Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options Listen to Ephesians 5-6
Close NASB

Ephesians 5-6
New American Standard Bible

Be Imitators of God

5 (A)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and (B)walk in love, just as Christ also (C)loved [a]you and (D)gave Himself up for us, an (E)offering and a sacrifice to God [b]as a (F)fragrant aroma.

3 But (G)sexual immorality [c]or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among [d]saints; 4 and there must be no (H)filthiness [e]or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which (I)are not fitting, but rather (J)giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that (K)no sexually immoral or [f]impure or greedy person, which [g]amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom (L)of Christ and God.

6 (M)See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things (N)the wrath of God comes upon (O)the [h]sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become (P)partners with them; 8 for (Q)you were once (R)darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as (S)children of light 9 (for (T)the fruit of the light consists in all (U)goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 [i](V)as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 (W)Do not participate in the useless (X)deeds of (Y)darkness, but instead even (Z)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 (AA)when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason [j]it says,

“(AB)Awake, sleeper,
And arise from (AC)the dead,
And Christ (AD)will shine on you.”

15 So then, [k]be careful how you (AE)walk, not (AF)as unwise people but as wise, 16 [l](AG)making the most of your time, because (AH)the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but (AI)understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And (AJ)do not get drunk with wine, [m]in which there is (AK)debauchery, but be (AL)filled with the Spirit, 19 (AM)speaking to [n]one another in (AN)psalms and (AO)hymns and spiritual (AP)songs, (AQ)singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 (AR)always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our (AS)God and Father; 21 [o](AT)and subject yourselves to one another in the [p](AU)fear of Christ.

Marriage like Christ and the Church

22 (AV)Wives, (AW)subject yourselves to your own husbands, (AX)as to the Lord. 23 For (AY)the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the (AZ)head of the church, He Himself (BA)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 (BB)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and (BC)gave Himself up for her, 26 (BD)so that He might sanctify her, having (BE)cleansed her by the (BF)washing of water with (BG)the word, 27 that He might (BH)present to Himself the church [q]in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be (BI)holy and blameless. 28 So husbands also ought to (BJ)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 (BK)parts of His (BL)body. 31 (BM)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 (BN)love his own wife the same as himself, and the wife must see to it that she (BO)respects her husband.

Children and Parents

6 (BP)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 (BQ)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 (BR)Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but (BS)bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

5 (BT)Slaves, be obedient to those who are your [r]masters according to the flesh, with (BU)fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, (BV)as to Christ; 6 (BW)not [s]by way of [t]eye-service, as (BX)people-pleasers, but as (BY)slaves of Christ, (BZ)doing the will of God from the [u]heart. 7 With goodwill [v]render service, (CA)as to the Lord, and not to people, 8 (CB)knowing that (CC)whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, (CD)whether slave or free.

9 And masters, do the same things to them, and (CE)give up threatening, knowing that (CF)both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is (CG)no partiality with Him.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, (CH)be strong in the Lord and in (CI)the strength of His might. 11 (CJ)Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the (CK)schemes of the devil. 12 For our (CL)struggle is not against [w](CM)flesh and blood, but (CN)against the rulers, against the powers, against the (CO)world forces of this (CP)darkness, against the (CQ)spiritual forces of wickedness in (CR)the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up (CS)the full armor of God, so that you will be able to (CT)resist on (CU)the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, (CV)having belted your waist with truth, and having (CW)put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having (CX)strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [x]in addition to all, taking up the (CY)shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the (CZ)flaming arrows of (DA)the evil one. 17 And take (DB)the helmet of salvation and the (DC)sword of the Spirit, which is (DD)the word of God.

18 [y]With every (DE)prayer and request, [z](DF)pray at all times (DG)in the Spirit, and with this in view, [aa](DH)be alert with all (DI)perseverance and every (DJ)request for all the [ab]saints, 19 and (DK)pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me (DL)in the opening of my mouth, to make known with (DM)boldness (DN)the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an (DO)ambassador (DP)in [ac]chains; that [ad]in proclaiming it I may speak (DQ)boldly, (DR)as I ought to speak.

21 (DS)Now, so that you also may know about my circumstances as to [ae]what I am doing, (DT)Tychicus, (DU)the beloved brother and faithful [af]servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 [ag](DV)I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know [ah]about us, and that he may (DW)comfort your hearts.

