I. Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, to the saints that are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ, ⁴ even as he chose us in him before [the] world's foundation, that we should be holy and blameless be- fore him in love; ⁵ having predestinated us for adoption through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ unto [the] praise of [the] glory of his grace, wherein he made us objects of grace in the beloved; ⁷ in whom we have redemption through his blood, the" forgiveness of offences, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸ which he caused to abound toward us in all wisdom and intelligence, ⁹ having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself ¹⁰ for [the] administration of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things on the earth, in him ¹¹ in whom we have also obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to [the] purpose of him that worketh all things according to the counsel of his will, ¹² in order that we should be unto [the] praise of his glory, that have fore-trusted in the Christ; ¹³ in whom ye also, having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom having also believed, ye were sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is earnest of our inheritance, for [the] redemption of the purchased possession unto [the] praise of his glory.

¹⁵ On this account I also, having heard of the faith that [is] among you in the Lord Jesus and the love that [ye have] toward all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give you [the] spirit of wisdom and revelation in full knowledge of him, ¹⁸ having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling; and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints; ¹⁹ and what the surpassing greatness of his power toward us that believe, according to the working of the might of his strength, ²⁰ which he wrought in the Christ in having raised him out of the dead, and seated [him] at his right hand in the heavenly [places], ²¹ far above every principality and authority and power and lordship and every name named not only in this age but also in that to come; ²² and put all things under his feet, and gave him as head over all things to the assembly, ²³ which¹ is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

II. And you, being dead in your offences and your sins, ² in which ye once walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience; 3 among whom we all also had our conversation once in the lusts of our flesh, doing the wishes of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were children, by nature, of wrath even as the rest; ⁴ but God, being rich in mercy, on account of his great love wherewith he loved us, ⁵ even us being dead in our offences he quickened with the Christ (by grace are ye saved), ⁶ and raised together and seated together in the heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that he might shew forth in the coming ages the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace ye are saved through faith; and this not of your- selves God's is the gift: ⁹ not of works, that no one might boast. ¹⁰ For his workmanship we are, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God before pre- pared that we should walk in them.

¹¹ Wherefore remember that once ye, the nations in [the] flesh, that are called uncircumcision by that called circumcision in [the] flesh made by hand, ¹² that ye were at that time without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ¹³ but now in Christ Jesus ye that were once far off have become nigh by the blood of the Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace that made both one, and broke down the middle wall of the fence, ¹⁵ having annulled the enmity in his flesh, the law of the commandments in ordinances, that he might create the two in himself into one new man, making peace, ¹⁶ and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, having slain the enmity in it. ¹⁷ And having come he preached peace to you that were afar off and peace to those that were nigh. ¹⁸ For through him we both have ² access by one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ So then ye are no longer strangers and foreigners, but ye are fellow-citizens of the saints and of the household of God, ²⁰ being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being chief corner-stone, ²¹ in whom all the building fitted together increaseth unto a holy temple in [the] Lord, ²² in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God in [the] Spirit.

III. For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of the Christ Jesus for you nations, ² if indeed ye heard of the ad- ministration of the grace of God that was given me toward you; ³ how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, even as I have before written briefly, ⁴ in accordance with which ye can, in reading, perceive my understanding in the mystery of the Christ, ⁵ which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it hath been now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in [the] Spirit, ⁶ that the nations are fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and fellow-partakers of the promises in Christ Jesus by the gospel, ⁷ of which I was made minister according to the gift of the grace of God that was given me according to the working of his power. ⁸ To me who am less than the least of all saints was this grace given to preach to the nations the unsearchable riches of the Christ, ⁹ and to enlighten all as to what [is] the ad- ministration of the mystery which hath been hidden from the ages in God that created all things; ¹⁰ in order that there might be known now to the principalities and the authorities in the heavenly [places] by the assembly the manifold wisdom of God, ¹¹ according to [the] purpose of the ages which he made in Christ Jesus our Lord; ¹² in whom we have* boldness and³ access in confidence by the faith of him. ¹³ Wherefore I entreat [you] not to faint at my tribulations for you which is your glory. ¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom every family in [the] heavens and on earth is named, ¹⁶ that he would give you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with power by his Spirit into the inner man, ¹⁷ that the Christ may dwell through ⁴faith in your hearts, ¹⁸ being in love rooted and grounded that ye may be fully able to comprehend with all the saints what [is] the breadth and length and depth and height; ¹⁹ and to know the love of the Christ that surpasseth knowledge, that ye may be filled to all the fulness of God. ²⁰ Now to him that is able to do above all things far exceedingly above what we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ²¹ to him [be] glory in the assembly in Christ Jesus unto all the generations of the age of the ages. Amen.

