EPH 5:3 Interlinear View

1. Greek word
2. Greek lemma
3. OET-LV words
4. OET-RV words
5. Strongs
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. πορνεία
2. porneia
3. sexual immorality
4. sexual immorality
5. 42020
6. N····NFS
7. sexual_immorality
8. sexual_immorality
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129781
1. Δέ
2. de
3. But
4. -
5. 11610
6. C·······
7. but
8. but
9. PS
10. Y64
11. 129782
1. καί
2. kai
3. and
4. -
5. 25320
6. C·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129783
1. πάσα
2. pas
3. -
4. -
5. 39560
6. E····NFS
7. all
8. all
9. -
10. -
11. 129784
1. ἀκαθαρσία
2. akatharsia
3. impurity
4. impurity
5. 1670
6. N····NFS
7. impurity
8. impurity
9. -
10. Y64; F129847
11. 129785
1. πάσα
2. pas
3. all
4. -
5. 39560
6. E····NFS
7. all
8. all
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129786
1. ἤ
2. ē
3. or
4. -
5. 22280
6. C·······
7. or
8. or
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129787
1. πλεονεξία
2. pleonexia
3. greediness
4. greed
5. 41240
6. N····NFS
7. greediness
8. greediness
9. -
10. Y64; F129847
11. 129788
1. μηδέ
2. mēde
3. not
4. -
5. 33660
6. D·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129789
1. ὀνομαζέσθω
2. onomazō
3. it let be being named
4. -
5. 36870
6. VMPP3··S
7. ˱it˲ ˓let_be_being˒ named
8. ˱it˲ ˓let_be_being˒ named
9. -
10. Y64; F129794
11. 129790
1. ἐν
2. en
3. among
4. -
5. 17220
6. P·······
7. among
8. among
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129791
1. ὑμῖν
2. su
3. you all
4. -
5. 47710
6. R···2D·P
7. you_all
8. you_all
9. -
10. Y64; R128863
11. 129792
1. καθώς
2. kathōs
3. as
4. -
5. 25310
6. C·······
7. as
8. as
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129793
1. πρέπει
2. prepō
3. is befitting
4. fitting
5. 42410
6. VIPA3··S
7. ˓is˒ befitting
8. ˓is˒ befitting
9. -
10. Y64; R129790
11. 129794
1. ἁγίοις
2. hagios
3. to holy ones
4. -
5. 400
6. S····DMP
7. ˱to˲ holy ‹ones›
8. ˱to˲ holy ‹ones›
9. -
10. Y64; F130035; F130470
11. 129795

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–20: Paul described behavior which is fitting for believers

In chapter 5, Paul continued with the subject of Christian behavior, which he had begun in the last section of chapter 4. So it is not necessary to start a new section here. One reason to start a new section here is to help the reader, as the previous section is already long. Some English versions begin a new section at 5:1 (BSB, GNT, NLT, NET, GW, NCV, ESV, NASB, NKJV), and some do not (NIV, RSV, NRSV, NJB, CEV, REB, KJV). You may want to consult your national translation and follow their example.

In this section, Paul exhorted the Christians to imitate God and avoid the sins of the pagan people surrounding them.

Here are some other examples for a heading for this section:

Living in the light (GNT, NLT, NCV)

Imitate God (GW)

5:3a–b

But among you…there must not be even a hint: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as not be even a hint is literally “not even be named.” There are several ways to understand this expression. It can mean:

There should not even be a reason for rumors or gossip that the Ephesians committed these sins. In other words, Christians should have such pure behavior that it will never cause non-Christians to even talk about Christians doing these kinds of sins. For example:
don’t let it be said that any of you are immoral (CEV) (BSB, NIV, CEV, UBS, SSA)
These sins should not be mentioned by the Ephesians. This means that Christians themselves should not even talk about such sins in their conversation. For example:
don’t even talk about such things (JBP) (GNT, NRSV, REB, GW, ESV, JBP)
These sins should not occur among Christians. For example:
Such sins have no place among God’s people. (NLT) (NET, NLT, NCV)

Paul is urging the Ephesians to keep themselves far away from this sort of sinful behavior. Since Paul is himself, discussing and warning the Ephesians against these sins, (2) seems unlikely. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), but (3) is also acceptable.

5:3a

But among you, as is proper among the saints,

But, because these things are not proper for God’s holy people,
Now, because it is not right/appropriate for God’s holy people to do these things,

as is proper: The word proper means “suitable.”

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

right (NCV)

it should be

among the saints: The Greek word that the BSB translates as saints is literally “holy ones.” It means “people set apart for God.” This Greek word refers to every believer. It can be translated as:

God’s people

people who belong to God

Many English versions translate this word as saints. All Christians are saints. This word does not refer only to special people that the modern church regards as “saints.”

See how you translated the similar phrase “saints” in 4:12a. And see Holy, Meaning 1, special use in the Glossary, if you want more information.

