Ephesians Chapter 5

• Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Children are given as examples many times because of their constant unquestionable faith in their leaders. Children also fight a lot and have petty disputes but the next day it is forgotten and forgiven if adults do not interfere. Simple child-like faith in God is necessary for salvation.

Be followers of God. We are to follow after God in faith; trusting Him to lead us the right direction. If we faithfully look to God, He will not lead us into deception. Usually when we are led to deception, we are lead by our own desires that are contrary to the Word of God. When we study the word let us make sure we are sincerely seeking the will of God and not seeking to see if we can get by with some sinful activity and still inherit the kingdom of God. Follow God no matter what.

• Ephesians 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.

Walk in love. Love is to have benevolence or good will for. Love is charity and holding a high esteem for something or someone. God wants us to love Him and to love our fellowmen and women. This is not speaking of the type of love a that is spoken of as love in this present world we live in. That is sometimes not even love but lust.

We are to love as Christ has loved us. How did Christ love us? He gave Himself over as a sacrifice for sin. He was willing to suffer and die so that we might live. Dying to self is not easy but as we daily seek God it will become part of us to deny self and follow Christ.

• Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Does this sound as if we can receive Christ and then live in sin because we are covered by His grace?

1. Fornication-. The incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons, male or female; also, the criminal conversation of a married man with an unmarried woman. Any unnatural sexual relationship that God didn't ordain or intend for mankind and leads to confusion.
2. Uncleanness - Moral impurity; defilement by sin; sinfulness.
3. Covetousness - A strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; usually in a bad sense, and applied to an inordinate desire of wealth or avarice.

These things are not proper behavior for saints who are to be examples of holiness to those who watch how they live.

• Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

I'm giving definitions to give us an idea of what these words mean. We don't necessarily have to limit these definitions to what I've written. They may include other things.

1. Foolish talking - Void of understanding or sound judgment; weak in intellect; applied to general character. Unwise; imprudent; acting without judgment or discretion in particular things. Proceeding from folly, or marked with folly; silly; vain; trifling.
2. Filthiness - Corruption; pollution; defilement by sin; impurity.
3. Jesting - Joking; talking for diversion or merriment.

I personally can't stand sacrilegious jokes. I know it gets attention but it is a waste of time. Making merry by making jokes especially of others is not an example of holiness. I'm not saying that we should go around with rigid long faces of gloom but not be wasting time with joking and laughing at the wrong things and trying to be friends with the world.

Walking in the joy of the Lord is not a rigid strict kind of religion. Nevertheless, we should avoid  foolish talking, jesting and making fun of people.

The emphasis here is being thankful. Are we thankful for the jobs we have even though we never seem to get paid enough? Are we thankful for what we have or is our attitude, "The company owes me more?" Are we thankful for things we have or is our attitude, I need more, bigger, better etc.

• Ephesians 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.
• 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

This should refute any claim of once saved always saved. No one going back into these sins mentioned above is to inherit the kingdom of Christ and of God. No one. If we once received Jesus and repented of sins and we yield to those sins and continually walk in them again after being made free in Christ Jesus, we shall not enter the kingdom of God. We never lose our power to choose when we become Christians. We are not puppets. We must not believe doctrines that are not according to godliness. The wrath of God comes upon children of disobedience. Judgment begins at the house of God. We have a greater responsibility to live godly than even before we came to Christ. As with all types of sin, we can repent and get back in fellowship with God. Genuine repentance though leads us to not desire to sin, to be sorry for to the point of turning away from that sin and back to Jesus our Christ.

• 1Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 
• 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

Its good to read the verse, by grace are you saved through faith but we must read the rest of the book of Ephesians also not just quote the good verses and reject the other ones about godly living. 

• Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
• 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

That means that you can't be saved by doing good things and just being a good person and earning one's way to heaven. You are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. You repent of sin and come to Christ to be saved. No matter how bad or good you live in this present world, if you don't come to Jesus Christ for salvation, you can't be saved. It does not mean that after you are saved you can live how you want. If you allow sin back into your life, you have to repent again and allow Jesus Christ to give you power over that sin. We are to be new creatures and old things are passed away. We are never to go back into sin and expect to be saved and inherit eternal life. We must read all the scriptures, not just a few taken completely out of context.

No we are not saved by any good works we did before coming to Christ. We have to come to Christ to be saved. After that though we are judged by our works. We still have to answer to God by what we do in the body. Sin is not supposed to reign after coming to Christ. If we allow it to return there is hope though but we must not continue in that sin:

• 1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 
• 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 
• 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 
• 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 
• 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 
• 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

If we say we know Jesus Christ and ignore His word and His commandments, we are lying according to the word of God. If we sin after we are saved, we must repent and do the first works.

• Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

The perfect cure for all sin before and after coming to Christ is simply to repent, turn around and go the right way. 

• Ephesians 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Be not partakers with those who continue in sin and do the above mention things.

• Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

The things the children of darkness walk in, we are to avoid. We are to walk in the light of the gospel after are sins are forgiven and we have received Jesus as savior. It does matter what we do and how we live. Holiness is not taught as much anymore but it needs to be. The bible teaches it.

• Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
• 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

If we try to prove what is acceptable to the Lord in these days, we get accused of being legalistic. Yet Jesus Christ, Paul, Peter, John and others instruct us to strive to please the Lord.

This should be our fruits: Goodness, righteousness and truth:

Lying, foolish talking, jesting, vanity, strife, fornication are not fruits of the Spirit.

• Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Reprove, correct, rebuke, change, instruct, teach the ways of righteousness.

• Titus 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 
• 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

The bible covers everything we need to live godly if we would look, seek and study it.

• 2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 
• 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

We live in that day and age right now. Sound doctrine is avoided and shunned.

• 2Timothy 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 
• 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 
• 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 
• 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 
• 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 6

• 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 
• 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 
• 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

There is a teaching out today that teaches to gain is godliness. We need to avoid it like the plague.

• Ephesians 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
• 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
• 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Sleeping here is referring to being blind to spiritual truth or being blind to our spiritual condition. We must allow the word of God to continually awaken us to the things of the Spirit and not sleep.

• Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

To walk in the word of God is wisdom.

• Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

As we see the days are evil, we must redeem the time. We must spend quality time in fellowship with God seeking His will with prayer and the study of His word.

• Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

We don't have to be in ignorance to the will of God.

• Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

When we ask, it is within the bounds of the word and the will of God, not our own lusts and selfishness or greed but God loves to give us spiritual things that draw us close to Him. He will give us understanding and fill us with His spirit if we ask. 

• Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Walk every day filled with the Spirit. If we walked in the spirit we would see less of a need for other things that pass away with the using.

• Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

The purpose of singing is part of worship. Prayer should never be neglected and replaced with singing but singing also should not be neglected for it is a vital part of worship.

• Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Always be thankful for everything God does for us.

• Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

True love for our brothers and sisters in Christ causes us to not want our own way all the time. Be willing to let others have their preferences as long as it is not contrary to the scriptures.

• Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
• 23 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.
• 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Women are never to desire authority above godly men. We are to recognize authority God gives the husband as the provider and protector of the household. They are responsible for the souls of their families. He is to be an example and a leader. The wife is to help and support Him.
This never means that a wife is to follow any husband blindly if he is not following Christ and tries to get her to sin. A women must follow the Lord and if her husband stops following the Lord she must continue following the Lord and not go the way of sin.

• Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
• 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

The word of God is a cleansing agent. That is why it is vital and necessary to stay in the word continually. A lot of people emphasize the verses about a wives submitting to the husband and ignore the husband's part which is to love his wife as Christ loves the church. 

• Ephesians 5:27 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.

The word brings us to this state of being holy. If you wonder why many Christians are not living godly, you can probably trace it to the fact that they do not study the word or spend much time in prayer. Holiness comes through the word which cleanses the inner person.

• Ephesians 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

Husbands are not to be rigid demanding Lords but love their wives as Christ loved the church. Jesus Christ gave His life for the church. Husbands are to follow the example of Christ's love and not rule in an ungodly manner.

• Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
• 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
• 31 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.
• 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Just as a new married couple must leave the authority of father and mother and become one flesh and one family, this is how it is with one who comes to Christ and receives Jesus as savior. They must leave the authority of the old nature and become a new creature in Christ. Sin no longer is to be our master. We are now one with Jesus Christ and in a new family. We are no longer under the power of Satan and sin. Jesus Christ now becomes first.

• Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

There would be less divorces in the church if husbands and wives would take heed to these scriptures. A perfect family would be the husband following Christ and the wife submitting to the husband who is following Christ.  If just one of these get out of place, trouble results.

If the husband move out of his place of following the Lord, the wife has to continue following the Lord herself. If the wife moves out of her place and stops following a husband who is following the Lord, the husband must continue putting the Lord first and following the Lord in all things. Of course he should try to restore his wife to the Lord but if she refuses he must remain faithful to the Lord. By the way once someone is married, disagreeing on the things of God is not an excuse for divorce.

It is great to follow and help a man of God who is serving the Lord faithfully like a good pastor but if that pastor turns aside from the word of truth, the flock must keep following the Lord and not turn aside with the one going astray.  

This is why God took great care to provide the word of God for all to read and study. We must read and find out what our Lord's word says so that we will not follow any false teachings but we will follow the Lord and worship Him in Spirit and in truth. 

Church traditions and teachings should be checked and compared to the word of God. Sometimes church teachings are not in line with the scripture. We must check these things out. That is why God brought the scripture to us in written form along with the indwelling Holy Spirit.  It is not wrong to check things out and not blindly follow anyone that comes along. No good pastor should ever fear his words being compared to the word of God. 

• Acts 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 
• 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The Berean's searched the scriptures DAILY to see if what Paul and Silas was teachings was according to scripture. All they had at that time would have been the Old Testament. Yet from the Old Testament they discovered the truth of the gospel. If you let God open your eyes being determined to walk in love, compassion and being obedient to the word of God, you will see Jesus in the Old Testament, especially the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Zechariah, Psalms and many others. DC