To the Ephesians
Greetings
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the wish of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you all and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, after blessing us in every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ, 4 as He chose us in Himself before the foundation of the world that we be holy and blameless before Him in love, 5 after predestining us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His wishes, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He graced us in the Beloved, 7 in whom we have redemptiona through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight, 9 after making known to us the mystery of His wishes, according to His good pleasure which He set forth in Him 10 in the dispensationb of the fullness of time, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven, and things on earth in Him.
11 In whom we also obtained an inheritance, after being predestined according to the purpose of Him working all things according to the counsel of His wishes, 12 that we be to the praise of His glory, the first having hoped in Christ, 13 in whom you all also, after hearing the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believing in Him, you all were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a pledgec of our inheritance until redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
15 For this reason, I, after hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and the love to all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you all, making mention of you all in my prayers 17 in order that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you all a spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowledge of Him, 18 after having enlightened the eyes of your heart that you all know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His great strength 20 that He worked in Christ, after raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but in the one coming. 22 And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all the church 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him filling all in all.
By Grace Through Faith
2 And you all, being dead in the trespasses and your sins 2 in which time you all walked, according to the age of the world, according to the prince of the authority of the air, the spirit now working in the sons of disobedience, 3 in whom we all also lived for a time in the passions of our flesh, doing the wishes of our flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, through His great love with which He loved us, 5 and we being dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you all have been saved — 6 and raised up and seated in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus 7 in order that He might show in the coming ages the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace, you all have been saved through faith. And this is not of you all; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works in order that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, after being created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before, in order that we should walk in them.
One in Christ
11 Therefore, remember that at one time you all were Gentiles in the flesh, being called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision which is made in the flesh by hands — 12 that you all were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of the promise, not having hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus, you all who at a time were far off, were brought near in the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, the One after making us both one and breaking down the dividing wall of hostility in His flesh, 15 after abolishing the law of the commandments in dogma in order that from the two, He might create in Himself one new man, making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both in one body to God through the cross, after killing the hostility by it. 17 And after coming, He preached peace to you all who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 Because through Him, we have access both in one spirit to the Father. 19 Therefore, you all are no longer strangers and aliens but are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 after being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself, being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you all also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in Spirit.
The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed
3 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner for Christ Jesus for you all Gentiles — 2 if, indeed, you all heard of the administration of the grace of God, after being given to me for you all, 3 that according to the revelation, He made known to me the mystery, as I wrote about briefly. 4 To this, you all are able, while reading, to perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ, 5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of man as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in Spirit. 6 The Gentiles are fellow heirs and are members of the same body and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
7 Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God's grace after being given to me by the working of His power. 8 To me, the very least of the saints, this grace was given to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the administration of the mystery after being hidden for the ages in God, after creating all things, 10 in order that now, the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the rulers and the authorities in heavenly places through the church, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him. 13 Therefore, I ask not to lose heart in my suffering for you all which is your glory.
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 in order that He may give to you all, according to the riches of His glory, the power to be strengthened through His Spirit in the inner man 17 that Christ dwell in your hearts through faith — in love, after having been rooted and grounded, 18 in order that you all may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge in order that you all may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power working within us 21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Unity in the Body of Christ
4 I, therefore, urge you all, the prisoner in the Lord, to walk in a manner worthy of the calling which you all were called 2 with all humility and meekness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 hastening to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit — even as you all were called in one hope of your calling — 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But each one of us was given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Therefore, it says,
“After ascending on high, He led a host of captives;
He gave gifts to the men.”d
9 (But “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He, the One descending, is also the one ascending far above all the heavens in order that He might fulfill all things.) 11 And He, indeed, gave apostles and prophets and evangelists and shepherds and teachers, 12 to fully prepare the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ 13 until we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ 14 in order that we may no longer be children, being tossed to and fro by the waves, and being carried about by every wind of doctrine, by sleight of men, by craftiness of deceitful schemes. 15 But speaking truthfully in love, we should grow up to Him in every way who is the head, Christ, 16 out of whom the whole body, being joined and held together through every joint with which it is supplied, according to the energy in measure, each part makes the body grow to build itself up in love.
