FOLLOWERS OF GOD (EPHESIANS 5)
Basketball fans know LeBron’s biggest wish this year? To play in the NBA on the same team as his son Bronny, which the senior is doing after the Lakers drafted the son at the last draft. Into eight games, the Lakers won four and lost four, with the son getting less than ten points in eight games. The rumor now is that Bronny would be sent to play with the reserves in the G League.
The first and famous baseball father-son duo to play together was Ken Griffey, Sr – the winner of two World Series- and Ken Griffey, Jr, a Hall of Famer. They were teammates for 51 games in 1990 before the father was injured. The father said, “Being a father, I guess it’s a dream come true. This is the pinnacle – this is the thing in my career that I’m very proud of – very proud of. You can talk about the ’76 batting race I was in and all that. But to me this is number one.”
https://baseballhall.org/discover-more/stories/inside-pitch/father-son-in-lineup
So far, Ephesians chapter 1 is Blessing (God), 2 is Bridge (Gentiles), 3 is Bearer (Paul), 4 is Bond (Church), and 5 is Break with others (6 is Battle with Satan). Ephesians 5 is renowned for its three “BE” in the imperative mood (vv 1, 7, 17), more “BE” imperatives than any chapter in the Bible. You might say Paul had become more forceful, firm and forthright in his admonition to the church by chapter 5. The introduction to Ephesians 5 is the first occasion believers are addressed as “dear/beloved children” in the Bible.
Why is it important to remember our role and resolve as God’s beloved children (v 1)? What do we as God’s beloved children or dearly loved (v 1) children believe, what do we do and how do we act?
Be Regal and Resolute
1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
This is an addiction ranking chart:
1. Alcohol
2. Tobacco
3. Drug
4. Food addiction
5. Gambling addiction
6. Internet addiction
7. Sex addiction
8. Shopping addiction
9. Video game addiction
10. Porn addiction
https://valleyspringrecovery.com/addiction/common/
It’s been said that it takes between three weeks to two months to get rid of a video game addiction. More serious addictions require three months, two years to five years for recovery.
There are 10 imperatives and five reasons (“gar” from verse 5) in the first section.
IMPERATIVES Not, never, not one
V 1 “BE” imitators God (children) Sacred Identity (Identity)
V 2 LIVE/WALK in love as Christ loved Christ Sacrificial Love
V 3 must “not” + HINT
+ FOR (v 5) must not (v 3 mede = but not) + NAMED
“not” (v 4 ouk) convenient
FOR (v 5 gar ) + “not” (v 5 ouk) + inheritance Christ and God (v 5) Sound Living
(Inheritance)
V 6 let “no” one + DECEIVE + FOR (v 6) “no one” (medeis) + deceive
FOR + wrath comes God Straight Talk + “children of disobedience” (v 6 in Greek)
(Indignation)
V 7 “not” + BE partners + FOR (v 8) + LIVE/WALK “not” (v 7, me) + partners
FOR (v 8, gar) + LIVE/WALK Lord (v 8) + Lord (v 10)
Darkness VS light Sober Judgment + Safe Distance (WALK)
“children of light” (v 8)
(Independence)
V 11 “nothing” + DO + FOR (v 12) “nothing” (me) + FELLOWSHIP + EXPOSE (reprove)
FOR (v 12) + shameful Sharp Rebuke
(Insurance)
The first few imperatives (vv 1-5) are directed at believers and the last imperatives (vv 6-11) are on their relationships. Verse 1 describes our “sacred identity.” Imitators (v 1) is from the Greek word mimetes, where we get the verb “mimic,” the noun “meme” (meem) or the mimeograph machine in English. It is to replicate, remodel or reproduce God in our acts, attitude and aspiration.
The second imperative is “live” (v 2) or “walk” in Greek – for His “sacrificial living.” This verb “walk” occurs a record-breaking eight times in the book in contrast to other books. It means to be saintly, sacrificial and steadfast in love. Love is a noun and verb in one verse.
The third imperative is “hint” (v 3) or “named”in KJV is our “sound living.” Sexual immorality (fornication), impurity (uncleanness), greed (covetousness), obscenity (fithiness), foolish talk or coarse joking (jesting) are not befitting our status as “saints,” His servants, sons and daughters. The first reason (v 5 gar) is no inheritance (in the kingdom) means no part, place or possession in His kingdom.
The fourth imperative is “deceive” in verse 6 – or “straight talk” versus empty or vain words (v 6). The second reason (gar) is the coming of the wrath of God. God’s wrath is His ire, indignation and incense – his rage, outrage and barrage against the children of disobedience.
The fifth imperative is “Be” (v 7) not partner or “sober judgement.” Light occurs twice in verse 8. There is more talk of darkness (vv 8, 11) and light (vv 8 twice, 9, 13 twice) in this epistle than any epistle in the Bible. Partners occurs in Ephesians only. We are partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel (Eph 3:6). The third reason (gar) we are in the light. Light is delight, discernment and deliverance, whereas darkness is dread, doom and despair.
The sixth and seventh imperative are in one verse – “do” (sug-koinoneo or “co-fellowship) and “expose” in verse 11. Fellowship is shared interaction, involvement and intercession. Expose is more than to reveal; it is to rebuke, reprove and refute. The reason (v 12, gar) is because of the shameful acts that are despicable, degraded and depraved.
The last two imperatives are “wake/awake” and “arise” (v 14). Wake is roused and inspiration and rise is raised and implementaiong.