IV. I exhort you therefore, I the prisoner in [the] Lord, that ye walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called, ² with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love, ³ using diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: ⁴ one body and one Spirit, even as ye were also called in one hope of your calling; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, that [is] over all, and through all, and in [us, or, you] all.

⁷ But to each one of us was given grace according to the measure of the gift of the Christ. ⁸ Wherefore he saith, Having ascended on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men. ⁹ Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower [parts] of the earth ? ¹⁰ He that descended, he it is also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. ¹¹ And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the perfecting of the saints, unto work of ministry, unto edifying of the body of the Christ, ¹³ until we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God, at a full-grown man, at [the] measure of [the] stature of the fulness of the Christ; ¹⁴ that we may no longer be babes, tossed and carried about by every wind of doctrine in the sleight of men, in craftiness for the scheming of error, ¹⁵ but, holding the truth in love, let us grow up unto him in all things, who is the head, Christ, ¹⁶ from whom all the body, being fitted together and compacted by every joint of supply, according to [the] working in [the] measure of each one part, worketh the increase of the body for edifying of itself in love.

¹⁷ This then I say and testify in [the] Lord that ye should no longer walk even as also the rest of the nations walk in vanity of their mind, ¹⁸ being darkened in the understanding, estranged from the life of God on account of the ignorance that is in them, on account of the hardening of their heart, ¹⁹ who, as being past remorse, have given themselves up to lasciviousness unto [the] working of every uncleanness with greediness. ²⁰ But ye have not thus learnt the Christ, ²¹ if in- deed ye have heard him and been taught in him even as [the] truth is in Jesus,^{5 22} that ye should put off, according to your former conversation, the old man that is corrupt according to the lusts of deceit, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and put on the new man, that according to God was created in righteousness and holiness of truth. ²⁵ Wherefore having put off falsehood, speak truth each with his neighbour, for we are members one of another. ²⁶ Be angry and sin not: let not the sun set upon your wrath, ²⁷ nor yet give room for the devil. ²⁸ Let him that stealeth steal no longer but rather labour, working what is good with his own hands, that he may have to distribute to him that hath need. ²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but if [there be] any one good for edification of the need, that it may give grace to those that hear. ³⁰ And grieve not the holy Spirit of God by whom ye were sealed for redemption-day. ³¹ Let all bitterness and passion and wrath and clamour and evil- speaking be removed from you with all malice; ³² and be to one another kind, compassionate, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ hath forgiven you.

V. Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, ² even as the Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for an odour of sweet smell. ³ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not be even named among you, even as becometh saints; ⁴ and filthiness and foolish talking or jesting, which are not becoming, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For this ye are aware of, knowing that no fornicator nor unclean nor covetous [person], who is an idolater, hath inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you by vain words; for on account of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Be not therefore fellow-partakers with them; ⁸ for ye were once darkness but now [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 proving what is agreeable to the Lord; ¹¹ and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather also reprove; ¹² for the things in secret done by them it is shameful even to speak of, ¹³ but all of them,⁶ when reproved by the light, are made manifest; for everything that maketh manifest is light. ¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise out of [the] dead, and the Christ shall shine upon thee. ¹⁵ See therefore how carefully ye walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ buying up the time, because the days are evil, ¹⁷ On this account be not foolish, but understanding what the will of the Lord. [is]. ¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, in which is dissoluteness, but be filled with [the] Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to each other in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and chanting in your heart to the Lord; ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things in [the] name of our Lord Jesus Christ to him that is God and Father, ²¹ submitting yourselves one to another in fear of Christ.

