Ephesians Week 10 - Walk in love

Week 10

Ephesians 5:1–21 ESV

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

New Life in Love.

After a two-verse transitional section, Paul gives general instructions for holy living.

He focuses on purity of life—both by avoiding evil deeds and associations and by adopting holy practices.

Verse 21 connects vv. 1–20 with vv. 22–6:9.

Breakdown of VS. 1-21

VS. 1-5

Paul starts out chapter 5 by telling them to be imitators of God

You clearly cannot imitate God’s power, knowledges or presence

But Paul states what we should imitate

His love

His serving/sacrifice

He then moves in verse 3 to talk about sin, and how someone continually in sin will not have an inheritance with God

He specifically points out sexual immorality, impurity, and greed

As well as crude talking

VS. 6-7

Paul then says that we should let no one deceive us

God’s wrath is coming and shouldn’t think otherwise

He tells us not to become their partners

VS. 8-14

Paul then says we were once in darkness, somewhere believing something that was a lie

But now we are in Christ, if you believe in Jesus, so it time to start acting like it

He said that to if you are walking in the light you will produce fruit and proceeds to name some:

Goodness

Righteousness

Truth

Paul then tells us not to walk in darkness, but instead to expose it

Because anything done in the dark will eventually come to the light

Paul then quotes what is believed to be an early Christian hymn based on many different passages in Scripture

VS. 15-21

Paul tells us to pay attention to how we walk

He then states it more plainly - make the most of the time you have here on earth

He then gives us two examples - a negative one, and a positive one

The negative is getting drunk and allowing that to wreck your life

The positive is building people up with your speech and music and way of life

He then tells us to give thanks to God for everything

Questions

What questions do you have from Ephesians 5:1-21?

Why does Paul tell us that we should be acting like saints? How does your actions affect people?

1 John 1 tells us that God is light, and Paul tells us that we are to walk in light. What does it mean for us to walk as children of light?

Paul mentions that everything done in the dark, will be exposed to light. Is confession of sin something that is important to you? Who do you feel like you can go and confess sins to?

Vs. 16-17 tell us to make the most of our time on earth by accomplishing the will of the Lord. How can we discern the will of the Lord?