5:3b

there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,

do not give others a reason/cause to say that you^(plur) are sexually immoral,
do not do anything that would even cause people to talk/gossip about you saying that you are sexually immoral.

sexual immorality: The term sexual immorality refers to all types of sexual behavior that are forbidden in God’s law. It includes adultery and all sexual relations outside of marriage. Another way this phrase has been translated is:

sexual sin (NCV)

5:3c

or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.

or perverted, or greedy,
Do not do anything shameful/perverted. Do not be greedy.

impurity: The word impurity is a stronger word for immorality and includes all perverted and unnatural sexual behavior. In the New Testament, this word is often used together with “sexual immorality.” (See Galatians 5:19 and Colossians 3:5.)

In your language, there may not be two different words that mean exactly the same things as “sexual immorality” and impurity. But you can probably find ways to talk about the same things. For example:

adultery and other kinds of sleeping around

taking a woman who is not your wife or other unacceptable actions like that

Try to make your translation clear, but do not use coarse words that are not appropriate to read in public.

greed: The word greed refers to a never-ending desire to get more than you have or deserve. While it is usually associated with material gain, in this context, it could also refer to a strong desire for sexual pleasure.

Your translation of greed should allow for a general understanding of the word.

General Comment on 5:3a–b

In some languages, it will be more natural to reorder parts of 5:3. For example:

^3aSince you are holy people, ^3byou must not do anything sexually immoral or ^3cshameful/perverted, and you must not be greedy. ^3bThere must not even be a cause for rumors of such behavior ^3aamong you.

^3aBut among you ^3bthere must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, ^3cor of any kind of impurity, or of greed, ^3abecause these are improper for Godʼs holy people. (NIV)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

πορνεία δὲ, καὶ ἀκαθαρσία πᾶσα, ἢ πλεονεξία, μηδὲ ὀνομαζέσθω ἐν ὑμῖν

sexual_immorality (Some words not found in SR-GNT: πορνεία Δέ καί ἀκαθαρσία πάσα ἤ πλεονεξία μηδέ ὀνομαζέσθω ἐν ὑμῖν καθώς πρέπει ἁγίοις)

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form. Alternative translation: [Do not do anything that would let anyone think that you are guilty of sexual immorality or any kind of impurity or greed]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: πορνεία Δέ καί ἀκαθαρσία πάσα ἤ πλεονεξία μηδέ ὀνομαζέσθω ἐν ὑμῖν καθώς πρέπει ἁγίοις)

The connecting word But introduces a contrast relationship. The fragrant offering and sacrifice to God is in contrast to sinful acts and thoughts that are not fitting for saints. Use a connecting word that indicates a contrast in your language.

ἀκαθαρσία πᾶσα

impurity (Some words not found in SR-GNT: πορνεία Δέ καί ἀκαθαρσία πάσα ἤ πλεονεξία μηδέ ὀνομαζέσθω ἐν ὑμῖν καθώς πρέπει ἁγίοις)

Alternate translation: [any moral uncleanness]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

1. OET-LV words
2. OET-RV words
3. Strongs
4. Greek word
5. Greek lemma
6. Role/Morphology
7. OET Gloss
8. VLT Gloss
9. CAPS codes
10. Confidence
11. OET tags
12. OET word #
1. But
2. -
3. 11610
4. PS
5. de
6. C-·······
7. but
8. but
9. PS
10. Y64
11. 129782
1. sexual immorality
2. sexual immorality
3. 42020
5. porneia
6. N-····NFS
7. sexual_immorality
8. sexual_immorality
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129781
1. and
2. -
3. 25320
5. kai
6. C-·······
7. and
8. and
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129783
1. all
2. -
3. 39560
5. pas
6. E-····NFS
7. all
8. all
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129786
1. impurity
2. impurity
3. 1670
5. akatharsia
6. N-····NFS
7. impurity
8. impurity
9. -
10. Y64; F129847
11. 129785
1. or
2. -
3. 22280
5. ē
6. C-·······
7. or
8. or
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129787
1. greediness
2. greed
3. 41240
5. pleonexia
6. N-····NFS
7. greediness
8. greediness
9. -
10. Y64; F129847
11. 129788
1. not
2. -
3. 33660
5. mēde
6. D-·······
7. not
8. not
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129789
1. it let be being named
2. -
3. 36870
5. onomazō
6. V-MPP3··S
7. ˱it˲ ˓let_be_being˒ named
8. ˱it˲ ˓let_be_being˒ named
9. -
10. Y64; F129794
11. 129790
1. among
2. -
3. 17220
5. en
6. P-·······
7. among
8. among
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129791
1. you all
2. -
3. 47710
5. su
6. R-···2D·P
7. you_all
8. you_all
9. -
10. Y64; R128863
11. 129792
1. as
2. -
3. 25310
5. kathōs
6. C-·······
7. as
8. as
9. -
10. Y64
11. 129793
1. is befitting
2. fitting
3. 42410
5. prepō
6. V-IPA3··S
7. ˓is˒ befitting
8. ˓is˒ befitting
9. -
10. Y64; R129790
11. 129794
1. to holy ones
2. -
3. 400
5. hagios
6. S-····DMP
7. ˱to˲ holy ‹ones›
8. ˱to˲ holy ‹ones›
9. -
10. Y64; F130035; F130470
11. 129795

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The SR Greek text, lemmas, morphology, and VLT gloss are all thanks to the CNTR.

OET interlinear EPH 5:3