Ephesians 5
CBCSection Three 5:3-21
Light in the Lord and Christ as its source
Introduction to Section Three
As we are encompassed in Christ, there are character traits which are displayed and which mark us out, as His. These begin with a purity of life, that essence of His life produced in us by the Holy Spirit. Reverence for all creation is ours and is the opposite of things “obscene”.
FIVE
Chapter 5:22-6:9
Natural Responsibilities
Introduction to Division Five
There is a natural, divinely authored, order to the responsibilities that are evident in the world of man. That order spans the entirety of creation and is patterned after elements of God’s own character. What is true of the procession of authorities within the Trinity is also true within the heavenlies and then shows itself in every instance of life on Earth. Whether one looks towards God, at mankind, the kingdom of beasts, or the order of lesser life-forms, there is an order and hierarchy of responsibilities that yields the propagation of the species. In the same manner, the Church of Jesus Christ grows and expands as each successive generation is added according to the will of the Father to the very substance of the Godhead.
One foundational principle that may be observed among the rules of life, as dictated in scripture, for man is marriage. Union of man and woman in a lifelong monogamous relationship is illustrative of that union of man and God. That real union is one that is desired by Him and designed to last forever. Through that union, progeny are issued in fulfillment of the first promises of God to man and in accordance with the eternal plan of God, which has been in place since before time ever began.
The history of mankind, of man and woman in marriage, was designed by God to prepare us to understand the uniqueness of His Son, Jesus Christ. The advent of Christ as the God-Man, perfect deity and total humanity, is the reality of which the union of man and woman is only representative. If every marriage were entered into with this vision clearly in front of those being wed, then how much firmer the union would be. Marriage is not simply a social contract, but a divine commitment of two to build a new thing together. And, that is not talking about their children. It is the forging of one new person out of the two. Two bodies becoming one…Two minds blending into one single will…One single voice …One single experience…One single destiny…and, expressing all of the unique qualities of the two that were joined.
Section One 5:22-33
Marriage, the fundamental form of unity for man
Introduction to Section One
Marriage is a picture of union. Just as there is union between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there is union between the Lord Jesus Christ and His church. The Church is the Bride, and thus the body, of the Lord Jesus. Christian marriage is to hold before the world the essence of that union between Christ and His Bride. If the world cannot see the principle of submission at the heart of each Christian marriage and family, then it will not understand our submission to the instructions to the Church in terms of holy living. Unbelievers will feel that we are accusing them on grounds that we are not willing to adhere to in our own lives–and they will be right.
Ephesians 5:1
(5:1,2) “Therefore” means, “because you are children of God, be like (imitate) your Father”. This does not say that we are to imitate Christ. Rather, we are to imitate the Father, who made it His purpose to reveal (manifest) His Son. So, too, are we to live in such a manner that Christ, who lives in us, is revealed to the world around us. “Live” is compared here as an equal to “gave Himself up”. In other words, living “a life of love” is tantamount to giving yourself up as an “offering and sacrifice to God”. Now, that is precisely what Paul told those believers in Rome–“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable spiritual service”.
Ephesians 5:3
(5:3) Now comes the character of “holy people”. (The NAS has “saints”) and the meaning is “ones set apart”, in this case, set apart to God’s purpose. In imitating God, purity of life is expected. A life free of even a suggestion of “sexual immorality …or (sexual) impurity, or of (sexual) greed.” “Impurity” and “greed” should not be dislodged from their orientation to sex in the context of this verse. “Impurity” refers to deviant behavior, rather than promiscuity. “Greed” refers to an increasing appetite for sexual gratification.
Ephesians 5:4
(5:4) “Obscenity” means invoking God’s name in a declarative fashion, presuming to express His will towards another or some thing that you deal with. “Foolish talk” consists of words without foundation in truth or substance, i.e., words that express ideas contrary to the revealed will of God. “Coarse joking” are those expressions common among men that trivialize God in this world. Our speech should be liberally sprinkled with “thanksgiving”. This should call to mind the admonition from Paul’s letter to the believers in Corinth…“If an unbeliever bid you to a feast, and you are disposed to go, eat anything that is set before you, without asking questions for conscience’ sake… for if I partake with thanksgiving, why then, am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?”
