Bible Reading Plan

Chapter 2

Made Alive in Christ

¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,^{(a) 2} in which you used to live^(b) when you followed the ways of this world^(c) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,^(d) the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.^{(e) 3} All of us also lived among them at one time,^(f) gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a](g) and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us,^(h) God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions⁽ⁱ⁾—it is by grace you have been saved.^{(j) 6} And God raised us up with Christ^(k) and seated us with him^(l) in the heavenly realms^(m) in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,⁽ⁿ⁾ expressed in his kindness^(o) to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace^(p) you have been saved,^(q) through faith^(r)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,^(s) so that no one can boast.^{(t) 10} For we are God's handiwork,^(u) created^(v) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(w) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly^(x) you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)^(y)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(z) to the covenants of the promise,^(aa) without hope^(ab) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(ac) were far away have been brought near^(ad) by the blood of Christ.^(ae)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(af) who has made the two groups one^(ag) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(ah) the law with its commands and regulations.^(ai) His purpose was to create in himself one^(aj) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(ak) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(al) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(am) 18} For through him we both have access^(an) to the Father^(ao) by one Spirit.^(ap)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(aq) but fellow citizens^(ar) with God's people and also members of his household,^{(as) 20} built^(at) on the foundation^(au) of the apostles and prophets,^(av) with Christ Jesus himself^(aw) as the chief cornerstone.^{(ax) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(ay) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(az)

Chapter 3

God's Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

¹ For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(a) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me^(b) for you, ³ that is, the mystery^(c) made known to me by revelation,^(d) as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(e) into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.^{(f) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(g) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(h) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.⁽ⁱ⁾

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel^(j) by the gift of God's grace given me^(k) through the working of his power.^{(l) 8} Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people,^(m) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles⁽ⁿ⁾ the boundless riches of Christ,^{(o) 9} and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(p) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^(q) should be made known^(r) to the rulers and authorities^(s) in the heavenly realms,^{(t) 11} according to his eternal purpose^(u) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(v) with freedom and confidence.^{(w) 13} I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(x) before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches^(y) he may strengthen you with power^(z) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(aa) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(ab) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(ac) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people,^(ad) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(ae) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(af)—that you may be filled^(ag) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(ah)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(ai) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(aj) or imagine, according to his power^(ak) that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(al)

Chapter 4

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

¹ As a prisoner^(a) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(b) of the calling^(c) you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another^(d) in love.^{(e) 3} Make every effort to keep the unity^(f) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.^{(g) 4} There is one body^(h) and one Spirit,⁽ⁱ⁾ just as you were called to one hope when you were called^(j); ⁵ one Lord,^(k) one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,^(l) who is over all and through all and in all.^(m)

⁷ But to each one of us⁽ⁿ⁾ grace^(o) has been given^(p) as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

⁹ (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(s) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(t) 11} So Christ himself gave^(u) the apostles,^(v) the prophets,^(w) the evangelists,^(x) the pastors and teachers,^{(y) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(z) may be built up^{(aa) 13} until we all reach unity^(ab) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(ac) and become mature,^(ad) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(ae)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(af) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(ag) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(ah) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(ai) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(aj) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(ak) and builds itself up^(al) in love,^(am) as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer^(an) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(ao) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(ap) and separated from the life of God^(aq) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(ar) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(as) they have given themselves over^(at) to sensuality^(au) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off^(av) your old self,^(aw) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(ax) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(ay) 24} and to put on^(az) the new self,^(ba) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(bb)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(bc) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(bd) 26} "In your anger do not sin"^[d]:^(be) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(bf) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(bg) doing something useful with their own hands,^(bh) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(bi)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(bj) but only what is helpful for building others up^(bk) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(bl) with whom you were sealed^(bm) for the day of redemption.^{(bn) 31} Get rid of^(bo) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(bp) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(bq) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(br)

Chapter 5

^1 1 Follow God's example,^(a) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(b) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(c) and gave himself up for us^(d) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(e)

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(f) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(g) because these are improper for God's holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(h) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(i) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(j)—has any inheritance^(k) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[a](l) 6} Let no one deceive you^(m) with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath⁽ⁿ⁾ comes on those who are disobedient.^{(o) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(p) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(q) 9} (for the fruit^(r) of the light consists in all goodness,^(s) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(t) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(u) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(v) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said: