Ephesians 5
King James Version
5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
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.
Ephesians 5:1-2
English Standard Version
Walk in Love
5 (A)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And (B)walk in love, (C)as Christ loved us and (D)gave himself up for us, a (E)fragrant (F)offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5 is the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Traditionally, it is believed to be written by Apostle Paul while he was in prison in Rome. Wikipedia
What Does Ephesians 5:1 Mean? ►
Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children.
Ephesians 5:1(HCSB)
Verse Thoughts
Having detailed our unity in the Spirit; our union with Christ and the unsearchable riches of God that have been freely bestowed on us, by grace. Paul contrasts the corrupt lives of unregenerate man with the normal Christian walk, which should exhibit the tenderness, forgiveness and grace that we see in the character of God and the life of Christ.
Having built up this worthy argument Paul then exhorts us, therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. We are being called here to live as sons and daughters of God whereby our lives reflect the kindness, tenderness and forgiveness of the Father – in the same way that God in Christ has forgiven us.
These are beautiful qualities that are exhibited in a life that is living in spirit and truth, under the guidance of the Spirit; in union with Christ and in fellowship with the Father. We have been freely forgiven and have received the unsearchable riches of God’s grace – and for Christ’s sake, Who gave Himself for us.
Because we are in union with Christ and identified with Him, we are exhorted to follow Him in our attitudes and actions and even the motives of our hearts, that are known only to God. We are called to be like Christ; to follow His example; to imitate His life and character – to grow in grace and be to be conformed into His likeness.
The only way to grow in grace and mature in the Christian faith is to put away all the influences and characteristics of the old sin nature that are exhibited in a wide range of outward actions, inward attitudes and secret motives that are acceptable to God
We are not to take part in actions, attitudes and motives that are unacceptable to God. Rather we are to imitate the beautiful life that Christ lived by living our life in the same way that Christ did
Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/ephesians-5-1
What Does Ephesians 5:2 Mean? ►
and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Ephesians 5:2(NASB)
Verse Thoughts
Just as our letters and email are not divided into chapters and verses, so Paul’s epistles show one continuous flow of thought throughout, which the Holy Spirit has seen fit to include in the canon of Scripture for our learning. As with all scripture every verse should be taken in context.. and the factors relating to this verse are connected with holy living, godly behaviour, gracious speech.. and a grateful and forgiving heart. We are exhorted to let no one deceive us with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
We are called to be imitators of God, and as beloved children to walk in love, in the same way as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us. And we are to be like Him in thought, word and deed. And so we are warned to let no one deceive us with vain words encased in unbelief.. for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
God Himself is the perfect example of holiness, which is personified in Jesus Christ, Who is our divine pattern. As children of God we are set-apart unto Him and called to be holy as Christ is holy. We are exhorted to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other – just as God in Christ also has forgiven us.
But we are also cautioned against indulging in the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, which too frequently manifest themselves in all types of impurity or greed, filthiness of heart and mind.. silly talk, coarse jesting – bitterness, clamour, wrath and anger, which is not fitting for the saint of God.
As beloved children we are called to be imitators of our heavenly Father and to walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us.. as an offering, a sacrifice.. and a sweet smelling aroma to God. We are to be Christlike in our Christian walk and present our bodies as a living sacrifice and a sweet smelling offering which is so acceptable to the Lord.
But the worldly mindset is diametrically opposite from God.. and unbelievers and certain carnal Christians seek to deceive the spiritual man or woman into compromising their faith with empty words, false teachings, twisted doctrine and ungodly behaviours.
As Christians we should not be led astray by the enticing reasoning of the world, which seeks to undermine the truth of God’s Word – but the more one allows the mindset of the world to influence our thinking the more that life reflects the worldly philosophy in outward behaviour and the inner thoughts of the mind – all of which conflicts with the gospel truth.
God is not mocked and as Christians we should not be deceived by the empty words and false premises that come from these sons of disobedience. They are dead in their trespasses and are under God’s righteous condemnation – but they try to persuade us to compromise our position in Christ, slacken our biblical standards and adopt an ungodly and worldly mindset – may it never be!
We are not be deceived.. for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. Before we were saved by grace through faith.. we also walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air. We too were subjected to the spirit that is now working in these same sons of disobedience. But now that we have been saved by grace through faith in Christ we are children of the light who are to have no part in ungodly behaviour – for to do so not only dishonours the name of the Lord Jesus but
Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/ephesians-5-2-b
What does Ephesians 5:2 mean?
In addition to imitating God (Ephesians 5:1), believers are to continually act out of love. The phrase translated “walk in love” is used only here in Scripture. The Greek expression peropateite en agape refers to “continuing in selfless love.” The theme of “walking” refers to a consistent, purposeful practice. This is a common topic in Ephesians (Ephesians 2:2, 10; 4:1, 17; 5:8, 15). Believers are told, “Look carefully then how you walk” (Ephesians 5:15). The example for how to walk—how to live as a matter of habit—is Christ.
The description of Christ in this verse revolves around four themes. First is Christ’s love for mankind. Second is Christ’s sacrifice, made on our behalf. Third, this sacrifice is described as “a fragrant offering.” This refers to the idea of a sweet-smelling offering in the tabernacle or temple. Fourth, Jesus gave His life for us, as a sacrifice to God, both for our good and as an act of worship to the Father. The book of Hebrews develops this theme in greater detail, showing that Christ offered a once-for-all sacrifice. As a result, believers in Jesus are no longer bound by the sacrifices of the Jewish law (the Torah), but are instead bound to Christ.
Context Summary
Ephesians 5:1–21 continues Paul’s invaluable instructions on how Christians should live out their faith. Rather than imitating the world, or being controlled by worldly things, Christians are to be filled with the Spirit. Specific flaws such as sexual immorality, crude speech, and wasting of time are discouraged. Instead, believers ought to submit to one another out of respect for Christ, providing a powerful witness to the world.
Chapter Summary
Chapter 5 begins with an admonition to imitate Christ. In order to do so, Christians must avoid sexual immorality, vulgar language, foolishness, and other inappropriate attitudes. Paul warns that those who persist in these behaviors are not part of the kingdom of God. The passage then transitions to an explanation of mutual submission, including that between husbands and wives. Wives are to submit to their husbands, and respect them. Husbands are to love their wives in a Christ-like, sacrificial, and humble way
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SUFFERING?
PROBLEM OF EVIL, TODAY’S DIFFICULT PROBLEMS
Suffering is a universal human experience. We all experience it in various ways and to varying degrees, whether through emotional pain, disease, death, natural disaster, or difficult circumstances. What does the Bible say about suffering? Why does a good God allow us to experience such difficulties? Is suffering ever going to come to an end?
After God created everything, the Scriptures say God “saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). God initially made a perfect world without pain and suffering. Then the floodgates opened with the first human sins (Genesis 3), and the rest of the pages of the Bible are full of suffering. This is the consistent teaching of Scripture: human sin has broken God’s good world and brought pain and suffering along with it. In fact, Saul of Tarsus (also known as the apostle Paul), a student of Rabbi Gamaliel, wrote that not just humanity suffers the consequences of that first sin, but all creation groans to be freed from the oppression we have brought down on it through our sin (Romans 8:18–22).
So why does God allow suffering? First, a good God allows suffering to remind us that our world is broken because of sin. If he removed all consequences of sin, he would also remove much of our need to seek him for the healing we, and the rest of creation, need. Tikkun Olam (the healing of the world) is something humans can bring about only in limited and incomplete ways; the full realization of Tikkun requires God’s direct action through the Messiah.
Like a good father, God allows us to suffer consequences from our sins so we learn to stop sinning and follow him. Also like a good father, he gives us grace and mercy to find forgiveness for sin, which he has provided through his Messiah (Isaiah 53:5–6). Yeshua has done the work of redemption by dying for our sin; we need to put our faith and trust in what he has done for us to enter into the healing he offers us. The first step toward healing the world is accepting the forgiveness and healing provided through Jesus.
When we put our faith in Jesus, will all our suffering disappear? Not yet. God still has a purpose in suffering to do the ongoing work of change in our hearts and lives to make us people fit for His kingdom. Jacob (James, the half-brother of Yeshua) wrote, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4). God wants to continue to bring healing to our lives, and many times it takes time! He also wants us to be messengers of his desire to bring healing to the lives of others.
King David put it this way: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word” (Ps. 119:67). In other words, God used the affliction that David was going through to draw him closer and to help him grow in obedience.
So when does the suffering end? We know much of the suffering will be minimized when Messiah returns and reigns from Jerusalem (Isa. 11:1–9), and ultimately God will remove all suffering and wipe all tears from our eyes (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 21:3–4). Whether those days are near or far we cannot say. We know each day, it grows closer. Until that time, we need to trust God and draw near to him in the person of Yeshua so we can have the grace we need in the midst of suffering so we might learn the lessons He has for us.
BY JIM FOX
Living Water Ministries 