Ephesians 5

Sunday, 9 October 2016

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Ephesians 5:8

The Bible is literally filled with the concepts of light and darkness, even from the first verses to the last. A contrast is being made, but it is more than just a literal light and darkness which is spoken of. Rather, it is quite often speaking of these in a figurative sense. This is what Paul is referring to here. The verse is highly emphatic, and it is contrasting what has just been spoken of concerning the “sons of disobedience.”

He begins with, “For you were once darkness.” Here, and in the clause to come, he uses the abstract to speak of the concrete, thus showing the emphasis. In that his readers “were once darkness,” it implies that it was their very nature. The word “darkness” is skotos. It signifies darkness, either physical or moral. Here it is referring to the moral darkness previously mentioned. It is “the principle of sin with its certain results” (HELPS Word Studies).

The darkness was our nature. We were infected with sin and could do nothing but pursue sin. We were bound by the law. Paul explains what that means in Romans 7:8-11 –

“But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. ⁹ I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. ¹⁰ And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.”

The “darkness” can be equated with the death which results from the law. However, Paul next says, “but now you are light in the Lord.” The Greek word is phos and indicates “light, a source of light, radiance.” It speaks of light, but “(especially in terms of its results, what it manifests); in the NT, the manifestation of God’s self-existent life; divine illumination to reveal and impart life, through Christ” (HELPS Word Studies).

This “light” then can be equated with the “life” of Paul’s word in Romans. In fact, John shows this close connection to the two words when speaking of Jesus –

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:4, 5

The life that we have is given to us in place of the law which brought death. How did this happen? It is because Christ fulfilled the law for us. When we receive His gift of fulfilling the law, we die to the law; new life has come. The darkness of death is defeated and we become light; children of light. In this new state, Paul admonishes us to therefore “Walk as children of light.”

We are shown to not just reflect light, but we actually are radiating light. This is why, even in the Old Testament, it was understood that we Gentiles would so shine forth –

“Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
² For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
³ The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.” Isaiah 60:1-3

In that we have come to the light of Christ, we now shine forth with that same light. Life has replaced death; light has replaced darkness. As we have been born into new life through Christ’s fulfillment of the law, so we also have been born into light in how to walk in this world. The emphasis of this verse, then, is given to show that just as we once were darkness – like the sons of disobedience – we are now children of light. We are not to participate any longer in that which is contrary to our new nature.

As a fine point of theology, this verse – when properly considered – once again demonstrates the doctrine of eternal salvation. The law is fulfilled for us; we are dead to it. We have taken on a new nature. Paul shows that we can go back and do the things of darkness, but they do not change our new nature. Those deeds are simply contrary to it. We have not gone merely from being “in darkness” to being “in light.” Instead we have gone from being darkness to being light. The emphatic nature of Paul’s words are intended to show us this as an absolute truth.

Life application: If you have called on Christ, the light of Christ now dwells in you. Arise! Shine forth! Your light has come! Don’t enter again into darkness, but rather radiate out that marvelous truth that you are now a son of God, fully redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Lord God, Your word shows two states of man. We are either in Christ and we are light, or we are not in Christ and we are darkness. If we are light, we have life. If we are darkness, we have no life. As this is so, then help us to be willing to radiate out Your light for others to see. Help us to not participate in darkness any longer. It is contrary to our new nature and can only hinder others from coming to know You. Guide us as children of light and life for the benefit of others and for Your radiant glory! Amen.

Saturday, 8 October 2016

Therefore do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5:7

This is referring to all of the negatives he has introduced, both in the last chapter, and in this. “Therefore” is the conclusion which he brings in concerning those things. As a reminder, these are the negatives from the previous four verses –

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; ⁴ neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

To “be partakers with them” means to share in their behavior. To share in their behavior then means to share in the wrath which comes with it. Having said that, “the sons of disobedience” is referring to the unregenerate. Paul has made a distinction between the unsaved and the saved. Because of this, his words in no way negate the doctrine of eternal salvation. The sons of God already have their inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (see Ephesians 2:4-7). The sons of disobedience do not have this.

