Ephesians, Day 5 Readings

Mutual Accountability & Encouragement for This World      

Today's first reading makes some people uncomfortable as it is the source of the instruction "women, submit yourselves to your husbands."  For centuries, this verse has been used to support patriarchy among Christians.  Interestingly, though, this is a misapplication of this verse, which follows another instruction: "submit to each other."

This is a vision of mutual accountability, where Christians of all genders, ages, and social statuses encourage each other, support each other, and lovingly teach each other how to be better Christians.  By living in this way, they will be better citizens of the new world God is creating.

Read Ephesians 5:21-6:9  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

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The second reading offers some final encouragements to Christians as they keep living in this world, before they can live in the new world God is creating.  While God is preparing Christians for a new world, they still must live on earth, with all of its brokenness.  In fact, life on earth poses a threat to Christians trying to live in a new way, and Christians should be prepared for struggle (even war) against the powerful forces of this world.  They should also have faith that God has equipped them for this fight.

Read Ephesians 6:10-24  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

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Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Ephesians 5:21-6:24 today.