Galatians 5 - Ephesians 5

Christian Standard Bible

Freedom of the Christian

5 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm,^(A) then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.^{(B) 2} Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. ³ Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.^{(C) 5} For we eagerly await^(D) through the Spirit, by faith, the hope^(E) of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith^(F) working through love.^(G)

⁷ You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?^{(H) 8} This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.^{(I) 9} A little leaven^[a] leavens the whole batch of dough. ¹⁰ I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.^{(J) 11} Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross^(K) has been abolished. ¹² I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!

¹³ For you were called^(L) to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity^[b] for the flesh, but serve one another through love. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled^(M) in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.^{[c](N) 15} But if you bite and devour^(O) one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

The Spirit versus the Flesh

¹⁶ I say, then, walk by the Spirit^(P) and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires^(Q) what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.^{(R) 18} But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious:^[d] sexual immorality,^(S) moral impurity,^(T) promiscuity,^{(U) 20} idolatry,^(V) sorcery,^(W) hatreds,^(X) strife,^(Y) jealousy,^(Z) outbursts of anger,^(AA) selfish ambitions,^(AB) dissensions,^(AC) factions,^{(AD) 21} envy,^[e](AE) drunkenness, carousing,^(AF) and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.^(AG)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit^(AH) is love,^(AI) joy,^(AJ) peace, patience,^(AK) kindness,^(AL) goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness,^(AM) and self-control.^(AN) The law is not against such things.^{[f] 24} Now those who belong to Christ Jesus^(AO) have crucified the flesh^(AP) with its passions and desires.^{(AQ) 25} If we live^(AR) by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.^(AS)

Carry One Another’s Burdens

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle^(AT) spirit,^[g](AU) watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.^{(AV) 2} Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.^{(AW) 3} For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing,^(AX) he deceives himself. ⁴ Let each person examine his own work,^(AY) and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. ⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.

⁶ Let the one who is taught the word share^(AZ) all his good things with the teacher. ⁷ Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, ⁸ because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit^(BA) will reap eternal life^(BB) from the Spirit. ⁹ Let us not get tired^(BC) of doing good,^(BD) for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work^(BE) for the good^(BF) of all, especially for those who belong to the household^(BG) of faith.^(BH)

Concluding Exhortation

¹¹ Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting. ¹² Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh^(BI) are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised^(BJ)—but only to avoid being persecuted^(BK) for the cross^(BL) of Christ. ¹³ For even the circumcised don’t keep^(BM) the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh. ¹⁴ But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For^[h] both circumcision and uncircumcision^(BN) mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.^{(BO) 16} May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel^(BP) of God!^[i]

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.^{(BQ) 18} Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.^(BR) Amen.

Greeting

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

To the faithful saints^(BU) in Christ Jesus^[j] at Ephesus.^[k](BV)

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.^{(BW) 4} For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^{[l](BX) 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^(BY) that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.^(BZ)

⁷ In him we have redemption^(CA) through his blood, the forgiveness^(CB) of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace ⁸ that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.^{[m] 9} He made known to us the mystery of his will,^(CC) according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ^{(CD) 10} as a plan for the right time^[n]—to bring everything together in Christ,^(CE) both things in heaven and things on earth^(CF) in him.^(CG)

¹¹ In him we have also received an inheritance,^[o] because we were predestined^(CH) 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^(CI) in Christ might bring praise to his glory.^(CJ)

¹³ In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit^(CK) when you heard the word of truth,^(CL) the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed. ¹⁴ The Holy Spirit is the down payment^(CM) 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,^[p] would give you the Spirit^[q](CN) of wisdom and revelation^(CO) 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^(CP) of his calling,^(CQ) what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power^(CR) 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^(CS) in the heavens^(CT)— ²¹ far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given,^[r](CU) not only in this age but also in the one to come.^{(CV) 22} And he subjected everything under his feet^[s](CW) and appointed him^[t] as head^(CX) over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body,^(CY) the fullness^(CZ) of the one who fills all things^(DA) in every way.

