The end [i.e., of being so predetermined] was that we [Jewish Christians], who had previously placed our hope in Christ, should bring about the praise of God's splendor.

You [Gentiles] also, who are in Christ, after having heard the message of truth, the good news about your salvation, and [after] believing in Him, were sealed [i.e., as evidence of ownership] with the promised Holy Spirit. [or, "the Holy Spirit who brings promises"].

He is a down payment of our inheritance, until God's own possession [i.e., His people] receives redemption. [Note: Here "redemption" refers to receiving a new body in heaven]. May this bring about praise to God's splendor.

Therefore, because I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

which he brought about in the Messiah when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realm.

Above every beginning, and authority, and power, and property, and every name named, not only in this life, but in that about to be:

in which at one time you walked about according to the age of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit which is now working in the sons of disobedience;

It was not the result of your own [good] deeds [See Titus 3:5], so that no one could boast [about it].

At that time you had no connection with Christ, you were aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the agreements about God's promise; with no hope and no God in all the world.

by abolishing in His fleshly body the [entire Jewish] law of commandments contained in decrees. [This was] so that He could create in [unity with] Himself one new person [i.e., the church] out of the two peoples [i.e., Jews and Gentiles], thereby bringing about peace [between them].

Surely you have heard about the responsibility of administering God's grace that was given to me on your behalf,

and how this secret was made known to me through a revelation, just as I wrote about briefly in the past.

By reading this you will be able to understand my insight into the secret about the Christ --

and to enlighten everyone about God's secret plan -- a secret that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

For it is under His direction that the whole body is perfectly adjusted and united by every joint that furnishes its supplies; and by the proper functioning of each particular part there is brought about the growing of the body for its building up in love.

Therefore I say this, and witness in the Lord, that you no longer walk about as the Gentiles also walk about in the vanity of their mind,

They have stopped caring [i.e., about morality], so God has abandoned them to lives of unrestrained indecency and to engage in all kinds of [moral] impurity, with a constant desire for more.

But you did not learn about Christ like this,

if indeed you have heard [about] him, and you were taught by him (just as truth is in Jesus),

and walk about in divine love, as Christ also loved you, and gave himself for you, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweet savor.

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].

Stop letting anyone deceive you with groundless arguments about these things, for it is because of these very sins that God's anger comes down upon the disobedient.

For at one time ye were darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk about as children of the light,

Then you will demonstrate [or, "learn about"] a life that is very pleasing to the Lord.

For it is shameful even to speak [about] the things being [done] by them in secret,

Be very careful, then, about the way you live. Do not act thoughtlessly, but like sensible men,

This is a great secret; I mean this about Christ and the church.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up by training and instructing them about the Lord.

And as for you masters, act by your servants in the same way, and stop threatening them; be sure that they and you have a Lord and Master in heaven, and there is no partiality about him.

Stand firm then, girt about with the belt of truth, and wearing the breastplate of righteousness,

Use every kind of prayer and entreaty, and at every opportunity pray in the Spirit. Be on the alert about it; devote yourselves constantly to prayer for all God's people

In order that you also may know how I am, our dear brother Tychicus, a faithful helper in the Lord's service, will tell you all about it.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may cheer your hearts.