Ephesians 5
Live in Love
5:1 Therefore, be1 imitators of God as dearly loved children 5:2 and live2 in love, just as Christ also loved us3 and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering4 to God. 5:3 But5 among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind,6 or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.7 5:4 Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. 5:5 For you can be confident of this one thing:8 that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Live in the Light
5:6 Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience.9 5:7 Therefore do not be partakers with them,10 5:8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are11 light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – 5:9 for the fruit of the light12 consists in13 all goodness, righteousness, and truth – 5:10 trying to learn14 what is pleasing to the Lord. 5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather15 expose them.16 5:12 For the things they do17 in secret are shameful even to mention. 5:13 But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. 5:14 For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:18
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”21
Live Wisely
5:15 Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, 5:16 taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 5:17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise22 by understanding23 what the Lord’s will is. 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, which24 is debauchery,25 but be filled by the Spirit,26 5:19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music27 in28 your hearts to the Lord, 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for each other29 in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:21 and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.30
Exhortations to Households
5:2231 Wives, submit32 to your husbands as to the Lord, 5:23 because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. 5:24 But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 5:25 Husbands, love your33 wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her 5:26 to sanctify her by cleansing her34 with the washing of the water by the word, 5:27 so that he35 may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.36 5:28 In the same way37 husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 5:29 For no one has ever hated his own body38 but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, 5:30 for we are members of his body.39 5:31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become40 one flesh.41 5:32 This mystery is great – but I am actually42 speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 5:33 Nevertheless,43 each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself,44 and the wife must45 respect46 her husband.