Ephesians 5:1-21
Ephesians 5:
Hi guys, Alex here. This week’s lesson for the kids is on Ephesians 5. Rayner and I recently came to the conclusion about how we should focus on the first 21 verses of the text first. As the later part of the chapter should be taught separately and in a different manner.
Recall:
Chap 1-3: Position in the Heavenly places (Doctrine)
Spiritual Blessings that we have received à Resources we need for living à God’s desire for us is that we display and manifest the Glory of God and that we walk in the resources that He has given to us.
Chap 4-6: Our practice in this earth (Application)
Spiritual Walk that is rooted by spiritual wealth. We are His workmanship. We have been created in Christ Jesus for good works.
The application can only be done if we are rooted by the doctrine in Chap 1-3
In the previous chapter; chapter 4, Paul was talking about how as Christians we are now Children of the light and what it means to walk in the light. How we are now able to put of our former self because of what Christ has done. He continues this topic in the beginning of chapter 5.
Purity/ Forsaking the darkness (verses 1 to 21):
Verse1 and 2:
Be imitators of God because we are no longer orphans but now children. We imitate because we have been adopted into the family. We imitate because as children you learn from your parents. God has already given the perfect example to follow when he sent his Son down to walk this earth. But Christ is not only the example. His death on the Cross is the only reason why we have the power to walk as how he did- a walk in love.
Verse 3 and 4:
Paul gives a contrast of what a walk in love or a life in love does not look like.
A life in love should not have sexual immorality, impurity or covetousness.
Sexual immorality is sexual sin.
Impurity includes spiritual and emotional purity. Includes defiling your own or your brother’s or your sister’s purity.
Covetousness or greed includes lust
Verse 5 and 6:
The emphasis must be made that it is not that we avoid the sins mentioned above so that we can become a saint. Rather it is because we are saved/children of God/ you are made a saint by Jesus’s blood therefore now live and have the power to live in a manner fitting for a saint.
David Guzik: “ If God's kingdom is alive in them, a transformation has occurred so that they cannot rest in the habitual practice of these things.”
God’s wrath will come upon those who are disobedient.
Verse 7:
Therefore it is right to assume that Christians will not have their lives habitually filled with the above mentioned sins. Those who are Christians should not be partakers with those who do such things. Partakers means to be a part of or to share.
Verses 8 to 12:
Once you were darkness, once you were sons of disobedience. You practiced a form of fornication, impurity or covetousness. But now you are light in the Lord. God by his grace has shined his light on your ways, you have been enlightened. You recognised your ways to be wrong and his ways to be right. Therefore you are children of light. Who should be marked of the fruit of the light consisting in goodness righteousness and truth. We can explore these fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Comparing these fruits with what was seen in Ephesians 5: 3
Similarly in verse 7, verse 11 implores us to have nothing to do with the fruitless DEEDS, not the people who are in darkness. In verse 7, Paul also says don’t partake in the actions. He says nothing about avoiding the people.
Rather in verse 11, Paul says we should expose these deeds. We should bring to light that these deeds are wrong.
Verses 13 to 14:
This light is God’s searching judgement. It exposes unfruitful works of darkness even works done in secret. When Jesus shines upon us, he resurrects our dead spirit. Spiritual regeneration.
Verses 15-17:
Since this light was given to us, we should walk wisely not as fools. We should make the most of every opportunity for Jesus Christ for the days are evil. Evil times can be refered to Matthew 24:11-12
Verse 18:
Do not be drunk but be filled with the Spirit
David Guzik:” Paul contrasts the effect of the Holy Spirit with the state of drunkenness. Alcohol is a depressant; it "loosens" people because it depresses their self-control, their wisdom, their balance and judgment. The Holy Spirit has an exactly opposite effect. He is a stimulant; He moves every aspect of our being to better and more perfect performance.”
Verses 19-21:
Filled with the spirit:
1) It is not a one time thing, rather it is a constant filling
2) When we are filled, we desire to worship God and encourage others in their worship of God.
3) One of the products of being filled with the spirit is a thankful heart.
