Systematic Bible Study

[PaulThomson]

My own paraphrase of the sense of the Greek text -

Eph 5:1 Therefore, keep on becoming mimics of God, as beloved children. 2 And keep on walking within/by means of love, just as Christ also loved us, and gave himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. 3 But, just as is eminent /fitting for saints, stop fornication, and any uncleanness or covetousness, being reported among you.

1. Eph 5:1 "Therefore, keep on becoming mimics of God, as beloved children. " -
The present imperative assumes that the audience is already mimicking God, and is encouraging them to keep on doing so. Loved children trust their parents and aspire to mimic their words and deeds. And if we truly regard God (the triune Deity) as our Father (the source of our life and being), we will aspire to behave and speak like Him/Them.

2. "2 And keep on walking in/by means of love, just as Christ also loved us... "
God is love ( 1Jo 4:8 ) , and Jesus Christ is the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His nature/hupostasis ( Heb 1:3 ), and has revealed the Father to us ( Jhn 1:18 ). So, imitating God equates to imitating Christ, who walked perfectly in love, and perfectly demonstrated God's love for us all.

3. "and gave himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour."
God's love for us is expressed perfectly through Christ's giving over of Himself in Gethsemane to be abused, mocked, tormented and slain by men and demons as the Father and Holy Spirit did nothing to step in and intervene for three days and nights ( Psa 22:1, Mat 27:46 ). This self-sacrifice for the sake of others pleased the triune Godhead, so that after three days and three nights the Father and Holy Spirit wrested Jesus's soul out of the centre of hades ( Psa 18:17 ) and returned it to His body in the grave ( Psa 18:20 ), so that Jesus could then fulfil His promise that, if the people destroyed this temple (his body), He would raise it (His body) up again within three days. ( Jhn 2:19 )

4. "3 But, just as is eminent /fitting for saints, stop fornication, and any uncleanness or covetousness, being reported among you."
The present imperative again implies that there is already fornication, uncleanness and covetousness being reported (named) within the church, and Paul want them to stop that happening any more. If he had used the aorist imperative, he would have been assuming it was not yet happening, and exhorting them to not let these things start being reported. A community of saints should not be having fornication, uncleanness and covetousness reported as happening in their midst. Freedom from these is eminent and fitting for saints. He is not advocating censoring of reports of these things which are happening, but a change in behaviour so they can't be reported, because they are no longer happening.

 

[GWH]

A literal rendering of the Greek text. -

Eph 5:1 Keep on becoming (γίνεσθε, present middle imperative) therefore (οὖν) followers/mimics (μιμηταὶ) of the God (τοῦ θεοῦ), as ( ὡς) children (τέκνα) beloved (ἀγαπητά).
Eph 5:2 And keep on walking (καὶ περιπατεῖτε, present active imperative) within/by means of love (ἐν ἀγάπῃ), just as (καθὼς) also (καὶ) the Christ (ὁ Χριστὸς) loved (ἠγάπησεν, aorist active indicative) us (ἡμᾶς), and (καὶ) gave (παρέδωκεν, aorist active indicative) himself (ἑαυτὸν) over/for (ὑπὲρ ) us (ἡμῶν), an offering ( προσφορὰν) and (καὶ) a sacrifice (θυσίαν) to the God (τῷ θεῷ) into/for (εἰς) a savour (ὀσμὴν) sweet-smelling (εὐωδίας).
Eph 5:3 But fornication (πορνεία δὲ), and (καὶ) all uncleanness (πᾶσα ἀκαθαρσία), or covetousness (ἢ πλεονεξία), not even (μηδὲ) let it keep on being named (ὀνομαζέσθω, present passive imperative) among you (ἐν ὑμῖν), just as (καθὼς) is eminent /fitting (πρέπει) to/for saints (ἁγίοις);

My own paraphrase of the sense of the Greek text -

Eph 5:1 Therefore, keep on becoming mimics of God, as beloved children. 2 And keep on walking within/by means of love, just as Christ also loved us, and gave himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour. 3 But, just as is eminent /fitting for saints, stop fornication, and any uncleanness or covetousness, being reported among you.

I paraphrase and comment on your paraphrase by noting that the present progressive command implies the need to persevere in becoming like God morally, which is signified positively by spiritual (agape) "love" (as exemplified by the atonement of Christ) and negatively as--or the opposite of-- physical fornication and lust, which sin some were committing. It might be noted that the positive behavior is marital sex and sacrificial (agape) love.

Next?

 

[PaulThomson]

EPH 5:4-7, “Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore, do not be partners with them.” Paul encouraged thanksgiving throughout the year, as in 1Thes. 5:18.

