Bible Commentaries

John Brown

Ephesians 5:1-18

I. INTRODUCTION

A. As we return to the book of Ephesians 5:1 (NKJV) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

1. "Therefore" = based upon all the ungodly behavior already mentioned.

a) "Mimic" the Lord, not the world!

B. Ephesians 5:2 (NKJV) And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

1. John 15:13 (NKJV) "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

2. 1 John 3:16 (NKJV) By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.

a) In other words, real love is not greedy and self-consuming, it is sacrificial!

b) Although I might have a right to do something, I will consider the feelings of those around me.

C. Ephesians 5:3-4 (NKJV) But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;

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

1. Sexual sins, anything immoral, and even greedy jealousy should not even be part of a Christian's life!!

a) In other words, these things should be so far removed that no one can even suspect us or accuse of these sins.

b) 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NKJV) Abstain from every form (KJV = appearance) of evil.

2. Paul goes on to mention a few other things that are not "fitting" for the Christian.

a) "Filthiness" = obscenities = dirty language!

b) Foolish talking is pretty self explanatory.

(1) In fact, foolish talking and coarse jesting go hand-in-hand.

(2) Paul doesn"t say that some of those things might not be fun or funny, but that they are inappropriate for a Chistian.

(a) That is why they are so dangerous, because they do appeal to the flesh.

c) The Apostle tells us our time would be better spent giving the Lord thanks!

D. Ephesians 5:5 (NKJV) For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous Ephesians 5:6-7 (NKJV) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

1. If you see repetitive ungodly behavior, even if it is in your friends, quit hanging out with them!!!

F. Ephesians 5:8-11 (NKJV) For you were once darkness, but now [you] [are] light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

9 (for the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

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

1. When we were in the darkness, without Christ, we at least had an excuse.

2. But now, the Holy Spirit that live within, knows what is acceptable to the Lord!

a) Ephesians 5:12-13 (NKJV) For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

13But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

1. He told us in verse8 that we are "now light in the Lord" and that we should "walk as children of light."

2. Here in verses12,13 , he illustrate that if we are doing that, then we will expose sin, not cover it up, because that is what light does!

H. Ephesians 5:14-16 (NKJV) Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."

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

16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

1. A quote taken from Isaiah 26:19 and Isaiah 60:1

2. As Christians, we have been "awakened" and the "light" of Christ indwells us!

3. Because of that, we cannot afford to "walk carelessly."

a) A fool walks carelessly, not considering that his time is running out!

b) We, as Christians know that the time is running out and that the days are evil, so we must make the most of them!

4. Now Paul move very briefly to the relationship we have with the Holy Spirit.

I. Ephesians 5:18-20 (NKJV) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual Ephesians 5:18-24

I. INTRODUCTION

A. For the last few week in our study of Ephesians 5:18-20 (NKJV) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV) submitting to one another in the fear of God.

1. Please notice that18 through21is all one big, long verse!

a) In other words, a Christian's behavior should always be predicated upon respect (fear) for the Lord!

b) And out of respect for the Lord, we will respect His Godly order of doing things!

2. In life, there is always someone in authority over us, and often, there is someone whom we are in authority over. God's "chain-of-command" if you will.

a) That is not an accident, it is part of His plan!

b) Matthew 8:5-10 (NKJV) Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him,

6 saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."

7 And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.

9 "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this [one], `Go," and he goes; and to another, `Come," and he comes; and to my servant, `Do this," and he does [it]."

10 When Jesus heard [it], He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

(1) Jesus was impressed with this man's faith and ability to understand submission!

(2) He knew that Jesus was there to do the Father's will, not His own, and he also knew that because of Jesus" authority, all He had to do was speak and it would be carried out!

(3) This is the heart the Lord wants us to develop.

(a) He want us to have the faith to know that HE is ultimately in charge.

(b) Perhaps this "submission" thing would be easier to understand put a different way.