4) Mutual submission to each other in the fear of God. Mutual submission is having a team mindset, a mindset which thinks of others.
Recall:
Chap 1-3: Position in the Heavenly places (Doctrine)
Spiritual Blessings that we have received à Resources we need for living à God’s desire for us is that we display and manifest the Glory of God and that we walk in the resources that He has given to us.
Chap 4-6: Our practice in this earth (Application)
Spiritual Walk that is rooted by spiritual wealth. We are His workmanship. We have been created in Christ Jesus for good works.
The application can only be done if we are rooted by the doctrine in Chap 1-3
In the previous chapter; chapter 4, Paul was talking about how as Christians we are now Children of the light and what it means to walk in the light. How we are now able to put of our former self because of what Christ has done. He continues this topic in the beginning of chapter 5.
Purity/ Forsaking the darkness (verses 1 to 21):
Verse1 and 2:
Be imitators of God because we are no longer orphans but now children. We imitate because we have been adopted into the family. We imitate because as children you learn from your parents. God has already given the perfect example to follow when he sent his Son down to walk this earth. But Christ is not only the example. His death on the Cross is the only reason why we have the power to walk as how he did- a walk in love.
Verse 3 and 4:
Paul gives a contrast of what a walk in love or a life in love does not look like.
A life in love should not have sexual immorality, impurity or covetousness.
Sexual immorality is sexual sin.
Impurity includes spiritual and emotional purity. Includes defiling your own or your brother’s or your sister’s purity.
Covetousness or greed includes lust
Verse 5 and 6:
The emphasis must be made that it is not that we avoid the sins mentioned above so that we can become a saint. Rather it is because we are saved/children of God/ you are made a saint by Jesus’s blood therefore now live and have the power to live in a manner fitting for a saint.
David Guzik: “ If God's kingdom is alive in them, a transformation has occurred so that they cannot rest in the habitual practice of these things.”
God’s wrath will come upon those who are disobedient.
Verse 7:
Therefore it is right to assume that Christians will not have their lives habitually filled with the above mentioned sins. Those who are Christians should not be partakers with those who do such things. Partakers means to be a part of or to share.
Verses 8 to 12:
Once you were darkness, once you were sons of disobedience. You practiced a form of fornication, impurity or covetousness. But now you are light in the Lord. God by his grace has shined his light on your ways, you have been enlightened. You recognised your ways to be wrong and his ways to be right. Therefore you are children of light. Who should be marked of the fruit of the light consisting in goodness righteousness and truth. We can explore these fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. Comparing these fruits with what was seen in Ephesians 5: 3
Similarly in verse 7, verse 11 implores us to have nothing to do with the fruitless DEEDS, not the people who are in darkness. In verse 7, Paul also says don’t partake in the actions. He says nothing about avoiding the people.
Rather in verse 11, Paul says we should expose these deeds. We should bring to light that these deeds are wrong.
Verses 13 to 14:
This light is God’s searching judgement. It exposes unfruitful works of darkness even works done in secret. When Jesus shines upon us, he resurrects our dead spirit. Spiritual regeneration.
Verses 15-17:
Since this light was given to us, we should walk wisely not as fools. We should make the most of every opportunity for Jesus Christ for the days are evil. Evil times can be refered to Matthew 24:11-12
Verse 18:
Do not be drunk but be filled with the Spirit
David Guzik:” Paul contrasts the effect of the Holy Spirit with the state of drunkenness. Alcohol is a depressant; it "loosens" people because it depresses their self-control, their wisdom, their balance and judgment. The Holy Spirit has an exactly opposite effect. He is a stimulant; He moves every aspect of our being to better and more perfect performance.”
Verses 19-21:
Filled with the spirit:
1) It is not a one time thing, rather it is a constant filling
2) When we are filled, we desire to worship God and encourage others in their worship of God.
3) One of the products of being filled with the spirit is a thankful heart.
4) Mutual submission to each other in the fear of God. Mutual submission is having a team mindset, a mindset which thinks of others.
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