Ephesians 5: Walking in Love, Light, and Wisdom
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
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.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
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.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; 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;
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Ephesians chapters 5 and 6 form a practical guide for Christian living, building upon the foundational truths established in the first half of the book. Chapter 4 urged believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, distinct from the ways of the world. Ephesians 5 delves deeper into the specifics, highlighting the importance of imitating God, walking in love and light, and cultivating wisdom in all aspects of life. This chapter addresses both personal conduct and interpersonal relationships, culminating in a profound understanding of marriage as a reflection of Christ's relationship with the church.
Imitating God: A Call to Loving Obedience (5:1-2)
Paul begins with a powerful exhortation: "Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children" (Ephesians 5:1). Just as children naturally emulate their parents, believers should strive to reflect the character and actions of their heavenly Father. This imitation is rooted in love, mirroring the love Christ demonstrated through His sacrifice. We are called to "walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2). This love is not merely a feeling, but a self-sacrificing commitment to the well-being of others, pleasing to God like a fragrant offering. Jesus Christ is our ultimate model.
Purity and Light: Rejecting Darkness (5:3-14)
Having established the foundation of love, Paul turns to specific behaviors that are incompatible with a life that imitates God. "Sexual immorality, impurity, or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints" (Ephesians 5:3). These vices, along with "obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking" (Ephesians 5:4), are characteristic of the world and have no place in the lives of those set apart for God. We are "saints," holy ones, called to a higher standard.
Paul warns against deception, reminding believers that those who practice such things "have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Ephesians 5:5). We must not be partners with those who engage in darkness, for we were once darkness, "but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8).
Living as children of light involves actively seeking what pleases God (Ephesians 5:10) and exposing the works of darkness, not by engaging in them, but by living a life that reflects God's standard. "For everything exposed by the light becomes visible" (Ephesians 5:13). Our very lives, marked by goodness, righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:9), become a beacon that reveals the darkness for what it is. As followers of Christ, we reflect Him, the "light of the world" (John 8:12).
Ephesians 5:14 appears to be quoting an early Christian hymn, calling sleepers to awaken and receive Christ's light. This is a call to spiritual vigilance and a reminder that Christ’s light will shine on those who turn to Him.
Wisdom and the Spirit: Living Intentionally (5:15-21)
The apostle encourages believers to "be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). Wisdom involves discerning God's will (Ephesians 5:17) and using our time purposefully. Instead of succumbing to the fleeting pleasures of the world, such as drunkenness, we are to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).
Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous process of yielding to His influence. This is manifested through "speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:19-20). This requires constant spiritual input and fellowship with other believers, creating an environment controlled by the Spirit.
Paul concludes this section with a call to mutual submission: "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21). This sets the stage for his subsequent discussion on marriage, where mutual submission plays a crucial role.
Marriage: A Reflection of Christ and the Church (5:22-33)
Paul addresses the roles of husbands and wives within the context of marriage, revealing its profound significance as a representation of Christ's relationship with the church. He emphasizes that the purpose of marriage is to advance God's kingdom, reflecting His image and exercising dominion over the earth.
Wives: Submission and Respect (5:22-24)
"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22). This verse is often misunderstood, but it is essential to recognize that submission does not imply inferiority. Just as the Son is subordinate to the Father in function but equal in essence, a wife's submission to her husband is a voluntary yielding to his leadership within the boundaries of God's will. The husband’s authority has limitations and cannot ask his wife to do anything outside of God’s will. A kingdom wife is to respect her husband (Ephesians 5:33), even when expressing disagreement.
Husbands: Love and Sacrifice (5:25-33)
Husbands are called to "love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25). This is a sacrificial, self-giving love that seeks the wife's well-being above one's own. Biblical headship means being a responsible governing authority, leading the family in advancing God's kingdom in the context of love. Husbands are to love their wives as they love their own bodies (Ephesians 5:28), nourishing and cherishing them.
Paul quotes Genesis 2:24 to emphasize the unity and intimacy of marriage: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh" (Ephesians 5:31). He concludes by reiterating the roles of husbands and wives: "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband" (Ephesians 5:33).
The husband-wife relationship is meant to mirror the love of Christ for the church and the response of the church to Christ for the world to see. God has created husbands to lead and wives to respond. When a man initiates, owns responsibility, treats his wife as special, and sacrifices for her well-being, she is apt to respond to him with heartfelt respect and submission.
Ephesians 5 offers a comprehensive guide for Christian living, urging believers to imitate God, walk in love and light, and cultivate wisdom in all aspects of life. By embracing these principles, we can reflect Christ's love to the world and fulfill God's purpose for our lives.
