< Back PrintOptions

#54

The Abridged Letter to the Ephesians

What is the Letter to the Ephesians?

General advice, rules, and "relationships"

Summary - Top

Pt 1

Ch 1.

Ch 2.

Ch 3.

Ch 4.

Ch 5.

Ch 6.

Summary and Background

Stats

Other Names
Eph

Author
Disputedly by Paul

Setting Range
62CE

Categories
Pauline Church Letters

Academic Composition Range
62CE-100CE

Historical Preservation
Fully Preserved

Public Domain Translations
KJVASVBBEYLTWEB

Abridged Status
Finished- 0% Remaining

Original Verse Count
155

Original Word Count
3,022

Abridged Word Count
1,244

Abridged Length
41%

History and Background of the Letter to the Ephesians

What do scholars and theologians know about the Letter to the Ephesians?

Sent to Ephesus, a city on the edge of Anatolia.

Doubted legitimacy

Part 1

Chapter 1

1:1. From: Paul
To: The Saints in Ephesus

1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

1:2-3. Grace and peace be to you from God and Jesus, and praise them!

1:2. Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

1:4-6. God loves us and chose us to be perfect children of Jesus, even back before creating the world.

1:4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

1:5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

1:6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1:7-8. God told us we're forgiven of our wrongdoings because Jesus sacrificed himself for us.

1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

1:8. Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

1:9-10. God also told us that one day everything is going to brought together under the Chosen.

1:9. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

1:10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

1:11-12. Jesus went to the Jewish people first, according to God's plan.

1:11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

1:12. That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

1:13-14. But then you were also included in God's plan when you heard the message. You were given the Holy Spirit as a sign that you are now included in the plan.

1:13. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

1:14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

1:15-16. And since I've heard about this, I've not stopped praying and giving thanks.

1:15. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

1:16. Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

1:17. I pray that God sends the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you will get to God better.

1:17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

1:18-21. I also pray that your heart is enlightened so you can know the wealth you already, and how powerful God is.

1:18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

1:19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

1:20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

1:21. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

1:22-23. God placed everything under the Chosen's feet, and chose him to be head of the earth, and we are his body.

1:22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

1:23. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Chapter 2

2:1-2. You used to be dead, following your own whims and desires.

2:1. And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2:2. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

2:3. All of us used to be like that, enslaved to our own instincts, angry all the time.

2:3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

2:4-5. But because God loves us, God showed us true life.

2:4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

2:5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

2:6-7. God raised us up to heaven with the Chosen, and now the rest of the world and all time will know the kindness of God.

2:6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

2:7. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

2:8-9. You have been saved because God loves you, not because you did anything to deserve it.

2:8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2:9. Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2:10. We are God's creation, created to good things in Jesus' name.

2:10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2:11-13. Remember, if you are not Jewish, there was no hope for you, you were not included until Jesus died for you.

2:11. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

2:12. That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

2:13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

2:14-16. Jesus is our peace. He has united the world by destroying the law.

2:14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

2:15. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

2:16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

2:17. He taught peace to everyone.

2:17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

2:18. Jesus gave us access to God through the Holy Spirit.

2:18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

2:19-21. You are no longer excluded- you are at home in God house, which was built on the backs of prophets and apostles, featuring Jesus as the foundation and floor.

2:19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

2:20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

2:21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

2:22. Through Jesus, you too are becoming a house in which the God lives through the Spirit.

2:22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Chapter 3

3:1-6. I am in jail because I am teaching this- that the Jewish and non-Jewish are one group in Jesus.

3:1. For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

3:2. If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3:3. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

3:4. Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

3:5. Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

3:6. That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

3:7-9. Even though I'm just a normal guy, God made me a servant of this message.

3:7. Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

3:8. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

3:9. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

3:10-11. This was always God's plan, and the time to reveal it is now.

3:10. To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

3:11. According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

3:12. We approach God with freedom and confidence with Jesus.

3:12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

3:13. Don't be sad or discouraged because I got arrested. I did it for you.

3:13. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

3:14-16. I kneel before God and pray that you get the spiritual wealth and power of the Holy Spirit.

3:15. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

3:14. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

3:16. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

3:17-19. I pray the Chosen lives in your hearts.
I pray that you're living in love, and will see and feel how big the love of the Chosen is, even though it's infinite.

3:17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

3:18. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

3:19. And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

3:20-21. With God, we can do more than we ever imagine. Amen!

3:20. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

3:21. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Chapter 4

4:1. As a prisoner, I inspire you to live a life you're proud of.

4:1. I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

4:2. Be humble, patient, and loving.

4:2. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

4:3. Keep unity and peace.

4:3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4:4-6. There is one humanity and one Spirit. There is one Ruler, one religion, and one God- who is above everything, and in everything.

4:4. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

4:5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

4:6. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

4:7. Each one of us has been given a piece of Jesus.

4:7. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

4:8-10. Jesus gave us all gifts when he ascended.

4:8. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

4:9. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

4:10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

4:11. Some people are meant to be apostles, others prophets, yet others teachers-

4:11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

4:12. the point of these gifts is to inspire others to do good, so that the followers of the Chosen can be increased.