Ephesians 5:5
(5:5) “For” introduces a reason. You are to avoid the patterns of life just listed above for a primary reason–Because a person who exhibits a life of sexual immorality, impurity, or greed “is an idolater” and sex is his god. He is, therefore, excluded from “the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
Ephesians 5:6
(5:6) The admonition of v.4 is continued here in “empty words”.
obscenity, foolish talk, coarse joking = empty words
This whole category of speech and thoughts is referred to as “such things,” which incur judgment, “the wrath of God”. It is not on the Sons of God, but on the “sons of disobedience”. It is on those individuals whose life is characterized by such language and thought that God’s judgment will fall.
Ephesians 5:8
(5:8) Note in this verse that it does not say that you once walked in darkness. Rather, it says that “you once were darkness”. This is not referring to a behavior, but a quality of being. What we once were, we are not now! Now, “you are light in the Lord.” This is completely positional and locative. It states that a dramatic change in composition has taken place. Where once we were creatures of darkness, now we are new creations of light in Christ Jesus. A transformation has taken place! Further, since God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all–it follows that we are of His same substance, light, thus we should “live as children of light.”
Ephesians 5:9
(5:9,10) Light produces fruit, not from behavior, but from its very nature. “Fruit” is singular. “Goodness, righteousness, and truth” are all part of the singular fruit of light. As we live as the light which we are, we will “discover what pleases the Lord” whose we are.
Ephesians 5:11
(5:11-14) I find it interesting that behavior was not mentioned in discussing the “fruit” of light. Rather, here in the discussion associated with “darkness” we find attention focused on “deeds”. It reminds us that “men love darkness better than light, for their deeds are evil” thus, we are to “expose them”. There is a reason for simply exposing them by light and it is introduced by “for”. Our path is not to loudly condemn those that are engaged in “fruitless deeds”, rather to live in open contrast, letting our character speak to them and the Holy Spirit convict. We should not even mention what they are doing “in secret”. “But” introduces a contrast–in contrast to our silence, our character (light) will expose the whole of their folly and disobedience
Ephesians 5:15
(5:15,16) “Wisdom” is the application of biblical principles to your personal experience. Anything else would be living according to the dictates of the Old Nature, driven by the father of deceit. Here, “opportunity” refers back to “how you live”. Too often, we read into that instruction “witnessing” rather than “living”. Then we compound the error by extending the instruction to “witness in the manner and after the pattern of how I witness”. Sometimes the methods of the local assembly for witnessing, whether it is a set time for visitation, or passing out tracts at particular events, or even the biannual revivals, all become the definition of ‘witnessing’ adopted by the whole assembly.
Anyone who is not participating in the sanctioned activities is considered to not be witnessing. That is not the intent of this instruction. The entire thought is an extension of “live as children of light” and carries us into every moment, not just isolated moments of perceived spiritual service. Our life is our spiritual service. Remember Romans 12–“Present your bodies, a living sacrifice”.
Ephesians 5:17
(5:17) “Therefore” (a conclusion is presented) “do not be foolish” (and live as unwise, “but” (a contrast is presented) “understand”. “Understanding” is what you gain from application of biblical principles to your experience. It is tested knowledge that has become objective fact in your own personal life. You learn a biblical principle; you apply that in your life; you gain “understanding” as a result of seeing the principle proven in your own life and experience. It is through living-as-light that we gain a real understanding of “what the Lord’s will is.” This will not happen until we are living as light. Do not assume that you will know the will of God prior to any given decision. Live as light and you will understand God’s will as you are going. “Having therefore gone, teach all men whatsoever I have commanded you” was the Lord’s own instruction to the disciples and carries the same thought.
Ephesians 5:18
(5:18) Drunkenness dulls your ability to make cogent decisions and leaves you vulnerable to the Old Sin Nature. Rather than letting that take over your life, “be filled (pres impe- continuously) with the Spirit.” It is the control of one’s mind that is important here, the ability to make decisions. Nothing that causes us to lose control over our thought processes should be practiced.
Ephesians 5:19
(5:19,20) Let your outward expression, “speak to one another”, be consistent with your inner life–“make music in your heart to the Lord.” And, there should always be a prayer of “thanks to God the Father” on our lips. It is important to note that prayer and thanksgiving are again directed to the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul is careful to keep our attention focused on the Father as our source. This cannot be overly emphasized–Believer, always direct your prayers to the Father!
