Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:1

What does Ephesians 5:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:1 means

Paul summons believers to model their lives after God’s character. He grounds this call not in fear, but in family: we are “beloved children.” Children naturally learn by imitation; so Christians, adopted by grace, are to reflect their Father’s mercy, holiness, and love in daily conduct. This verse sets a high standard—God Himself—yet it is not burdensome, because it flows from identity. Being loved precedes and fuels obedience. The practical implication is that ethics are relational: how we live arises from whom we belong to. To imitate God is to pursue His ways revealed in Christ, letting His kindness, truth, and purity pattern our speech, choices, and relationships.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let it then be your desire to be like God, as well-loved children;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Become, then, followers of God, as children beloved,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Be ye therefore imitators ofGod, as beloved children,

Context

This opening command continues the flow from Ephesians 4, where believers were urged to put away bitterness and forgive as God forgave in Christ. Now Paul summarizes the ethic of the new life: imitate God as children. Immediately, verse 2 shows what imitation chiefly looks like—walking in love like Christ. After that, Paul contrasts such God-like love with the impurity and greed that marked pagan life in Ephesus. Understanding this progression—identity to imitation to contrast—helps us read the chapter’s practical instructions as family likeness, not mere rule-keeping.

v.1This passage

v.2and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 1:15

    but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living;

  • Jeremiah 31:20

    Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a darling child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearneth for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith Jehovah.

  • 1 John 3:1

    Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

  • 1 John 4:11

    Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

  • Colossians 3:12

    Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;

  • Luke 6:35

    But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

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