From Death to Life

2 And you were dead^(DB) in your trespasses and sins ² in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world,^(DC) according to the ruler of the power of the air,^(DD) the spirit^(DE) now working in the disobedient.^{[u] 3} We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly^(DF) desires, carrying out the inclinations^(DG) of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath^(DH) as the others were also. ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy,^(DI) because of his great love^(DJ) that he had for us,^{[v] 5} made us alive^(DK) with Christ even though we were dead^(DL) 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,^{(DM) 7} so that in the coming ages^(DN) he might display the immeasurable riches^(DO) of his grace through his kindness^(DP) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For you are saved by grace^(DQ) 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^(DR) in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time^(DS) 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,”^(DT) which is done in the flesh by human hands.^{(DU) 12} At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise,^(DV) without hope^(DW) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood^(DX) of Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both groups one^(DY) 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^(DZ) in himself one^(EA) new man from the two, resulting in peace. ¹⁶ He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body^(EB) through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.^{[w] 17} He came and proclaimed the good news^(EC) of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(ED) 18} For through him we both have access^(EE) in one Spirit to the Father.^{(EF) 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,^(EG) with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building, being put together,^(EH) grows into a holy temple in the Lord.^{(EI) 22} In him you are also being built together^(EJ) for God’s dwelling^(EK) in the Spirit.

Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles

3 For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner^(EL) 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,^(EM) as I have briefly written above. ⁴ By reading this you are able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.^{(EN) 5} This was not made known to people^[x] in other generations as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets^(EO) by the Spirit: ⁶ The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise^(EP) 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.^(EQ)

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

Prayer for Spiritual Power

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(EZ) before the Father^{[z] 15} from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. ¹⁶ I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches^(FA) of his glory,^(FB) to be strengthened with power^(FC) in your inner being^(FD) 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,^{(FE) 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^(FF) to do above and beyond all that we ask or think^(FG) according to the power^(FH) that works in us— ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.^(FI)

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord,^(FJ) urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, ² with all humility^(FK) and gentleness, with patience,^(FL) bearing^(FM) with one another in love,^{(FN) 3} making every effort to keep the unity^(FO) of the Spirit^(FP) through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit^(FQ)—just as you were called to one hope^[aa](FR) at your calling— ⁵ one Lord,^(FS) one faith,^(FT) one baptism, ⁶ one God^(FU) and Father^(FV) of all, who is above all and through all and in all.^(FW)

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

⁹ But what does “he ascended” mean except that he^[ac] also descended to the lower parts of the earth?^{[ad](GA) 10} The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens,^(GB) to fill all things.^{(GC) 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,^{(GD) 13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,^(GE) growing into maturity with a stature^(GF) 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,^(GG) 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^(GH)—Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together^(GI) by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth^(GJ) 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^[ae] of the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity^(GK) with a desire for more and more.^[af]

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^(GL) is in Jesus, ²² to take off^[ag](GM) your former way of life,^(GN) the old self^(GO) that is corrupted by deceitful desires, ²³ to be renewed^[ah] in the spirit^(GP) of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on^[ai](GQ) the new self, the one created^(GR) according to God’s likeness^(GS) in righteousness and purity of the truth.

²⁵ Therefore, putting away^(GT) lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor,^[aj](GU) because we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin.^[ak](GV) 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^(GW) with anyone in need. ²⁹ No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need,^[al] so that it gives grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit.^(GX) You were sealed by him^[am] for the day of redemption.^{(GY) 31} Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. ³² And be kind^(GZ) and compassionate^(HA) to one another, forgiving^(HB) one another, just as God also forgave you^[an] 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,^(HC) a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. ³ But sexual immorality^(HD) and any impurity^(HE) or greed^(HF) should not even be heard of^[ao] 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^(HG) or impure^(HH) or greedy^(HI) person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom^(HJ) of Christ and of God.

Light versus Darkness

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath^(HK) is coming on the disobedient^[ap] because of these things. ⁷ Therefore, do not become their partners. ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light^(HL) in the Lord. Walk as children of light^(HM)— ⁹ for the fruit of the light^[aq] consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth^(HN)— ¹⁰ testing^(HO) what is pleasing^(HP) to the Lord. ¹¹ Don’t participate in the fruitless^(HQ) 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,^{(HR) 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,^[ar](HV) because the days are evil. ¹⁷ So don’t be foolish, but understand^(HW) what the Lord’s will^(HX) is. ¹⁸ And don’t get drunk^(HY) with wine,^(HZ) which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:^{(IA) 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.^(IB)

Wives and Husbands

²² Wives,^(IC) submit^[as](ID) to your husbands^(IE) as to the Lord, ²³ because the husband is the head of the wife^(IF) as Christ is the head^(IG) of the church. He is the Savior of the body.^{(IH) 24} Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(II) just as Christ loved^(IJ) the church and gave himself^(IK) for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing^[at] 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.^{(IL) 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.^{[au] 31} For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,^(IM) and the two will become one flesh.^{[av](IN) 32} This mystery^(IO) 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.