Ephesians 2:1-6:9
New American Standard Bible
Made Alive in Christ
2 And [a]you [b]were (A)dead [c]in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you (B)previously walked according to the [d]course of (C)this world, according to (D)the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in (E)the [e]sons of disobedience. 3 Among them [f]we too all (F)previously lived in (G)the lusts of our flesh, [g]indulging the desires of the flesh and of the [h]mind, and were (H)by nature (I)children of wrath, (J)just as the rest. 4 But God, being (K)rich in mercy, because of (L)His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were (M)dead [i]in our wrongdoings, made us alive together [j]with Christ ((N)by grace you have been saved), 6 and (O)raised us up with Him, and (P)seated us with Him in (Q)the heavenly places in (R)Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the [k]boundless (S)riches of His grace in (T)kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For (U)by grace you have been saved (V)through faith; and [l]this is not of yourselves, it is (W)the gift of God; 9 (X)not a result of works, so that (Y)no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, (Z)created in (AA)Christ Jesus for (AB)good works, which God (AC)prepared beforehand so that we would (AD)walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that (AE)previously (AF)you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “(AG)Uncircumcision” by the so-called “(AH)Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, [m](AI)excluded from [n]the people of Israel, and strangers to (AJ)the covenants of the promise, having (AK)no hope and (AL)without God in the world. 13 But now in (AM)Christ Jesus you who (AN)previously were (AO)far away [o]have (AP)been brought near [p](AQ)by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is (AR)our peace, (AS)who made both groups into one and broke down the [q]barrier of the dividing wall, 15 [r]by (AT)abolishing [s]in His flesh the hostility, which is (AU)the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might [t](AV)make the two (AW)one new person, in this way establishing (AX)peace; 16 and that He might (AY)reconcile them both in (AZ)one body to God through the cross, [u]by it having (BA)put to death the hostility. 17 And (BB)He came and preached (BC)peace to you who were (BD)far away, and peace to those who were (BE)near; 18 for through Him we both have (BF)our access in (BG)one Spirit to (BH)the Father. 19 So then you are no longer (BI)strangers and foreigners, but you are (BJ)fellow citizens with the [v]saints, and are of (BK)God’s household, 20 having been (BL)built on (BM)the foundation of (BN)the apostles and prophets, (BO)Christ Jesus Himself being the (BP)cornerstone, 21 (BQ)in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into (BR)a holy [w]temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being (BS)built together into a (BT)dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Paul’s Stewardship
3 For this reason I, Paul, (BU)the prisoner of (BV)Christ Jesus (BW)for the sake of you (BX)Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the (BY)administration of God’s grace which was given to me for you; 3 (BZ)that (CA)by revelation there was (CB)made known to me (CC)the mystery, (CD)as I wrote before briefly. 4 [x]By referring to this, when you read you can understand (CE)my insight [y]into the (CF)mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to [z]mankind, as it has now been revealed to His holy (CG)apostles and prophets [aa]in the Spirit; 6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are (CH)fellow heirs and (CI)fellow members of the body, and (CJ)fellow partakers of the promise in (CK)Christ Jesus through the gospel, 7 (CL)of which I was made a (CM)minister, according to the gift of (CN)God’s grace which was given to me (CO)according to the working of His power. 8 To me, (CP)the very least of all [ab]saints, this grace was given, to (CQ)preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable (CR)riches of Christ, 9 and to [ac]enlighten all people as to what the plan of the (CS)mystery is which for ages has been (CT)hidden in God, (CU)who created all things; 10 so that the multifaceted (CV)wisdom of God might now be (CW)made known through the church to the (CX)rulers and the authorities in (CY)the heavenly places. 11 This was in (CZ)accordance with the [ad]eternal purpose which He [ae]carried out in (DA)Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and [af](DB)confident (DC)access through faith [ag]in Him. 13 Therefore I ask [ah]you not (DD)to become discouraged about my tribulations (DE)in your behalf, [ai]since they are your glory.
14 For this reason I (DF)bend my knees before the Father, 15 from whom [aj]every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to (DG)the riches of His glory, to be (DH)strengthened with power through His Spirit in (DI)the inner [ak]self, 17 so that (DJ)Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being (DK)rooted and (DL)grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with (DM)all the [al]saints what is (DN)the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know (DO)the love of Christ which (DP)surpasses knowledge, that you may be (DQ)filled to all the (DR)fullness of God.
20 (DS)Now to Him who is (DT)able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, (DU)according to the power that works within us, 21 (DV)to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [am]forever and ever. Amen.