Thus, the wrath of God on unbelievers will be worked out in condemnation; the wrath of God towards our sin as believers will be worked out in a loss of rewards. As we have moved into the heavenlies and been seated with Christ, we are not to be partakers of unholy living, but in that which is just, righteous, and holy.

Life application: There is nothing wrong with associating with the unregenerate. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 5 that if we were to not do so, we would have to “go out of this world.” However, in associating with unbelievers, we are not to partake with them in any conduct which the Bible forbids. The only way to do this though is to know what the Bible says. Read your Bible.

Lord God, You have asked Your people to not be partakers with those who act in inappropriate ways. How can we know what is inappropriate unless we read and know Your word? Is it really that difficult for us to just pick it up, turn to the church-age epistles, and study them? Are we so busy that we don’t have time to listen to Your words and respond to them? Help us in this Lord! We are so easily drawn away from that which is important. Instill in our hearts the desire to be obedient through reading and applying this marvelous gift which You have written for us. Amen.

Friday, 7 October 2016

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  Ephesians 5:6

The negatives which were set forth in the previous verses, to include those mentioned towards the end of Chapter 4, are being addressed here. Paul warns the Ephesians by saying, “Let no one deceive you with empty words.” The word “empty” gives the thought of that which is void or worthless. There is no substance behind what is spoken. In other words, the warning is that some will come forward to say that those things which have been warned against are actually ok to engage in.

As people come to Christ, there is almost inevitably a conflict which arises between their old walk and the new walk which they have chosen. Very few are immune to the tempting enticements which pull the old man back to the old ways. There are those who have been friends for years that don’t understand the new direction which has been taken, and they work to bring their “wayward” friend back into the fold of carnal life. They will use words which are intended to convince the young and immature believer that it is ok to indulge in those things. But such arguments are “empty words.” There is no true substance behind them.

Rather, it is “because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” Paul wrote of the wrath of God in Romans 1, explaining what brings it about. The things he mentions here in Ephesians are a part of that process. It is because of participating in these things that the world is judged. And this judgment follows two distinct lines. The first is judgment in this world through diseases, conflicts which lead to physical harm or death, and the like. The second judgment is that of being cast for all eternity away from the presence of God. The Lake of Fire is the ultimate end for all “the sons of disobedience.”

As an apostle, Paul is showing that these vain arguments are exactly that. They are empty and without any substance behind them. The warnings of Scripture, to include the apostolic warnings (which are now recorded in the Bible), are given to direct us away from that which is harmful, and which brings about the wrath of God, and toward that which is pleasing to Him.

Life application: To ignore the warnings of Scripture can only lead to a sad end. There will be trials and pains in this life, and there will be either judgment and condemnation for non-believers, or a loss of rewards for believers. Stand firm on the word, and do not be deceived by vain words which are contrary to the word of God.

Lord God, Your word is often dismissed as a book of heavy handed rules which limit our freedom and which are given to steal our joy. But this is the last thing which is found there. Instead of the bondage of disobedience leading to punishment and death, there is the freedom of living free from that which brings pain and condemnation. The rules in a society are given for the good of the people. How much more then is Your word given for the benefit of Your children! Thank You for the marvelous protections and safeties which Your word gives us. Amen.

Thursday, 6 October 2016

For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Ephesians 5:5

There is an emphasis here which is lacking in the translation. It says, “For knowing you recognize.” The NIV gives a good sense by saying, “For of this you can be sure.” It is at once a warning and a statement of great clarity. It is something that should be obvious on the surface to all who contemplate what will be said.

After this, we are given a direct list of personalities which concerns what will then be explained. These are fornicators, unclean people, and covetous men. The last are then explained as idolaters. The list corresponds to those just mentioned in verses 3 & 4. He first warned that such sins not even be named among us. Then he says that such people have no “inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

People who live in such a manner as described here have misplaced priorities. They look to the things of the world and not to the things of God. Until they come to God through Christ, they remain apart from His forgiveness and salvation.

