God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(A) 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^(B) for you, ³ that is, the mystery^(C) made known to me by revelation,^(D) as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(E) 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.^{(F) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(G) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(H) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.^(I)

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel^(J) by the gift of God’s grace given me^(K) through the working of his power.^{(L) 8} Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^(M) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles^(N) the boundless riches of Christ,^{(O) 9} and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(P) 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^(Q) should be made known^(R) to the rulers and authorities^(S) in the heavenly realms,^{(T) 11} according to his eternal purpose^(U) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(V) with freedom and confidence.^{(W) 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^(X) 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^(Y) he may strengthen you with power^(Z) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(AA) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(AB) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(AC) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(AD) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(AE) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(AF)—that you may be filled^(AG) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(AH)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(AI) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(AJ) or imagine, according to his power^(AK) 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.^(AL)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner^(AM) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(AN) of the calling^(AO) you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another^(AP) in love.^{(AQ) 3} Make every effort to keep the unity^(AR) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.^{(AS) 4} There is one body^(AT) and one Spirit,^(AU) just as you were called to one hope when you were called^(AV); ⁵ one Lord,^(AW) one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,^(AX) who is over all and through all and in all.^(AY)

⁷ But to each one of us^(AZ) grace^(BA) has been given^(BB) 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^(BE) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(BF) 11} So Christ himself gave^(BG) the apostles,^(BH) the prophets,^(BI) the evangelists,^(BJ) the pastors and teachers,^{(BK) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(BL) may be built up^{(BM) 13} until we all reach unity^(BN) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(BO) and become mature,^(BP) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(BQ)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(BR) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(BS) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(BT) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(BU) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(BV) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(BW) and builds itself up^(BX) in love,^(BY) 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^(BZ) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(CA) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(CB) and separated from the life of God^(CC) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(CD) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(CE) they have given themselves over^(CF) to sensuality^(CG) 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^(CH) your old self,^(CI) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(CJ) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(CK) 24} and to put on^(CL) the new self,^(CM) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(CN)

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

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(CV) but only what is helpful for building others up^(CW) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(CX) with whom you were sealed^(CY) for the day of redemption.^{(CZ) 31} Get rid of^(DA) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(DB) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(DC) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(DD) 5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(DE) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(DF) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(DG) and gave himself up for us^(DH) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(DI)

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

⁸ For you were once^(DT) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(DU) 9} (for the fruit^(DV) of the light consists in all goodness,^(DW) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(DX) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(DY) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(DZ) 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^(ED)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity,^(EE) because the days are evil.^{(EF) 17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^{(EG) 18} Do not get drunk on wine,^(EH) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(EI) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(EJ) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks^(EK) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households^(EL)

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

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

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(ER) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^{(ES) 26} to make her holy,^(ET) cleansing^[g] her by the washing^(EU) with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself^(EV) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^{(EW) 28} In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives^(EX) 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.^{(EY) 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](EZ) 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^(FA) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^{(FB) 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](FC)

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

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(FF) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(FG) just as you would obey Christ.^{(FH) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(FI) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(FJ) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(FK) 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^(FL) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(FM) with him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(FN) and in his mighty power.^{(FO) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(FP) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(FQ) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(FR) against the powers^(FS) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(FT) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(FU) 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,^(FV) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(FW) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(FX) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(FY) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(FZ) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(GA) and the sword of the Spirit,^(GB) which is the word of God.^(GC)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(GD) on all occasions^(GE) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(GF) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(GG) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(GH) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(GI) make known the mystery^(GJ) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(GK) in chains.^(GL) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

²¹ Tychicus,^(GM) 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,^(GN) and that he may encourage you.^(GO)

²³ Peace^(GP) 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]