“Nor” indicates that Paul continues to describe didachaic doctrines which build on kerygmatic faith in Christ (cf. Eph. 2:8-10). As someone whose life through high school was centered on Christ and my church’s youth group (including Boy Scouts), my first extensive encounter with obscenity was when I got a construction job, and it was interesting how my boss said “f--- you” to convey liking me! My next extensive experience with cursing was when I served as an army chaplain, when my guys would always apologize when they did so in my presence, which prompted me to share a sermon on three types of expletives: f, s and gd. I admit that ever since junior high school I have sometimes let the s or d words drop instead using a euphemism—almost always when some inanimate object attacks me.

Anyway, I share all of this to explain why I think Paul does not mean occasional slips of the tongue will condemn a soul to hell, but rather that we should cooperate with the HS in eliminating such bad habits (Phil. 3:12-15). “Immoral” typically means fornication, as in Eph. 5:3, and “greed” refers to lust for money (Matt. 6:24, 1Tim. 6:10). Souls who continue to commit such serious sins after supposedly repenting need to examine whether their faith is genuine (1Cor. 11:28, 2Cor. 13:5). Avoiding associating with such people will help an immature Christian not to succumb to temptation (1Cor. 5:11). “Empty” words that deceive in this context would seem to refer to Gal. 5:13, “Do not use your freedom [forgiveness because of saving faith in Christ] to indulge the sinful nature.”

Literal translation of the Greek text -
Eph 5:4 And filthiness/shamefulness/disgrace (καὶ αἰσχρότης) and foolish talk, (καὶ μωρολογία) nor witty repartee (ἢ εὐτραπελία), the things (τὰ) not (οὐκ) being arrived at again and again (ἀνήκοντα, present active participle): but (ἀλλὰ ) rather (μᾶλλον) thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία).
Eph 5:5
For this (τοῦτο γὰρ) you are (ἔστε) knowing (γινώσκοντες , present active participle, that (ὅτι) every whoremonger, (πᾶς πόρνος) or unclean person (ἢ ἀκάθαρτος), or covetous man (ἢ πλεονέκτης), who (ὅς) is (ἐστιν) an idolater, (εἰδωλολάτρης) does not have (οὐκ ἔχει) an inheritance (κληρονομίαν) in the kingdom (ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ ) of the Christ ( τοῦ Χριστοῦ) and of that which is characteristic of God (καὶ θεοῦ (anarthrous theou).
Eph 5:6 not one (Μηδεὶς) you (ὑμᾶς) let him keep on deceiving (ἀπατάτω, present active imperative) to/for vain words (κενοῖς λόγοις) : through these (διὰ ταῦτα) for (γὰρ) is coming (ἔρχεται) the wrath (ἡ ὀργὴ) of the God (τοῦ θεοῦ) upon the children (ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς) of the disobedience (τῆς ἀπειθείας) .
Eph 5:7 not (μὴ) therefore (οὖν) keep on becoming (γίνεσθε) partakers (συμμέτοχοι) with them ( αὐτῶν·) .

My own paraphrase of the sense of the Greek text -

Eph 5:4 And let not shamefulness and foolish talk continue to be reported among you, nor witty repartee, things that are not good habits to keep, but instead let your thanksgiving be reported more so. 5 For you are well aware that no whoremonger, or unclean person, or covetous person who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, even of those things that are characteristic of God. 6 Don't let anyone keep on deceiving you with empty words, for through these things, things the wrath of God is coming upon the children who have been produced by practising the sin that is after the similitude of Adam's sin. 7 Therefore stop partaking with them in the same deeds, so that you don't also arrive with them at the same end.

1.
And let not shamefulness and foolish talk continue to be reported among you, nor witty repartee. These are things that are good habits to keep ..."
In verse 3 Paul listed fornication and uncleanness and covetousness as three things that should not be happening in the church. These are condemning deeds. The greek word anEkeO is from ana (again) and hEkO (to arrive at). So, to arrive at again, hence IMO to repeat. I would suggest that the sense is to identify something that it is well to repeat, to make a habit. Out of the heart the mouth speaks ( Mat 12:34 , Mat 15:18 , Luk 6:45 ). Now Paul warns against mentally unvetted words, which become like a rivulet passing through soil over time cutting a channel that becomes relatively permanent. Indiscriminate unconsidered speech will habituate the soul to expressing instinctively carnal old man thinking that becomes or remains habitual, and will ultimately lead to promiscuous, unclean, covetous and idolatrous actions that condemn, if not arrested. Therefore, Paul warns that unconsidered unfiltered speech is not something to be reported as habitual among saints.

2. "but instead let thanksgiving be reported more so.

Giving thanks is a safe use of the lips, and there can be no harm in being reported as a people always being thankful to God and siblings.

3. "5 For you are well aware that no whoremonger, or unclean person, or covetous person who is an idolater has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ ..."