Having said this, a verse such as this, when taken out of context, can be used to demonstrate a loss of salvation is possible. However, Paul will show this is not the case as he continues with his words. In a similar warning which is found in 1 Corinthians 6, Paul followed up the warning with the words, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

The actions are past tense and they indicate the complete nature of the sanctification and justification of the individual. Although it will be stated differently here in Ephesians, the same thought carries through. Once one is saved they remain saved. From that moment they are granted an “inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”

The words here in Greek are tou Christou kai Theou, “the Christ and God.” There is one article applied to both “Christ” and “God” which perfectly demonstrates the oneness of the two. It is a consistent thought found throughout the New Testament that Jesus Christ is fully God. One must truly abuse Scripture to find a separation between God and Christ. They are one and the same.

Life application: Each of us has set up idols in our hearts. We have been unclean and covetous at times as well. And yet, because of applying the blood of Christ to our lives, we are now washed clean and are considered pure before God the Father. Thank God for Jesus Christ who cleanses us from all impurity!

Lord God, if we truly look at our lives, we cannot deny that we have engaged in all of the things which are opposed to Your splendor. We have coveted, we have lied, we have been unclean in our hearts and actions too. And yet, because of Your great love with which You love us, You sent Jesus to pay our sin debt. His shed blood is fully sufficient to cover our sins and to keep covering them throughout our lives. How marvelous this thought is, especially when we stumble and fall. Thank You for the power of the blood of the Lord Jesus to purify us once and for all! Amen.

Wednesday, 5 October 2016

…neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:4

In the previous verse, Paul gave several negatives which Christians are to refrain from in their behavior and conduct. He continues with more negatives which are certainly tied to the “all uncleanness” of the previous verse. They are:

“Filthiness” – This Greek word is found only here in the New Testament. It indicates  obscenity, indecency, or baseness. Those things in a conversation which are indecent, both in speech and in gesture are included in this.

“Foolish talking” – The Greek word morologia, is again unique to the New Testament. It is the combination of moros, (think of a moron), and lego, indicating speaking. Thus it is moronic speech. It gives the sense of “speech flowing out of a dull, sluggish heart (mind) that lost its edge (grip) on reality. This is the ‘talk of fools, involving foolishness and sinning together’” (HELPS Word Studies).

After this, he mentions “course jesting.” For a third time, a unique word in the New Testament is used by Paul. It is, “From a compound of eu and a derivative of the base of trope (meaning well-turned, i.e. Ready at repartee, jocose); witticism, i.e. (in a vulgar sense) ribaldry – jesting” (Strong’s). This would thus give the sense of “polished and witty speech as the instrument of sin; refinement and versatility without the flavor of Christian grace” (Vincent’s Word Studies).

Paul, under inspiration of the Spirit, tells us that these things are “not fitting.” Our speech and actions are to be wholesome and pure, not sensual and unclean. In today’s world, where everything seen on the internet is so vulgar, and where a thousand posts a day are viewed by our eyes which are nuanced with perversion and vulgarity, it is a hard thing to distance ourselves from. And yet, it is what we are called to do.

Instead of these things, we are to rather give thanks. Jamieson-Faucett-Brown says that the word here has “a happy play on sounds in Greek, ‘eucharistia’ contrasted with ‘eutrapelia’; refined ‘jesting’ and subtle humor sometimes offend the tender feelings of grace; ‘giving of thanks’ gives that real cheerfulness of spirit to believers which the worldly try to get from ‘jesting.’”

Life application: Instead of rude, course talking, we should be speaking words of edification to one another, and of praises to God. Instead of fighting in the flesh with our mouths and actions against that which is upright and moral, we should be singing in the Spirit. Let us keep this thought at the forefront of our minds, doing our best to speak that which is wholesome, glorifying of God, and edifying of others.

Heavenly Father, our eyes are introduced to a thousand profane emails and posts a day. Vulgarity and crude innuendo are seen in a continuous stream as we interact with others on social media, and yet You ask us to not engage in such things ourselves. Help us in this endeavor. It is so easy to become what our eyes and ears have beheld. Keep us free from this type of corruption, and help us to live and speak in holiness and with pure tongues. Help us to be edifying of others and glorifying of You. Amen.