Ephesians 5 study notes

4:17–5:20

Paul gives believers specific guidelines for living a new life in Christ.

Paul described two ways of living. One was the old way that the believers used to live. It’s the way that people who refuse to trust in God live. This way is marked by sinful desires, actions and words that destroy people.

Sinful desires lead to feelings of anger, hatred and rage. The desires lead to being full of greed and wanting more and more things. Sinful actions include stealing, fighting, committing sexual sins, getting drunk and living wildly. Sinful words include lies and talking about evil and foolish things. Paul described these desires, actions and words as part of a life of darkness.

The other way of living is what Jesus taught. People who live this new life are filled with desires that lead to good things. They are tender and kind to others and forgive them. Their actions do good to others. They work hard and give freely to those in need. Their words also do good. They speak the truth, give thanks to God and build others up. Paul described these desires, actions and words as part of a life of love. They are part of a life of light.

This way of life helps believers stay together as one body. This is part of God’s plan to bring all things together under Jesus’ authority.

5:1

Be imitators of God: We imitate God mainly by showing love (5:2; see Matthew 5:44–45, 48).
as beloved children: Just as children follow their parents' example, believers should follow God's example (1 Corinthians 4:14–17).

5:2

Christ's love is shown especially in his sacrifice for us (compare 5:25; John 15:13; Romans 5:8). Christian love follows Christ's example of sacrificial love (see Philippians 2:5–8).
Paul uses Old Testament imagery, where the smell of a burning fragrant sacrificial offering was pleasing to God (see Leviticus 1:9; 2:2; compare Romans 12:1).

5:3–5

God's people, also called the saints or holy ones, should live a holy life. They must avoid the immoral behavior common among unbelievers (compare 4:19; Colossians 3:5).

5:4

God’s people should speak in ways that show they are thankful to God (see 4:29; 5:3, 12).

5:5

Many similar statements describe the type of person who will not inherit the kingdom of Christ and of God: See 1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Galatians 5:19–21; Revelation 22:15; compare Colossians 3:5–6.
a greedy person (that is, an idolater): The things greedy people desire become their gods (see Matthew 6:24).

5:6

God's anger will come during his final judgment (see Romans 1:18; Colossians 3:5–6; compare John 3:36).

5:7

do not be partakers: Compare 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1.

5:8

Darkness means not knowing God and being controlled by sin (see 4:18).
Light in the Lord is the good news of Christ (see John 8:12). As people of light, believers live in fellowship with God, who has no darkness (see 1 John 1:5–7; 5:9; compare Matthew 5:14–16; John 8:12; 12:35–36, 46; Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:4–8; 1 Peter 2:9).

5:9

God's people should do what is good, right, and true. This is in agreement with God's light (compare Romans 12:2; some early manuscripts use Spirit instead of light; compare Ephesians 4:22–24; Matthew 7:16–20; Galatians 5:22–23).

5:10

Test and prove what pleases the Lord: The goal is to obey God's will, not simply to understand it (see Romans 12:2; Philippians 1:10).

5:11

but rather expose them: This does not mean to accuse or condemn people with words (see 1 Corinthians 5:9–13). Instead, it means to show what is wrong by living in a way that reflects God’s light (see John 3:20–21; Romans 13:12; 1 Peter 2:9),

5:13–14

"Wake up, O sleeper": This could be words from an unknown Christian song. It might be inspired by texts in Isaiah (compare Isaiah 26:19; 52:1; 60:1). It urges God's people to leave their sinful ways and live in the full light of Christ.

5:15

Foolish people do not understand God and his ways. Wise people know God and understand his ways (see Job 28:28; Proverbs 1:7; 2:1–22).

5:16

redeeming the time: See also Colossians 4:5.
the days are evil: see Matthew 24:6–12, 15–22; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–10.

5:18

The Holy Spirit, not wine, should have the most influence in the lives of believers (see Proverbs 23:29–35; compare Acts 2:15–18).
be filled: The grammar here suggests a repeated, ongoing process of letting the Holy Spirit guide and influence the lives of believers, not a single event.

5:19–20

with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs: Lives filled with the Holy Spirit will show themselves through singing and making music (Colossians 3:16–17). Joyful praise, worship, and giving thanks are good responses to God's saving grace.
Speak to one another: Singing together strengthens the body of Christ.
The Lord hears the music in our hearts. The Lord knows and values our sincere worship, even when it is not expressed out loud but comes from deep inside us.
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ is our mediator and representative as we approach God (compare John 14:13^–14; 16:23–27; Revelation 22:4).

5:21

Submit to one another: The verb form connects it with the command to be filled (5:18). This general instruction (compare Philippians 2:3) applies to all three relationships Paul discusses:
- wives and husbands (Ephesians 5:22–33),
- children and parents (6:1–4), and
- slaves and masters (6:5–9).
Believers express submission not out of fear or personal gain, but out of respect for Christ.

5:21–6:9

Paul provides clear guidance on how believers should interact in a Christian home (see also Colossians 3:18–4:1; 1 Peter 2:18–3:7). Love and respect should define all relationships among believers as a way to show their commitment to the Lord.

5:21–6:9 Section

Paul taught how people in God’s family must treat their human family. In Paul’s time, families usually included a husband, a wife, children and slaves. Men had the most authority in the family. Women, children and slaves had to obey them.

Yet serving Jesus as Lord changed the way people acted in their families. They had to follow Jesus’ example. Jesus is a leader who serves and he sacrificed himself for the good of others. Every member of the family was to treat one another with love and respect. The one who had the most authority in the family was Jesus.

Paul called God the Master of all believers. He reminded them that God didn’t treat any one believer as more important than another. Men, women, children and slaves were all part of the church. The church is so important to Jesus that Paul described the relationship like a marriage. The church being joined closely to Jesus is part of God’s plan. It shows God’s desire to save the whole world.

5:22

A wife’s Christian commitment includes choosing to submit to her husband as part of living out her faith (see 1 Corinthians 11:3–10; 14:34–35; Colossians 3:18; 1 Timothy 2:11–12; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1–6). At the same time, all Christians (including husbands and wives) are called to submit to one another out of respect for Christ (Ephesians 5:21). At the same time, husbands are called to love their wives and care for them sacrificially, following the example of Christ (see Ephesians 5:21–23). This mutual submission, respect, and love build a healthy, God-honoring marriage.

5:22–33

Christian wives should respect and submit to their husbands. Equally important, Christian husbands should love their wives (see Colossians 3:18–19). Christian marriages reflect the union and relationship between the Lord and the church.

5:23–24

For the husband is the head of the wife: To be the head is to have authority (see 1 Corinthians 11:3).
as Christ is the head of the church: See Ephesians 1:22; 4:15; Colossians 1:18; 2:10, 19.

5:25–33

Christian husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the church. This means loving sacrificially, for Christ gave up his life for the church (5:2; compare Colossians 3:19; 1 Peter 3:7).

5:26

by the washing with water through the word: The church has been purified by the message of good news. God has forgiven the sins of his people through Christ's sacrificial death (John 15:3; compare Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21).

5:27

a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish: The church's sins are forgiven through Christ's sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit purifies her life. As a result, the church stands holy and without fault before God. Compare 1:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Colossians 1:22; Revelation 19:7–8; 21:2.

Ephesians 5