Paul lists again the three behaviours mentioned in verse 3: fornication, uncleanness and covetousness. Paul uses the verb you are + the present participle knowing) to affirm that the Ephesians are presently fully aware, presumably because he taught them so when among them, that those habitually practising these will be denied entry into the millennial kingdom of Christ. It seems to have been something he underscored rather emphatically in his original teaching to the Ephesians, that he assumes they could not possibly have forgotten it.
4. "... and those things that are characteristic of God."
According to the Newberry Reference Bible, "THE ABSENCE OF THE ARTICLE in the Greek, especially in those instances in which the word "the" is required by the idiom of the "ha" English language, shows that the word following is to be understood as CHARACTERISTIC. As in Mat. 1:1 "The book of the generation," &c. John 1:1, "And the word was God."

If we grant and apply this interpretative principle to this verse 5, since God has no definite article, Paul has in mind not God as a definite object, but God characteristically. In other words, such persons have no inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and no inheritance in the divine kingdom, i.e. the kingdom that belongs to Christ and operates fully on divine principles.

5. "6 Don't let anyone keep on deceiving you with empty words, for through these things things - promiscuity, uncleanness and covetous idolatry - the wrath of God is coming..."

Paul's use of the present continuous implies that Paul is aware that some Ephesians are presently being deceived into thinking that promiscuity, uncleanness and covetousness will not exclude them from inheriting the millennial kingdom. They should stop being fooled. God's unleashing of the destructive forces who want to destroy mankind but are presently being restrained by God's forces will be released on such people, so we should be careful not to be found practising them at His coming.

6. " ... upon the children who have been produced by practising the disobedience that is after the similitude of Adam's sin."

The genitive noun (of the disobedience) in the phrase "the children of the disobedience" has a definite article. So, Paul has in mind a specific objective disobedience. Maybe he has in mind the disobedience of Adam. The disobedience that is the transgression-of-a-clear-command kind of sin (paraptOma) Rom 5:14 , the sin after the manner of Adam, rather than the falling-short-of-godly-glory kind of sin (hamartia) Rom 3:23.

7. "7 Therefore stop partaking with them in the same deeds, so that you don't also arrive with them at the same end."

Paul uses the present imperative. He want them not to be doing something they are already doing. He wants them to stop practising promiscuity, uncleanness, greed and idolatry, because these kinds of sins will exclude them from the first resurrection and the millennial reign of Christ. .

 

[PaulThomson]

EPH 5:8-12, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret."

“Darkness” signifies atheism (as in John 1:5), which produces evil fruit including murder and lies (per Jesus in John 8:42-44). Believers in Christ are the light of the world (Matt. 5:14) to the degree they reflect the Light of God’s Word (John 1:1-9) by means of good/right behavior and sharing the Truth that teaches what pleases the Lord (Rom. 12:2). This refers to doctrines that build on the Gospel foundation (Matt. 28:20, John 16:13, Col. 2:6-7, 2Tim. 3:15-17, Eph. 2:10).

Darkness is reproved and the world enlightened when the Light is not hidden (Matt. 5:14-16). Paul leaves it to the readers imagination what sort of shameful sins unbelievers commit behind closed doors.

Literal translation of the Greek text -

Eph 5:8 You were (ἦτε, imperfect tense) for (γάρ) sometimes (ποτε) darkness (σκότος), but now (νῦν δὲ) light ( φῶς) in/by means of what characterises the Lord (ἐν κυρίῳ): as (ὡς) children (τέκνα) of light (φωτὸς) keep on walking (περιπατεῖτε present active imperative):
Eph 5:9 For the fruit (ὁ γὰρ καρπὸς , singular) of the Spirit (τοῦ Πνεύματος ) is in all goodness (ἐν πάσῃ ἀγαθωσύνῃ) and righteousness (καὶ δικαιοσύνῃ) and truth; (καὶ ἀληθείᾳ)
Eph 5:10 Proving (δοκιμάζοντες present active participle) what (τί ) is (ἐστιν) acceptable (εὐάρεστον) to/for the Lord. (τῷ κυρίῳ)
Eph 5:11 And (καὶ) do not continue having fellowship (μὴ συγκοινωνεῖτε present active imperative) to/for the works (τοῖς ἔργοις ) the unfruitful (τοῖς ἀκάρποις) of the darkness (τοῦ σκότους) , but more so (μᾶλλον δὲ) even (καὶ) continue to reprove (ἐλέγχετε present active imperative)
Eph 5:12 They (τὰ) for (γὰρ) secretly (κρυφῇ) are being done (γινόμενα present passive participle) under them (ὑπ᾽ αὐτῶν) a shame (αἰσχρόν) it is (ἐστιν) even (καὶ) to say (λέγειν).

My own paraphrase of the sense of the Greek text -

Eph 5:8 For at one time you were by nature darkness, but now you are by nature light, as you abide in what is according to the Lord's nature. Keep on walking as enlightened children. 9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth, 10 that goodness, righteousness and truth proving what in your walk is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And stop associating together for the unfruitful works of the darkness, but even more important than not meeting up with them, continue to reprove them for what they are doing 12 For the things secretly being done by them, it is a shame even to mention.