²² Wives, [submit yourselves] to your ⁷ own husbands as to the Lord; ²³ for a husband is head of the wife, as also the Christ [is] head of the assembly: he [is] the saviour of the body. ²⁴ But as the assembly is subject to the Christ, so also the wives to their own husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your own wives, even as the Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for it, ²⁶ that he might sanctify it, having cleansed [it] by the washing of water in [the] word, ²⁷ that he might himself present to himself the assembly glorious, not having spot or wrinkle, or any of such things; but that it should be holy and blameless. ²⁸ Thus ought husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies: he that loveth his own wife loveth himself, ²⁹ for no one ever hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Christ also the assembly: ³⁰ for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. ³¹ Because of this shall a man leave father and mother and shall be closely joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. ³² This mystery is great; but I speak as to Christ and as to the assembly. ³³ Nevertheless, ye also every one, let each so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife fear the husband.

VI. Children, obey your parents in [the] Lord; for this is just. ² Honour thy father and thy mother, which is a commandment first in promise, ³ that it may be well for thee, and thou shalt be long-lived on the earth. ⁴ And, fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in [the] Lord's discipline and admonition.

⁵ Bondmen, obey your masters according to flesh with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to the Christ; ⁶ not with eye-service as men-pleasers but as bondmen of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul, ⁷ with good-will doing service as to the Lord and not to men; ⁸ knowing that whatever good each shall do, this he shall receive of [the] Lord, whether bond or free. ⁹ And, masters, do the same things to- ward them, giving up threatening, knowing that the master both of them and of you is in [the] heavens; and there is no respect of persons with him.

¹⁰ For the rest, my brethren, be strengthened in [the] Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the panoply of God, that ye may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil; ¹² for our wrestling is not against blood and flesh, but against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. ¹³ On this account take up the panoply of God, that ye may be able to with- stand in the evil day, and, having fully done all, to stand.

¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girt about your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with [the] preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ besides all, having taken up the shield of faith with which ye will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one; ¹⁷ and receive the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word; ¹⁸ with all prayer and supplication praying in every season in [the] Spirit, and thereunto watching with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and for me that utterance may be given me in [the] opening of my mouth with boldness to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chain [s], that in it I may be bold as I ought to speak.

²¹ But that ye also may know my affairs, what I do,⁸ Tychicus shall make known all to you, the beloved brother and faithful servant in [the] Lord, ²² whom I sent to you for this very thing, that ye may know our matters, and [that] he may comfort your hearts.

²³ Peace to the brethren and love with faith from God [the] Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ; ²⁴ grace with all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption.

^[1] Or, 'the which.' (though this is rather antiquated), 'inasmuch as it,' ἥτις, not ἥ, i.e., character, not fact, Comp. chap. iii. 13, vi. 19. and vi 2.

^[2] I had hesitated whether I should not, -with several translators, say 'our' access (and so bis in iii. 12, and in iii. 17). But it appears to me that our possessive is too strong an expression of the Greek article here; and that the force, in one case at least, is rather technical.

^[3] See note to chap. ii. 18.

^[4] See note to chap. ii. 18.

^[5] Or, 'in Jesus—your having put off. . . . . . . . . and being renewed. . . . . . . . .and having put on,' &c.

^[6] Here the Auth. Version is doubly wrong. To justify it, there should be no article with πάντα, and there ought to be one with ἐλεγχόμενα. I have done the best I could (though the result is poor) to represent the text.

^[7] Some excellent authorities read, "Let the wives be subject to their" &c. Others do not express the verb.

^[8] Or, 'how I fare.'