The New Life
17 Therefore, I say this, and witness in the Lord, you all no longer walk as the Gentiles walk in the futilitye of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them because of their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous, given themselves to sensualityf to work every kind of uncleanness in greed. 20 But you all did not learn Christ this way! — 21 if you all heard of Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old man, concerning your former manner of life, being corrupted by deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new man, created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth.
25 Therefore, after putting away falsehood, each one speak the truth with his neighbor,g because we are limbs of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin.hi The sun does not setj on your anger. 27 Neither givek a place to the devil. 28 The thief no longer stealsl , but rather labor, working honestly with his own hands, in order that he may have something to share with those having need. 29 All corrupting talk does not come outm of your mouths, but some is good for building up, on occasion, in order that it may give grace to those hearing. 30 And do not grieveno the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you all were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness and wrath and anger and crying and blasphemy be put away from you all along with all malice. 32 But be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God in Christ also forgave you all.
Walk in Love
5 Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children. 2 And walk in love as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us: a sweet smelling offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But illicit sexual intercourse and all impurity or covetousness cannot be namedp among you all as is proper among saints. 4 And neither filthiness and foolish talk, nor crude joking which are not fitting, but rather be thankful. 5 For knowq this that every fornicator or impure or covetous person (that is, an idolater), does not have a place in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 No one deceive you all with empty words, for because of this, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore, do not be partners with them; 8 for you all were at one time darkness, but now you all are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 discerning what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 And do not take part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather rebuke them. 12 For the things done in secret by them are shameful even to say. 13 But everything being exposed by the light is becoming visible, 14 For everything that is becoming visible is light. Therefore, it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Look accurately, therefore, how you all walk, not as unwise, but as wise, 16 redeemingr the time because the days are evil. 17 For this reason, do not be foolish, but understand what the desire of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunks with wine in this is debauchery, but be filled in Spirit, 19 speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father, 21 submitting to one another in feart of Christ.
Wives and Husbands
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord 23 because a husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church, Himself a savior of the body. 24 But as the church submits to Christ, so also the wives to their husbands in all things.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her 26 in order that He might sanctify her, after cleansing her with the washing of water by the word 27 in order that He might present the church in glory to Himself, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. The one loving his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as also Christ does the church 30 because we are limbs of His body. 31 “Therefore, a man will leave his father and mother and be joinedu to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”v 32 This mystery is great, but I speak about Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, every one of you all love his wife as himself in order that the wife may fear her husband.
Children and Parents
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and your mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may be will with you and you will live long in the land.”w 4 And fathers, do not provoke x your children but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Bondservants and Masters
5 Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling with your sincere heart as unto Christ, 6 not according to eye-service as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the desire of God from your soul, 7 serving with benevolence as to the Lord, and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether slave or free. 9 And masters, do the same to them, stopping your threats, knowing that the Lord, both theirs and yours, is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God to make you all able to stand against the schemes of the devil 12 because we do not wrestle against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up this whole armor of God in order that you all may be able to withstand in the evil day, and after doing all, to stand. 14 Stand, therefore, after fastening your belty of truth, and putting on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and putting on as shoes for your feet, the preparation of the gospel of peace. 16 In all things, take up the shield of faith with which you all are able to extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God 18 through all prayer and supplicationz, praying at all times in the Spirit, and to these things, watching in all perseverance, and making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me in order that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassadoraa in chains, in order that I may declare it boldly as it is necessary for me to speak.
Final Greetings
21 Now, in order that you all may know how and what I practice, everything will be made known to you all by Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord 22 whom I sent to you all for this purpose in order that you all may know about us, and he may encourage your hearts.
23 Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace with all those loving our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.