1. "Eph 5:8 For at one time you were by nature darkness, but now you are by nature light, as you abide in what is according to the Lord's nature. " -

The anarthrous "darkness" and "light" and "Lord" indicate Paul is not referring to light, darkness and the Lord per se, but to things that are characteristic of the light, the darkness and the Lord. We were not darkness itself, but we had the nature of darkness. We are not light itself, but we have the nature of light. And Paul is not saying that we are located inside the Lord, although we are, but that we are in harmony with His nature.

2. "Keep on walking as enlightened children." -

The Ephesians, or some of them at least, are already walking as those with the characteristics of light. Paul is encouraging them to keep on walking in that manner.

3. " 9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all that is characteristic of goodness and righteousness and truth... " -

The fruit of the Spirit is another way of saying "that which is by nature light" "or characteristic of light"; and "that which is characteristic of the Lord", or "is according to the Lord's nature". These attributes characteristic of light and the Lord include such things as what is characteristic of goodness, what is characteristic of righteousness and what is characteristic of truth.

4. " 10 with that goodness, righteousness and truth evidencing what is acceptable to the Lord in your walk. " -

Good, righteous and true aspects in our walk are objective evidence to others and ourselves that there are things in our lifestyle that are acceptably to the Lord.

5. "11 And stop associating together for the unfruitful works of the darkness," -

The present imperative commands the Ephesians to stop what they are already practising, meeting together with other Christians for activities that are morally shady. If we know that there we are going to participate in shady activities when we meet up with certain people, we should not attend.

6. "... but even more important than not meeting up with them, continue to reprove them for what they are doing." -

It is wise not to attend events at which you know Christians will be misbehaving, but even better is also to point out to them the dangers to their relationship with God their compromising with ungodliness will pose.

7. "12 For the things secretly being done by them, it is a shame even to mention." -

These things are being done secretly, without the rest of the church being notified, for a reason. Because the participants know that their integrity will come into question. If we love God and it is embarrassing to mention what some church member is doing, we should probably raise the issue with that person privately and find out if they have a godly reason for behaving that way.

 

[GWH]

Literal translation of the Greek text -
Eph 5:4 And filthiness/shamefulness/disgrace (καὶ αἰσχρότης) and foolish talk, (καὶ μωρολογία) nor witty repartee (ἢ εὐτραπελία), the things (τὰ) not (οὐκ) being arrived at again and again (ἀνήκοντα, present active participle): but (ἀλλὰ ) rather (μᾶλλον) thanksgiving (εὐχαριστία).
Eph 5:5
For this (τοῦτο γὰρ) you are (ἔστε) knowing (γινώσκοντες , present active participle, that (ὅτι) every whoremonger, (πᾶς πόρνος) or unclean person (ἢ ἀκάθαρτος), or covetous man (ἢ πλεονέκτης), who (ὅς) is (ἐστιν) an idolater, (εἰδωλολάτρης) does not have (οὐκ ἔχει) an inheritance (κληρονομίαν) in the kingdom (ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ ) of the Christ ( τοῦ Χριστοῦ) and of that which is characteristic of God (καὶ θεοῦ (anarthrous theou).
Eph 5:6 not one (Μηδεὶς) you (ὑμᾶς) let him keep on deceiving (ἀπατάτω, present active imperative) to/for vain words (κενοῖς λόγοις) : through these (διὰ ταῦτα) for (γὰρ) is coming (ἔρχεται) the wrath (ἡ ὀργὴ) of the God (τοῦ θεοῦ) upon the children (ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς) of the disobedience (τῆς ἀπειθείας) .
Eph 5:7 not (μὴ) therefore (οὖν) keep on becoming (γίνεσθε) partakers (συμμέτοχοι) with them ( αὐτῶν·) .

My own paraphrase of the sense of the Greek text -

Eph 5:4 And let not shamefulness and foolish talk continue to be reported among you, nor witty repartee, things that are not good habits to keep, but instead let your thanksgiving be reported more so. 5 For you are well aware that no whoremonger, or unclean person, or covetous person who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, even of those things that are characteristic of God. 6 Don't let anyone keep on deceiving you with empty words, for through these things, things the wrath of God is coming upon the children who have been produced by practising the sin that is after the similitude of Adam's sin. 7 Therefore stop partaking with them in the same deeds, so that you don't also arrive with them at the same end.

1.
And let not shamefulness and foolish talk continue to be reported among you, nor witty repartee. These are things that are good habits to keep ..."
In verse 3 Paul listed fornication and uncleanness and covetousness as three things that should not be happening in the church. These are condemning deeds. The greek word anEkeO is from ana (again) and hEkO (to arrive at). So, to arrive at again, hence IMO to repeat. I would suggest that the sense is to identify something that it is well to repeat, to make a habit. Out of the heart the mouth speaks ( Mat 12:34 , Mat 15:18 , Luk 6:45 ). Now Paul warns against mentally unvetted words, which become like a rivulet passing through soil over time cutting a channel that becomes relatively permanent. Indiscriminate unconsidered speech will habituate the soul to expressing instinctively carnal old man thinking that becomes or remains habitual, and will ultimately lead to promiscuous, unclean, covetous and idolatrous actions that condemn, if not arrested. Therefore, Paul warns that unconsidered unfiltered speech is not something to be reported as habitual among saints.

