Chapter 5

5 Therefore…

Again, what’s it “there for”? Well, since the Ephesians have put away sin and are living in virtue…

…be imitators of God, as beloved children. ² And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

…they are called to live the life of Christ, imitating Him and offering themselves in sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).

Renounce Pagan Ways

³ But immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting among saints.

Paul calls his readers to the highest standard of living.

⁴ Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; …

Paul isn’t denouncing jokes, but crudity and frivolousness.

…but instead let there be thanksgiving.

From this word we get the word “eucharist”.

⁵ Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure man, or one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

He explains what is at stake – entry into the Kingdom of Heaven.

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is because of these things that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. ⁷ Therefore do not associate with them, …

Paul now seems to be warning his readers against those who would say that one can act immorally and still be a Christian.

… ⁸ for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light ⁹ (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),¹⁰ and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Again Paul exhorts them to virtuous living.

¹¹ Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret; ¹³ but when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. ¹⁴ Therefore it is said,

¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; …

Paul continues to exhort his readers to shun evil…

…but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, ²⁰ always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

…and to embrace goodness.

The Christian Household

A lot of people get very uptight concerning the following passage, but really there’s no need…

²¹ Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

This is the foundational principle of all that Paul later says – mutual service. From this verse alone, we cannot say that Paul is a misogynist.

²² Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. ²⁴ As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands.

Paul gives his instructions to wives. He compares the relationship between the husband and wife to the relationship between Christ and the Church.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶ that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. ²⁸ Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no man ever hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, ³⁰ because we are members of his body.³¹ “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” ³² This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the church; ³³ however, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Paul gives his instructions to the husbands. See how much more he says…

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