WALKING IN WISDOM

Ephesians 5:15–21 (ESV) — 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.

Ephesians 5:15–21 ESV

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.

I. THIS IS HOW WE LIVE

II. TWO NEGATIVE REQUIREMENTS FOR LIVING WISELY

It is “behavior which shows lack of concern or thought for the consequences of an action”[1]

III. POSITIVE REQUIREMENTS WITH ITS RESULTS

Psalm 111:10 (ESV) — 10 The fear of the Lordis the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Psalm 111:10 ESV

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Proverbs 1:5 (ESV) — 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Proverbs 1:5 ESV

5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Colossians 1:9–10 (ESV) — 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Colossians 1:9–10 ESV

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Christians should also give thanks “for everything,” which means for all things or circumstances (including trials and suffering). Christians are to give thanks “to God the Father” because he is the creator and sustainer of all things. Finally, Christians give thanks “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” because the name of Jesus expresses the authoritative basis of prayers to God.[2]

But what Paul meant by submitting “to one another” is explained through the particular examples of family relations (5:22–6:4), so it is likely that submitting to one another means “submitting to others according to the authority and order established by God,” as reflected in the examples that Paul gives in the following verses.[3]

[1] Merkle, B. L. (2018). Ephesians. In I. M. Duguid, J. M. Hamilton Jr., & J. Sklar (Eds.), Ephesians–Philemon: Vol. XI (p. 95). Crossway. [2] Merkle, B. L. (2018). Ephesians. In I. M. Duguid, J. M. Hamilton Jr., & J. Sklar (Eds.), Ephesians–Philemon: Vol. XI (p. 96). Crossway. [3] Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (p. 2271). Crossway Bibles.