Ephesians5
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;
2and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.
3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;
4nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.
5For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
7Be not ye therefore partakers with them;
8for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light
9(for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;
11and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;
12for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of.
13But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light.
14Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.
15Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise;
16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit;
19speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;
21subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.
22Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.
24But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;
26that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
27that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself:
29for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church;
30because we are members of his body.
31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.
32This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church.
33Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she fear her husband.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ephesians 5.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Exhortation to brotherly love. (1, 2). Cautions against several sins. (3–14). Directions to a contrary behaviour, and to relative duties. (15–21). The duties of wives and husbands are enforced by the spiritual relation between Christ and the church. (22–33).
vv1-2
Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be ye followers of God, imitators of God. Resemble him especially in his love and pardoning goodness, as becomes those beloved by their heavenly Father. In Christ's sacrifice his love triumphs, and we are to consider it fully.
vv3-14
Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Our cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places that hope, confidence, and delight, in worldly good, which should be in God only. Those who allow themselves, either in the lusts of the flesh or the love of the world, belong not to the kingdom of grace, nor shall they come to the kingdom of glory. When the vilest transgressors repent and believe the gospel, they become children of obedience, from whom God's wrath is turned away. Dare we make light of that which brings down the wrath of God? Sinners, like men in the dark, are going they know not whither, and doing they know not what. But the grace of God wrought a mighty change in the souls of many. Walk as children of light, as having knowledge and holiness. These works of darkness are unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast; for they end in the destruction of the impenitent sinner. There are many ways of abetting, or taking part in the sins of others; by commendation, counsel, consent, or concealment. And if we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their plagues. If we do not reprove the sins of others, we have fellowship with them. A good man will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked men are not ashamed to do. We must have not only a sight and a knowledge that sin is sin, and in some measure shameful, but see it as a breach of God's holy law. After the example of prophets and apostles, we should call on those asleep and dead in sin, to awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.
vv15-21
Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Of that time which thousands on a dying bed would gladly redeem at the price of the whole world, how little do men think, and to what trifles they daily sacrifice it! People are very apt to complain of bad times; it were well if that stirred them more to redeem time. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly. Drunkenness is a sin that never goes alone, but carries men into other evils; it is a sin very provoking to God. The drunkard holds out to his family and to the world the sad spectacle of a sinner hardened beyond what is common, and hastening to perdition. When afflicted or weary, let us not seek to raise our spirits by strong drink, which is hateful and hurtful, and only ends in making sorrows more felt. But by fervent prayer let us seek to be filled with the Spirit, and to avoid whatever may grieve our gracious Comforter. All God's people have reason to sing for joy. Though we are not always singing, we should be always giving thanks; we should never want disposition for this duty, as we never want matter for it, through the whole course of our lives. Always, even in trials and afflictions, and for all things; being satisfied of their loving intent, and good tendency. God keeps believers from sinning against him, and engages them to submit one to another in all he has commanded, to promote his glory, and to fulfil their duties to each other.
Key Words
οὖν (oûn): (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
μιμητής (mimētḗs): an imitator
θεός (theós): figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
ὡς (hōs): which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἀγαπητός (agapētós): beloved
τέκνον (téknon): a child (as produced)
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περιπατέω (peripatéō): to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary)
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ἀγάπη (agápē): love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
Cross References
Ephesians 5Old Testament type of Christ's sacrifice of Himself as an acceptable "sweet smelling savour" to God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Explicitly quoted by Paul to show that marriage creates a one-flesh union, symbolizing Christ and the Church.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin, JFB
Direct parallel of Christ's ultimate act of love in giving Himself up to death for us.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies covetousness as idolatry, equating greed with worship of material things instead of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The direct parallel household code ordering the mutual and relative duties of wives and husbands in Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Peter's parallel instruction on the submission and chaste conversation of godly wives to their husbands.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Establishes the hierarchical headship of Christ over man, and man over woman as a parallel order.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Repeats the standard of Christ's sacrificial love and giving of Himself as our pattern of love.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Alludes to Adam's declaration of Eve as 'flesh of my flesh,' mirroring believers' union with Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Christ's exhortation to show gracious kindness in order to be true imitators/children of our Father.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The immediate grammatical and logical link; God's forgiveness in Christ grounds our call to imitate Him.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Echoes the call for believers to be subject to one another in mutual Christian humility.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Reinforces Christ's appointed identity as the supreme head over all things specifically for the church's benefit.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel designation of Christ as the head of the body, which is the church.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Verbal parallel showing Christ's ultimate proof of love in giving Himself up to death for His own.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the 'washing of water by the word' with the 'washing of regeneration' and renewing Holy Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Paul's ministry of espousing the church as a chaste virgin to be presented to one husband, Christ.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Warning against being a partaker or consenting accomplice in the sins of the wicked.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Parallels "proving what is acceptable" with proving the good and acceptable will of God.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct verbal parallel regarding walking in wisdom toward others and "redeeming the time."
Prophetic type of God betrothing His people to Himself forever in lovingkindness and mercies.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophetic declaration of God as husband to His people, establishing the marital paradigm of redemption.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
John the Baptist's identification of Christ as the Bridegroom who possesses the bride.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Connects the washing and sanctifying of the believer to the work of Christ and the Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Jesus' teaching on regeneration of 'water and of the Spirit' parallel to the washing of water.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Associates the internal cleansing of the conscience with the outward symbol of bodies washed in pure water.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The ultimate realization of the church presented as a bride adorned for her husband.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Messianic psalm depicting the King desiring the beauty of his bride, matching Christ presenting His church.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Depicts Christ as the Head who nourishes and knits the entire body together.
Supported by JFB
Asserts that our physical bodies are literally members of Christ, prohibiting improper unions.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Explicitly teaches that the local and universal church constitutes the body of Christ, individually members of it.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Classic formulation of the many believers being unified as 'one body' in Christ.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects the terminology of 'great mystery' to the revelation of godliness and Christ's work.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects uncleanness and covetousness as closely related sins of insatiable physical indulgence.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the prophetic call to awake, arise, and receive the shining light of the Lord.
Exhortation to awake out of sleep because the spiritual light of salvation is near.