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As Beloved Children, Be Imitators of God And Walk In Love

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And be walking in love, just as Christ also loved us and handed Himself over for us— an offering and a sacrifice to God for an aroma of fragrance.

But Don’t Let Any Kind of Impurity Or Greed Exist Among You

But let sexual-immorality and all impurity or greed not even be named[a] among you, as is proper for saints— and filthiness[b] and foolish-talk or coarse-joking[c], which are not fitting, but rather thanksgiving.

You Know This Is Right, So Don’t Be Partakers With Those Inheriting Wrath

For you know this[d]— recognizing[e] that every sexually-immoral or impure or greedy person (that is, an idolater) does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of [f] disobedience. Therefore do not be fellow-partakers with them.

For You Were Formerly Darkness, But Now You Are Light; Walk As Children of Light

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Be walking as children of [g] light (for the fruit of the light is in[h] all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 approving what is pleasing[i] to the Lord.

Expose The Works of Darkness To God’s Light

11 And do not be participating in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even be exposing[j] them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak the things being done in secret by them, 13 but all things being exposed by the light become-visible[k]. 14 For everything becoming-visible is[l] light. Therefore he[m] says, “Awake, sleeping one, and rise-up from the dead, and Christ will shine-on you.”

So Walk Wisely, Redeeming The Time. Be Filled With The Spirit, And Subject To One Another

15 Therefore be watching carefully how you walk— not as unwise, but as wise, 16 redeeming[n] the time, because the days are evil. 17 For this reason, do not be foolish ones, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get-drunk with wine, in[o] which is wild-living, but be filled with[p] the Spirit, 19 speaking to each other with[q] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making-melody with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving-thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father, 21 being-subject[r] to one another in the fear[s] of Christ—

Wives, Be Subject To Your Husbands As The Church Is Subject To Christ

22 ... wives— to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 Because a husband is the head of his wife as also Christ is the head of the church, He being the Savior of the body. 24 Nevertheless[t], as the church is subject to Christ, in this manner also let the wives be to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, Love Your Wives As Christ Loved The Church

25 Husbands, be loving your wives just-as Christ also loved the church and handed Himself over for her 26 in order that He might sanctify[u] her, having cleansed[v] her with[w] the washing[x] of water by[y] the word, 27 in order that He might present the church to Himself as glorious— not having spot or wrinkle or any of such things, but that she might be holy and without-blemish. 28 In this manner[z], husbands ought also to be loving their wives as their own bodies. The one loving his wife is loving himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are body-parts of His body. 31 “For this cause a man shall leave-behind his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two will be one flesh” [Gen 2:24]. 32 This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and with reference to the church. 33 Nevertheless, you also individually, let each in this manner be loving his wife as himself. And let the wife see that she be respecting her husband.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:3 That is, identified as part of your behavior.
  2. Ephesians 5:4 Or, indecency, obscenity, shamefulness in word or deed.
  3. Ephesians 5:4 Or, vulgar-wittiness.
  4. Ephesians 5:5 That is, v 3-4.
  5. Ephesians 5:5 For you know this— recognizing that. Or, For know this with certainty— that.
  6. Ephesians 5:6 See 2:2.
  7. Ephesians 5:8 That is, characterized by.
  8. Ephesians 5:9 That is, consisting of; or, in the sphere of.
  9. Ephesians 5:10 Or, acceptable.
  10. Ephesians 5:11 Or, bringing to light, rebuking.
  11. Ephesians 5:13 by the light become-visible. Or, are made-visible by the light.
  12. Ephesians 5:14 That is, reflects.
  13. Ephesians 5:14 Or, it. That is, the one exposing the sin says this; or, Paul may be referring to a written source, perhaps Isa 60:1.
  14. Ephesians 5:16 That is, buying up the time for the Lord, saving it from being lost or wasted; making the most of your time.
  15. Ephesians 5:18 That is, in connection with.
  16. Ephesians 5:18 Or, by.
  17. Ephesians 5:19 Or, in, by means of.
  18. Ephesians 5:21 Or, subjecting yourselves, voluntarily-submitting.
  19. Ephesians 5:21 Or, respect, reverence.
  20. Ephesians 5:24 Or, But, However. That is, although your husband is not your savior. Or, So, Indeed.
  21. Ephesians 5:26 Or, make her holy.
  22. Ephesians 5:26 Or, cleansing, concurrently with the sanctifying.
  23. Ephesians 5:26 Or, by, in.
  24. Ephesians 5:26 Or, bath.
  25. Ephesians 5:26 Or, with, in.
  26. Ephesians 5:28 In this manner, husbands. That is, like Christ loved His body, the church, referring back to v 25. Or, In this manner husbands... wives: as their own bodies.

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