1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. (Mt 5:7; Mt 5:48; Lu 6:36; Eph 4:32)2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ge 8:21; Ro 4:25; Ro 8:37; Ro 14:15; Col 3:14; Heb 7:27; Heb 9:14; Heb 10:10; Heb 10:12)3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. (Ps 16:4; 1Co 6:18; Ga 5:19)4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Ec 10:13; Ro 1:28; Eph 4:29; Eph 5:20)5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (1Co 6:9; Col 3:5)6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Mt 24:4; Ro 1:18; Eph 2:2; Col 2:8; Col 3:6; 1Pe 1:14)7Therefore do not become partners with them; (Eph 3:6)8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Isa 2:5; Lu 16:8; Joh 12:35; Joh 12:36; Ac 26:18; Eph 2:1; Eph 2:2)9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), (Ga 5:22)10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (1Th 2:4; 1Th 5:21)11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Le 19:17; Ro 6:21; Ro 13:12; 1Co 5:9; 1Ti 5:20)12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. (Eph 5:3)13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, (Joh 3:20; Joh 3:21; Eph 5:9)14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Isa 26:19; Isa 51:17; Isa 52:1; Isa 60:1; Mal 4:2; Lu 1:78; Lu 1:79; Ro 13:11)15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, (Pr 15:21; Col 4:5)16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Ec 12:1; Am 5:13; Ga 1:4; Eph 5:15; Eph 6:13)17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ro 12:2; 1Th 4:3; 1Th 5:18)18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Pr 20:1; Pr 23:20; Pr 23:31; Lu 1:15; 1Co 5:11; Tit 1:6; 1Pe 4:4)19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, (Ac 16:25; 1Co 14:26; Col 3:16; Jas 5:13)20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Joh 14:13; Col 3:17; 1Th 1:2; 2Th 1:3; Heb 13:15)21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Php 2:3)
Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (Ge 3:16; Eph 6:5; Col 3:18)23For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (1Co 6:13; 1Co 11:3; Eph 1:22; Eph 1:23)24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. (Col 3:20; Col 3:22; Tit 2:9)25Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, (Eph 5:2; Eph 5:28; 1Pe 3:7)26that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (Joh 15:3; Eph 6:17; Tit 3:5; Heb 6:5; Re 7:14)27so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[1] (So 4:7; 2Co 1:4; 2Co 11:2)28In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Eph 5:25)29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,30because we are members of his body. (Ge 2:23; 1Co 6:15)31“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (Ge 2:24; Mt 19:5; Mr 10:7; Mr 10:8; 1Co 6:16)32This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.33However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Eph 5:25; 1Pe 3:2; 1Pe 3:6)
Ephesians 5
New International Version
from Biblica1Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.5For of this you can be sure: no immoral, impure or greedy person – such a person is an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[1]6Let no-one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.7Therefore do not be partners with them.8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)10and find out what pleases the Lord.11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.12It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.14This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’15Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise,16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Instructions for Christian households
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.22Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Saviour.24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her26to make her holy, cleansing[2] her by the washing with water through the word,27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.29After all, no-one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church –30for we are members of his body.31‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ (Ge 2:24)32This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church.33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5
New International Reader’s Version
from Biblica1You are the children that God dearly loves. So follow his example.2Lead a life of love, just as Christ did. He loved us. He gave himself up for us. He was a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.3There should not be even a hint of sexual sin among you. Don’t do anything impure. And do not always want more and more. These are not the things God’s holy people should do.4There must not be any bad language or foolish talk or dirty jokes. They are out of place. Instead, you should give thanks.5Here is what you can be sure of. Those who give themselves over to sexual sins are lost. So are people whose lives are impure. The same is true of those who always want more and more. People who do these things might as well worship statues of gods. No one who does them will receive a share in the kingdom of Christ and of God.6Don’t let anyone fool you with worthless words. People who say things like that aren’t obeying God. He is angry with them.7So don’t go along with people like that.8At one time you were in the dark. But now you are in the light because of what the Lord has done. Live like children of the light.9The light produces what is completely good, right and true.10Find out what pleases the Lord.11Have nothing to do with the acts of darkness. They don’t produce anything good. Show what they are really like.12It is shameful even to talk about what people who don’t obey do in secret.13But everything the light shines on can be seen. And everything that the light shines on becomes a light.14That is why it is said, ‘Wake up, sleeper. Rise from the dead. Then Christ will shine on you.’15So be very careful how you live. Do not live like people who aren’t wise. Live like people who are wise.16Make the most of every opportunity. The days are evil.17So don’t be foolish. Instead, understand what the Lord wants.18Don’t fill yourself up with wine. Getting drunk will lead to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.20Always give thanks to God the Father for everything. Give thanks to him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Teachings for Christian families
