Ephesians 4:17
New International Version
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

New Living Translation
With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.

English Standard Version
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

Berean Standard Bible
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

Berean Literal Bible
This therefore I say and testify in the Lord: You are no longer to walk as also the Gentiles are walking, in the futility of their mind,

King James Bible
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

New King James Version
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

New American Standard Bible
So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, that you are to no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their minds,

NASB 1995
So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

NASB 1977
This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore this I say, and testify in the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

Amplified Bible
So this I say, and solemnly affirm together with the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the [unbelieving] Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds [and in the foolishness and emptiness of their souls],

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts.

American Standard Version
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Contemporary English Version
As a follower of the Lord, I order you to stop living like stupid, godless people.

English Revised Version
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So I tell you and encourage you in the Lord's name not to live any longer like other people in the world. Their minds are set on worthless things.

Good News Translation
In the Lord's name, then, I warn you: do not continue to live like the heathen, whose thoughts are worthless

International Standard Version
Therefore, I tell you and insist on in the Lord not to live any longer like the gentiles live, thinking worthless thoughts.

Majority Standard Bible
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the other Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

NET Bible
So I say this, and insist in the Lord, that you no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

New Heart English Bible
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the nations also walk, in the futility of their mind,

Webster's Bible Translation
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Weymouth New Testament
Therefore I warn you, and I implore you in the name of the Master, no longer to live as the Gentiles in their perverseness live,

World English Bible
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
This, then, I say, and I testify in the LORD: you are no longer to walk, as also the other nations walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Berean Literal Bible
This therefore I say and testify in the Lord: You are no longer to walk as also the Gentiles are walking, in the futility of their mind,

Young's Literal Translation
This, then, I say, and I testify in the Lord; ye are no more to walk, as also the other nations walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Smith's Literal Translation
Therefore this I say, and testify in the Lord, that ye no more walk as also the rest of the nations, in the vanity of their mind,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
This then I say and testify in the Lord: That henceforward you walk not as also the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, I say this, and I testify in the Lord: that from now on you should walk, not as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,

New American Bible
So I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds;

New Revised Standard Version
Now this I affirm and insist on in the Lord: you must no longer live as the Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
This I say therefore and testify in the LORD: that you henceforth live not as other Gentiles, who live in the vanity of their mind,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But I say this and testify in THE LORD JEHOVAH, that from now on, you should not be walking as others of the Gentiles who walk in the emptiness of their minds,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
This I say, therefore, and appeal to you solemnly in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the other Gentiles walk, in the error of their minds,

Godbey New Testament
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,

Haweis New Testament
This then I urge and testify in the Lord, that ye walk no more as the other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind,

Mace New Testament
This I say therefore, and conjure you by the Lord not to live for the future as other Gentiles do, in the vanity of their minds,

Weymouth New Testament
Therefore I warn you, and I implore you in the name of the Master, no longer to live as the Gentiles in their perverseness live,

Worrell New Testament
This, therefore, I say, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Worsley New Testament
This I say therefore, and charge you in the name of the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
New Life in Christ
16From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part. 17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.…

Cross References
Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Colossians 3:5-7
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. / When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways.

1 Peter 4:3-4
For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. / Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.

1 Thessalonians 4:5
not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. / And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

2 Corinthians 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Titus 3:3
For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Isaiah 44:18-20
They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. / And no one considers in his heart, no one has the knowledge or insight to say, “I burned half of it in the fire, and I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” / He feeds on ashes. His deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”

Ezekiel 36:26-27
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Proverbs 4:19
But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Psalm 81:12
So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.


Treasury of Scripture

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you from now on walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

I say.

1 Corinthians 1:12
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

2 Corinthians 9:6
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

testify.

Nehemiah 9:29,30
And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments, (which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear…

Nehemiah 13:15
In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.

Jeremiah 42:19
The LORD hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day.

in the.

1 Thessalonians 4:1,2
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more…

1 Timothy 5:21
I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

1 Timothy 6:13
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

that ye.

Ephesians 1:22
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 2:1-3
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; …

Ephesians 5:3-8
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; …

in the.

Psalm 94:8-11
Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? …

Acts 14:15
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

Jump to Previous
Affirm Futility Gentiles Henceforth Implore Insist Longer Master Mind Minds Nations Perverseness Profit Rest Testify Together Turned Vanity Walk Warn Way Witness
Jump to Next
Affirm Futility Gentiles Henceforth Implore Insist Longer Master Mind Minds Nations Perverseness Profit Rest Testify Together Turned Vanity Walk Warn Way Witness
Ephesians 4
1. He exhorts to unity;
7. and declares that God therefore gives various gifts unto men;
11. that his church might be edified,
16. and grow up in Christ.
18. He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles;
24. to put on the new man;
25. to cast off lying;
29. and corrupt communication.














