THE EPISTLE
OF
PAUL THE APOSTLE
TO THE
EPHESIANS
Ephesians 4 ©
1 After the apostle in the three previous chapters had briefly propounded the doctrine of the Gospel, now he comes, according to his custom in all his epistles, and propounds exhortations unto godliness; and first in general he exhorts unto a walk becoming their calling. 2 Afterward in particular to forbearance in love. 3 To peace and unity, which exhortation he strengthens with many reasons. 7 Testifies further that Christ, being ascended into heaven, gave indeed several gifts unto men. 11 And ordained various offices of apostles, prophets, teachers, etc. 12 But all tending to this, that the congregation might be built and kept in the unity of the faith against all errors. 16 That nevertheless this saving virtue flows only from Christ, as the Head, into all members. 17 Afterward comes again to the general exhortations, and warns them that they walk not so, as they used to do when they were yet Gentiles. 22 But that they put off the old man. 23 And put on the new man. 25 That they also put off lying. 26 Let not the sun go down upon their wrath. 28 Steal not. 29 Avoid filthy speaking, whereby the Holy Spirit is grieved. 31 And all manner of wickedness. 32 But that they forgive one another, as God in Christ has forgiven us.
I THEREFORE, 1the prisoner 2of the Lord, 3beseech you thata ye walk 4worthy of the vocation wherewith 5ye are called,
Withb all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another 6in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity 7of the Spirit 8in the bond of peace.
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called 9in one hope of your calling;
10Onec Lord, one faith, 11one baptism,
12One God and Father 13of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Butd unto 14every one of us is given grace 15according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Wherefore 16he saith, Whene17he ascended up 18on high, he led 19captivity captive, and gave 20gifts unto men.
(Nowf that he ascended, 21what is it but that he also 22descended first 23into the lower parts of the earth?
He that descended is the 24same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill 25all things.)
Andg he gave some, 26apostles; and some, prophets; and some, 27evangelists; and some, 28pastors and teachers;
For 29the perfecting of the saints, 30for the work of the ministry, for the edifying ofh the body of Christ:
Till we all come 31in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 32unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Thati we henceforth be no more children, tossedj to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by 33the sleightk of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth 34in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is thel head, even Christ:
Fromm whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every 35joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh 36increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
37This I say therefore, andn testify in the Lord, thato ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from 38the life of God throughp the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Who being past 39feeling have given themselves over 40unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with 41greediness.
But ye have not so learned 42Christ;
If so be that ye have heard 43him, and have been taught by him, 44as the truth is in Jesus:
That ye putq off concerning the former conversationr45the old man, which is corrupt according 46to the deceitful lusts;
And be renewed 47in the spirit of your mind;
Ands that ye 48put on 49the new man, which after God is created in 50righteousness and true holiness.
Wherefore putting away lying, speakt every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
51Beu ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Neitherv give 52placew to the devil.
Let him that stole steal no more: butx rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is 53good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Lety no 54corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of 55edifying, that it may minister 56grace unto the hearers.
And 57grieve not the holy Spirit of God, 58wherebyz ye are 59sealed unto the day ofaa redemption.
Letab all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Andac be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgivingad one another, even as God 60for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.