Urban Word Bible
Ephesians 4
Read Ephesians 4 in clear, relatable modern language.
Unity in the Body of Christ
1 So as somebody locked up for serving the Lord, I am urging you all to live in a way that is worthy of the calling you have received.
2 Walk with humility, gentleness, patience, and put up with one another in love.
3 Do everything you can to keep the unity that the Spirit gives through the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when God called you.
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, through all, and in all.
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure Christ decided to give.
8 That is why Scripture says, "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to people."
9 Now when it says He ascended, that means He first descended into the lower parts of the earth.
10 The One who descended is the same One who ascended far above all the heavens so He could fill everything with His presence.
11 And Christ Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors, and some teachers.
12 Their job is to equip God’s people for ministry and build up the body of Christ.
13 This continues until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, growing into mature believers who measure up to the fullness of Christ.
14 Then we will not be spiritual children anymore, getting tossed around by every new teaching and every trick people use to deceive others.
15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love and grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head.
16 From Him the whole body is joined together and held together, and every part does its work so the body grows and builds itself up in love.
The New Life in Christ
17 So I am telling you all this and testifying in the Lord: do not keep living like the unbelievers do, walking around with empty thinking.
18 Their understanding is darkened, and they are separated from the life God offers because of their ignorance and hardened hearts.
19 They have become numb to conviction and have given themselves over to every kind of impurity and sinful desire.
20 But that is not the way you all learned Christ.
21 If you have truly heard Him and been taught by Him, then you know the truth that is found in Jesus.
22 Put off your old self, the person you used to be, the one corrupted by deceitful desires.
23 Instead, let your minds and attitudes be renewed.
24 Put on the new self, created according to God’s likeness in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Because of that, stop lying and speak truth to one another, because we are all members of the same body.
26 Be angry if you must, but do not let that anger push you into sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still holding onto that anger.
27 Do not give the devil any room to operate in your life.
28 If somebody used to steal, let them stop stealing and start working honestly with their own hands so they will have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let corrupt or filthy talk come out of your mouth. Instead, speak words that build people up according to what they need, so your words bring grace to those who hear them.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, because He is the seal that marks you for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, shouting, slander, and every form of malice.
32 Instead, be kind to one another, tenderhearted, and forgiving one another just as God forgave you through Christ.