So I tell you this
This phrase marks a transition in Paul's letter, emphasizing the authority and importance of what follows. The Greek word for "tell" is "λέγω" (legō), which implies a declaration or proclamation. Paul is not merely offering advice; he is delivering a directive with apostolic authority. This underscores the seriousness of the message, as Paul is not speaking on his own but as a messenger of Christ.

and testify in the Lord
The word "testify" comes from the Greek "μαρτυρέω" (martyreō), which means to bear witness or affirm solemnly. Paul is invoking the authority of the Lord, indicating that his testimony is not based on human wisdom but on divine revelation. This phrase reinforces the idea that the instructions are grounded in the truth of the Gospel and the character of God.

that you must no longer walk
The term "walk" is translated from the Greek "περιπατέω" (peripateō), which metaphorically refers to one's conduct or way of life. Paul is urging the Ephesians to change their lifestyle, to live in a manner that reflects their new identity in Christ. This call to transformation is a common theme in Paul's letters, emphasizing the practical outworking of faith.

as the Gentiles do
Here, "Gentiles" refers to those who are outside the covenant community, often characterized by pagan practices and beliefs. In the historical context, Ephesus was a city steeped in idolatry and immorality. Paul is drawing a clear distinction between the life of a believer and the prevailing cultural norms. The call is to be set apart, to live in a way that is distinct from the surrounding society.

in the futility of their thinking
The word "futility" is derived from the Greek "ματαιότης" (mataiotēs), which conveys the idea of emptiness or purposelessness. This futility is not just intellectual but spiritual, reflecting a life disconnected from the truth of God. Paul is highlighting the contrast between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God. The "thinking" of the Gentiles is characterized by a lack of understanding and insight into God's purposes, leading to a life that ultimately lacks meaning and direction.

[5.Practical Exhortation (Ephesians 4:17-21).

(1) THE NEW LIFE; first, taught in Christ and learning Christ; and secondly, regenerate in Him to the image of God (Ephesians 4:17-24).

(2) HENCE THE POWER OF CONQUEST OF SIN GENERALLY--

(a)Falsehood (Ephesians 4:25);

(b)Passionate anger (Ephesians 4:26-27); . . .

Verses 17-24. - CONSTRASTED PRINCIPLES OF GENTILE AND CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. Verse 17. - This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord. There is no sign of the apostle, when he comes to the practical part of his Epistle, deeming it of less importance than the doctrinal. The formula is very expressive; the apostle sinks his personality, and brings forward Christ as the Exhorter. That ye no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk. First, he indicates what they are not to be. "Be not conformed to this world." In four particulars they are to be different from Gentiles. The first of these is in the vanity of their mind. The allusion is to their frivolous, empty aims in life, and their unfixed, unsettled impulses. The Gentiles were chasing shadows, blowing bubbles, doing anything to make time pass agreeably; not considering or knowing either what they were, or whence they came, or whither they were going.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
οὖν (oun)
Conjunction
Strong's 3767: Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.

I tell [you]
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

this,
Τοῦτο (Touto)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

testify [to it]
μαρτύρομαι (martyromai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3143: (properly: To call (summon) to witness, and then absolutely) To testify, protest, asseverate; To conjure, solemnly charge.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] Lord:
Κυρίῳ (Kyriō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

You {must}
ὑμᾶς (hymas)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

no longer
μηκέτι (mēketi)
Adverb
Strong's 3371: No longer, no more. From me and eti; no further.

walk
περιπατεῖν (peripatein)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

as
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Gentiles
ἔθνη (ethnē)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

do,
περιπατεῖ (peripatei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] futility
ματαιότητι (mataiotēti)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3153: From mataios; inutility; figuratively, transientness; morally, depravity.

of
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

their
αὐτῶν (autōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

thinking.
νοὸς (noos)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3563: Probably from the base of ginosko; the intellect, i.e. Mind; by implication, meaning.


Links
Ephesians 4:17 NIV
Ephesians 4:17 NLT
Ephesians 4:17 ESV
Ephesians 4:17 NASB
Ephesians 4:17 KJV

Ephesians 4:17 BibleApps.com
Ephesians 4:17 Biblia Paralela
Ephesians 4:17 Chinese Bible
Ephesians 4:17 French Bible
Ephesians 4:17 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Ephesians 4:17 This I say therefore and testify (Ephes. Eph. Ep)
Ephesians 4:16
Top of Page
Top of Page