1This is why I, being the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called. 2[Walk] with complete lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love; 3being eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, even as you also were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. 7But grace has been granted to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8Therefore, God1944 says, “When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave1945 gifts to men.”1946 9Now what does “he ascended” mean, if not that he first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10He who descended is the [same] one who also ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things.
11He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some shepherds1947 and teachers, 12for the perfecting of the saints, for a work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ. 13This is until we all attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, having reached the very fullness of Christ. 14[The goal is] that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about by every wind of doctrine through human trickery, according to clever deceits and mistaken schemes. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, may we grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ. 16From him, the whole body, being fitted and knit together by what every joint supplies, and according to the participation of each part, grows and builds itself in love.
A new way of life
17Therefore, I say and testify in the Lord that you [should] no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind. 18They are darkened in their understanding, cut off from God’s life because of their ignorance and because of the hardening of their hearts. 19Having become hardened, such people gave themselves up to lust, pursuing what is impure with greed. 20But you did not learn Christ that way, 21if in fact you heard him and were taught in him, since truth is in Jesus. 22You were [taught] to put away the old self which belongs to your former way of life, since it becomes ever more corrupt after the lusts of deceit. 23Moreover, you are to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and to put on the new self who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
25Therefore, putting away what is false, speak the truth to1948 each other, for we are members of one another. 26”Be angry, and do not sin.”1949 Do not let the sun go down on your anger 27and do not leave any room for the devil. 28Those who used to steal should steal no more, but rather work hard, even with their own hands to do what is good, so that they may have something to give to those who have need. 29Do not allow any decadent1950 speech to come out from your mouth, [but] only what is good to build up as is needed, in a way that gives grace to those who hear. 30Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by which1951 you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, shouting, and slander be put away from you, along with evil thoughts. 32And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other just as God also forgave us in Christ.
- Greek “he”
- LXX and MT actually read “received” instead of “gave”
- Psalm 68:18/67 LXX
- Or “pastors”
- Or “among”
- Psalm 4:4
- Or “corrupt”
- Or “by whom”/”in whom”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