2. "but instead let thanksgiving be reported more so.

Giving thanks is a safe use of the lips, and there can be no harm in being reported as a people always being thankful to God and siblings.

3. "5 For you are well aware that no whoremonger, or unclean person, or covetous person who is an idolater has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ ..."

Paul lists again the three behaviours mentioned in verse 3: fornication, uncleanness and covetousness. Paul uses the verb you are + the present participle knowing) to affirm that the Ephesians are presently fully aware, presumably because he taught them so when among them, that those habitually practising these will be denied entry into the millennial kingdom of Christ. It seems to have been something he underscored rather emphatically in his original teaching to the Ephesians, that he assumes they could not possibly have forgotten it.
4. "... and those things that are characteristic of God."
According to the Newberry Reference Bible, "THE ABSENCE OF THE ARTICLE in the Greek, especially in those instances in which the word "the" is required by the idiom of the "ha" English language, shows that the word following is to be understood as CHARACTERISTIC. As in Mat. 1:1 "The book of the generation," &c. John 1:1, "And the word was God."

If we grant and apply this interpretative principle to this verse 5, since God has no definite article, Paul has in mind not God as a definite object, but God characteristically. In other words, such persons have no inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and no inheritance in the divine kingdom, i.e. the kingdom that belongs to Christ and operates fully on divine principles.

5. "6 Don't let anyone keep on deceiving you with empty words, for through these things things - promiscuity, uncleanness and covetous idolatry - the wrath of God is coming..."

Paul's use of the present continuous implies that Paul is aware that some Ephesians are presently being deceived into thinking that promiscuity, uncleanness and covetousness will not exclude them from inheriting the millennial kingdom. They should stop being fooled. God's unleashing of the destructive forces who want to destroy mankind but are presently being restrained by God's forces will be released on such people, so we should be careful not to be found practising them at His coming.

6. " ... upon the children who have been produced by practising the disobedience that is after the similitude of Adam's sin."

The genitive noun (of the disobedience) in the phrase "the children of the disobedience" has a definite article. So, Paul has in mind a specific objective disobedience. Maybe he has in mind the disobedience of Adam. The disobedience that is the transgression-of-a-clear-command kind of sin (paraptOma) Rom 5:14 , the sin after the manner of Adam, rather than the falling-short-of-godly-glory kind of sin (hamartia) Rom 3:23.

7. "7 Therefore stop partaking with them in the same deeds, so that you don't also arrive with them at the same end."

Paul uses the present imperative. He want them not to be doing something they are already doing. He wants them to stop practising promiscuity, uncleanness, greed and idolatry, because these kinds of sins will exclude them from the first resurrection and the millennial reign of Christ. .

Re #1&2: Yes, it is well nigh impossible to curse while giving thanks unless one is a ventriloquist.
Have you ever had a problem with verbal air pollution as I have?

Re the rest: Paul seemed to recognize without explicitly saying so that faith can be counterfeit, so when he speaks of being
saved by faith, he means by genuine faith that produces love as the logical result of having the HS without the need for being commanded or obedience to additional laws per Galatians:

TOP #135: The only thing that matters with regard to satisfying GRFS is having faith that is expressed through love. [Gal. 5:6&14, cf. TOP #27-29 & TOJ #129] Love in its various forms manifests the fruit of the Spirit (called the “new creation” in 6:15). Those who pervert this truth, thereby leavening the Gospel with heresy, deserve their penalty including emasculation (5:7-12).

TOP #136: Do not cite freedom in Christ as an excuse for committing sins. [Gal. 5:13] These sins or “acts of the sinful nature” include: sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, rage, drunkenness… and conceit (5:16-20&26). These evil behaviors manifest the opposite of saving faith and love or living/being led “by the Spirit”.

TOP #137: Those who claim to believe in Christ but habitually commit gross sins are not bound for heaven. [Gal. 5:21, cf. #141] This is the basis for viewing some sins as venial or forgivable rather than as mortal, referring to evil habits rather than to isolated incidents (cf. TOP #135).

TOP #138: The fruit of the Spirit is love in various manifestations. [Gal. 5:22-23] This teaching elaborates #135. The varieties of love include such qualities as joy TOP #189), peace (#64), patience (#155), kindness (#166), goodness (#187&188), faithfulness (#9&15), gentleness (#192) and self-control (Tit. 2:2-12 = TOP #214), which seems to mean sobriety. Paul pointed out that there are no laws against these attributes.

TOP #139: Saving faith consists in cooperating with God’s Word/Spirit. [Gal. 5:25] This is described as keeping “in step with the Spirit” and the “new creation” (in 6:15, cf. TOP #135).