21Follow the lead of one another because of your respect for Christ.22Wives, follow the lead of your own husbands as you follow the Lord.23The husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church. The church is Christ’s body. He is its Saviour.24The church follows the lead of Christ. In the same way, wives should follow the lead of their husbands in everything.25Husbands, love your wives. Love them just as Christ loved the church. He gave himself up for her.26He did it to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her with water and the word.27He did it to bring her to himself as a brightly shining church. He wants a church that has no stain or wrinkle or any other flaw. He wants a church that is holy and without blame.28In the same way, husbands should love their wives. They should love them as they love their own bodies. Any man who loves his wife loves himself.29After all, no one ever hated their own body. Instead, they feed and care for their body. And this is what Christ does for the church.30We are parts of his body.31Scripture says, ‘That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. The two will become one.’ (Ge 2:24)32That is a deep mystery. But I’m talking about Christ and the church.33A husband also must love his wife. He must love her just as he loves himself. And a wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5
King James Version
1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;2And 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.3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.5For 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.6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.7Be not ye therefore partakers with them.8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.23For 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.24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,27That 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.28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Ephesians 5
Einheitsübersetzung 2016
from Katholisches Bibelwerk1Ahmt Gott nach als seine geliebten Kinder2und führt euer Leben in Liebe, wie auch Christus uns geliebt und sich für uns hingegeben hat als Gabe und Opfer, das Gott gefällt! (Ga 2:20; Eph 5:25)
Aus der Finsternis zum Licht
3Von Unzucht aber und Unreinheit jeder Art oder von Habgier soll bei euch, wie es sich für Heilige gehört, nicht einmal die Rede sein. (Col 3:5)4Auch Sittenlosigkeit und albernes oder zweideutiges Geschwätz schicken sich nicht für euch, sondern vielmehr Dankbarkeit.5Denn das sollt ihr wissen: Kein unzüchtiger, schamloser oder habgieriger Mensch - das heißt kein Götzendiener - erhält ein Erbteil im Reich Christi und Gottes. (1Co 6:9)6Niemand täusche euch mit leeren Worten: All das nämlich zieht auf die Ungehorsamen den Zorn Gottes herab. (Col 2:8; Col 3:6)7Habt darum mit ihnen nichts gemein!8Denn einst wart ihr Finsternis, jetzt aber seid ihr Licht im Herrn. Lebt als Kinder des Lichts! (Col 1:12)9Denn das Licht bringt lauter Güte, Gerechtigkeit und Wahrheit hervor. (Ga 5:22)10Prüft, was dem Herrn gefällt, (1Th 5:21)11und habt nichts gemein mit den Werken der Finsternis, die keine Frucht bringen, deckt sie vielmehr auf!12Denn von dem, was sie heimlich tun, auch nur zu reden, ist schändlich.13Alles, was aufgedeckt ist, wird vom Licht erleuchtet.14Denn alles Erleuchtete ist Licht. Deshalb heißt es:
Wach auf, du Schläfer, / und steh auf von den Toten / und Christus wird dein Licht sein.[1]15Achtet also sorgfältig darauf, wie ihr euer Leben führt, nicht wie Toren, sondern wie Kluge!16Nutzt die Zeit, denn die Tage sind böse. (Col 4:5)17Darum seid nicht unverständig, sondern begreift, was der Wille des Herrn ist!18Berauscht euch nicht mit Wein - das macht zügellos -, sondern lasst euch vom Geist erfüllen! (Pr 23:31)19Lasst in eurer Mitte Psalmen, Hymnen und geistliche Lieder erklingen, singt und jubelt aus vollem Herzen dem Herrn! (Col 3:16)20Sagt Gott, dem Vater, jederzeit Dank für alles im Namen unseres Herrn Jesus Christus!
Christliches Leben in Haus und Familie
21Einer ordne sich dem andern unter in der gemeinsamen Furcht Christi!22Ihr Frauen euren Männern wie dem Herrn; (1Pe 3:1)23denn der Mann ist das Haupt der Frau, wie auch Christus das Haupt der Kirche ist. Er selbst ist der Retter des Leibes. (1Co 11:3)24Wie aber die Kirche sich Christus unterordnet, so sollen sich auch die Frauen in allem den Männern unterordnen.25Ihr Männer, liebt eure Frauen, wie auch Christus die Kirche geliebt und sich für sie hingegeben hat, (Eph 5:2; 1Ti 2:6; 1Pe 3:7)26um sie zu heiligen, da er sie gereinigt hat durch das Wasserbad im Wort!27So will er die Kirche herrlich vor sich hinstellen, ohne Flecken oder Falten oder andere Fehler; heilig soll sie sein und makellos.28Darum sind die Männer verpflichtet, ihre Frauen so zu lieben wie ihren eigenen Leib. Wer seine Frau liebt, liebt sich selbst.29Keiner hat je seinen eigenen Leib gehasst, sondern er nährt und pflegt ihn, wie auch Christus die Kirche.30Denn wir sind Glieder seines Leibes. (Ro 12:5)31Darum wird der Mann Vater und Mutter verlassen und sich an seine Frau binden und die zwei werden ein Fleisch sein. (Ge 2:24; Mt 19:5)32Dies ist ein tiefes Geheimnis; ich beziehe es auf Christus und die Kirche.33Indessen sollt auch ihr, jeder Einzelne, seine Frau lieben wie sich selbst, die Frau aber ehre ihren Mann.