24/12/17 Ephesians 5:1-10 “Children of the light should walk in the light”

 

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

 

followers – or imitators. As in the following:

1 Corinthians 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ.

dearagapetos (beloved; esteemed; dear; favourite; worthy of love; dearly beloved) It is translated as “beloved’ in Ephesians 6:21.

That is, in order to avoid giving place to the devil through sin (previous chapter), we should imitate God. And, if God has forgiven them in love, then we should do likewise. Note what we looked at last week:

Ephesians 4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

 

agape (love, particularly that love that God has for man) has already appeared 8 times in Ephesians to this point (and again in the next verse, Ephesians 5:2), and the above word “dear” is the adjectival form of the verb agapao (to love) from which we get the noun form agape (love) which has also been used 8 times to this point (and again in the next verse, Ephesians 5:2).

John 15:13Greater love (agape) hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

We are to imitate God as children imitate their parents. Children copy their parents; Christians copy their heavenly Father. They are learning by example.

1 Peter 2:21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Romans 8:29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

 

Ephesians 5:2And 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 – to conduct one’s self; live or control one’s life. Note 2 Corinthians 5:7For we walk by faith, not by sight:

offering – that which is offered; gift; present; sacrifice offering for sin or expiation.

This emphasises the “gift” aspect of Christ’s offering for sin.

sweetsmellingeuodia (sweet smell; fragrance; incense; odour (of acquiescence); a sweet odour, spoken of the smell of sacrifices and obligations, agreeably to the ancient notion that God smells and is pleased with the odour of sacrifices; metaphorically, a thing well pleasing to God). See its use in the following:

Philippians 4:18But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

 

“And walk (live one’s life) in love (agape) just as (even as) Christ has also loved us (with agape love) and has given Himself for us as a gift and a sacrifice (victim) to God for a sweetsmelling (fragrant; well-pleasing to God) savour (smell; odour).”

 

2 Corinthians 2:14-1614 Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16 To the one [we are] the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who [is] sufficient for these things?

 

Again, the emphasis is upon the example set us by God. Here it is the love of Christ that sets us the perfect example of the love which we are to imitate (See John 15:13). As Paul wrote, such love binds us to a certain course of action, behaviour or belief.

2 Corinthians 5:14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (where “constraineth us” is synecho (from syn + echo – have; hold; possess; cling to) There is a sense here of giving ourselves up to being a gift in love to others as Christ was a gift in love to us.

 

hath given himself for us – as a ransom; see Matthew 20:28Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Not given just to (or for) many, but specifically for me.

Galatians 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

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

 

fornicationporneia (illicit sexual intercourse; adultery; metaphorically, the worship of idols and false gods) Where we get the term “pornography” from.

uncleanness – in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living; of impure motives.

covetousness – greed; avarice; always wanting more than you have.

saints – holy; an attribute of God as in “Be ye holy as I am holy!”

It is actually an adjective and in most cases it has been translated as “holy” as in

Revelation 22:11He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

In other words, such things are unholy, and saints are holy; the two just should not be seen together!

once named – or “even named”. That is, even “once” is once too many!

becometh – to stand out; be conspicuous; seemly; fit.

 

That is, it is not seemly (not fit) for a Christian to be named as (known as) a doer of these sins. Rather, let him be known as one who is holy as God is holy.

1 Peter 1:16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Leviticus 19:2Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God [am] holy.

 

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

 

“Neither filthiness (obscenity; filthy talk), nor foolish (not edifying) talking, nor jesting (ribald or suggestive talk), which are not convenient (not fitting; out of place; out of character): but rather the giving of thanks (thankfulness).”

 

Christians are commanded in everything to give thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

And for those who say it means in everything but not for everything. …. (I’ve heard this taught more than once!) ….. just note the following:

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

And how can praise be continually in your mouth if you are less than thankful for even just one thing?

Psalm 34:1bI will bless the Lord at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.

 

It is difficult to imagine how we can do those things which are not convenient if we are giving thanks for all things continually!

convenient – Translated as “fit” in the following.

Colossians 3:18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

 

Ephesians 5:5For 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.

 

whoremongerpornos (a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire)

unclean person – in a moral sense it means unclean thoughts and living. In the OT law it meant that which must be abstained from according to the law.

covetous man – one who is eager to have more, especially what belongs to others; greedy for gain. Related to “covetousness” in Vs 3 above.

idolatereidololatres (cf. “idolatrous”) (a worshipper of false gods; an idolater; a covetous man as a worshipper of Mammon (meaning material wealth, the greedy pursuit of gain, possibly from a Hebrew word which may mean “money”).

 

These are very hard words for many Christians to take in properly! Whoremonger, unclean persons and covetous men can be seen as definitely wrong, even the worship of false gods, but at what point does a Christian become a seeker after Mammon? It can be said that whatever is most important in our lives is our god. Note Matthew 6:33aBut seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;

 

covetous man who is an idolaterColossians 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

It has the idea of making a god out of what other people have.

 

hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ – Does this mean that such people cannot enter heaven? But Christians can still sin, so therefore does it mean those who sin habitually without care for God’s holiness? Or does it mean that such people do not build up treasures in heaven, thus no inheritance, as some would suggest?

