What does it mean to be followers of God as dear children?

Being followers of God as dear children means copying God’s character the way loved children often copy a good parent. Here that focuses on His love, kindness, and holiness. God has brought believers into His family, so they are not trying to earn a place but living out the family likeness they already have. They are to walk in love because God has loved them first in Christ. So this is a call to a new way of life that fits who they now are, not just a list of rules.

Why does Paul warn so strongly against fornication and covetousness here?

Paul names sexual sin, all kinds of uncleanness, and covetousness because these were common, often accepted sins in the surrounding culture. He says they should not even be named among believers, because they do not fit people whom God has set apart as saints. He also shows how serious this is by saying that those whose lives are marked by such sins have no share in the kingdom of Christ and God. Covetousness is called idolatry, because it treats wealth or desire as a god in place of the true God.

What does it mean to walk as children of light and have no fellowship with works of darkness?

To walk as children of light means to live in a way that fits people who belong to the Lord and have been brought out of spiritual darkness. The fruit of this light is goodness, righteousness, and truth. Having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness means not joining in sinful deeds or approving them. Instead, believers’ lives and words should expose such deeds for what they are. Light makes things visible, so when believers live in a clean and honest way, it quietly shows how empty and harmful the old ways are.

What does redeeming the time because the days are evil mean?

Redeeming the time is a picture from buying something back. It means making the best use of every opportunity God gives, rather than wasting it. Paul says this because the days are evil, meaning the world around is full of sin and danger, and chances to do good can pass quickly. So believers should walk wisely and carefully, think about how they live, and aim to do what pleases the Lord. It is a call to live on purpose, not carelessly drifting with the habits and values of the age around them.

How is being filled with the Spirit contrasted with being drunk with wine?

Paul sets drunkenness and being filled with the Spirit side by side as two very different ways of being under influence. Drunkenness leads to excess and disorder, while the Spirit’s filling leads to worship, thankfulness, and mutual care. Being filled with the Spirit here shows itself in believers speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing from the heart to the Lord, and giving thanks always to God the Father in Jesus’ name. It is not about losing control, but about gladly coming under God’s good rule.

What does this passage teach about Christian marriage and Christ and the church?

This passage says marriage pictures the relationship between Christ and the church. Wives are called to submit to their own husbands as the church submits to Christ. Husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Christ’s love is shown in Him making the church holy, cleansing her, and planning to present her to Himself without spot or wrinkle. Husbands are to care for their wives as their own bodies, nourishing and cherishing them. Paul calls this a great mystery and says he is speaking about Christ and the church.

How should husbands love their wives according to this passage?

Husbands are told to love their wives in a self-giving way like Christ loved the church. That means seeking their good, being patient with their weaknesses, and caring for them as they would care for their own bodies. No one hates his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, so a husband is to treat his wife the same way. Christ did not wait for the church to be perfect but gave Himself to make her holy. In the same spirit, a husband’s love should be steady and caring, not harsh or selfish.

Why are wives called to submit to their husbands in everything?

Wives are called to submit to their own husbands as to the Lord because God has ordered marriage so that the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church. This is not about a husband having the place of Christ, but about following the pattern God set. The church is subject to Christ, so wives are to be subject to their husbands in everything that is fitting before God. This passage also balances that call with a strong word to husbands to love, nourish, and cherish their wives, not to rule in a harsh way.

How does this passage describe the change from darkness to light in a believer’s life?

The passage says believers were once darkness, not just in darkness, but now are light in the Lord. That shows a deep change of nature and standing. Before, their lives matched the hidden, shameful works mentioned here. Now, in Christ, they belong to the light and are told to walk as children of light. The fruit of this is goodness, righteousness, and truth. They are to wake up from sleep, rise from spiritual death, and receive Christ’s light. This new identity is why they must leave old sins and live in a way that pleases God.

Eph.5.1

Ephesians 5:1

KJV

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Chapter:

Imitators of God

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

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.

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.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Children of Light

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

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

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

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

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.

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

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

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;

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

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

Wives and Husbands

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

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

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.

Context:

Imitators of God

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.