1 Be you therefore imitators (see 1 Cor. 4:16) of God, as beloved children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also loved you, and gave up Himself (cp. Rom. 4:24. John 19:30) for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a an odor of a sweet smell. (cp. John 12:3.)
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness (as in Rom. 1:24), or covetousness, let it not even be once named among you, as becomes saints; (See Acts 9:13.)
4 Nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor ribaldry, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.
5 For this you know, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor avaricious man (see 1 Cor. 5:10,11; 6:10), which is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God.
6 Let no man deceive you with hollow words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God (see Rom. 1:18) upon the sons of the disobedience.
7 Become not you therefore partners with them.
8 For you were once the darkness of blindness (cp. 4:18), but now are you light (not in the light, but having received the Light, are light) in the Lord: walk as sons of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness (cp. Rom. 15:14) and righteousness and truth;)
10 Proving what is acceptable (as in Rom. 12:1) to the Lord.
11 And have no partnership with the unfruitful works of the darkness (cp. dead works, Heb. 6:1; wicked works, Col. 1:21; all works of the darkness, Rom. 13:12. Consequently, the works of the Devil, 1 John 3:8. Cp. John 8:44, and contrast 2:10), but rather convict them. (See Luke 3:10.)
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are being done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever does make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore He said, "Awake you that are sleeping, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine upon you." (A paraphrase of Isa. 60:1,2.)
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as unwise, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 On account of this be you not unwise, but understand you what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, by which is debauchery; but be filled by the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (as sung by spiritual persons. Songs of thanksgiving. See Col. 3:16. Rev. 5:9; 14:3; 15:3), singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things to God even the Father in the name of our Lord Christ Jesus;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the reverence of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church: He Himself being Savior of the body.
24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave up Himself for her;
26 In order that He might sanctify having cleansed it by the laver (put for Christ's death and its results. Cp. Num. 19, especially vv.9,17. Has nothing to do with baptism) of water by the word, (See Mark 9:32)
27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having blemish, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it may be holy and without faultless.
28 So ought husbands love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loves his own wife loves himself.
29 For no one ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of His body (being part of the Bridegroom, the church which is His body is not the "bride", as is so commonly taught), of His flesh, and of His bones.
31 For this shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and the two shall be for one flesh. (Quoted from Gen. 2:24. Men and their wives being "one flesh", a man ought to love his wife, inasmuch as she is himself, as Christ loves His own body, the church. The apostle does not once hint that Christ is the husband, or that the church is the wife, but uses the "great mystery" of v.32 in regard to the reciprocal obligations of husband and wife.)
32 This is the great mystery (see Rom. 16:25,26): but I speak concerning Christ and concerning the church.
33 Nevertheless let each of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence (as the "head") her husband.