---
title: "Commentary on Galatians and Ephesians"
author: "John Calvin"
translator: "William Pringle"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 72 of 73
url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-galatians-and-ephesians/72/
cite: "John Calvin, tr. William Pringle, Commentary on Galatians and Ephesians, section 72. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-galatians-and-ephesians/72/"
---

# Commentary on Galatians and Ephesians

*John Calvin, tr. William Pringle*

Calvin on Paul’s letters to the Galatians and the Ephesians.

## 72. Chapter 5

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-galatians-and-ephesians/72/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-galatians-and-ephesians/72/#p-N

[¶0] 1 Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;

[¶1] 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God, for a smell of delightful fragrance.

[¶2] 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let them not even be named among you, as becometh saints.

[¶3] 4 Or filthiness, foolish talking, jesting; which are not convenient; but rather grace.

[¶4] 5 For this ye know, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, shall obtain inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

[¶5] 6 Let no man deceive you by vain words; for on account of these things cometh the wrath of God on disobedient (or, unbelieving) children,

[¶6] 7 Be not ye therefore their companions.

[¶7] 8 Ye were once darkness; but now ye are light in the Lord; walk as children of light;

[¶8] 9 (For the fruit of the light is in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth;)

[¶9] 10 Proving what is acceptable to God.

[¶10] 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; but rather reprove them.

[¶11] 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

[¶12] 13 But all things, when they are brought forward, are made manifest by the light; for every thing that maketh manifest is light.

[¶13] 14 Wherefore he saith: Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead; and Christ shall give thee light.

[¶14] 15 See then how you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise;

[¶15] 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

[¶16] 17 Wherefore be ye not imprudent, but understanding what is the will of the Lord.

[¶17] 18 And be not drunk with wine, in which is lasciviousness;

[¶18] 19 But be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart, to the Lord;

[¶19] 20 Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father.

[¶20] 21 Submit yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ (or, of God).

[¶21] 22 Let wives be subject to their own husbands as to the Lord;

[¶22] 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the savior of the church; and he is the savior of the body.

[¶23] 24 But, as the church is subject to Christ, in like manner (let) wives (be subject) to their own husbands in all things.

[¶24] 25 Husbands, love your wives; as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it,

[¶25] 26 That he might sanctify it, cleansing it with the washing of water by the word;

[¶26] 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it might be holy and unblamable.

[¶27] 28 So ought husbands to love their wives, as their own bodies. He who loveth his wife loveth himself.

[¶28] 29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it; as also Christ the church;

[¶29] 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

[¶30] 31 For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall be one flesh.

[¶31] 32 This is a great secret; but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

[¶32] 33 Yet let every one of you love his wife; and let the woman reverence her husband.