Ephesians 5

Walk in Love

1 j Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And k walk in love, l as Christ loved us and m gave himself up for us, a n fragrant o offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But p sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness q must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be r no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, s which are out of place, but instead t let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that u everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( v that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 w Let no one x deceive you with empty words, for because of these things y the wrath of God comes upon z the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore a do not become partners with them; 8 for b at one time you were c darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. d Walk as children of light 9 (for e the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and f try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 g Take no part in the h unfruitful i works of darkness, but instead j expose them. 12 For k it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when l anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,

14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
m "Awake, O sleeper,
and n arise from the dead,
and o Christ will shine on you."

15 p Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 p making the best use of the time, because q the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what r the will of the Lord is. 18 And s do not get drunk with wine, for that is t debauchery, but u be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in v psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 w giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father x in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 y submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives and Husbands

22 z Wives, a submit to your own husbands, b as to the Lord. 23 For c the husband is the head of the wife even as d Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is e himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit f in everything to their husbands.

25 g Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and h gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by i the washing of water j with the word, 27 so k that he might present the church to himself in splendor, l without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 1 28 In the same way m husbands should love their 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 Christ does the church, 30 because n we are members of his body. 31 o "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and p the two shall become one flesh." 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, q let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she r respects her husband.

  1. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:32
    Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
    Matthew 5:7
    Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
    Matthew 5:48
    You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
    Luke 6:36
    Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
  2. Cross References
    Romans 14:15
    For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.
    Colossians 3:14
    And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
    John 13:34
    A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
  3. Cross References
    Romans 8:37
    No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
  4. Cross References
    Romans 4:25
    Who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
  5. Cross References
    Genesis 8:21
    And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
  6. Cross References
    Hebrews 7:27
    He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
    Hebrews 9:14
    How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
    Hebrews 10:10
    And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
    Hebrews 10:12
    But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.
  7. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:18
    Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
    Galatians 5:19
    Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality.
  8. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:12
    For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
    Psalms 16:4
    The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
  9. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:29
    Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
    Ecclesiastes 10:13
    The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.
  10. Cross References
    Romans 1:28
    And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
  11. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:20
    Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  12. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:9
    Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality.
  13. Cross References
    Colossians 3:5
    Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
  14. Cross References
    Matthew 24:4
    And Jesus answered them, "See that no one leads you astray.
  15. Cross References
    Colossians 2:8
    See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
  16. Cross References
    Romans 1:18
    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.
    Colossians 3:6
    On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
  17. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:2
    In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience -
    1 Peter 1:14
    As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance.
  18. Cross References
    Ephesians 3:6
    This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
  19. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:1 - 2
    And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
  20. Cross References
    Acts 26:18
    To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
  21. Cross References
    Isaiah 2:5
    O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
    Luke 16:8
    The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
    John 12:35 - 36
    So Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.
  22. Cross References
    Galatians 5:22
    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
    Romans 7:4
    Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
  23. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:4
    But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
    1 Thessalonians 5:21
    But test everything; hold fast what is good.
  24. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 5:9
    I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people -
  25. Cross References
    Romans 6:21
    But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
  26. Cross References
    Romans 13:12
    The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
  27. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:17
    You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.
    1 Timothy 5:20
    As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
  28. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:3
    But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.
  29. Cross References
    John 3:20 - 21
    For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
    Ephesians 5:9
    (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true).
  30. Cross References
    Isaiah 51:17
    Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering.
    Isaiah 52:1
    Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.
    Isaiah 60:1
    Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
    Malachi 4:2
    But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
    Romans 13:11
    Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
  31. Cross References
    Isaiah 26:19
    Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.
  32. Cross References
    Luke 1:78 - 79
    Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
  33. Cross References
    Colossians 4:5
    Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
    Proverbs 15:21
    Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.
  34. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:15
    Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.
  35. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:13
    Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
    Ecclesiastes 12:1
    Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them".
    Amos 5:13
    Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.
    Galatians 1:4
    Who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
  36. Cross References
    Romans 12:2
    Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
    1 Thessalonians 4:3
    For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality.
    1 Thessalonians 5:18
    Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
  37. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:1
    Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.
    Proverbs 23:20
    Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat.
    Proverbs 23:31
    Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
    1 Corinthians 5:11
    But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler - not even to eat with such a one.
  38. Cross References
    Titus 1:6
    If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
    1 Peter 4:4
    With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you.
  39. Cross References
    Luke 1:15
    For he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
  40. Cross References
    Acts 16:25
    About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
    1 Corinthians 14:26
    What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
    Colossians 3:16
    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
    James 5:13
    Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
  41. Cross References
    Colossians 3:17
    And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
    1 Thessalonians 1:2
    We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.
    2 Thessalonians 1:3
    We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.
  42. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:15
    Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
    John 14:13
    Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
  43. Cross References
    Philippians 2:3
    Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
  44. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:22 - 6:9
    Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
    Colossians 3:18 - 4:1
    Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
  45. Cross References
    Genesis 3:16
    To the woman he said, "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.
  46. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:5
    Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ.
  47. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:3
    But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.
  48. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:22 - 23
    And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.
  49. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:13
    Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" - and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
  50. Cross References
    Colossians 3:20
    Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
    Colossians 3:22
    Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
    Titus 2:9
    Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative.
  51. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:28
    In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
    Ephesians 5:33
    However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
    1 Peter 3:7
    Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
  52. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:2
    And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
  53. Cross References
    Titus 3:5
    He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
    Revelation 7:14
    I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
  54. Cross References
    Ephesians 6:17
    And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
    Hebrews 6:5
    And have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come.
    John 15:3
    Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
  55. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:2
    For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
    Ephesians 1:4
    Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
  56. Cross References
    Song of Solomon 4:7
    You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.
  57. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:25
    Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
    Ephesians 5:33
    However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
  58. Cross References
    Genesis 2:23
    Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
    1 Corinthians 6:15
    Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!
  59. Cross References
    Matthew 19:5
    And said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?
    Mark 10:7 - 8
    Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife.
    Genesis 2:24
    Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
  60. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:16
    Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, "The two will become one flesh.
  61. Cross References
    Genesis 2:24
    Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
  62. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:25
    Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
    Ephesians 5:28
    In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
  63. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:2
    When they see your respectful and pure conduct.
    1 Peter 3:6
    As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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