Ephesians 5
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EPHESIANS 5:1-4:
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. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. |
 Wayne Barber
In Ephesians 1 we find the riches of our salvation. It is important for every believer to know who he is and what he has in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3 sums it all up. He says He has given us every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus. The First National Bank of God is Jesus Christ, and we have everything spiritually that we will ever need in Him. We are rich today in Jesus Christ. --Wayne Barber
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Ephesians 5:6:
"Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." |
He has convinced himself of God's favor, so therefore believes God is pleased and will guarantee him a spot in heaven. It is a false gospel with a false notion that God is waiting in hopeful anticipation of yet another coming to 'accept him'. In all this, God is taken off the throne and relegated powerless. With the simple act of raising a hand and walking down an aisle, men and women are assured that they are now "saved" and told to never doubt their 'salvation.' God's word tells us, examine yourselves! |
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Ephesians 5:8:
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light |
Wisdom about evil does not mean gazing at it, thinking about it, dwelling upon it. To do so is to be overcome. Our victory in Christ is lived out by faith – believing His promises and setting our eyes up there, not down here. -Jeff Crippen |
Steve Gallagher
"As saints (literally 'called out ones') we are to live as "strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13). We are to 'keep seeking the things above" (Colossians 3:1), 'for our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20). True conversion results in a translation from the 'domain of darkness' into the 'kingdom of His beloved Son." (Colossians 1:13). When a man is saved out of darkness and into dominion of Light, and 'what fellowship has light with darkness?" (II Cor 6:14).
Paul told the Ephesians, "You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light." (Eph 5:8). Our distinction in the world is supposed to be that we are light, which is frequently contrasted in the Bible with "the darkness of this world." Eph 6:12). So when does their Lifestyle of the American Christian offer little, if any, distinction from the lifestyle of the rest of the American population? If one is light and the other darkness, why is it nearly impossible to tell them apart?
The answer is a phenomenon that has become a hallmark of the evangelical movement; they are Americans first and Christians second. American Evangelicals have created a church subculture, and even a gospel, that suits their entertainment-driven and prosperity-laden lifestyles, and in doing so have introduced their own sanctified brand of the American dream. How many Christians that you know live just as much for the weekend as the rest of their unsaved coworkers? How many worldly fashions and in just as much debt while endeavoring to fill their houses full of all the same adult toys?
The heart of a person who has grown up in these kinds of environment is fertile ground for sexual sin. Consider what THE Lord said when He revealed the root of Sodom's sins:
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and carless case, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus, they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore, I removed them when I saw it."(Ezekiel 16:49-540)
This passage exposes the indulgent lifestyle that precipitated the gross immorality that became their hallmark. Their prosperity allowed them to pursue comfort and pleasure as the overriding concerns of life. Rather than meeting the needs of the poor, they lived for themselves. Eventually sexual sin overran their culture." --Steve Gallagher; At The Idol of Sexual Idolatry
Paul told the Ephesians, "You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light." (Eph 5:8). Our distinction in the world is supposed to be that we are light, which is frequently contrasted in the Bible with "the darkness of this world." Eph 6:12). So when does their Lifestyle of the American Christian offer little, if any, distinction from the lifestyle of the rest of the American population? If one is light and the other darkness, why is it nearly impossible to tell them apart?
The answer is a phenomenon that has become a hallmark of the evangelical movement; they are Americans first and Christians second. American Evangelicals have created a church subculture, and even a gospel, that suits their entertainment-driven and prosperity-laden lifestyles, and in doing so have introduced their own sanctified brand of the American dream. How many Christians that you know live just as much for the weekend as the rest of their unsaved coworkers? How many worldly fashions and in just as much debt while endeavoring to fill their houses full of all the same adult toys?
The heart of a person who has grown up in these kinds of environment is fertile ground for sexual sin. Consider what THE Lord said when He revealed the root of Sodom's sins:
Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and carless case, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus, they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore, I removed them when I saw it."(Ezekiel 16:49-540)
This passage exposes the indulgent lifestyle that precipitated the gross immorality that became their hallmark. Their prosperity allowed them to pursue comfort and pleasure as the overriding concerns of life. Rather than meeting the needs of the poor, they lived for themselves. Eventually sexual sin overran their culture." --Steve Gallagher; At The Idol of Sexual Idolatry
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Ephesians 5:15-21:
“See then that ye walk circumspectly (meaning accurately or precisely with great care) , not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God…” |
"He who sings prays twice.” -St. Augustine of Hippo It should be recognized that every individual created by God is a diamond in the rough. Diamonds, however, need grinding and polishing to develop their beauty. For this purpose God instituted the marriage relation as one of the central workshops in which that grinding and polishing process takes place. The dust and sparks may have to fly a bit in the workshop, but the two need each other in the refining process just as the diamond needs grindstone. And the submitting of each partner to this polishing operation is the key to both marriage and harmony and their individual development in the plan of God. --Stanley a Ellisen (Divorce and Remarriage in the Church p32) |
Daniel Ploof
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1–2a).
