Paul’s Greeting to the Ephesians

(Acts 19:8–12, Revelation 2:1–7)

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ[fn] by [the] will of God,

To the saints in Ephesus,[fn] [the] faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Blessings

(Romans 8:28–34)

Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. 4 For He chose us in Him before [the] foundation of [the] world to be holy and blameless in His presence In love 5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to [the] praise of His glorious grace, by which He has bestowed favor upon us[fn] in the Beloved [One].

In [Him] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 [And] He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in [Christ] 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth {together} in Christ

In Him vvv we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to [the] plan of [Him who] works out everything by the counsel of His will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for [the] praise of His glory.

[And] in [Him] you also— having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation— believed and were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is [the] pledge of our inheritance until [the] redemption of those [who are] [God’s] possession, to [the] praise of His glory.

Spiritual Wisdom

(1 Corinthians 2:6–16)

For this reason ever since I heard about vvv your faith in the Lord Jesus and [your] love for all the saints, 16 {I have} not stopped giving thanks for you, vvv remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you [a] spirit of wisdom and revelation in [your] knowledge of Him.

[I ask that] the eyes of your heart[fn] may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His vvv glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. [ These are ] in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated [Him] at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the [one] to come.

And [God] put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of [Him] who fills all in all. 2 

Alive with Christ

(Colossians 2:6–23)

And you were dead in [your] trespasses and sins, 2 in which vvv you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world [and] of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit [who is] now at work in the sons of disobedience. 3 All of us also lived among [them] at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh [and] indulging [its] desires and thoughts Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.

But because of His great love for us God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made [us] alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. [It is] by grace you have been saved! 6 And [God] raised [us] up with [Christ] and seated [us with Him] in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages He might display the surpassing riches of His grace, [demonstrated] by [His] kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For [it is] by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; [it is] the gift of God, 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life

One in Christ

(Philippians 2:1–4)

Therefore remember that formerly you who [are] Gentiles in [the] flesh [and] called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision ({that done} in [the] body by human hands) — 12 [remember] that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments [and] decrees. [ He did this ] to create in Himself one new man [out of] the two, [thus] making peace 16 and reconciling both [of them] to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death [their] hostility.

He came [and] preached peace to you[fn] who [were] far away and[fn] to those [who were] near. 18 For through Him vvv we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Christ Our Cornerstone

(Isaiah 28:14–22, 1 Corinthians 3:10–15, 1 Peter 2:1–8)

Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, [with] Jesus Christ[fn] Himself as [the] cornerstone. 21 In Him the whole building is fitted together [and] grows into a holy temple in [the] Lord. 22 [And] in [Him] you too {are} being built together into a dwelling place for God in [His] Spirit. 3 

The Mystery of the Gospel

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...[fn]

Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that [is], the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written vvv briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which vvv was not made known vvv vvv vvv to men in other generations as vvv it has now been revealed by [the] Spirit to [God’s] holy apostles and prophets. 6 [This mystery is that] through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of His[fn] promise in Christ.[fn]

I became a servant of [this gospel] by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. 8 [Though I am] less than the least of all [the] saints, this grace was given me: to preach among the Gentiles[fn] the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship[fn] of [this] mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ.[fn] 10 [ His purpose was ] that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to vvv [the] eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In Him [and] through faith in Him[fn] we may enter [ God’s ] presence with boldness and confidence. 13 So I ask [you] not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,[fn] 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 [I ask] that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in [your] inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. [Then] you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and depth and height[fn] 19 of the love of Christ, and to know [this love that] surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to [Him] who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to [His] power that [is] at work within us, 21 to Him [be] the glory in the church in[fn] Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever [and] ever. Amen. 4 

Unity in the Body

(Psalm 133:1–3, 1 Corinthians 1:10–17)

[As a] prisoner in [the] Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling vvv you have received: 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 [and] with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

[There is] one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope [when] you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who [is] over all and through all and in us all.[fn]

Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 This is why it says:[fn]

“When He ascended on high,

He led captives away,

and gave gifts to men.”[fn]

What [does]“He ascended” [mean], except that vvv He also descended first[fn] to the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is vvv the very [One] who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

And [it was] He who gave some [to be] apostles, some [to be] prophets, some [to be] evangelists, and some [to be] pastors and teachers, 12 vvv vvv to equip the saints for works of ministry [and] to build up the body of Christ, 13 until vvv we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, vvv vvv [as we] mature to the full measure of [the] stature of Christ.