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
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.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
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.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; 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;
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Ephesians chapters 5 and 6 form a practical guide for Christian living, building upon the foundational truths established in the first half of the book. Chapter 4 urged believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, distinct from the ways of the world. Ephesians 5 delves deeper into the specifics, highlighting the importance of imitating God, walking in love and light, and cultivating wisdom in all aspects of life. This chapter addresses both personal conduct and interpersonal relationships, culminating in a profound understanding of marriage as a reflection of Christ's relationship with the church.
Imitating God: A Call to Loving Obedience (5:1-2)
Paul begins with a powerful exhortation: "Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children" (Ephesians 5:1). Just as children naturally emulate their parents, believers should strive to reflect the character and actions of their heavenly Father. This imitation is rooted in love, mirroring the love Christ demonstrated through His sacrifice. We are called to "walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2). This love is not merely a feeling, but a self-sacrificing commitment to the well-being of others, pleasing to God like a fragrant offering. Jesus Christ is our ultimate model.
Purity and Light: Rejecting Darkness (5:3-14)
Having established the foundation of love, Paul turns to specific behaviors that are incompatible with a life that imitates God. "Sexual immorality, impurity, or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints" (Ephesians 5:3). These vices, along with "obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking" (Ephesians 5:4), are characteristic of the world and have no place in the lives of those set apart for God. We are "saints," holy ones, called to a higher standard.
Paul warns against deception, reminding believers that those who practice such things "have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Ephesians 5:5). We must not be partners with those who engage in darkness, for we were once darkness, "but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8).
Living as children of light involves actively seeking what pleases God (Ephesians 5:10) and exposing the works of darkness, not by engaging in them, but by living a life that reflects God's standard. "For everything exposed by the light becomes visible" (Ephesians 5:13). Our very lives, marked by goodness, righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:9), become a beacon that reveals the darkness for what it is. As followers of Christ, we reflect Him, the "light of the world" (John 8:12).
Ephesians 5:14 appears to be quoting an early Christian hymn, calling sleepers to awaken and receive Christ's light. This is a call to spiritual vigilance and a reminder that Christ’s light will shine on those who turn to Him.
Wisdom and the Spirit: Living Intentionally (5:15-21)
The apostle encourages believers to "be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). Wisdom involves discerning God's will (Ephesians 5:17) and using our time purposefully. Instead of succumbing to the fleeting pleasures of the world, such as drunkenness, we are to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).
Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous process of yielding to His influence. This is manifested through "speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:19-20). This requires constant spiritual input and fellowship with other believers, creating an environment controlled by the Spirit.
Paul concludes this section with a call to mutual submission: "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5:21). This sets the stage for his subsequent discussion on marriage, where mutual submission plays a crucial role.
Marriage: A Reflection of Christ and the Church (5:22-33)
Paul addresses the roles of husbands and wives within the context of marriage, revealing its profound significance as a representation of Christ's relationship with the church. He emphasizes that the purpose of marriage is to advance God's kingdom, reflecting His image and exercising dominion over the earth.
Wives: Submission and Respect (5:22-24)
"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22). This verse is often misunderstood, but it is essential to recognize that submission does not imply inferiority. Just as the Son is subordinate to the Father in function but equal in essence, a wife's submission to her husband is a voluntary yielding to his leadership within the boundaries of God's will. The husband’s authority has limitations and cannot ask his wife to do anything outside of God’s will. A kingdom wife is to respect her husband (Ephesians 5:33), even when expressing disagreement.
Husbands: Love and Sacrifice (5:25-33)
Husbands are called to "love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25). This is a sacrificial, self-giving love that seeks the wife's well-being above one's own. Biblical headship means being a responsible governing authority, leading the family in advancing God's kingdom in the context of love. Husbands are to love their wives as they love their own bodies (Ephesians 5:28), nourishing and cherishing them.
Paul quotes Genesis 2:24 to emphasize the unity and intimacy of marriage: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh" (Ephesians 5:31). He concludes by reiterating the roles of husbands and wives: "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband" (Ephesians 5:33).
The husband-wife relationship is meant to mirror the love of Christ for the church and the response of the church to Christ for the world to see. God has created husbands to lead and wives to respond. When a man initiates, owns responsibility, treats his wife as special, and sacrifices for her well-being, she is apt to respond to him with heartfelt respect and submission.
Ephesians 5 offers a comprehensive guide for Christian living, urging believers to imitate God, walk in love and light, and cultivate wisdom in all aspects of life. By embracing these principles, we can reflect Christ's love to the world and fulfill God's purpose for our lives.