Our souls crave deeper intimacy with the Lord, but unfortunately, we often don’t know where to begin. We’re pulled in countless directions with busyness to the point where we assume we don’t have any time available to invest into our spiritual growth, but is that entirely true? Does our greatest problem simply boil down to a lack of time or could it actually be a priority issue instead? Do we not have the ability to think creatively and carve out time for God in our daily schedules even if we only have a few minutes?
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16).
If we’re honest, our struggle is NOT time. Rather, our problem begins and ends with treating our spiritual well-being as a chore. It all comes down to perspective, but our attitude determines our spiritual growth or starvation based on how we view quality time with God. In other words, do we treat spiritual disciplines as burdens we’re expected to do or privileges we get to do? Whether we realize it or not, our souls are crying out for life-giving truth from God’s Word on a daily basis, yet we ignore our hungers pangs and choose to starve instead.
--Daniel Ploof; Wilderness Survival; How to Find Rest for a Weary Soul; 1.25.23
Our souls crave deeper intimacy with the Lord, but unfortunately, we often don’t know where to begin. We’re pulled in countless directions with busyness to the point where we assume we don’t have any time available to invest into our spiritual growth, but is that entirely true? Does our greatest problem simply boil down to a lack of time or could it actually be a priority issue instead? Do we not have the ability to think creatively and carve out time for God in our daily schedules even if we only have a few minutes?
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16).
If we’re honest, our struggle is NOT time. Rather, our problem begins and ends with treating our spiritual well-being as a chore. It all comes down to perspective, but our attitude determines our spiritual growth or starvation based on how we view quality time with God. In other words, do we treat spiritual disciplines as burdens we’re expected to do or privileges we get to do? Whether we realize it or not, our souls are crying out for life-giving truth from God’s Word on a daily basis, yet we ignore our hungers pangs and choose to starve instead.
--Daniel Ploof; Wilderness Survival; How to Find Rest for a Weary Soul; 1.25.23
Summer Jaeger
There’s a monstrous regiment of women who absolutely do not want you to know that worship is warfare. They don’t like all this “warfare” talk. Flying high above the Apostle Paul, they are shocked and appalled that CHRISTIANS would EVER use shield, weaponry, or BATTLE kind of words! One might say it affronts their sense and sensibilities, if that wouldn’t also rustle their bonnets because the Victorian age—ew!
So here’s the real irony of the situation: the enemy knows that worship is warfare, and he knows exactly how to wield that sword. The Christian music scene runs rampant with heresy and apostasy, catechizing Christians everywhere into pagan theology, lulling us into singing God is Mother (or God as “creator”, whatever removes that evil patriarchy from among us). All the while, so-called “confessional” Christians decry warfare language and demand androgynous discipleship in the pews. And we wonder why Russell Moore is producing videos about his favorite Johnny Cash songs while California is outlawing singing in church.
Worship Does SomethingThere’s a reason the enemy doesn’t want you to sing, and that’s because it glorifies God and it changes you. What you sing is what you reflect on. Singing is meditation. Singing is worship. Songs get “stuck” inside of you. Songs move you in one direction or the other. Worship is warfare. A singing people is a revived people. A singing people is a joyful people. A singing people go into battle well. Music and song, well that was God’s idea. And he gave us a hymnal in the form of the largest book in His Word. Ever sang a Psalm? Try it.
Parents, put a song on your children’s lips. Give them Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19). You know the world is going to try to. You know they’re going to learn the words to “Let It Go”, a masterclass in narcissism and obnoxiousness if there ever was one. You can do better. You can teach them to sing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” The honest truth is, you aren’t strong enough to not be singing. Your heart isn’t right enough for your lips to be still. You need Gospel renewal every day. You need the joy of the Lord every single day. You need a constant reminder that Jesus is King because five minutes after you finish your five minute devotional for the day, you might be living like you are king. God has given you tools to fight against your flesh, and one of them is song. How can you make sure you are “rejoicing in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4)? Has the Lord dealt bountifully with you? Sing! (Psalm 13:6). How can you influence others to glorify God? Sing! (Romans 15:9). How can you wage war against your flesh? Sing! (Psalm 40:3).
