Ephesians 5

Walk in Love

1 Therefore a be imitators of God as dear b children. 2 And c walk in love, d as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God e for a sweet-smelling aroma.

3 But fornication and all f uncleanness or g covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 h neither filthiness, nor i foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, j which are not fitting, but rather k giving of thanks. 5 For 1 this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any l inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be m partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are n light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for o the fruit of the 2 Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 p finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have q no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather 3 expose them. 12 r For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But s all things that are 4 exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

14 Therefore He says:
t "Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light."

15 u See then that you walk 5 circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 v redeeming the time, w because the days are evil. 17 x Therefore do not be unwise, but y understand z what the will of the Lord is. 18 And a do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another b in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making c melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 d giving thanks always for all things to God the Father e in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 f submitting to one another in the fear of 6 God.

Wives and Husbands

22 Wives, g submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For h the husband is head of the wife, as also i Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands j in everything.

25 k Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and l gave Himself for her, 26 that He might 7 sanctify and cleanse her m with the washing of water n by the word, 27 o that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, p not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For q we are members of His body, 8 of His flesh and of His bones. 31 r "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the s two shall become one flesh." 9 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless t let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she u respects her husband.

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 5:48
    Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
    Luke 6:36
    Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
    Ephesians 4:32
    And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
  2. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:14 - 16
    As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance.
  3. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 4:9
    But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
  4. Cross References
    John 15:9
    As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
    Galatians 1:4
    Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
    1 John 3:16
    By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 29:18
    And you shall burn the whole ram on the altar. It is a burnt offering to the LORD; it is a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.
    Exodus 29:25
    You shall receive them back from their hands and burn them on the altar as a burnt offering, as a sweet aroma before the LORD. It is an offering made by fire to the LORD.
    2 Corinthians 2:14
    Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
    2 Corinthians 2:15
    For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
  6. Cross References
    Colossians 3:5 - 7
    Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
  7. Cross References
    Luke 12:15
    And He said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 12:34
    Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
    Matthew 12:35
    A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
    Ephesians 4:29
    Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
    Colossians 3:8
    But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
    James 1:21
    Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
  9. Cross References
    Titus 3:9
    But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
  10. Cross References
    Romans 1:28
    And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.
  11. Cross References
    Philippians 4:6
    Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
    Colossians 3:17
    And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
    1 Thessalonians 5:18
    In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
  12. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:9
    Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites.
    1 Corinthians 6:10
    Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.
    Colossians 3:5
    Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
  13. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:22
    Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.
  14. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 5:5
    You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
  15. Cross References
    Galatians 5:22
    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
  16. Cross References
    Romans 12:1
    I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
    Romans 12:2
    And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
  17. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:9
    I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people.
    2 Corinthians 6:14
    Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
  18. Cross References
    Romans 1:24
    Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves.
  19. Cross References
    John 3:20
    For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
    John 3:21
    "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
  20. Cross References
    Isaiah 26:19
    Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead.
    Isaiah 60:1
    Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
    Romans 13:11
    And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
  21. Cross References
    Colossians 4:5
    Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
  22. Cross References
    Colossians 4:5
    Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
  23. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 11:2
    Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.
  24. Cross References
    Colossians 4:5
    Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
  25. Cross References
    Romans 12:2
    And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
    Colossians 1:9
    For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
  26. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 4:3
    For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.
  27. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:1
    Wine is a mocker, Strong drink is a brawler, And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
    Proverbs 23:31
    Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly.
    Romans 13:13
    Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
    1 Corinthians 5:11
    But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner - not even to eat with such a person.
    1 Thessalonians 5:7
    For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
  28. Cross References
    Acts 16:25
    But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
  29. Cross References
    James 5:13
    Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
  30. Cross References
    Psalms 34:1
    I WILL bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
  31. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:5
    You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
  32. Cross References
    Philippians 2:3
    Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
    1 Peter 5:5
    Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.
  33. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:22
    Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
    Ephesians 6:9
    And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
    Colossians 3:18
    Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
    Colossians 4:1
    Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
    1 Peter 3:1 - 6
    Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.
  34. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:3
    But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
  35. Cross References
    Colossians 1:18
    And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
  36. Cross References
    Titus 2:4
    That they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children.
    Titus 2:5
    To be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
  37. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:28
    So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
    Ephesians 5:33
    Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
    Colossians 3:19
    Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
    1 Peter 3:7
    Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
  38. Cross References
    Acts 20:28
    Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
  39. Cross References
    John 3:5
    Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
  40. Cross References
    John 15:3
    You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
    John 17:17
    Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
    Romans 10:8
    But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):
    Ephesians 6:17
    And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
  41. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:14
    Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
    2 Corinthians 11:2
    For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
    Colossians 1:22
    In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight -
  42. Cross References
    Song of Solomon 4:7
    You are all fair, my love, And there is no spot in you.
  43. Cross References
    Genesis 2:23
    And Adam said: This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.
  44. Cross References
    Genesis 2:24
    Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
    Matthew 19:5
    And said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh' ?
    Mark 10:7
    For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.
  45. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:16
    Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For "the two," He says, "shall become one flesh.
  46. Cross References
    Colossians 3:19
    Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
  47. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:1
    Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives.
    1 Peter 3:6
    As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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