Eph. 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Again, “therefore” instructs us to consider all that has been presented to this point. Considering God’s love for us and all that is ours in Christ, we should follow Him by imitating the life of Christ. God the Father identified Jesus as His beloved or dear Son.
Luke 3:22 “And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”
In Christ, we too are His beloved children and should strive to show that in our lives just as surely as did Jesus. THE defining characteristic of our life should be love. The LORD was very clear in defining love as a willingness to deny self and serve others sacrificially as Christ so vividly exampled during His earthly ministry. The key to being successful is in having the right motive—a desire to offer these acts of love and sacrifice as a “sweetsmelling savor” or gift to God. If we could but define all our words and actions in context of loving and serving God rather than people, we would be less likely to be influenced by perceived benefit to self or perceived worthiness of the one to whom our words and/or actions are directed.
Eph. 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph. 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
If we are choosing to imitate Christ, it therefore follows that our lives should not exhibit worldly characteristics. Every child of God should live as befitting one who has been consecrated and declared pure and holy in Christ. Paul’s instruction is strong and clear—not once should the child of God take part in these types of actions.
- Fornication – This is a reference to adultery and/or idolatry, which covers both physical and spiritual infidelity.
- All uncleanness – This is a reference to physical and/or spiritual impurity of any kind.
- Covetousness – This is a reference to greed or desire that would lead one to use fraud or extortion to fulfill their desire.
- Filthiness – This is a reference to actions that are shameful or obscene.
- Foolish talking – This is a reference to talk that evidences poor judgment.
- Jesting – Again, this is a reference to vulgarity expressed in jokes or wit usually at the expense of someone else.
The more I get into the word and come face to face with the express instruction regarding things that we have learned to accept as normal, I am convicted more and more. I come from a family that is quick to poke fun at the expense of others—not with vulgarity, but clearly with insensitivity. In fact, the more I have begun to measure my activities and choices against the heart of God as expressed in His word, the more amazed I am at His unconditional love, mercy and grace toward me. Yes, I am growing and continuing to make changes; but to my shame, these are changes that should have been made oh so long ago.
The phrase “not convenient” means “not appropriate” for the child of God. The actions and words of the child of God should reflect a heart of thankfulness evidenced by imitation of Jesus and obedience to His word.
Wiersbe: “Two indications of a person’s character are what makes him laugh and what makes him weep. The saint of God sees nothing humorous in obscene language or coarse joking.”
Eph. 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
In this verse Paul is basically stating that those whose lives are characterized by fornication (whoremonger), uncleanness (filthiness, foolish talking, jesting) or covetousness (fraudulency, extortion, greed) cannot claim inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. The truth is that anyone whose life is characterized by such sin is an idolater; he/she has placed self on the throne and rejected God and His Son.
“in the kingdom of Christ and of God” – It jumped out to me that this seemed to be a unique reference to the kingdom. Much to my surprise after doing several types of searches, I found that this verse, Luke 1:33 and 2Peter 1:11 were the only specific references to the kingdom of Jesus Christ I could find. There are other scriptures that make reference to the Son and His eternal Kingdom (i.e., Isaiah 9 and Daniel 2), but this verse seems unique in identifying the kingdom with Christ and God, Son and Father. The most common reference to the kingdom in scripture is as the kingdom of God. The closest counterpart to this verse I could find in scripture was in Revelation.
Revelation 22:1-5 “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
The truth again reflects the plural nature of God—something I’ll never be able to truly understand this side of heaven for sure. I do know that there is only one kingdom—not two.
Courson: “The Greek word translated ‘whoremonger’ is pornos, from which we get our word ‘pornography.’ Whore-mongering is embracing a prostituted life. And that can happen on the ‘900’ telephone lines, on the Internet, in the things you read, and in the movies you see.”
Eph. 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Eph. 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Paul warns the believers in Ephesus not to fall for the deceit of men using empty words, words that are not true. Again, the truth is driven home that we are responsible to recognize and discern truth (cf comments at 4:17-19). The truth is that God’s wrath will be directed towards the children of disobedience because they have rejected Him as LORD as evidenced by their actions. Those who have embraced Jesus as Savior should be known as children of obedience. We should diligently make choices that identify us as obedient, as those who accept God as the supreme authority in our lives. We are to be “in the world, but not of it,” as Steve Green sings in “Higher Ground.”
Eph. 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
Eph. 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph. 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
“sometimes” – I believe would have been better translated “in time past” or “once.”
Before accepting Christ as Savior we were all children of darkness, but we are now children of light.
John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Our lives should testify to our position in Christ. We have been sealed with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Proof of His indwelling presence is the fruit that is produced in our life that is good, righteous and truthful—the things that others see in us that identify us as belonging to God’s family.
Again, the implication is either/or. We are either walking as children of the light or darkness. Our actions define us. The Spirit will only lead us to walk in light, in a manner that is well-pleasing (from Greek for “acceptable”) to the LORD.
Eph. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Eph. 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Paul is clear in stating that the child of God is not to have fellowship or take part in “the unfruitful works of darkness,” works that are associated with the world—the lust of the eyes, the flesh, and the pride of life. We are to boldly reprove or rebuke others concerning these works by exposing these deeds both by instruction and teaching and by how we live.
Verse 12 is a clear indicator of how much society has degenerated. Paul is telling the Ephesians that it is shameful to even talk about what people are doing in private that is sinful. Not only do we talk openly about what was previously recognized as “secret” sins, we embrace them as part of our entertainment and accommodate them through our government and judiciary system.
Eph. 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Light gives illumination. Just as the life of Christ exposed the sin of the spiritual leaders of His day, the life of the child of God should expose the sin of those around us.
Eph. 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
This appears to be another reference to the words of the prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 60:1-2 “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”
It’s a call for those that are spiritually dead to wake up to spiritual life in Christ. It seems significant that Paul references the state of being spiritually dead as accompanying a state of sleep or being unaware. Once one recognizes their sin, it’s like they are waking up to their need and the life that is available in Christ.
Eph. 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Eph. 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Because we are privileged to be part of God’s family in Christ, we should be exacting and diligent (from the Greek for circumspectly) in how we live. In fact, the root word for circumspectly is in the superlative form—most exact and straightest. Most of the translations use the word careful, but I don’t think that conveys the strength of Paul’s admonition. To be diligent and exacting in staying on a straight path conveys putting forth strenuous effort not to deviate from obedience to the LORD in the slightest degree. In fact, the word for strait in the Old Testament usually conveys a sense of being hemmed in and narrow. Scripture declares that entrance to eternal life through the strait gate is from a narrow path not found by many.
Matthew 7:14 “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
When we choose to exercise diligence in obeying God’s word, we identify ourselves as wise—not foolish. When we make wise choices, we are redeeming the time, making the most of our opportunities. I liked the Greek for redeem—“to rescue from loss.”
I think the last phrase of verse 16 is a reference to a general characterization of the days in which we live and in which all have lived since the time of Christ in that most of the world has rejected God’s authority. We live in a time in which evil prospers.
Eph. 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Paul continues to drive home his point—Don’t be unwise or foolish. Choose to understand the will of the LORD. He would not make this statement unless the means were available through which we can obtain understanding of God’s will. The most obvious means is through familiarity with His Word. The psalmist states it clearly.
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever."
Psalm 119:104 “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”
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