--Summer Jaeger; Sheologians; Warfare Worship & Unbothered Christianity 7.7.20
So here’s the real irony of the situation: the enemy knows that worship is warfare, and he knows exactly how to wield that sword. The Christian music scene runs rampant with heresy and apostasy, catechizing Christians everywhere into pagan theology, lulling us into singing God is Mother (or God as “creator”, whatever removes that evil patriarchy from among us). All the while, so-called “confessional” Christians decry warfare language and demand androgynous discipleship in the pews. And we wonder why Russell Moore is producing videos about his favorite Johnny Cash songs while California is outlawing singing in church.
Worship Does SomethingThere’s a reason the enemy doesn’t want you to sing, and that’s because it glorifies God and it changes you. What you sing is what you reflect on. Singing is meditation. Singing is worship. Songs get “stuck” inside of you. Songs move you in one direction or the other. Worship is warfare. A singing people is a revived people. A singing people is a joyful people. A singing people go into battle well. Music and song, well that was God’s idea. And he gave us a hymnal in the form of the largest book in His Word. Ever sang a Psalm? Try it.
Parents, put a song on your children’s lips. Give them Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph 5:19). You know the world is going to try to. You know they’re going to learn the words to “Let It Go”, a masterclass in narcissism and obnoxiousness if there ever was one. You can do better. You can teach them to sing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” The honest truth is, you aren’t strong enough to not be singing. Your heart isn’t right enough for your lips to be still. You need Gospel renewal every day. You need the joy of the Lord every single day. You need a constant reminder that Jesus is King because five minutes after you finish your five minute devotional for the day, you might be living like you are king. God has given you tools to fight against your flesh, and one of them is song. How can you make sure you are “rejoicing in the Lord always” (Phil 4:4)? Has the Lord dealt bountifully with you? Sing! (Psalm 13:6). How can you influence others to glorify God? Sing! (Romans 15:9). How can you wage war against your flesh? Sing! (Psalm 40:3).
--Summer Jaeger; Sheologians; Warfare Worship & Unbothered Christianity 7.7.20
When one walks the wise path they see the fruit of their life — and sadly, when one walks the unwise path, they too see the fruit of their life. As we just read in verse 15 we should carefully choose the path that we travel.
Let me if I may describe a few “wrong paths”:
-Easy path: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matthew 7:13).
-Disobedient path: The Bible speaks clearly of those “Who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness (Proverbs 2:13). Also, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4:19).
Things that were at one time shameful to even speak of are paraded in plain view today; this is how far we have strayed from the path God intended us to follow. The Bible speaks of those “Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked (Proverbs 2:14).
-Destructive path: “For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead” (Proverbs 2:18).
-Deadly path: You may be saying at this very moment, “I know what I am doing.” But God says, “There is a way the seems right to a man, But the end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
--Lance Stevens
Let me if I may describe a few “wrong paths”:
-Easy path: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matthew 7:13).
-Disobedient path: The Bible speaks clearly of those “Who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness (Proverbs 2:13). Also, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4:19).
Things that were at one time shameful to even speak of are paraded in plain view today; this is how far we have strayed from the path God intended us to follow. The Bible speaks of those “Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked (Proverbs 2:14).
-Destructive path: “For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead” (Proverbs 2:18).
-Deadly path: You may be saying at this very moment, “I know what I am doing.” But God says, “There is a way the seems right to a man, But the end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
--Lance Stevens
In Ephesians 5:15-21, the Bible says, “See then that ye walk circumspectly (meaning accurately or precisely with great care) , not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God…”
Let me begin by saying that there are two ways to walk in this world, wisely or unwisely.
When one walks the wise path they see the fruit of their life — and sadly, when one walks the unwise path, they too see the fruit of their life. As we just read in verse 15 we should carefully choose the path that we travel.
Let me if I may describe a few “wrong paths”:
-Easy path: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matthew 7:13).
-Disobedient path: The Bible speaks clearly of those “Who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness (Proverbs 2:13). Also, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4:19).
Things that were at one time shameful to even speak of are paraded in plain view today; this is how far we have strayed from the path God intended us to follow. The Bible speaks of those “Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked (Proverbs 2:14).
-Destructive path: “For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead” (Proverbs 2:18).
-Deadly path: You may be saying at this very moment, “I know what I am doing.” But God says, “There is a way the seems right to a man, But the end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
Now how about when we choose the “right path” — carefully determining what you do: “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Next, be careful to choose what we think: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. -Lance Stevens
Let me begin by saying that there are two ways to walk in this world, wisely or unwisely.