Be Rational and Revived
15 Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
The church gave me a two months’ sabbatical from August 16 to October 14th, 2024. With lots of time on my hands, I wisely spent it to prepare for my retirement one day. It’s harder than you think! I spent three weeks to visit my sister in Los Angeles, my in-laws in San Diego and my alma mater in Dallas. On Sundays, I visited various churches to find out what others churches do and how they are doing in Hong Kong or USA, including two Baptist churches, one Evangelical Free Church and one Mandarin church locally and the Saddleback church in Southern California after Rick Warren’s retirement.
The rest of the five weeks were not easy to pass by, but I thankfully settled into a routine. In the morning, I swam in the clubhouse for an hour after 8 a.m. to allow the 7 a.m. early bird seniors and the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workers to occupy the pool. From 9-10 a.m. I’ll be at the pier having breakfast and sitting or strolling around. At 10 a.m. I’ll write for two hours, check mail, then doze off. By 1:30- to 2 p.m. I’ll get my lunch again at the pier ater the lunch break is over. Not to isolate myself, I would meet somebody over lunch, tea or dinner, so I’ll adjust my schedule. I’ll have my dinner by 8 p.m., walk and write for one and a half hours each, then read my Malaysian, Singapore and Hong Kong news, plus FB and Youtube before sleeping.
Vv 15-16 BE “not” as unwise V 17 “not” BE foolish V 18 “not” get DRUNK
“not” as unwise “not” be foolish “not” get drunk
Unwise VS wise Foolish VS understand Drunk VS filled
There are three sentences (vv 15-16 one sentence, 17, 18) in the section, with an imperative and a “not/never” (“me”) in each sentence. The contrasts are “wise” and “unwise’ in verse 15, “foolish/brain” and “understand” in verse 17, and “drunk” (intoxicated) and “filled” are contrasts. Careful (v 15 be very careful) is to harness a protective, perceptive, prohibitive and proactive attitude.
Verse 17’s verbs “BE” (not be foolish) and “understand” are imperatives, and the words “foolish” and “understand” are contrasts. The foolish (a-phron) person is a mindless person in Greek. He lost his head, his judgment and wits. Understand the Lord’s will is understand His priority, His pleasure and purpose for our lives. The Greek understanding is to put or piece it together. It is practicable, prudential and profitable and productive. Understand is to discover and do His will.
Verses 17-21 is Trinitarian in nature – Lord (v 17), Spirit (v 18), Lord (v 19), God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ (v 20).
The imperative “be filled” means more than adequate but abundant and ample. Filled means to be occupied, optimized and overflowing with the Spirit. Wine makes people do immature, idiotic and irritable things, but the Spirit makes people do inspirational, impactful and important things. There are four methods: Speak(ING) to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (2) SingING and make music in your heart to the Lord, (3) always giviING thanks to God the Father for everything and (4) submit(ING) to one another out of reverence for Christ. The fourth is controversial because the imperative for wives to “love” their husbands is missing in Greek. It is not speaking in tongues, but living a triumphant, thankful and transformed life. The Spirit gives us power, passion and perseverance to live a faithful, fruitful and fulfilled life.
Be Respectful and Responsible
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
A man was looking for the perfect wife. He wanted to find someone who was beautiful, kind, loving, and very spiritually oriented. He found such a women, but it did not work out because she was so spiritual that she could not easily relate to the practical things in the material world.
Then the man found someone who was perfect. She was beautiful, kind, loving, intelligent, organized and practical in material affairs. She was just what he was looking for. But it also did not work out. Why? Because she was so practical that she really did not need him so much, and ended up being a bit of a nag, always telling him what he should do. So he still looked for the perfect woman.
Then he found the perfect wife. She was beautiful, kind, loving, intelligent, organized, practical in material affairs, as well as spiritually inclined. A perfect balance. No one could be better. She would make just what he was looking for--the perfect wife.
So friends asked him if they got married. No. Why not? Because she was also looking for the perfect husband.
The submission of wives, however, is the key to a healthy, happy and harmonious marriage, even though it is not an imperative (v 21). It’s been said, “A happy wife, a happy life!” Love occurs five times in the passage (vv 25, 25, 28, 28, 28). Love as a verb occurs 10 times in the book, eight times in the chapter, more than any chapter in the Bible. In love, a woman has substance, security and strength.
The model for husbands in the way they love their wives is the way Christ loved the church and gave (para-didomi) himself for her (vv 2, 25). Christ’s love for the church is love in action.
Paul listed two purposes (“hina”). First, to sanctify the church or make her holy (v 26). True love is pure, perfect – untainted, uncorrupted, undefiled and uncompromising. Christ covered and cleanse her of her sins. Second, to present her to himself as a radiant (endoxos) church (v 27).
There is also a “why” or “for” added (v 29) in Greek. The husband’s role is to feed and care for the body (v 29), “feed” is a word found only in this book, appearing in Ephesians 6:4 as “bring up” and “care” as a nurse cherisheth her children (1 Thess 2:7). They are not two bodies, but one body (v 30).
Next, Paul compares a husband’s love for his wife to his love for his own body. Paul now switches to the present participle or continuous tense for the second “love” (“love” their wives) in verse 28, meaning continuous, unceasing, and unwavering. “Self” occurs eleven times in the chapter (Eph 5:2, 19, 25, 27, 28*4, 29, 33*2), more than any chapter in the Bible. Feeding (v 30) is physical, caring is emotional.
There are three future verbs in verse 31 – leave, join, and become/be. The first is physical, the second is emotional, and the third is personal. The contrast in preposition is “leave down/behind” (kata-leipo), the second is “join toward” (pros-kollao) and “be,” which is stationary.
Conclusion:
Honesty
Harmony
Humility
Hospitality
Hobby
