1 So, as dearly loved children, you people should [try to] be like God. 2 Live in a loving way, just like Christ loved us and gave Himself up [to die] for us as an offering and fragrant smelling sacrifice to God. 3 But you should not even talk about sexual immorality, or any type of [moral] impurity, or greed. [Note: Possibly "greed" here means "desire for more" of such things]. Such talk is not suitable for saints [i.e., God's holy people]. 4 Nor should obscenity, silly chatter or double-meaning jokes be used, because they are not proper either. But instead, [you should express] thanksgiving. 5 For you [should] know this for certain: No sexually immoral or [morally] impure person, or greedy person, who is [the same as] an idol worshiper, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6 Do not let anyone deceive you with empty words, for because of such things, the wrath of God will fall upon people who are disobedient [to Him]. 7 So, do not participate with such individuals, 8 for you people were once darkness [i.e., when living in sin], but now you are light in [fellowship with] the Lord. [So], live like people who belong to light [i.e., who live godly lives], 9 (for the product of light consists of everything good and right and true). 10 Then you will demonstrate [or, "learn about"] a life that is very pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not have fellowship with [people who practice] worthless deeds of darkness [i.e., sinful living], but expose them instead. 12 For it is shameful even to talk about the things they do in private. 13 But when all [such] things are exposed by the light [i.e., the truth], they become [clearly] visible [i.e., their true nature is revealed], for everything so revealed becomes illuminated. [Note: Possibly this means "it is light that clearly reveals everything"]. 14 So, it says, "You who are asleep, wake up and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you [i.e., illuminate you]." [Note: The foregoing words may have been an early saying, used at someone's immersion, which included the ideas of "rising up" (See Col. 2:12) and "illumination" (See Heb. 6:4)].
15 So, be careful how you live. Do not live ignorantly, but wisely, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because these days are evil. 17 Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 And do not get drunk on wine, which results in ruined lives, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.
19 Speak to one another by using psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your hearts to the Lord. 20 Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name [i.e., by the authority] of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, you should submit to your own husbands, as you would to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the [spiritual] head over his wife, just as Christ is also the [spiritual] head over the church, since He is the Savior of the body. 24 But just as the church submits to Christ, so wives also should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, you should love your wives just as Christ also loved the church, and gave up His life for her, 26 so that He could dedicate her [to Himself], after cleansing her by means of the washing of water [i.e., immersion], accompanied by the word. [Note: "The word" here refers either to a person's profession of faith (See Rom. 10:9) or to the Gospel message (See Rom. 10:17), both of which are associated with immersion]. 27 [This is] so He could present the church to Himself in all her splendor, without any kind of stain or wrinkle, but that she should be holy and without [moral] flaw. 28 In the same way also, husbands should love their own wives as they love their own bodies. The man who loves his own wife [actually] loves himself. 29 For no [normal] person ever hated his own [physical] body, but [instead] he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ also does for the church, 30 because we are parts of His [spiritual] body.
31 [Gen. 2:24 says], "For this reason a man will leave [the home of] his father and mother, and will cling to his wife, [so that] the two will become one flesh [i.e., united in such a close relationship, as to practically constitute one body]."
32 The secret [truth] of this is great, but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each of you men individually should also love his own wife the way he loves himself. And the wife should respect her husband.