When one walks the wise path they see the fruit of their life — and sadly, when one walks the unwise path, they too see the fruit of their life. As we just read in verse 15 we should carefully choose the path that we travel.
Let me if I may describe a few “wrong paths”:
-Easy path: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it” (Matthew 7:13).
-Disobedient path: The Bible speaks clearly of those “Who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness (Proverbs 2:13). Also, “The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4:19).
Things that were at one time shameful to even speak of are paraded in plain view today; this is how far we have strayed from the path God intended us to follow. The Bible speaks of those “Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked (Proverbs 2:14).
-Destructive path: “For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead” (Proverbs 2:18).
-Deadly path: You may be saying at this very moment, “I know what I am doing.” But God says, “There is a way the seems right to a man, But the end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
Now how about when we choose the “right path” — carefully determining what you do: “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Next, be careful to choose what we think: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. -Lance Stevens
| American statesman Bernard Baruch once said “Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in private and public life, have been the consequences of action without thought.”
The exhortation here is to NOT be foolish. The antedote to that is to "understand" what the Lord's will is. Not just to know what it is, but to understand it. Man, in his finite reasoning, may by nature have a limited attention span. If he has no idea why he is doing something he may get lost or give up. If he has some kind of understanding of the purpose, it creates a motivation and for those most inspired it creates an unwavering ability to see the task all the way through, regardless of how things might look on the way. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see," (Heb. 11:1). Faith is not without reason nor is it based on a lack of evidence, as most contemporary dictionaries and ant-theists like to proclaim. |
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Ephesians 5:22:
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. |
 Craig Keener
Some patriarchal husbands today quote Eph 5:22 (“Wives, submit to your husbands”) out of context, much the way slaveholders quoted Eph 6:5. But in Greek, there is no verb in 5:22; it simply says, “Wives, to your husbands. . . .” Of course, Paul is not saying, “Wives, just do to your husbands whatever you want.” Greek grammar presumes that we will carry over the verb from the preceding verse, and that verb is “submit.” But because the verb is carried over from 5:21, it cannot mean something different than it meant in 5:21. The wife’s submission is merely an example of mutual submission, as is the husband sacrificing his life for his wife.
Some object, “But submission is explicit only for the wife!” The command to love, however, is explicit only for the husband (5:25), yet we understand that all Christians should love each another (5:2). Likewise, all Christians should submit to one another (5:21). Although Paul is not trying to cover every circumstance, he offers us a general principle for how we should live: looking out for one another’s interests, listening to one another, loving others more than ourselves. Such advice is in keeping with his explicit teaching elsewhere (e.g., Rom 12:10, 13:8–10, 15:2–3; 1 Cor 13:4–7; Gal 5:14, 6:2), including in the preceding context (Eph 4:32)". - Craig Keener; CBE International |
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Ephesians 5:23:
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. |
If one reads Pauls comments in I Corinthians Chapter 7 there “appears” to be a contradiction. I do not think there is, but I guess I think the Ephesians verses by themselves paint a picture worthy of the Byzantine era when that which was “holy” was separate from the real world. There has to be a pragmatic reality to verse that makes the application practical. (or at least I believe so). The way I see it, Very few, if there are any (I am just opting there might be..I do not know of any) marriages that actually live the Ephesians portrayal of marriage with only that text as the descriptive. I see Paul’s commentary in I Corinthians as basically bringing home the reality of it in a practical sense. So putting them BOTH together (considering the whole counsel) ..the Ephesians verse lays out the standard, but Paul’s commentary lays out the practical reality of the standard: we live in planet earth and there will be problems. And Jesus came before both of the Epistles and clearly stated that marriage ends at death, implying it is worldly institution—one that we can learn from–but still temporal. I just want to be clear that I do not see a contradiction, but I do emphatically do not believe Paul’s comment was about an unsaved vs saved marriage. He had some comments earlier in the chapter about unbelievers marrying believers which should go without saying if those entering into marriage understand anything about love to begin with.
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Ephesians 5:24:
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. |
 Thomas Helwys
The Lord does ‘teach all men everywhere to repent, and they that believe and obey shall be saved. And they that do not believe shall be damned,’ which you shall all be, every one of you that submit to any other government than that most holy and blessed government which Christ has established in his church, whereof he is the head and king. And therefore the church of Christ is ‘in subjection in every thing.’ (Ephesians 5:24)” -Thomas Helwys. In The Mystery of Iniquity.
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Ephesians 5:25-33:
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,
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.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
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.
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.
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,
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.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
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.
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.