare Eph 2:5–6; 3:9 and Is 60:1.
  17. 5:15–16, 19–20 The wording is similar to Col 4:5 and Eph 3:16–17.
  18. 5:21–6:9 Cf. notes on Col 3:18–4:1 and 1 Pt 2:18–3:7 for a similar listing of household duties where the inferior is admonished first (wives, Eph 5:22; children, Eph 6:1; slaves, Eph 6:5), then the superior (husbands, Eph 5:25; fathers, Eph 6:4; masters, Eph 6:9). Paul varies this pattern by an emphasis on mutuality (see Eph 5:20); use of Old Testament material about father and mother in Eph 6:2; the judgment to come for slave-owners (you have a Master in heaven, Eph 6:9); and above all the initial principle of subordination to one another under Christ, thus effectively undermining exclusive claims to domination by one party. Into the section on wives and husbands an elaborate teaching on Christ and the church has been woven (Eph 5:22–33).
  19. 5:21–33 The apostle exhorts married Christians to a strong mutual love. Holding with Gn 2:24 that marriage is a divine institution (Eph 5:31), Paul sees Christian marriage as taking on a new meaning symbolic of the intimate relationship of love between Christ and the church. The wife should serve her husband in the same spirit as that of the church’s service to Christ (Eph 5:22, 24), and the husband should care for his wife with the devotion of Christ to the church (Eph 5:25–30). Paul gives to the Genesis passage its highest meaning in the light of the union of Christ and the church, of which Christlike loyalty and devotion in Christian marriage are a clear reflection (Eph 5:31–33).
  20. 6:10–20 A general exhortation to courage and prayer. Drawing upon the imagery and ideas of Is 11:5; 59:16–17; and Wis 5:17–23, Paul describes the Christian in terms of the dress and equipment of Roman soldiers. He observes, however, that the Christian’s readiness for combat is not directed against human beings but against the spiritual powers of evil (Eph 6:10–17; cf. Eph 1:21; 2:2; 3:10). Unique importance is placed upon prayer (Eph 6:18–20).
  21. 6:21–24 Tychicus: the bearer of the letter; see note on Col 4:7. Eph 6:21–22 parallel Col 4:7–8, often word for word. If Ephesians is addressed to several Christian communities (see Introduction), it is understandable that no greetings to individual members of these communities should have been included in it.
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Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.