Unity of the Spirit
4 Therefore I, (DW)the prisoner of the Lord, (DX)urge you to (DY)walk in a manner worthy of the (DZ)calling with which you have been (EA)called, 2 with all (EB)humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another (EC)in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the (ED)bond of peace. 4 There is (EE)one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one (EF)hope of your calling; 5 (EG)one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all (EH)who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But (EI)to each one of us (EJ)grace was given (EK)according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore [an]it says,
9 (Now this expression, “He (EN)ascended,” what [ao]does it mean except that He also [ap]had descended into (EO)the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended (EP)far above all the heavens, so that He might (EQ)fill all things.) 11 And He (ER)gave (ES)some as apostles, some as prophets, some as (ET)evangelists, some as [aq]pastors and (EU)teachers, 12 (EV)for the equipping of the [ar]saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of (EW)the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to (EX)the unity of the faith, and of the [as](EY)knowledge of the Son of God, to a (EZ)mature man, to the measure of the stature [at]which belongs to the (FA)fullness of Christ. 14 [au]As a result, we are (FB)no longer to be children, (FC)tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by (FD)craftiness [av]in (FE)deceitful scheming; 15 but [aw]speaking the truth (FF)in love, [ax]we are to (FG)grow up in all aspects into Him who is the (FH)head, that is, Christ, 16 from whom (FI)the whole body, being fitted and held together [ay]by what every joint supplies, according to the [az]proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself (FJ)in love.
The Christian’s Walk
17 (FK)So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, (FL)that you are to no longer walk just as the [ba]Gentiles also walk, in the (FM)futility of their minds, 18 being (FN)darkened in their understanding, [bb](FO)excluded from the life of God because of the (FP)ignorance that is in them, because of the (FQ)hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having (FR)become callous, (FS)have given themselves up to (FT)indecent behavior [bc]for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not (FU)learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you (FV)have heard Him and have (FW)been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to (FX)rid yourselves of the (FY)old [bd]self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the (FZ)lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be (GA)renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to (GB)put on the (GC)new [be]self, which [bf](GD)in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
25 Therefore, (GE)ridding yourselves of falsehood, (GF)speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are (GG)parts of one another. 26 (GH)Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not (GI)give the devil [bg]an opportunity. 28 The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather (GJ)he must labor, (GK)producing with his own hands what is good, (GL)so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. 29 Let no [bh](GM)unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for (GN)edification [bi]according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 (GO)Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [bj]by whom you were (GP)sealed for the day of redemption. 31 (GQ)All bitterness, wrath, anger, [bk]clamor, and slander must be (GR)removed from you, along with all (GS)malice. 32 (GT)Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, (GU)just as God in Christ also has forgiven [bl]you.
Be Imitators of God
5 (GV)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and (GW)walk in love, just as Christ also (GX)loved [bm]you and (GY)gave Himself up for us, an (GZ)offering and a sacrifice to God [bn]as a (HA)fragrant aroma.
3 But (HB)sexual immorality [bo]or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among [bp]saints; 4 and there must be no (HC)filthiness [bq]or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which (HD)are not fitting, but rather (HE)giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that (HF)no sexually immoral or [br]impure or greedy person, which [bs]amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom (HG)of Christ and God.
6 (HH)See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things (HI)the wrath of God comes upon (HJ)the [bt]sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become (HK)partners with them; 8 for (HL)you were once (HM)darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as (HN)children of light 9 (for (HO)the fruit of the light consists in all (HP)goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 [bu](HQ)as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 (HR)Do not participate in the useless (HS)deeds of (HT)darkness, but instead even (HU)expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible (HV)when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason [bv]it says,
15 So then, [bw]be careful how you (HZ)walk, not (IA)as unwise people but as wise, 16 [bx](IB)making the most of your time, because (IC)the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but (ID)understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And (IE)do not get drunk with wine, [by]in which there is (IF)debauchery, but be (IG)filled with the Spirit, 19 (IH)speaking to [bz]one another in (II)psalms and (IJ)hymns and spiritual (IK)songs, (IL)singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 (IM)always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our (IN)God and Father; 21 [ca](IO)and subject yourselves to one another in the [cb](IP)fear of Christ.
