Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ
1Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord,4:1 2Tm 1:8 urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received,
2with all humility4:2 Col 3:12 and gentleness, with patience,4:2 Ex 34:6; 2Tm 3:10 bearing4:2 Heb 13:22 with one another in love,4:2 1Co 13:1
3making every effort to keep the unity4:3 Eph 4:13 of the Spirit4:3 Ps 51:11; Jn 1:33; Ac 2:4; Rm 8:9; Gl 5:25; Ti 3:5; Rv 3:22 through the bond of peace.
7Now grace was given to each one of us4:7 1Co 12:7–11 according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8For it says:
he took the captives captive;
9But what does “he ascended” mean except that he4:9 Other mss add first also descended to the lower parts of the earth?4:9 Or the lower parts, namely, the earth4:9 Jn 3:13; 6:62; Rm 10:6–7; Php 2:6–11
10The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens,4:10 Jn 3:13; 6:38 to fill all things.4:10 Eph 1:23; Heb 4:14; 7:26; 9:24
11And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,4:12 Rm 7:4; 1Co 10:16; 12:27; Col 2:17
13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,4:13 Jn 5:19; Heb 1:2 growing into maturity with a stature4:13 Lk 2:52 measured by Christ’s fullness.
14Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching,4:14 Rm 15:4; Heb 13:9 by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.
Living the New Life
17Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts.
18They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because4:18 Or in them because of the hardness of their hearts.
20But that is not how you came to know Christ,
25Therefore, putting away4:25 Pr 31:25 lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor,4:25Zch 8:164:25 Zch 8:16 because we are members of one another.
26Be angry and do not sin.4:26Ps 4:44:26 Ps 4:4; 37:8; Mt 18:21; Jms 1:19–20 Don’t let the sun go down on your anger,
27and don’t give the devil an opportunity.
28Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share4:28 1Th 2:8; 1Tm 6:18 with anyone in need.
29No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need,4:29 Lit for the building up of the need so that it gives grace to those who hear.
30And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit.4:30 Ps 51:11; Jn 1:33; Ac 2:4; Rm 8:9; Gl 5:25; Ti 3:5; Rv 3:22 You were sealed by him4:30 Or Spirit, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.4:30 Php 1:6
31Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice.
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