Ephesians 5:1-13

Recap

Ephesians: Part 1

God’s Reconciliation in Christ, Chapters 1-3

Ephesians Part 2

Our Response to God’s work in Christ, Chapters 4-6

Let’s sit on “in the heavens” for a minute.

The first three chapters, where the mystery of the Trinity unfolds throughout history restoring Eden with a new race of people, gives us a new perspective. Now, with that perspective, we are instructed on how to live now.

Therefore ...

The first half of chapter 4 describes Christ as the conquering king who came down and “gave gifts to people”.

His gifts include apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ.

We are no longer “children”, deceived and blown around by every wind of teaching, but working parts of the body.

First, some questions.

When do we say, “he should have known better”?

What is the relationship between sexual immorality and greed?

Have you ever learned something that changed the way you look at everything (or look at a subject)?

Ephesians 5:1–14 CSB

Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Therefore, do not become their partners. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light—for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth—testing what is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made visible, for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

Ephesians 5:1–2 CSB

Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

How do we imitate God?

Why and how are we LOVED children?

What does it mean to “walk in love”?

Jesus said to be perfect, like your Father in Heaven is perfect!

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“a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God”

The sacrifice was something offered, and the fragrance is the smell given to God. Exodus has fragrance all over it. Frankincense was given to Christ, the sacrifice. Jesus is the offering and he pleases God. This is important for the upcoming arguments that Paul is about to make about serving one another.

“a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God”

The sacrifice was something offered, and the fragrance is the smell given to God. Exodus has fragrance all over it. Frankincense was given to Christ, the sacrifice. Jesus is the offering and he pleases God. This is important for the upcoming arguments that Paul is about to make about serving one another.

In chapter 4 up until 5:2, Paul was describing practices Christians should do (or walk in). Now, in 5:3-5, Paul describes some of what not to do.

Ephesians 5:3–5 CSB

But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Idolatry!

What are the opposites that you see in this section?

What is the application for you from this section?

Ephesians 5:6–14 CSB

Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Therefore, do not become their partners. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light—for the fruit of the light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth—testing what is pleasing to the Lord. Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. Everything exposed by the light is made visible, for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said: Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

What empty arguments might make Christians disobedient?

Ephesians 2:2 CSB

in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.

How does Paul describe the differences between light and darkness?

There are 3 stages of grace (unmerited favor) here:

People are exposed

People let their sins be revealed

Then they become light

“Therefore it is said”

Early Christians probably sang parts of Isaiah as hymns, with Christ as Lord.

Isaiah 60:1 CSB

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you.

Application

What does this section teach us about worship?

What does this section teach us about prayer?

What does this section teach us about the Father, Son, and Spirit?

Love dominates the next section of the letter. What about here?