 

[GWH]

EPH 5:19-20, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

As a person who believes the ability to compose good music is given by God, I appreciate Paul commending both old hymns and contemporary Christian music, and I am glad he did not also condemn the enjoyment of secular songs as long as they do not advocate ungodly beliefs and immoral behaviors. (We have been citing some of these on the Mining Secular Music for Biblical Nuggets thread.)

As a P.S. to Ephesians 5:13-20 one might look at Romans 13:11-14, “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber… and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”

 

[GWH]

EPH 5:21-24, Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

The correct interpretation of this passage hinges upon keeping in mind the command for mutual submission, which agrees with the teaching of Jesus (in Matt. 20:26-28 & 23:11) that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven will be the servant of all, just as he did not come to be served but to give his life.

With this understanding, we can see that Paul envisions a perfect marriage in which the husband is spiritually mature or Christlike and loves his wife sacrificially as the wife does her husband. When the husband is NOT like Christ, perhaps the statement of Peter in Acts 5:29 (“We must obey God rather than men”) applies.

 

[GWH]

EPH 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”

Continuing to keep in mind the mutual submission mentioned in v. 21, we understand that husbands should love their wives sacrificially, just as wives should love their husbands. The purpose of such love goes beyond romance to motivate spiritual and moral completion, comparable to the atonement of Christ. We note the connection of water baptism with Spirit baptism or God’s Word (cf. Col. 2:11-12).

“Radiance” reminds readers of the glory of God that is signified in Scripture by light (e.g., Luke 2:9), “without blemish” refers to the OT foreshadowing of the lamb of God/Messiah (as in Lev. 22:21, cf. John 1:29), and “holy and blameless” describes the incarnate Christ (in Heb. 7:26-28).

 

[GWH]

EPH 5:28-30. “In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body.”

In the same way that Christ loves his church body, a husband should love his wife, considering her to be his own body. In 1Corinthians 7:3-4 Paul said that the husband and wife should view their bodies as shared for “marital duty”. There are two teachings of Jesus that seem to be related to these passages: Matthew 19:6, which says that the husband and wife are one; and Matthew 22:39, which says to love your neighbor as yourself. Christ feeds his church body via the Holy Spirit’s teaching of God’s Word, which is spiritual food (Matt. 4:4, 1Cor. 3:2, 1Pet. 2:2).

 

[GWH]

EPH 5:31-33, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Paul quoted Genesis 2:24, which does not specify the reason, but it can be inferred that it is for the purpose of creating the body we call “family” and that Paul compares this institution to the spiritual family we call “church”. Again, the meaning of “one flesh” is indicated by Jesus in Matthew 19:4-6, but the meaning indicated by Paul is that Christ is united with believers spiritually or via the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

“However” refers back to Eph. 5:21-25 with the implication that a loving husband will be respected by a loving wife, so there should be no division either in the family or in the church body (Rom. 16:17, 1Cor. 1:10, 11:17-19, 12:25, Eph. 4:4).

 

[GWH]

EPH 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” is the first commandment with a promise—that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Children should obey their godly parents. When parents give ungodly commands, perhaps the situation is comparable to the spousal situation cited previously and the statement of Peter in Acts 5:29 also applies in this case. This is also similar to the relationship between Christians and government described in Romans 13:1-5.

Paul referred to the fifth of the Ten Commandments (Exo. 20:12). Righteous living tends to result in prosperity and long life, as stated also in Deut. 28:1-13.

 

[GWH]

EPH 6:4, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Fathers probably can include mothers and thus mean “parents”. The first priority for parents should be to have a relationship
with their children that is loving, so the children will want to learn about God and cooperate with both their godly instructions
and God’s teachings in Scripture.

 

[GWH]

EPH 6:5-8, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.”

The instruction for slaves is essentially the same as that for Christians, wives and children, implying that Christ, spouses, parents and masters are godly, loving or respectable, so that cooperating with their commands is done willingly and joyfully (and that Acts 5:29 is operative when commands contradict GW).

 

[GWH]

EPH 6:9, “Masters, treat your slaves in the same way [as Christian parents should treat their children and husbands treat their wives].
Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”

Just as the status of slaves was comparable to that of wives and children (and citizens), so also the status of masters was comparable to that of husbands and parents (and governors). Both sets of people should be Christians who love others with the love of Christ. Those who have social advantages on earth are no better than the poor or disadvantaged in God’s eyes. Ideally, governors would rule by consensus.

 

[GWH]

EPH 6:10-13, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

Having begun the epistle of Ephesians by indicating eleven times that God’s eternal purpose was for souls to be in Christ (Eph. 1:3-13), Paul concludes by encouraging believers to remain in the Lord. We saw that the power Paul has in mind is love (Eph. 3:16-19).