23 (DX)Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and (DY)love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ [ai]with incorruptible love.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:2 One early ms us
  2. Ephesians 5:2 Lit for an odor of fragrance
  3. Ephesians 5:3 Lit and all
  4. Ephesians 5:3 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  5. Ephesians 5:4 Lit and
  6. Ephesians 5:5 I.e., morally impure
  7. Ephesians 5:5 Lit is
  8. Ephesians 5:6 I.e., people opposed to God
  9. Ephesians 5:10 Lit putting to the test what
  10. Ephesians 5:14 Or He
  11. Ephesians 5:15 Lit look carefully
  12. Ephesians 5:16 Lit redeeming the time
  13. Ephesians 5:18 Or by which
  14. Ephesians 5:19 Or yourselves
  15. Ephesians 5:21 Lit being submissive to
  16. Ephesians 5:21 Or reverence for
  17. Ephesians 5:27 Lit glorious
  18. Ephesians 6:5 I.e., earthly masters, as in first-century Roman culture
  19. Ephesians 6:6 Lit according to
  20. Ephesians 6:6 I.e., only when the master is watching
  21. Ephesians 6:6 Lit soul
  22. Ephesians 6:7 Lit rendering
  23. Ephesians 6:12 Lit blood and flesh
  24. Ephesians 6:16 Lit in all
  25. Ephesians 6:18 Lit Through
  26. Ephesians 6:18 Lit praying
  27. Ephesians 6:18 Lit being
  28. Ephesians 6:18 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  29. Ephesians 6:20 Lit a chain
  30. Ephesians 6:20 Two early mss I may speak it boldly
  31. Ephesians 6:21 Or how
  32. Ephesians 6:21 Or minister
  33. Ephesians 6:22 Lit Whom I have sent to you
  34. Ephesians 6:22 Lit the things about us
  35. Ephesians 6:24 Lit in incorruption
Listen to Ephesians 5-6
Close NIV

Ephesians 5-6
New International Version

5 1 Follow God’s example,(A) therefore, as dearly loved children(B) 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us(C) and gave himself up for us(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(E)

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.(I) 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater(J)—has any inheritance(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a](L) 6 Let no one deceive you(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath(N) comes on those who are disobedient.(O) 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light(Q) 9 (for the fruit(R) of the light consists in all goodness,(S) righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.(T) 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,(U) but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light(V) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,(W)
    rise from the dead,(X)
    and Christ will shine on you.”(Y)

15 Be very careful, then, how you live(Z)—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity,(AA) because the days are evil.(AB) 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.(AC) 18 Do not get drunk on wine,(AD) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,(AE) 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.(AF) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks(AG) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households(AH)

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

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands(AJ) as you do to the Lord.(AK) 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,(AL) his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands(AM) in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives,(AN) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her(AO) 26 to make her holy,(AP) cleansing[b] her by the washing(AQ) with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself(AR) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.(AS) 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives(AT) 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.(AU) 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.”[c](AV) 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(AW) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.(AX) 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.”[d](AY)

4 Fathers,[e] do not exasperate your children;(AZ) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.(BA)

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(BB) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(BC) just as you would obey Christ.(BD) 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(BE) doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(BF) 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(BG) 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(BH) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(BI) with him.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord(BJ) and in his mighty power.(BK) 11 Put on the full armor of God,(BL) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,(BM) but against the rulers, against the authorities,(BN) against the powers(BO) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(BP) 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,(BQ) 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,(BR) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,(BS) 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.(BT) 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,(BU) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(BV) 17 Take the helmet of salvation(BW) and the sword of the Spirit,(BX) which is the word of God.(BY)

18 And pray in the Spirit(BZ) on all occasions(CA) with all kinds of prayers and requests.(CB) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying(CC) for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me,(CD) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly(CE) make known the mystery(CF) of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador(CG) in chains.(CH) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus,(CI) 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,(CJ) and that he may encourage you.(CK)

23 Peace(CL) to the brothers and sisters,[f] 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.[g]

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
  2. Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
  3. Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24
  4. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
  5. Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
  6. Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  7. Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
Next
Ephesians 4
Philippians 1
Next
dropdown
New American Standard Bible (NASB)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible is made available by The Lockman Foundation
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

July Summer Surge

More on the NIV