Ephesians.11

Walking in the Light of New Life

Bible Passage: Ephesians 5:3–21

Summary: In this passage, Paul encourages believers to reject sinful behaviors and to live in a way that reflects their new identity in Christ, embodying love, purity, and wisdom.

1. Rejecting Darkness Embraced

Ephesians 5:3–7 “But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any 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 be partakers with them.”

Sexual Purity and the Rejection of Covetousness

This week we are examining Ephesians 5:3-21, walking in the light. It involves our testimony in the world. Second, it deals with our fellowship with the Father, 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” And third, it involves our walk in the church. To this end we are admonished to apply the principles of holy walking.

“Let it not be named” - don’t give outsiders a means to disparage you or the church. Never allow a compromising situation to occur; maintain healthy boundaries with the opposite sex and in financial matters. This is especially important for leaders. Responsibility requires accountability. We never do what is right in our own eyes.

Believers must eliminate sexual immorality, uncleanness, and covetousness from the church, recognizing that such behavior represents idolatry and will cause forfeit of one’s inheritance in God’s kingdom. Obscene speech and foolish talk should give way to gratitude, as God’s wrath falls upon those who practice these things.

Our “inheritance” speaks of the additional blessings rewarded at the Judgement Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10; Col 3:23-25) and our position as a partaker, reigning with Christ in the kingdom (2 Ti 2:11-12).

Holy living requires separation from sexual corruption and materialism that characterize pagan society. Holy living delivers us from the wrath of God.

Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,”

Key Points:

We are to walk in love Ephesians 5:2

Covetousness functions as idolatry - desiring material possessions replaces devotion to God

Sexual ethics directly impact eternal rewards - saved but suffer loss

Thanksgiving replaces crude speech - gratitude reorients the tongue toward God

Divine wrath operates against unbelief and unrighteousness; believers must not share in these practices

Don’t give the world an excuse to accuse you or the church of wrongdoing

1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

2. Walking as Light Bearers

Ephesians 5:8–14 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.””

Walking as Children of Light

Believers were formerly darkness (the absence of light) but now we exist as light in the Lord, requiring us to walk as children of light. Believers must reject fellowship with dangerous works of darkness and expose them rather than participate in these secret shameful deeds. Fruit is light and in that there is no shame.

“fruit of the Sprit” here is characterized by goodness, righteousness, and truth. In that light darkness cannot exist.

A believers conversion transforms their fundamental identity from darkness to light (the regeneration and indwelling of the Spirit), discipleship is the further defining of the Christians life by the light of the Word (teaching guided by the Holy Spirit). It demands a visible separation from hidden corruption and a visible fellowship with the light; Jesus is the light of the world (Jn 8:12; 12:46) that we should not abide in darkness.

Key Points:

We are to walk in the light Ephesians 5:8

Identity always precedes behavior - understanding one’s status as light shapes ethical conduct - behavior is a response to the work of the Spirit

Goodness, righteousness, and truth constitute the practical evidence of light-bearing

Light exposes darkness by making hidden things visible, defines grey areas - believers participate in this revelatory discipleship through the Word of God

Exposure of evil works serves redemptive purposes, not mere condemnation

The transformative power of light operates through illumination rather than force

3. Walk Circumspectly

Ephesians 5:15–18 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”

Wise Living and Spirit-Filled Conduct

Believers must walk circumspectly (ἀκριβῶς akribos - like an acrobat; carefully and accurately) as wise (σοφός sophos - with all wisdom) rather than foolish (ἄσοφος asophos the unwise), redeeming time because the days are evil, and understanding God’s will. Paul wrote this to the Colossians, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” (Colossians 4:5).

What does it mean to “redeem the time”? The word there is ἐξαγοράζω exagorazo to buy or purchase something. Galatians 3:13 tells us “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),”. We were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus, redeemed from the slave market of sin (1 Cor 7:23). Therefore we are to “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” (Colossians 4:5 ). Considering what great cost was given to redeem us, we should greatly value the time we are given an honor our Redeemer with it.

Rather than drunkenness, believers should be filled with the Holy Spirit. What influences, controls you?

“A man takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, the drink takes the man” is an old abolitionist saying describing the danger of alcoholism. It can be rephrased, “A man believes in Christ, Through Christ the man receives the Spirit, and the Spirit takes the man”. If I’m to be a fool, I’d rather be a fool for Christ.

Walking in wisdom involves strategic use of time and Spirit-empowerment rather than self-destructive indulgence.

Key Points:

We are to walk in wisdom Ephesians 5:15

Circumspect walking requires intentional awareness of one’s environment and choices

Time becomes a resource to be redeemed - each moment offers opportunity for kingdom purposes

Spirit-filling replaces intoxication as the transformative power governing believers’ lives

Understanding God’s will flows from Spirit-filling and guiding, wisdom born through the Word of God

Evil days demand heightened vigilance and purposeful living

4. Singing Through Life with Thanksgiving

Ephesians 5:19–20 “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

Spirit-Filled Worship and Thanksgiving

Spirit-filled believers speak to one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in their hearts to the Lord while giving thanks always for all things in Christ’s name.

The Spirit’s filling naturally overflows in worship, musical expression, and gratitude toward God. Don’t be so critical of music if it honors God, that’s the point.

Key Points:

We are to walk in thanksgiving Ephesians 5:20

Spirit-filling produces vocal and musical worship - internal experience finds external expression

Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs represent diverse forms of worship addressing different dimensions and seasons of faith

Thanksgiving encompasses all circumstances, not merely pleasant ones - gratitude becomes a spiritual discipline even in hardship

Worshiping as a church strengthens our bonds while directing hearts toward God

All thanksgiving flows through Christ’s name, acknowledging Him as Mediator

5. Spirit-Filled Living Empowered

Ephesians 5:21 “submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

Mutual Submission Under Christ’s Authority

Believers submit (ὑποτάσσω hupotasso place yourself under, subordinate) to one another out of reverence for Christ. This represents the ultimate expression of Spirit-filled living. Verse 21 functions as a purpose statement for all ethical commands for relationships that follow, illustrating how we should model Christ’s self-giving love by the Spirit in reverence to God.

In the ancient world, social status was everything. Paul’s letter to Philemon marked a radical shift not only in terms of personal relationships but in the very fabric of society. Onesimus, once considered property, was transformed into a brother in Christ. Philemon 16 tells us he was, “no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.” This shift illustrates the profound impact of the Gospel - where all distinctions of status are obliterated at the foot of the cross. Our true identity as children of God transcends societal labels, demonstrating to us that we are all equal in Christ.

No longer male nor female, slave nor free, barbarian or Scythian (Gal 3:28; Col 3:11; 1 Cor 12:13).

Mutual submission reflects Spirit-empowerment. My submission demonstrates my reverence for Christ’s lordship and headship across all relationships.

Key Points:

We are to walk in submission Ephesians 5:21

Submission operates mutually and reciprocally - all believers submit to one another, not merely subordinates to superiors

Such radical mutual submission contradicts Graeco-Roman hierarchical values and prepares believers for instruction on household relationships to follow

Reverence for Christ provides the motivating principle - submission honors His authority as Head rather than human preference

This verse bridges ethical teaching (5:3–20) with relational instruction (5:22–6:9)

Holy living, light-bearing, and wise conduct all culminate in Christ-centered mutual submission