4:19

Commentators and versions differ on how 4:19a and 4:19b are connected to one another. There are two main interpretations:

(1) “Having lost all sense of shame” is the reason “they have given themselves over to sensuality.” For example:

Since they no longer have any sense of shame (God’s Word)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, NET Bible, Revised English Bible, New American Standard Bible, King James Version, Contemporary English Version)

(2) “Having lost all sense of shame” and “they have given themselves over to sensuality” are separate examples connected by the word “and.” For example:

They have lost all feeling of shame, and… (New Century Version)

(Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, English Standard Version, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

Since there is strong support for both interpretations, either is acceptable. It is recommended that you consult your national versions and follow their example.

4:19a

Having lost all sense of shame: The phrase lost all sense of shame means that when the Gentiles do evil things, they are not ashamed of their actions. These people do evil things day after day, until their hearts (consciences) become “callous” (Revised Standard Version); that is, they no longer feel ashamed or guilty.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

They no longer have any feelings about what is right (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
They have no sense of shame (New Living Translation (2004))

4:19b

they have given themselves over to sensuality: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as given themselves over means that “they have turned themselves over” to sensuality, or “they have handed themselves over” to sensuality.

sensuality: The Greek word for sensuality means shameful behavior, impure behavior, immoral ways, debauchery. This is talking mainly about sexual sins, but it may also include other evil behavior, such as getting drunk.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

They live for lustful pleasure (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
they do nothing else but shameful deeds
-or-
they pass their time behaving in shameful ways

4:19c

for the practice of every kind of impurity: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for the practice of also means “to continually do something” or “satisfy a desire.”

every kind of impurity: The word impurity means sexual immorality. It means almost the same thing as “sensuality” in 4:19b. For example:

They practice every kind of sexual perversion (God’s Word)

4:19d

with a craving for more: The Greek phrase which the Berean Standard Bible translates as craving for more is literally “in greediness.” These people are “greedy for more sin” or they “want to sin more.” Their sinful desires are never satisfied.

Some other ways to say this are:

they do not restrain themselves
-or-
they do not hold themselves back ⌊from doing all these immoral deeds⌋
-or-
They continually seek for more sinful pleasure

© 1999, 2019 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

5:19–21

In 5:18 Paul gave the command “be filled with the Spirit.” In the Greek text, this sentence does not end at 5:18, but continues until 5:21. The Berean Standard Bible and some other versions begin a new sentence here. You must decide whether it is more natural in your language to begin a new sentence here or to translate 5:19a as a continuation of 5:18c. For example:

singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts (New Living Translation (2004))

In 5:19–21, Paul lists four kinds of good behavior that we should do when we are “filled” (controlled) by the Holy Spirit. We should:

(a) encourage one another with songs,

(b) sing to praise the Lord,

(c) give thanks and

(d) submit to one another.

5:19a

Speak to one another: People normally “sing” psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. They generally do not Speak them. So when Paul said Speak to one another, he could have meant:

(1) sing songs to one another. For example:

as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves

(New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation (2004), Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

(2) speak or recite the words of these songs to one another. For example:

by reciting psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs for your own good

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, NET Bible, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, King James Version, New Century Version, God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), as this seems to fit the context better and has more commentary support. See also Colossians 3:16 where Paul used the verb “sing” in a similar context.

psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs: Paul here mentioned three types of songs. (Compare this phrase with Colossians 3:16.)

psalms: The word psalms refers to the psalms in the Old Testament. King David wrote most of these songs.

hymns: These hymns were in honor of God and Jesus. The early Christians wrote these songs.

spiritual songs: Scholars are not certain of the meaning of spiritual songs. These songs may have been spontaneous singing inspired by the Holy Spirit.

If you do not have three different terms, use short, descriptive phrases to translate these terms. You could combine two of the terms. For example:

songs of David and other songs praising God

5:19b

Sing and make music: The verb Sing obviously means with the voice. So the clause make music may indicate other types of music, for example, playing instruments. However, this clause should remain generic in the translation.

Here are some other ways to translate this:

Sing ⌊songs⌋ and make ⌊other⌋ music
-or-
Singing and making melody (Revised Standard Version)

in your hearts: There are at least two ways to understand the phrase in your hearts :

(1) It means sing with all your hearts, in other words, sing with enthusiasm. For example:

…as you praise the Lord with all your heart.

(Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, English Standard Version, God’s Word, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version)

(2) It means literally sing in your heart. This would mean singing privately in your own heart without making any sound. For example:

…making music in your hearts for the ears of the Lord!

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Good News Translation, New Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New Living Translation (2004), Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English, New Jerusalem Bible, King James Version, New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This fits the prior clause well, since Paul was writing about public singing.

© 1999, 2019 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.

6:18–20

In 6:14–17, Paul used six metaphors (belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, sword) to teach the Ephesian Christians how they should fight against Satan and protect themselves from Satan. In 6:18–20 he added a seventh way to fight Satan: by praying. But he did not use a metaphor to teach about praying.

6:18a

Pray in the Spirit: The phrase Pray in the Spirit means that we should pray as the Holy Spirit leads or shows us. It does not mean that we should pray silently. Here are some ways to translate this phrase:

pray by the power of the Spirit (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Pray…as the Spirit leads (Good News Translation)

at all times: The phrase at all times means “all the time” or “in every situation.” Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Never stop praying (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Pray…in every situation (God’s Word)
-or-
Constantly ask God’s help in prayer (Revised English Bible)

with every kind of prayer and petition: The phrase with every kind of means to use “all types of” prayers. For example:

Use every kind of prayer and request there is. (God’s Word)

prayer: The word prayer is a generic term for the many types of prayer that the New Testament mentions: giving thanks to God, asking him for forgiveness and asking him for things.

petition: A petition is a specific type of prayer—it is when a person asks God for something.

If your language would not use nouns for “prayer” and petition, you can say:

pray to God in every way and ask him to help you
-or-
asking for everything you need (New Century Version)

6:18b

To this end, stay alert: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as To this end means “for this purpose.” It refers back to 6:18a about praying in many ways as the Holy Spirit leads. In order to pray as the Holy Spirit leads, a person must be alert.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

For this purpose, be alert
-or-
In order to ⌊pray like⌋ this, pay attention.

stay alert: to the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stay alert means to “be watchful,” “pay attention,” or “look for opportunities” to pray. Here is another way to translate this:

always be ready (New Century Version)

In some languages it may be possible to state this negatively as:

do not be inattentive
-or-
do not sleep

6:18c

with all perseverance in your prayers: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as with all perseverance in your prayers means that we should be persistent when we pray. We should not give up. This does not mean that we should always pray and never do anything else.

for all the saints: As in 1:1c and 3:18a, the word saints means “people set apart for God.” It does not refer to a special group of “holy people.” All Christians are saints.

Here are some ways to translate the word saints :

God’s people
-or-
people belonging to God

See Holy, Meaning 1, special use in the Glossary for more information.

© 1999, 2019 by SIL International®
Made available under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA) creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible.
BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.