Ephesians 5:21
(5:21) Submission, is deference to another’s needs and direction. We should be in a mind-set of pliability and compromise where methods are concerned and absolutely firm where principles are concerned. If we are oriented to someone else’s needs, rather than our own, we will be most likely to imitate God. Since this is precisely the attitude and motivation of Christ, it is being most like Him.
Ephesians 5:22
(5:22) There should be no question as to an individual believer’s submission to the Lord Jesus. Paul says here that the wife is to be submissive to her husband in precisely the same manner. That does not mean inferior, but willing to be led by her husband.
Ephesians 5:23
(5:23,24) The reason is clear–"…as Christ is the head of the Church, His body" so too, is the husband “the head” of his wife. In the matter of submission to authority or leadership, this position of responsibility to lead is all-inclusive. Note that there is no accommodation for lack of education, lack of a more forceful personality, lack of earnings potential, or any other reason given for the wife to assume the headship of the family.
This is not an endorsement of staying in an abusive relationship. Those kinds of situations are dealt with in other areas. But, it needs to be recognized that God does not water down His intentions to allow for human weakness and uncomfortable situations.
Ephesians 5:25
(5:25) Husbands are commanded to “love your wives”. “Love” is agape in the Greek. This is source love that requires no particular response on the part of the one loved. It is a unilateral command and is patterned by the love that the Lord Jesus had for his Church when He “gave Himself up for her”. In other words, the husband should demonstrate that he is willing to give up his own life for whatever is in the best interest of his bride. This was so serious a call to living that the qualification for elders and deacons included that they be the husbands of one wife. Only through that means would the clear picture of the relationship between Christ and His Church be portrayed accurately. Therefore, it is the responsibility of those gifted to teach and to lead within the Body to confront those who follow with their own lives lived to this divinely tuned standard.
Ephesians 5:26
(5:26) The object of Christ’s love for His church was to “make her holy”. “Holy” means “to set apart to a purpose.” The purpose of the Church is to represent Christ and demonstrate His love as the object of His affection. “Washing” is “baptizing” and speaks of identification. The Church is now identified with Christ. “Washing” also speaks of union. The Church is now in union with Christ. The medium used in that baptism is the word of God. “Water” and “the word” are synonymous in their application to the individual who has come to Christ. First, there is the Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Then, there is the ceremonial water baptism, the “washing” of that individual, which marks their identification with Christ before an entire watching world. The ceremony symbolizes the immersion in the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, that is the means by which the individual is “set apart” unto Christ.
Since the members individually are now identified with Christ, they share His character. As He is “blameless” so too are the members in particular of the Church. Behavior is not in view here, but position. We are found positioned “in Christ”.
Ephesians 5:28
(5:28-30) Now, just as Christ loves the Church, His Body, husbands are to “love their wives as their own bodies”. This is not to extol self-love, but self-less love; love that is unbridled, not meted out but is immeasurable, love that declares its object worthy of all adoration.
Ephesians 5:31
(5:31) Paul borrows the command of God to Adam in Genesis that made the marriage bond the primary union for man on earth. Man and woman who come together in marriage have “become one flesh” before God. It remains to be seen how little we understand of this rule of life. One glimpse is seen in how broad the effect of multiple sexual partners really is on mankind. There are myriad reasons why such results, destructive elements in any culture, appear, including:
Physiological Higher rates of cervical cancer.
Spread of genital warts.
Rampant venereal diseases (genital herpes, gonorrhea)
A compromised immune system.
Psychological A growing loss of commitment to marriage and children by fathers and
mothers alike.
Nervous system disorders.
Loss of self-esteem through a diminished self-worth
.
Genealogical Children who do not know their biological parents.
Mothers who do not even know who the father of their child is.
Reduction in the input of loving grandparents.
Sociological Weakened family ties
Single parent families
Children raised without the influence of either father or mother
Ethnological Confusion that comes from a loss of one’s heritage.
Angst associated with a loss of orientation to one’s place in history.
Anxiety over recessive traits that may show up in offspring.
Marital fidelity is the only answer to these forces. They are only the tip of the iceberg and they are only symptomatic of the spiritual sickness that plagues Christendom as well as mankind.
Ephesians 5:32
(5:32,33) We are reminded that this whole discussion is in reference to “Christ and the Church”, but, it presents very practical application to that which must prevail between husband and wife in the marriage of believers.