Then {we will} no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching [and] by the vvv clever cunning of men in [their] vvv deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, {we will} in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. 16 From [Him] the whole body, fitted and held together by every vvv supporting ligament, grows [and] builds itself up in love through [the] work vvv vvv of each individual part.

New Life in Christ

(Colossians 3:1–17)

So I tell [you] this, and insist [on it] in [the] Lord, [that] you {must} no longer walk as the other[fn] Gentiles do, in [the] futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in [their] understanding [and] alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sense of shame, [they] have given themselves over to sensuality for [the] practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.

But this is not the way you came to know Christ. 21 Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him— in keeping with [the] truth that is in Jesus—22 to put off your former way of life, [your] old self, which is being corrupted by [its] deceitful desires; 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each [of you] must put off falsehood [and] speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. 26 “Be angry, yet {do} not sin.”[fn] {Do} not {let} the sun set upon your anger, 27 [and] {do} not give the devil a foothold.

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with [his] hands,[fn] that he may have [something] to share with the [one] [in] need.

{Let} no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the [one] in need [and] bringing grace to those who listen.

And {do} not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for [the] day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind [and] tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave us.[fn] 5 

Imitators of God

Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us[fn] and gave Himself up for us as vvv a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.

But among you, as is proper among the saints, vvv there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, [or] of any kind of impurity, or of greed. 4 [Nor should there be] obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which vvv are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this vvv you can be sure [No] immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has [any] inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

{Let} no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore {do} not be partakers with them.

Children of Light

For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in [the] Lord. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the Spirit[fn] [consists] in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10 Test and prove what vvv pleases the Lord.

vvv Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose [them]. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what [the disobedient] do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,[fn] for everything that is illuminated becomes a light [itself]. 14 So it is said:

“Wake up, O sleeper,

rise up from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.”

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore {do} not be foolish, but understand[fn] what the Lord’s will [is]. 18 {Do} not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with [the] Spirit.

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God [the] Father for everything in [the] name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wives and Husbands

(Song of Solomon 1:1–17, 1 Peter 3:1–7)

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.[fn]

Wives, submit to your[fn] husbands as to the Lord. 23 For [the] husband is [the] head of the wife as Christ [is the] head of the church, and He is [the] Savior of the body.[fn] 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives [should submit] to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her 26 to sanctify her, cleansing [her] by the washing with water through [the] word, 27 [and] to present her to Himself as a glorious church, vvv without stain or wrinkle or any such [blemish], but holy and blameless.

In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 Indeed, no one ever hated his [own] body, but he nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord[fn] [does] the church. 30 For we are members of His body— of His flesh and of His bones.[fn]

“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[fn] 32 This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as [he loves] himself, and the wife must respect [her] husband. 6 

Children and Parents

(Colossians 3:18–21)

Children, obey your parents in [the] Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and [that] you may have a long life on the earth.”[fn]

Fathers, {do} not provoke your children {to wrath}; instead, bring them up in [the] discipline and instruction of [the] Lord.

Serving with Honor

(Colossians 3:22–25, 1 Timothy 6:1–2)

Slaves, obey [your] earthly masters with respect and fear [and] sincerity of heart, just as [ you would obey ] Christ. 6 [And do this] not only vvv to please them vvv while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from [your] heart. 7 Serve[fn] with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether [he is] slave or free.

And masters, do the same for [your slaves]. Give up [your] use of threats, because you know that your Master[fn] is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.

The Full Armor of God

Finally, my brothers,[fn] be strong in [the] Lord and in vvv His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, [and] against the spiritual [forces] of evil in the heavenly realms.

Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil {comes}, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with {the belt of} truth buckled around your waist, [with] the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, 15 and [with your] feet fitted with [the] readiness of the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all [this], take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is [the] word of God.

Pray in [the] Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this [end], stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. 19 [Pray] also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me vvv [so that I will] boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. [Pray] that I may proclaim it fearlessly as I should

Final Greetings

(Philippians 4:21–23, 2 Timothy 4:19–22)

Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in [the] Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me [and] what I am doing. 22 I have sent [him] to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and [that] he may encourage your hearts.

Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God [the] Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying [love]. Amen.[fn]