Matthew 6:19-2119 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

Or is it saying that if such people cannot enter the kingdom, then why should Christians be doing such things? Or maybe if Christians do such works of the flesh, then are they really Christians? Or do they love this present world too much?

Galatians 5:19-2119 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

Will all who profess to be Christians enter heaven?

Matthew 7:21-2321 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

 

Do we have the right to boast of our eternal security?? Christians are not immune to the sins of Vs 3-5. In particular, Vs 5 says we cannot have any inheritance in the kingdom if we commit those certain sins. The meaning does seem clear, that such people cannot inherit (that is, take as a possession of) anything in the kingdom of Christ, and therefore cannot enter heaven. But can Christians sin such sins? Seemingly they do, from evidence in churches around us today. Certainly, if a Christian sins such sins, we might be justified in assessing them as probably not Christians, but can we lay down the law and say they are definitely not Christians?

 

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Such a one had committed such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles. Yet it appears as if Paul might be suggesting that this man was a Christian? Perhaps he was withholding such final judgment, and perhaps we should do the same today. Throw them out of the church, yes; suggest that they are worse than the non-Christian Gentiles around them, yes; but state uncategorically that they are not Christians at all, probably not in this case.

 

Do some believe that the Corinthian man lost his salvation, with an option to regain it later on? (Of course, passages such as Hebrews 6:6 and 2 Peter 2:21 oppose this.) It is likely that this may have led to some believing incorrectly that such sins could cause the loss of your salvation until you were cleansed by confession to God as per 1 John 1:9. But the real key appears to be how much emphasis you put on your need to sin such bad sins. Do you sin because you have been tempted, yet regret with sorrow afterwards? Or is your desire to sin itself so great that it has become a driving force in your life? (For such people, this sin has taken the place of God in their lives.) Is God really your God, or is sin, instead, your god?

 

Ephesians 5:6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

 

“Let no one deceive (beguile; cheat) you with vain (empty; devoid of truth) words: for because of these things the wrath (anger; vengeance) of God will come upon the children of disobedience (obstinacy; obstinate opposition to the divine will) [those who live lives of obstinate opposition to God’s will].”

 

Let no-one try to persuade you that a life of sin and debauchery is acceptable. It is vanity – a mere illusion that sin is pleasure! (Ephesians 4:17) Such people will experience the wrath of God in judgment.

 

The children of disobedience would be those who seek to lead others astray, false teachers as noted in 2 Peter 2:1-21 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

 

Also see Romans 16:17-1817 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Colossians 2:8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

1 Timothy 4:1-21 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

 

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

 

partakerssymmetochos (partakers together, a “syn” word)

Leave such false teachers alone or you may be led astray with them. Be not unequally yoked (2 Corinthians 6:14). Come out from among them (2 Corinthians 6:17). Put that one out from among you (1 Corinthians 5:1-5).

 

Ephesians 5:8For ye were sometimes (once; formerly) darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

 

darkness – metaphorically: moral darkness; ignorance of God’s law; ungodliness.

light – metaphorically: moral and spiritual truth 

For children of the light do not belong to the darkness that you once were.

1 Thessalonians 5:5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

 

We are to be lights, not hidden, but shining forth before all men.

Matthew 5:14-1614 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

Jesus is the light of the world.

John 8:12 I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

 

So, walk according to the light that is in you, rather than the darkness that you once were.

1 John 1:6-76 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

John 12:36aWhile ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.

 

Ephesians 5:9(For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

 

For, in contrast with the evil works already mentioned in today’s passage, the fruit (or works) of those who are indwelt by God’s Spirit may only be described as goodness, righteousness and truth. If you live in the Spirit, then also walk in the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-2522 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

Ephesians 5:10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

 

Faith without works is dead (James 2:26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.) Therefore, your works will demonstrate what you really are like, and will also demonstrate that which God finds acceptable.

 

“Proving (testing; approving) that which is acceptable (well-pleasing) to the Lord.”

It could also be read as “Demonstrating (by our lives) that which is well-pleasing to the Lord.”

 

Romans 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Ephesians 5:5 says to Let no man deceive you with vain (devoid of truth) words. There is much false teaching in the world today, especially within what many like to call “The Church”. People are declared Christians because they speak in tongues or demonstrate spiritual manifestations such as Toronto, or they attend worship on Saturdays, or they go to mass, or they go to confession, or they relentlessly knock on doors, etc. But one group largely escapes the critical eye of those who seek out false doctrines. It is a group of people who claim to be more Biblical, with a higher view of God’s sovereignty, people who claim to be more scholarly than the rest (and therefore to trust them because they “know” more). They are generally well-accepted among fundamentalist believers because they, very importantly, appear to believe just like them. They claim that their truth is the gospel, yet preach the gospel of the people who are not of their group. (They only preach their gospel to those who have already been won to their cause.) They claim their “truth” is better, yet do not preach it widely to the uninitiated. And who are these false teachers? They are those who claim to be calvinist, reformed, or of the doctrines of grace, etc. Beware their vanity!

 

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