Ephesians 5

Certain sins are now forbidden which are utterly opposed to the duties and responsibilities commanded in the preceeding verses 4:31-5:2. Fornication was not counted as a sin among the Gentiles. Uncleanliness is every kind of impurity. Covetousness is especially emphasized. The Greek term means, greediness for more. It implies an insatiable desire for wealth, and the things which gratify appetite. It is therefore a greed which leads to many sins. Sins such as these must be banished not only in deed, but in word also.

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

Filthiness is all kinds of indecency. Foolish talking is buffoonery. It is mean and hurtful words and suggestions or double-meaning in our speech. These are not becoming or convenient but as children of God, we should engage in thanksgiving.

Eph 5:5 For 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.

No person of a loose life, words, or thoughts has any place in the Kingdom of God cf:

I Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

I Corinthians 6:15-16 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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.

Ephesians 5:5 For 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.

A covetous man gives his heart to the object of his greed, rather than to God, and is virtually an idolater. None of these are heirs to the kingdom, and therefore, have no promise of the assurance of Heaven.

Eph 5:6 Let 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 you with artful pleas that sinful things are not sinful. Because of just the kind of sins that they excuse, God’s wrath will be visited upon all who live in sin and are the children of disobedience.

Today homosexuality and the quote gay lifestyle blames God and says I was born that way. When the truth is they made themselves the way they choose.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

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

Have no share with them and their sin.

Eph 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Heathens not only live in darkness, but give off no light and darken others. They are not shining with the Light that comes from Christ and God. Cf:

John 1:4-5 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

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

I John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 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.

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

To walk as children of light is to bear the fruit of the Spirit. This is shown by all goodness and righteousness cf:

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

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

Showing by walking in the light what is acceptable to God.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Works of darkness are those things that please the powers of darkness. We must have nothing whatsoever to do with them. We must not participate in their sins but rather reprove and rebuke them.

Eph 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

In the works of darkness are many secret sins, some too shameful to even be spoken about.

Eph 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

The works of darkness are to be reproved by Christians, that their true character may be brought to light. If the light is shined upon them, they will be seen. Even wickedness, if it is brought to light, enlightens men by revealing it’s real nature.

Eph 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

The sleeper represents one not converted. Arise from death in sin.

Isaiah 60:1-2 Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

Isaiah 26:19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Conversion is often referred to as a resurrection cf:

Romans 6:4-6 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Christ gives light to all who come to Him. The literal Greek of

v:14 sleeper, awake, rise from the dead,

In Christ on thee His light shall shed.

Eph 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Be cautious in the way you live, be vigilant, prudent and most exactly perfect in your walk as possible.

Eph 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Use every opportunity. Purchase the opportunity to save souls by giving up some present enjoyment and fun for the serious business of the gospel.

Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Don’t be so foolish as to not understand the Will of The Lord.

Eph 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Wine was at that time the usual intoxicating drink this verse forbids intoxication which was a common vice at the time. The word excess means riot. Enjoyment is not to be sought as the world seeks pleasure in wine but rather we are to be filled with the Spirit.

To be dominated and controlled by the Spirit as a drunkard is dominated and controlled by alcohol. Then your songs will not be as the pagan revelry. Examples: Nazi Deutschland uber alles and Japan’s Kimi ga yo which is beautiful music and hypnotically pagan like Dianna worshipers whom the Ephesians knew well.

Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Psalms: Under the influence of the Spirit, when you are together, you will sing psalms such as those of the psalmist in your bible.

Example: #530 The Lord’s My Shepherd

Hymns: Which are songs of praise to God in Christ. Alleluah 238b

Spiritual Songs: Are songs which express emotion A Wonderful Savior # 2

We find christian songs in the church at a very early period.

Singing and making melody or music in your heart is commanded.

The heart is the direct object used to describe singing which is the Greek word psallo. While the lips sing, the heart must join in the melody by uplifting our hearts to God. Too much singing in the church is only of the lips.

Some men believe that it’s a woman’s job and therefore it is undignified for them to raise their hearts in praise to God. Paul is contrasting how we are to live our lives versus the paganism all around us. Singing separates us as being far different from the world.

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

Giving thanks always is often done in song. All our worship is in the name of Christ and must come through Christ.

Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Being filled with the Spirit, we are to subject ourselves one to another as we speak in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs v:19 and give thanks v:20 and submit ourselves to each other in the fear of God.

Duties of Life:

One of these relationships is Husbands & Wives v:22-32

Another is Children & Parents Chapter 6:1-4

Still another is Servants & Masters Chapter 6:5-9

Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

Mutual duties are named. The husband must love his wife as Christ loved the church and the wife must submit to this loving husband as unto the Lord. The husband is the head of the family but must be willing to give himself for it.

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Every organization must have a head. The head of the family can only rule the wife through the most devoted love.

Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

The relation of the wife to the husband is like that of the church in Christ ... a close, tender relation in which there is no bondage but freedom because the service is that of the heart in love.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

We have here not only the duty but the measure of the duty. Christ loved the church so well as to be willing to give all things even His life, for her welfare. The union here described, is ideally perfect. The tenderest love on one side, and loving obedience on the other.

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

The greatest love by Christ for the church, His bride, is shown as an example to christian husbands. His objective was to sanctify it, make it holy. In order to do this it was needful to cleanse it by the washing of water by the Word. Baptism is here, again, taught.

Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

A church cleansed of all sin and a bride without blemish.

Eph 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

　

　

The church is the bride of the Lamb, but it is also Christ’s body. As He loved His body, the church, so every husband must love her who by the mystery of the marriage tie has become bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh cf:

Genesis 2:23

Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

No husband hates his own body. Yet the wife and the husband are one flesh, so what he does to her, he does to himself.

Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

We are all members of Christ’s body, the church ... but the church is His bride. Hence, the language of:

Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Just as Adam declares his wife is bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, this also applies to our relationship with Christ.

Eph 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This verse is quoted from:

Genesis 2:24. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

It speaks not only of a fact of the marriage state between a man and a woman, but also implies Christ left the Father in Heaven for the sake of His mystical bride the church.

Eph 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

This is a great mystery the wonders of the marriage tie but especially that the marriage of the first Adam should prefigure or be a shadow of the relationship between the second Adam and the church.

Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Without regard to the mystery, let every one of you: now, the verse states, the mutual duties already so tenderly explained to both husbands and wives.