Standing against the devil is akin to the urging of James to resist the devil by submitting to God (Jam. 4:7). Thus, the schemes and struggle must refer to temptations to hate/sin prompted by demons described as rulers, authorities, powers and spiritual forces, and when temptation happens, the spiritual struggle/war is waged in the way God has provided, which is represented by physical armor.

 

[GWH]

EPH 6:14-17, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

In this passage Paul told the Ephesians how they could stand firm or be strong in the Lord, comparing spiritual weapons with physical armament, citing the need for truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation and the word of God or Holy Spirit. The order seems to be arbitrary, because the student of Paul’s teachings might have expected faith in the gospel of salvation to be first and identified with truth or God’s Word, followed by righteousness and love as believers become mature or more like Christ (Eph. 4:13-16).

 

[GWH]

EPH 6:18-20, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

Paul alludes to the kinds of prayers for various occasions. Prayer is simply talking to God. The power of prayer is God’s, and believers should not talk as though God would not act if they did not pray. There are about five main kinds of prayer:

1. The kerygmatic prayer that is necessary in order for a sinner be saved and walk with God is confession (1John 1:9, Psa. 32:1-5).

2. When a believer confesses sin and is refilled by the Spirit, he/she experiences divine love, joy and peace (Gal. 5:22-23), which prompts prayers giving thanks. Jesus led a prayer of thanksgiving during the Last Supper (1Cor. 11:23-24). Paul frequently expressed thankfulness for believers he had helped to convert and who had helped support his ministry (1Thes. 1:2, Phil. 1:3), and he instructed believers to “Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.” (1Thes. 5:17-18)

3. A type of prayer akin to thanksgiving is praise, which expresses love and glory to God for who He is and what He means to us. Numerous Psalms express this type of prayer (from Psa. 9:1-2 to Psa. 150:1-6). Hebrews 13:15 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice [prayer] of praise.” Revelation 5:13 refers to prayers of praise in heaven.

4. A fourth kind of prayer is petition, which may be the most used and least understood type. The Lord’s Sample Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13) includes a series of petitions. In Philippians 4:6 Paul taught: “By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

5. A petition in which we ask God for something on behalf of another person is called intercession. We have noted that Paul frequently interceded for others (Eph. 1:16-18, Php. 1:3-4&9, Col. 1:3&9), and he asked believers to pray for him (Eph. 6:18-20, Col. 4:3-4, 1Tim. 2:1, 2Thes. 3:1), so perhaps intercession should be our most frequent type of petition (Eph. 6:18b).

 

[GWH]

EPH 6:21-24, “Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.”

After ending his message in Ephesians by comparing spiritual faith to the physical armor of the soldiers who guarded him, Paul concluded his epistle by mentioning its carrier, Tychicus, who is also named in Acts 20:4, Colossians 4:7-8, 2Timothy 4:12 and Titus 3:12.

Then Paul gave his blessing/prayer/desire for the recipients to have peace, faith in God/Christ and enduring love. At this point, we know from Eph. 2:8-17 that Paul viewed saving faith as synonymous with peace with God (cf. Eph. 4:3-5), and he viewed love as the primary work/gift resulting from God’s grace (Eph. 2:10, 3:16-19 & 4:7-15).

This concludes our systematic study of Ephesians.
Does anyone want to suggest another topic?

 

[GWH]

On CC we discuss doctrines in a rather hit and miss fashion, but I wonder whether a few of you would like to participate
as a fellowship in a systematic study of the Bible. I suggest that we begin with Paul's epistle to the Ephesians,
because much of it is on the very topic of learning and applying God's Word.

Systematic means methodically mining the text for its teaching and harmonizing it with other passages on the same topic.
For example, in EPH 1:1 we read, "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God."

This verse might prompt questions including: Who was Paul? What is an apostle? Why of Christ Jesus? How by God's will?

Is anyone else interested in a prayerful exploration and congenial discussion of Ephesians?

Not seeing any suggestions for further systematic study of GW at the moment, I will share why I chose to begin with Ephesians.
It is my favorite epistle (the page edges of my NIV are dirtiest at chapter 4) because it contains several key doctrines:

1. God's plan of salvation (POS) predetermined to save everyone who accepts Jesus as Christ/Messiah (Eph. 1:11-13).
2. God's will is for saints to reflect the love of the HS more and more until they are completely sanctified (Eph. 1:15-20 & 3:16-19).
3. God graces sinners with faith sufficient to be saved and sanctified, which is not meritorious (Eph. 2:1-10).
4. God's salvation is meant for everyone, both Jews and Gentiles; it is God's peace plan (Eph. 2:11-22).
5. God's POS progressed in stages of revelation: creation & conscience, the OT law & prophets, the NT atonement of Christ (Eph. 3:2-13).
6. There is one God, Spirit, Lord, hope, faith, baptism and body of Christ (Eph. 4:4-6).
7. God/Christ desires for saints/saved sinners to become mature or completely loving (Eph. 4:7-16).
8. The way saints mature is by building on the Gospel foundation (kerygma) with learning GW about moral teachings (Eph. 4:11-15).
9. GW regarding Christlike morality (didache) includes speaking truthfully without anger and working to earn a living (Eph. 4:20-32).
10. Additional moral teachings include: no fornication, obscenity, greed and drunkenness (Eph. 5:3-18).
11. Christian behavior consists of consensual relationships between spouses, parents & children and bosses & workers (Eph. 5:21-6:9).
12. Christian saints must wage spiritual war against doubt and temptation by means of God's power and prayer (Eph. 6:10-18).