Marriage like Christ and the Church
22 (IQ)Wives, (IR)subject yourselves to your own husbands, (IS)as to the Lord. 23 For (IT)the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the (IU)head of the church, He Himself (IV)being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
25 (IW)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and (IX)gave Himself up for her, 26 (IY)so that He might sanctify her, having (IZ)cleansed her by the (JA)washing of water with (JB)the word, 27 that He might (JC)present to Himself the church [cc]in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be (JD)holy and blameless. 28 So husbands also ought to (JE)love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are (JF)parts of His (JG)body. 31 (JH)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. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, as for you individually, each husband is to (JI)love his own wife the same as himself, and the wife must see to it that she (JJ)respects her husband.
Children and Parents
6 (JK)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 (JL)Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth.
4 (JM)Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but (JN)bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves and Masters
5 (JO)Slaves, be obedient to those who are your [cd]masters according to the flesh, with (JP)fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, (JQ)as to Christ; 6 (JR)not [ce]by way of [cf]eye-service, as (JS)people-pleasers, but as (JT)slaves of Christ, (JU)doing the will of God from the [cg]heart. 7 With goodwill [ch]render service, (JV)as to the Lord, and not to people, 8 (JW)knowing that (JX)whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, (JY)whether slave or free.
9 And masters, do the same things to them, and (JZ)give up threatening, knowing that (KA)both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is (KB)no partiality with Him.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 2:1 Lit being
- Ephesians 2:1 I.e., Gentile believers
- Ephesians 2:1 Or by reason of
- Ephesians 2:2 Lit age
- Ephesians 2:2 I.e., people opposed to God
- Ephesians 2:3 I.e., Jewish believers
- Ephesians 2:3 Lit doing
- Ephesians 2:3 Lit thoughts
- Ephesians 2:5 Or by reason of
- Ephesians 2:5 Two early mss in Christ
- Ephesians 2:7 Lit surpassing
- Ephesians 2:8 I.e., this salvation
- Ephesians 2:12 Or alienated
- Ephesians 2:12 Or citizenship in Israel
- Ephesians 2:13 Lit became; or were made
- Ephesians 2:13 Or in
- Ephesians 2:14 Lit the dividing wall of the barrier
- Ephesians 2:15 Or the hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the Law
- Ephesians 2:15 I.e., by His death
- Ephesians 2:15 Lit create
- Ephesians 2:16 Or in Himself
- Ephesians 2:19 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Ephesians 2:21 Or sanctuary
- Ephesians 3:4 Lit To which, when you read
- Ephesians 3:4 Lit in
- Ephesians 3:5 Lit the sons of man
- Ephesians 3:5 Or by
- Ephesians 3:8 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Ephesians 3:9 One early ms bring to light what
- Ephesians 3:11 Lit purpose of the ages
- Ephesians 3:11 Or formed
- Ephesians 3:12 Lit access in confidence
- Ephesians 3:12 Lit of Him
- Ephesians 3:13 Or that I may not lose
- Ephesians 3:13 Lit which are
- Ephesians 3:15 Or the whole
- Ephesians 3:16 Lit person
- Ephesians 3:18 See note v 8
- Ephesians 3:21 Lit of the age of the ages
- Ephesians 4:8 Or He
- Ephesians 4:9 Lit is it except
- Ephesians 4:9 One early ms had first descended
- Ephesians 4:11 From Gr for shepherds
- Ephesians 4:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Ephesians 4:13 Or true knowledge
- Ephesians 4:13 Lit of the fullness
- Ephesians 4:14 Lit So that we will no longer be
- Ephesians 4:14 Lit with regard to the scheming of deceit
- Ephesians 4:15 Or holding to; or being truthful in
- Ephesians 4:15 Or let’s grow up
- Ephesians 4:16 Lit through every joint of the supply
- Ephesians 4:16 Lit working in measure
- Ephesians 4:17 I.e., unbelieving Gentiles
- Ephesians 4:18 Or alienated
- Ephesians 4:19 Or greedy for the practice of every kind of impurity
- Ephesians 4:22 Lit person
- Ephesians 4:24 Lit person
- Ephesians 4:24 Lit according to God
- Ephesians 4:27 Lit a place
- Ephesians 4:29 Lit rotten
- Ephesians 4:29 Lit of the need
- Ephesians 4:30 Lit in
- Ephesians 4:31 Or shouting
- Ephesians 4:32 Two early mss us
- Ephesians 5:2 One early ms us
- Ephesians 5:2 Lit for an odor of fragrance
- Ephesians 5:3 Lit and all
- Ephesians 5:3 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Ephesians 5:4 Lit and
- Ephesians 5:5 I.e., morally impure
- Ephesians 5:5 Lit is
- Ephesians 5:6 I.e., people opposed to God
- Ephesians 5:10 Lit putting to the test what
- Ephesians 5:14 Or He
- Ephesians 5:15 Lit look carefully
- Ephesians 5:16 Lit redeeming the time
- Ephesians 5:18 Or by which
