5:1 THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him {and} follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. |
5:2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. |
5:3 But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity [of lustful, rich, wasteful living] or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting {and} proper among saints (God's consecrated people). |
5:4 Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish {and} sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting {or} becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God]. |
5:5 For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]--for he [in effect] is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. |
5:6 Let no one delude {and} deceive you with empty excuses {and} groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion {and} disobedience. |
5:7 So do not associate {or} be sharers with them. |
5:8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. |
5:9 For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light {or the Spirit} [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. |
5:10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]. |
5:11 Take no part in {and} have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds {and} enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose {and} reprove {and} convict them. |
5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of {or} mention the things that [such people] practice in secret. |
5:13 But when anything is exposed {and} reproved by the light, it is made visible {and} clear; and where everything is visible {and} clear there is light. |
5:14 Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you {and} give you light. |
5:15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully {and} worthily {and} accurately, not as the unwise {and} witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), |
5:16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. |
5:17 Therefore do not be vague {and} thoughtless {and} foolish, but understanding {and} firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is. |
5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled {and} stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. |
5:19 Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, |
5:20 At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. |
5:21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). |
5:22 Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord. |
5:23 For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of [His] body. |
5:24 As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands. |
5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, |
5:26 So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, |
5:27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. |
5:28 Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. |
5:29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes {and} carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, |
5:30 Because we are members (parts) of His body. |
5:31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. |
5:32 This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church. |
5:33 However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects {and} reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]. [I Pet. 3:2.] |