Ephesians 4:1-16 (New International Version)
View In My BibleUnity in the Body of Christ
1 As a prisoner1 for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy2 of the calling3 you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another4 in love.5 3 Make every effort to keep the unity6 of the Spirit through the bond of peace.7 4 There is one body8 and one Spirit9--just as you were called to one hope when you were called10-- 5 one Lord,11 one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all,12 who is over all and through all and in all.13 7 But to each one of us14 grace15 has been given16 as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why ita says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives17 in his train and gave gifts to men."b18 9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regionsc ? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended19 higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)20 11 It was he who gave21 some to be apostles,22 some to be prophets,23 some to be evangelists,24 and some to be pastors and teachers,25 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ26 may be built up27 13 until we all reach unity28 in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God29 and become mature,30 attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.31 14 Then we will no longer be infants,32 tossed back and forth by the waves,33 and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.34 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,35 we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head,36 that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows37 and builds itself up38 in love,39 as each part does its work.Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
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