- Ephesians 5:19 Or yourselves
- Ephesians 5:21 Lit being submissive to
- Ephesians 5:21 Or reverence for
- Ephesians 5:27 Lit glorious
- Ephesians 6:5 I.e., earthly masters, as in first-century Roman culture
- Ephesians 6:6 Lit according to
- Ephesians 6:6 I.e., only when the master is watching
- Ephesians 6:6 Lit soul
- Ephesians 6:7 Lit rendering
Ephesians 2:1-6:9
English Standard Version
By Grace Through Faith
2 (A)And you were (B)dead in the trespasses and sins 2 (C)in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following (D)the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in (E)the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in (F)the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and (G)were by nature (H)children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being (I)rich in mercy, (J)because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even (K)when we were dead in our trespasses, (L)made us alive together with Christ—(M)by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and (N)seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable (O)riches of his grace in (P)kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For (Q)by grace you have been saved (R)through faith. And this is (S)not your own doing; (T)it is the gift of God, 9 (U)not a result of works, (V)so that no one may boast. 10 For (W)we are his workmanship, (X)created in Christ Jesus (Y)for good works, (Z)which God prepared beforehand, (AA)that we should walk in them.
One in Christ
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called (AB)the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember (AC)that you were at that time separated from Christ, (AD)alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to (AE)the covenants of promise, (AF)having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were (AG)far off have been brought near (AH)by the blood of Christ. 14 For (AI)he himself is our peace, (AJ)who has made us both one and has broken down (AK)in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in (AL)ordinances, that he might create in himself one (AM)new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might (AN)reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and (AO)preached peace to you who were (AP)far off and peace to those who were (AQ)near. 18 For (AR)through him we both have (AS)access in (AT)one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer (AU)strangers and aliens,[d] but you are (AV)fellow citizens with the saints and (AW)members of the household of God, 20 (AX)built on the foundation of the (AY)apostles and prophets, (AZ)Christ Jesus himself being (BA)the cornerstone, 21 (BB)in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into (BC)a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him (BD)you also are being built together (BE)into a dwelling place for God by[e] the Spirit.
The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
3 For this reason I, Paul, (BF)a prisoner of Christ Jesus (BG)on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of (BH)the stewardship of (BI)God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 (BJ)how the mystery was made known to me (BK)by revelation, (BL)as I have written briefly. 4 (BM)When you read this, you can perceive my insight into (BN)the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is[f] that the Gentiles are (BO)fellow heirs, (BP)members of the same body, and (BQ)partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 (BR)Of this gospel I was made (BS)a minister according to the gift of (BT)God's grace, which was given me (BU)by the working of his power. 8 To me, (BV)though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, (BW)to preach to the Gentiles the (BX)unsearchable (BY)riches of Christ, 9 and (BZ)to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery (CA)hidden for ages in[g] God, (CB)who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold (CC)wisdom of God (CD)might now be made known to (CE)the rulers and authorities (CF)in the heavenly places. 11 This was (CG)according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have (CH)boldness and (CI)access with (CJ)confidence through our (CK)faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering (CL)for you, (CM)which is your glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom (CN)every family[h] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to (CO)the riches of his glory (CP)he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit (CQ)in your inner being, 17 (CR)so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being (CS)rooted and (CT)grounded in love, 18 may have strength to (CU)comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and (CV)height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ (CW)that surpasses knowledge, that (CX)you may be filled with all (CY)the fullness of God.
