The big picture
Ephesians 5 opens in verse 1 with “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”, reaches its middle movement near verse 17 with “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”, and closes in verse 33 with “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and…” Repeated or prominent terms include Christ, Lord, church, light, wife. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Ephesians · King James Version · 33Ephesians 5:1-7
1–7: Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Ephesians 5:1–7 opens with “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;” and reaches “Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers walking from darkness into light, rejecting corrupt speech and excess, and singing together with gratitude, with particular weight carried by children, Christ, becometh.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a…” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Ephesians 5:1-7
King James Version1Be 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.
Ephesians 5:8-14
8–14: For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk…
Ephesians 5:8–14 opens with “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” and reaches “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers walking from darkness into light, rejecting corrupt speech and excess, and singing together with gratitude, with particular weight carried by light, darkness, Lord.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Ephesians 5:8-14
King James Version8For 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.
Ephesians 5:15-21
15–21: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Ephesians 5:15–21 opens with “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” and reaches “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers walking from darkness into light, rejecting corrupt speech and excess, and singing together with gratitude, with particular weight carried by Lord, always, Christ.
Context that brings the passage to life
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,” Naming See keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Ephesians 5:15-21
King James Version15See 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.
Ephesians 5:22-28
22–28: Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Ephesians 5:22–28 opens with “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” and reaches “So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers walking from darkness into light, rejecting corrupt speech and excess, and singing together with gratitude, with particular weight carried by church, wives, Christ.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” Naming Wives keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“For 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.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Ephesians 5:22-28
King James Version22Wives, 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.
Ephesians 5:29-33
29–33: For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth…
Ephesians 5:29–33 opens with “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the…” and reaches “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers walking from darkness into light, rejecting corrupt speech and excess, and singing together with gratitude, with particular weight carried by flesh, wife, church.
Ephesians 5:29-33
King James Version29For 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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Ephesians 5:1 begins with “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”
Where the chapter turns
Ephesians 5:13 forms a natural hinge: “But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.”
The final note
Ephesians 5:33 leaves the reader with “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Christ, Lord, church, light, wife, love help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What does the repeated ending make readers feel?
Death becomes the chapter's persistent refrain, even as generation follows generation.
What two interruptions offer hope?
Enoch's walk with God and Lamech's hope attached to Noah.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
- doth
- does
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.