 

[PaulThomson]

EPH 5:13-16, “Everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is the light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Paul cited physical light as a metaphor in order to teach a spiritual truth, which is stated after interjecting a saying that must have been current at that time, apparently urging unbelievers to wake up or repent and allow Christ to shine through them (cf. Matt. 5:14-16), because Paul's conclusion was to live carefully and wisely, because evil can occur at any time. In the words of 1 Peter 5:8, “Be self-controlled and alert; your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour.”

EPH 5:13-16, “Everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is the light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Paul cited physical light as a metaphor in order to teach a spiritual truth, which is stated after interjecting a saying that must have been current at that time, apparently urging unbelievers to wake up or repent and allow Christ to shine through them (cf. Matt. 5:14-16), because Paul's conclusion was to live carefully and wisely, because evil can occur at any time. In the words of 1 Peter 5:8, “Be self-controlled and alert; your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour.”

EPH 5:13-16, “Everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is the light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: ‘Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Paul cited physical light as a metaphor in order to teach a spiritual truth, which is stated after interjecting a saying that must have been current at that time, apparently urging unbelievers to wake up or repent and allow Christ to shine through them (cf. Matt. 5:14-16), because Paul's conclusion was to live carefully and wisely, because evil can occur at any time. In the words of 1 Peter 5:8, “Be self-controlled and alert; your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour.”

A literal translation of the Greek text -

Eph 5:13
But all things (τὰ δὲ πάντα) being rebuked (ἐλεγχόμενα, present passive participle) under/by the light (ὑπὸ τοῦ φωτὸς) are being made manifest (φανεροῦται, present passive indicative): for the thing being manifested (γάρ τό φανερούμενον, present passive participle) light (φῶς) is (ἐστίν).5:13 τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐλεγχόμενα ὑπὸ τοῦ φωτὸς φανεροῦται πᾶν γάρ τό φανερούμενον φῶς ἐστίν
Eph 5:14
Through which he is saying (διὸ λέγει, present active indicative), "Start waking up (Ἔγειραι, aorist active imperative) the one sleeping (ὁ καθεύδων, present active participle), and start standing up (καὶ ἀνάστα, second aorist active imperative) out from the dead ones (ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν), and He shall give light (καὶ ἐπιφαύσει, future indicative active) to you ( σοι) the Christ (ὁ Χριστός).5:14 διὸ λέγει Ἔγειραι, ὁ καθεύδων καὶ ἀνάστα ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν καὶ ἐπιφαύσει σοι ὁ Χριστός
Eph 5:15
Keep on watching therefore (Βλέπετε οὖν, present active imperative) how (πῶς) circumspectly (ἀκριβῶς), you are walking (περιπατεῖτε, present active indicative), not as fools, (μὴ ὡς ἄσοφο) but as wise (ἀλλ᾽ ὡς σοφοί),5:15 Βλέπετε οὖν πῶς ἀκριβῶς περιπατεῖτε μὴ ὡς ἄσοφοι ἀλλ᾽ ὡς σοφοί
Eph 5:16
Redeeming (ἐξαγοραζόμενοι, present passive participle) the time(τὸν καιρόν), because (ὅτι) the days (αἱ ἡμέραι) evil (πονηραί) are (εἰσιν). 5:16 ἐξαγοραζόμενοι τὸν καιρόν ὅτι αἱ ἡμέραι πονηραί εἰσιν
Eph 5:17
Because of this fact (διὰ τοῦτο) do not keep on becoming (μὴ γίνεσθε, present middle deponent imperative) unwise (ἄφρονες), but (ἀλλὰ) become understanding (συνιέντες, present active participle) what (τί) the will (τὸ θέλημα) of the Lord (τοῦ κυρίου) is.
5:17 διὰ τοῦτο μὴ γίνεσθε ἄφρονες ἀλλὰ συνιέντες τί τὸ θέλημα τοῦ κυρίου.

My own paraphrase of the sense of the Greek text -

5:13 But all things that are being rebuked are being exposed when put under the spotlight; for the thing really being exposed is light itself, 14 through which God is saying to the evildoer,
"Wake up, sleeper, and stand up out from those who are dead and Christ shall give light to you."15 Therefore, keep on watching how carefully you are walking, not as fools but as those who are wise, 16 redeeming the time, because these days are evil. 17 And because these days are evil, stop becoming unwise stewards, but become stewards who understand what the Lord's will is.