20 (CZ)Now to (DA)him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, (DB)according to the power at work within us, 21 (DC)to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Unity in the Body of Christ
4 I therefore, (DD)a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to (DE)walk in a manner worthy of (DF)the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all (DG)humility and (DH)gentleness, with (DI)patience, (DJ)bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in (DK)the bond of peace. 4 There is (DL)one body and (DM)one Spirit—just as you were called to the one (DN)hope that belongs to your call— 5 (DO)one Lord, (DP)one faith, (DQ)one baptism, 6 (DR)one God and Father of all, (DS)who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But (DT)grace was given (DU)to each one of us (DV)according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says,
9 ((DY)In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into (DZ)the lower regions, the earth?[j] 10 He who descended is the one who also (EA)ascended (EB)far above all the heavens, that he might (EC)fill all things.) 11 And (ED)he gave the (EE)apostles, the prophets, the (EF)evangelists, the (EG)shepherds[k] and teachers,[l] 12 (EH)to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for (EI)building up (EJ)the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to (EK)the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, (EL)to mature manhood,[m] to the measure of the stature of (EM)the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, (EN)tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in (EO)deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, (EP)speaking the truth in love, we are to (EQ)grow up in every way into him who is (ER)the head, into Christ, 16 (ES)from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, (ET)when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
The New Life
17 Now this I say and (EU)testify in the Lord, (EV)that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, (EW)in the futility of their minds. 18 They (EX)are darkened in their understanding, (EY)alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to (EZ)their hardness of heart. 19 They (FA)have become callous and (FB)have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you (FC)learned Christ!— 21 assuming that (FD)you have heard about him and (FE)were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to (FF)put off (FG)your old self,[n] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through (FH)deceitful desires, 23 and (FI)to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on (FJ)the new self, (FK)created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you (FL)speak the truth with his neighbor, for (FM)we are members one of another. 26 (FN)Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and (FO)give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather (FP)let him labor, (FQ)doing honest work with his own hands, so (FR)that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 (FS)Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give (FT)grace to those who hear. 30 And (FU)do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, (FV)by whom you were sealed for the day of (FW)redemption. 31 (FX)Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 (FY)Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, (FZ)forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Walk in Love
5 (GA)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And (GB)walk in love, (GC)as Christ loved us and (GD)gave himself up for us, a (GE)fragrant (GF)offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But (GG)sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness (GH)must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be (GI)no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, (GJ)which are out of place, but instead (GK)let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that (GL)everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ((GM)that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 (GN)Let no one (GO)deceive you with empty words, for because of these things (GP)the wrath of God comes upon (GQ)the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore (GR)do not become partners with them; 8 for (GS)at one time you were (GT)darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. (GU)Walk as children of light 9 (for (GV)the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and (GW)try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 (GX)Take no part in the (GY)unfruitful (GZ)works of darkness, but instead (HA)expose them. 12 For (HB)it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when (HC)anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
15 (HG)Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 (HH)making the best use of the time, because (HI)the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what (HJ)the will of the Lord is. 18 And (HK)do not get drunk with wine, for that is (HL)debauchery, but (HM)be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in (HN)psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 (HO)giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father (HP)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 (HQ)submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives and Husbands
22 (HR)Wives, (HS)submit to your own husbands, (HT)as to the Lord. 23 For (HU)the husband is the head of the wife even as (HV)Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is (HW)himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit (HX)in everything to their husbands.
25 (HY)Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and (HZ)gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by (IA)the washing of water (IB)with the word, 27 so (IC)that he might present the church to himself in splendor, (ID)without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[o] 28 In the same way (IE)husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because (IF)we are members of his body. 31 (IG)“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and (IH)the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, (II)let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she (IJ)respects her husband.
Children and Parents
6 (IK)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 (IL)“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, (IM)but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Bondservants and Masters
5 (IN)Bondservants,[p] obey your earthly masters[q] with fear and trembling, (IO)with a sincere heart, (IP)as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as (IQ)people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 (IR)knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, (IS)whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, (IT)and stop your threatening, knowing that (IU)he who is both their Master[r] and yours is in heaven, and that (IV)there is no partiality with him.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 2:3 Greek flesh
- Ephesians 2:3 Greek like the rest
- Ephesians 2:4 Or And
- Ephesians 2:19 Or sojourners
- Ephesians 2:22 Or in
- Ephesians 3:6 The words This mystery is are inferred from verse 4
- Ephesians 3:9 Or by
- Ephesians 3:15 Or from whom all fatherhood; the Greek word patria in verse 15 is closely related to the word for Father in verse 14
- Ephesians 4:8 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
- Ephesians 4:9 Or the lower parts of the earth?
- Ephesians 4:11 Or pastors
- Ephesians 4:11 Or the shepherd-teachers
- Ephesians 4:13 Greek to a full-grown man
- Ephesians 4:22 Greek man; also verse 24
- Ephesians 5:27 Or holy and blameless
- Ephesians 6:5 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 6; likewise for bondservant in verse 8
- Ephesians 6:5 Or your masters according to the flesh
- Ephesians 6:9 Greek Lord
Ephesians 2:1-6:9
King James Version
2 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
3 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at 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 heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
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.
5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with 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 unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members 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 unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