4:12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

4:13. We must all do our part until we all agree on the same thing, and the Chosen is fully revealed.

4:13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

4:14. Then, we won't be like little babies, who are blown around by the wind and convinced with every obvious lie.

4:14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

4:15. Instead, if we speak the truth with love, we will grow up to be like Jesus.

4:15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

4:16. With Jesus as the head, the body of people comes together and builds itself with love.

4:16. From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

4:17. So- don't think like your own selves.

4:17. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

4:18. They are ignorant because of their hard hearts.

4:18. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

4:19. They've lost all emotion, and instead seek materialism, always chasing more.

4:19. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

4:20-21. You know the Chosen is not like that because you were taught of Jesus the right way.

4:20. But ye have not so learned Christ;

4:21. If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

4:22-24. You were taught to get rid of your old self, change your state of mind, and create a new self in the image of goodness and God.

4:22. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

4:23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

4:24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

4:25. So, speak the truth.

4:25. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

4:26-27. Don't get mad and do something stupid, and don't go to bed mad, you'll do something stupid.

4:26. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

4:27. Neither give place to the devil.

4:28. Thieves should get a job, preferably something that helps poor people.

4:28. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

4:29. Watch what you say, if it's not nice, don't say anything at all.

4:29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

4:30. Don't disappoint the Holy Spirit, they're your ticket to heaven.

4:30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

4:31. Stop being bitter and angry, stop lying and all other evil.

4:31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

4:32. Be kind and compassionate and forgiving, just like God is.

4:32. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Chapter 5

5:1. Be good children, and imitate God.

5:1. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

5:2. Live a life of love, just like Jesus.

5:2. And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

5:3. Get rid of all sexual assault, adultery, impurity, and greed.

5:3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

5:4. Get rid of swearing and dirty and offensive jokes. Give thanks instead.

5:4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5:5. No one immoral, impure, or greedy can enter heaven.

5:5. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

5:6. Don't be decieved. God is angry with those who don't obey.

5:6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

5:7. Don't even be friends with them.

5:7. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

5:8-10. You were once dark, but now have the light of God- live as children of light, goodness, and truth, and find out what God likes.

5:8. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

5:9. (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

5:10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

5:11. Have nothing to do with evil- but expose it.

5:11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

5:12-14. It's gross to even talk about what happens in the shadows, but it's obvious when it's brought to light.

5:12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

5:13. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

5:14. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

5:15-16. Be wise, and make the most of every opportunity- there's plenty of time to screw up.

5:16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

5:15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

5:17. Don't be fools- understand the Will of God.

5:17. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

5:18. Don't get drunk, get high on Jesus.

5:18. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

5:19-20. Sing, and thank God.

5:19. Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

5:20. Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

5:21. Obey each other out of respect for the Chosen.

5:21. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

5:22. Wives, obey your husbands like they are God.

5:22. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

5:23-24. The husband in charge of the wife like Jesus in charge of the church.

5:23. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

5:24. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

5:25-27. Husbands, love your wives, just like Jesus loves the church and died for it. Make sure they're perfect and clean.

5:25. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

5:26. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

5:27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

5:28. Husbands should love their wives like their own bodies.

5:28. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

5:29-30. No one has ever hated their own body, but they feed it and take care of it, just like Jesus does for us.

5:29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

5:30. For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

5:31. A man will leave his parents and be united to his wife, and they'll become one.

5:31. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

5:32. This is deep- but I'm talking about Jesus and the church here.

5:32. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

5:33. However, still, love your spouse like yourself.

5:33. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Chapter 6

6:1-3. Children, listen to your parents, and you'll have a long life.

6:1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

6:2. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

6:3. That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

6:4. Parents, don't piss off your children, bring them up patiently and teach them about the ways of God.

6:4. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

6:5-8. Slaves, listen to your owners- you're listening to God, not them.

6:5. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6:6. Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

6:7. With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

6:8. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

6:9. Slave owners- be nice to your slave, since God is your owner.

6:9. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

6:10-11. Be strong with God and put on your God armor to fight the devil.

6:10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

6:11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

6:12. Our fights are not with each other, but with the forces of darkness.

6:12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

6:13-17. So put on your God armor-
the belt of truth,
the chestplate of righteousness,
the boots of initiative,
the helmet of resurrection,
and the spirit sword,
and stand strong!
You can also take the shield of faith, which has bonus protection against fire arrows.

6:13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

6:14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

6:15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

6:16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

6:17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

6:18. Pray and be alert.

6:18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

6:19-20. Pray for me also, so that I can continue to proudly teach, despite being in prison for it.

6:19. And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

6:20. For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

6:21-22. I'm sending Tychicus to tell you more and cheer you up.

6:21. But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

6:22. Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

6:23-24. Grace, peace and love from God and Jesus.

6:23. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

6:24. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Translation Status

Abridged Status: Finished- 0% Remaining
0/155 Verses

THE END

PreviousColossians

Back to AllAll Books

Next1 Timothy