Ephesians 5


5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

The word followers is the Greek word mimētēs. It is here we get our word mimic. We are to mimic God.

I remember as a kid trying to act like my dad. Like most other kids I wanted to be just like him he was my hero and I admired him. He was in the Air Force so I had planned to join the military. We played army back yard then, and I was thrilled because I got to be just like my dad,

God wants that same attitude from us. He wants us to want to be just like him.

The word dear root word is agapaō which means to have the love of God.

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

A sweet smelling savour should be translated “fragrance of a sweet smell,”
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
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.

The Greek word translated “inheritance” is klēronomia , and it is a noun that refers to an inheritance; property that will be received by inheritance, or it can refer to property that is given by one person to another.

To understand this we have to understand the difference between salvation and rewards. Salvation is by grace and is a free gift (Eph 2:5, 8, 9 Romans 10:9, 10, 1 Corinthians 3:10-17) the inheritance or rewards (crowns) is not. Far to many think salvation is the end, it is not it is the beginning of a new life based on service to God. The rewards are earned. There will be those who were born again (1 Peter 1:23) but never did anymore




for God. Never grew never applied  the word and never grew as a believer. They will be in the gathering but they have no rewards waiting for them.

1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

It says very plainly you will suffer loss of rewards but you will be saved.When we fail to walk the way God would have us walk we get nothing for our work but as it is pointed out we are not saved by works.
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

The word vain means empty or devoid of truth.

The Greek word  that is translated disobedience is the word apeitheia. This word means you have heard enough but you simply refuse to believe.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

The word partakers is used only twice here and in Ephesians 3:6 where we are called partakers in the promise. This time something used twice shows things in opposition to each other.

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

We were past tense in darkness we should  be in light now it is of course our decision.

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

(Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

We need to prove what the acceptable will of the lord is by doing that which the lord says to do.
 
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Bulllinger translates fellowship as partnership. For you to reprove the works of darkness  you must study the word to find out what they are. It keeps coming back to you have
to study so you know what you need to know.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

The word awake means to make one stand up, where the word sleepest indicates coming out from amongst the corpses.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

To redeem means by payment of a price to recover from the power of another, to ransom, buy off. Our time was purchased with the price of Jesus Christ's blood we are to use it wisely. We need to be sure we do not waste the time we have. My time is God’s time to have me do that which he needs done. Remember this is nothing be forced on me it is my choice to do that which The father and his wonderful son our savior have requested I do.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Drunk on wine is a specific thing showing a general principle. God doesn’t want us drunk on any thing be it wine, beer, vodka, ect. It can be hard enough to walk the word when you are sober, you do not impeded by anything.
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

We should be operating the spirit making melody in our hearts to the lord.
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

We are to submit ourselves one to another. If you need help and I can help it is my job to do exactly that. Now that does not mean we become doormats. We should walk in love  and not take advantage of one another.

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

Verse 22 starts an illustration that goes into chapter 6:10. There should not be a chapter it should go on into the next chapter

In the prior verse we are told to submit ourselves to each other that would include the husband submitting themselves unto their wives! It is a two way street. The word submit   is in verse 21 but not in verse 22. Verse 22 is one illustration of verse 21 .



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.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
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.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
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.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
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.

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