Ephesians 5:1-21 -- A Life of Integrity

Verse by Verse Commentary of the Letter to the Ephesians

Walk in Love and in Light

Ephesians 5

¹Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 

²And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

• As children, uphold the “family name”
• “Sweet Savor” Offerings – from Leviticus 1-3
  • Burnt - picture’s Christ complete devotion to God – consumed.
  • Meal - perfection of character – unleavened
  • Peace - symbolizes peace between sinners and God
• Sin Offerings – from Leviticus 4-5
  • Christ takes the place of the sinner, also the scapegoat
• The idea of offerings is that we give ourselves to each other.

³But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 

⁴neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 

⁵For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

• We are commanded to control our appetites. The argument that we are “born that way” is immaterial – we are all born into sin, with a sin nature. The type of sin is irrelevant – we are commanded to control the urge and not to feed it.
• Very serious consequences to an uncontrolled, unrepentant lifestyle. Immorality is not a sickness to be treated, to be condoned, or to be tolerated as an alternative lifestyle.
• What is idolatry – anything that removes your focus from God.

⁶Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 

⁷Therefore do not be partakers with them.

• Many try to change the definitions, to deceive believers – fundamentalist close minded intolerant medieval Bible Bashers…. Some will be our leaders, or society will try to make right wrong and wrong right. A lesson from Isaiah:

• Isaiah 3:8-12 For Jerusalem stumbled, And Judah is fallen, Because their tongue and their doings Are against the LORD, To provoke the eyes of His glory.  The look on their countenance witnesses against them, And they declare their sin as Sodom; They do not hide it. Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves.

“Say to the righteous that it shall be well with them, For they shall eat the fruit of their doings.  Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, For the reward of his hands shall be given him.  As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.”

• Beware that society will try and change us to be like them, not the other way around.
• Isaiah 5:20  Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 

⁹(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 

¹⁰finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 

¹¹And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 

¹²For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 

¹³But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 

¹⁴Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” 

¹⁵See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 

¹⁶redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 

¹⁷Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 

¹⁸And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

• If the world is darkness, why do we spend so much time within its grasp?
• We are to “wake up”, “walk”, “redeem the time”, “have understanding”, and “be filled” with the Spirit. This is NOT passive, it requires effort and focus.

¹⁹speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 

²⁰giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

²¹submitting to one another in the fear of God.

• It isn’t all “do’s and don’ts”, we are to enjoy our fellowship and be happy too!

Lesson 9 Application Questions

• Name some practical ways we can “give ourselves” to each other. 
• Name some of the benefits of this when many members of the body give of themselves as ministering disciples verses 1, 2, 19-21.
• How can we be “in” but not “of” the world? Salt and light, without allowing the world to conform us to society’s standards (where good is now labeled evil and evil is labeled good)? verses 8-14
• How can we become more “effective” Christians by following the five steps outlined by Paul? 
• How do we “wake up, walk, redeem the time, gain understanding and be filled with the Spirit” verses 14-18
  

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Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.