Ephesians 1-6

Christian Standard Bible

Greeting

1 Paul,^(A) an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will:^(B)

To the faithful saints^(C) in Christ Jesus^[a] at Ephesus.^[b](D)

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Rich Blessings

³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.^{(E) 4} For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^{[c](F) 5} He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace^(G) that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.^(H)

⁷ In him we have redemption^(I) through his blood, the forgiveness^(J) of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^{[d] 9} He made known to us the mystery of his will,^(K) according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ^{(L) 10} as a plan for the right time^[e]—to bring everything together in Christ,^(M) both things in heaven and things on earth^(N) in him.^(O)

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[f] because we were predestined^(P) according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, ¹² so that we who had already put our hope^(Q) in Christ might bring praise to his glory.^(R)

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit^(S) when you heard the word of truth,^(T) the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment^(U) of our inheritance, until the redemption of the possession, to the praise of his glory.

Prayer for Spiritual Insight

¹⁵ This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. ¹⁷ I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^[g] would give you the Spirit^[h](V) of wisdom and revelation^(W) in the knowledge of him. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope^(X) of his calling,^(Y) what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power^(Z) toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

God’s Power in Christ

²⁰ He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand^(AA) in the heavens^(AB)— ²¹ far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,^[i](AC) not only in this age but also in the one to come.^{(AD) 22} And he subjected everything under his feet^[j](AE) and appointed him^[k] as head^(AF) over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body,^(AG) the fullness^(AH) of the one who fills all things^(AI) in every way.

From Death to Life

2 And you were dead^(AJ) in your trespasses and sins ² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,^(AK) according to the ruler of the power of the air,^(AL) the spirit^(AM) now working in the disobedient.^{[l] 3} We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly^(AN) desires, carrying out the inclinations^(AO) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath^(AP) as the others were also. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy,^(AQ) because of his great love^(AR) that he had for us,^{[m] 5} made us alive^(AS) with Christ even though we were dead^(AT) in trespasses. You are saved by grace! ⁶ He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,^{(AU) 7} so that in the coming ages^(AV) he might display the immeasurable riches^(AW) of his grace through his kindness^(AX) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you are saved by grace^(AY) through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created^(AZ) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time^(BA) for us to do.

Unity in Christ

¹¹ So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,”^(BB) which is done in the flesh by human hands.^{(BC) 12} At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise,^(BD) without hope^(BE) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood^(BF) of Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both groups one^(BG) and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, ¹⁵ he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create^(BH) in himself one^(BI) new man from the two, resulting in peace. ¹⁶ He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body^(BJ) through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.^{[n] 17} He came and proclaimed the good news^(BK) of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(BL) 18} For through him we both have access^(BM) in one Spirit to the Father.^{(BN) 19} So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,^(BO) with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building, being put together,^(BP) grows into a holy temple in the Lord.^{(BQ) 22} In him you are also being built together^(BR) for God’s dwelling^(BS) in the Spirit.

Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles

3 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner^(BT) of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— ² assuming you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that he gave me for you. ³ The mystery was made known to me by revelation,^(BU) as I have briefly written above. ⁴ By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.^{(BV) 5} This was not made known to people^[o] in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets^(BW) by the Spirit: ⁶ The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise^(BX) in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ⁷ I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power.^(BY)

⁸ This grace was given to me—the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches^(BZ) of Christ, ⁹ and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created^(CA) all things. ¹⁰ This is so that God’s multi-faceted wisdom^(CB) may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens.^{(CC) 11} This is according to his eternal purpose^(CD) accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him we have boldness and confident access^(CE) through faith in him.^{[p] 13} So, then, I ask you not to be discouraged^(CF) over my afflictions on your behalf, for they are your glory.^(CG)

Prayer for Spiritual Power

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(CH) before the Father^{[q] 15} from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. ¹⁶ I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches^(CI) of his glory,^(CJ) to be strengthened with power^(CK) in your inner being^(CL) through his Spirit, ¹⁷ and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love,^{(CM) 19} and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(CN) to do above and beyond all that we ask or think^(CO) according to the power^(CP) that works in us— ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.^(CQ)

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord,^(CR) urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, ² with all humility^(CS) and gentleness, with patience,^(CT) bearing^(CU) with one another in love,^{(CV) 3} making every effort to keep the unity^(CW) of the Spirit^(CX) through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit^(CY)—just as you were called to one hope^[r](CZ) at your calling— ⁵ one Lord,^(DA) one faith,^(DB) one baptism, ⁶ one God^(DC) and Father^(DD) of all, who is above all and through all and in all.^(DE)

⁷ Now grace was given to each one of us^(DF) according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ For it says:

⁹ But what does “he ascended” mean except that he^[t] also descended to the lower parts of the earth?^{[u](DI) 10} The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens,^(DJ) to fill all things.^{(DK) 11} And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,^{(DL) 13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,^(DM) growing into maturity with a stature^(DN) measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching,^(DO) by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head^(DP)—Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together^(DQ) by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth^(DR) of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Living the New Life

¹⁷ Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because^[v] of the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity^(DS) with a desire for more and more.^[w]

²⁰ But that is not how you came to know Christ, ²¹ assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth^(DT) is in Jesus, ²² to take off^[x](DU) your former way of life,^(DV) the old self^(DW) that is corrupted by deceitful desires, ²³ to be renewed^[y] in the spirit^(DX) of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on^[z](DY) the new self, the one created^(DZ) according to God’s likeness^(EA) in righteousness and purity of the truth.

²⁵ Therefore, putting away^(EB) lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor,^[aa](EC) because we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin.^[ab](ED) Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and don’t give the devil an opportunity. ²⁸ Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share^(EE) with anyone in need. ²⁹ No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need,^[ac] so that it gives grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit.^(EF) You were sealed by him^[ad] for the day of redemption.^{(EG) 31} Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. ³² And be kind^(EH) and compassionate^(EI) to one another, forgiving^(EJ) one another, just as God also forgave you^[ae] in Christ.

5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, ² and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us,^(EK) a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. ³ But sexual immorality^(EL) and any impurity^(EM) or greed^(EN) should not even be heard of^[af] among you, as is proper for saints. ⁴ Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. ⁵ For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral^(EO) or impure^(EP) or greedy^(EQ) person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom^(ER) of Christ and of God.

Light versus Darkness

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath^(ES) is coming on the disobedient^[ag] because of these things. ⁷ Therefore, do not become their partners. ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light^(ET) in the Lord. Walk as children of light^(EU)— ⁹ for the fruit of the light^[ah] consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth^(EV)— ¹⁰ testing^(EW) what is pleasing^(EX) to the Lord. ¹¹ Don’t participate in the fruitless^(EY) works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. ¹³ Everything exposed by the light is made visible,^{(EZ) 14} for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said:

Consistency in the Christian Life

¹⁵ Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— ¹⁶ making the most of the time,^[ai](FD) because the days are evil. ¹⁷ So don’t be foolish, but understand^(FE) what the Lord’s will^(FF) is. ¹⁸ And don’t get drunk^(FG) with wine,^(FH) which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:^{(FI) 19} speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.^(FJ)

Wives and Husbands

²² Wives,^(FK) submit^[aj](FL) to your husbands^(FM) as to the Lord, ²³ because the husband is the head of the wife^(FN) as Christ is the head^(FO) of the church. He is the Savior of the body.^{(FP) 24} Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(FQ) just as Christ loved^(FR) the church and gave himself^(FS) for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing^[ak] her with the washing of water by the word. ²⁷ He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.^{(FT) 28} In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, ³⁰ since we are members of his body.^{[al] 31} For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,^(FU) and the two will become one flesh.^{[am](FV) 32} This mystery^(FW) is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.

Children and Parents

6 Children, obey^(FX) your parents in the Lord, because this is right. 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 have a long life in the land.^{[an][ao](FY) 4} Fathers, don’t stir up anger^(FZ) in your children, but bring them up in the training^(GA) and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your human^[ap] masters^(GB) with fear and trembling,^(GC) in the sincerity^(GD) of your heart, as you would Christ. ⁶ Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will^(GE) from your heart. ⁷ Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,^{(GF) 8} knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. ⁹ And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening^(GG) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(GH) with him.^(GI)

Christian Warfare

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.^{(GJ) 11} Put on^(GK) the full armor^(GL) of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh^(GM) and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(GN) against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil,^(GO) spiritual forces in the heavens.^{(GP) 13} For this reason take up the full armor^(GQ) of God, so that you may be able to resist^(GR) in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand,^(GS) therefore, with truth^(GT) like a belt around your waist, righteousness^(GU) like armor on your chest,^{(GV) 15} and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield^(GW) of faith^(GX) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(GY) 17} Take the helmet^(GZ) of salvation and the sword^(HA) of the Spirit^(HB)—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray^(HC) at all times in the Spirit^(HD) with every prayer and request, and stay alert^(HE) with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness^(HF) the mystery of the gospel. ²⁰ For this I am an ambassador^(HG) in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

²¹ Tychicus,^(HH) our dearly loved brother and faithful servant^[aq] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. ²² I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage^(HI) your hearts.^(HJ)

²³ Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father^(HK) and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.^[ar][as]