(i) Romans 12:3-4 (NKJV) For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think [of] [himself] more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,

(ii) Philippians 2:3-8 (NKJV) [Let] nothing [be] [done] through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a Ephesians 5:22 (NKJV) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

1. Two things I would like to point out here:

a) Wives are asked to give their husbands the same loving submission that they do the Lord!

(1) Actually "because" of the Lord.

(2) Trusting in the Lord even more than they do their husbands.

(3) Like the Romans Centurion, having enough faith to know that the Lord has given him that position for His reason!

b) The second thing I would like to point out here is that Paul says, submit to your own husbands!

(1) Often, wives have no problem submitting to "husbands" in the work environment, but have a very difficult time doing the same thing at home!

(2) I think this verse gives us a hint that the Lord considers it more important at home!

(a) Especially in the context of our study regarding Christian Behavior.

(b) Now Paul goes on to explain to wives, why this is right.

D. Ephesians 5:23 (NKJV) For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

1. I think pastors throughout the world have had women leave the church when they teach on these verses.

a) Today's "modern, liberated woman" (even many Christian women), doesn"t like the idea of her husband having any kind of authority over her at all.

(1) Yet, as I have said, many of those same women will willingly submit to a male boss or co-worker without issue!

(2) I think the problem is a basic understanding of the husband's role and the term the husband is head of the wife.

(a) This Greek word2776 kephale kef-al-ay"} has several meanings:

(i) In relationship to the body, it is the center of life and awareness.

(ii) Metaphorically speaking it is used for anything supreme, chief, prominent

(a) In other words it is used for people when they are considered to be a master or lord: Which is exactly the relationship Paul is talking about here!

(b) And it is also used when speaking of Christ, as the Lord of the husband and of the Church

(c) When it is used to speak of things, it means the corner stone

(3) Perhaps it is not a misunderstanding of what this means at all that makes it hard for most wives to do what Paul asks.

(a) Maybe it is because they do understand and just can"t see their husbands in the same light the Lord does!

(i) For the men, I want to point out as Paul has that Jesus" role also included Savior of the body!

(a) We will get into how that needs to be carried out in your role to your wife also a little later.

(ii) Let's go on.

E. Ephesians 5:24 (NKJV) Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in everything.

1. In other words, in God's order, where her husband is concerned, Jesus is in authority over him.

a) Meaning, he will have to answer to the Lord for his stewardship of his family and his treatment of you!

b) The word "everything" means that a wife should develop the Godly discipline of trusting the Lord to work through her husband in every area.

(1) Please understand, this does not cancel out all the other scriptures regarding sin!

(2) If a husband is asking his wife to sin, the Lord does not require submission!!

(3) Next week we will deal with the expected godly behavior of a Christian husband.

John Brown

Ephesians 5:25-33

I. INTRODUCTION

A. The last few teachings in Ephesians we have concentrated on Christian behavior.

1. Last week, we specifically dealt with the behavior of a Godly wife as it related to her husband.

2. And in tonight's study we will take a look at the husband's role and his Godly behavior towards her.

II. TEXT

A. Ephesians 5:25 (NKJV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

1. Let's just take a look at the first part Husbands, love your wives, to help us better understand the rest of Chapter5.

a) 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 (NKJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

2And though I have [the] [gift] [of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the] [poor], and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether [there] [are] prophecies, they will fail; whether [there] [are] tongues, they will cease; whether [there] [is] knowledge, it will vanish away.

b) We"re going to take a look at this a little closer, but basically guys, what this is saying is that if you don"t love your wives the way the Lord has prescribed (Biblically), you don"t amount to much!!!

(1) That's what that word "nothing" means in verse2.

(2) It doesn"t matter if you have the gift of tongues and interpretation, the gift of prophecy, word of knowledge, and faith to move mountains, it still adds up to a big zero.

c) Ephesians 5:25 (NKJV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

a) The rest of the verse gives us the highest and best example of love and that is Jesus.

(1) Notice the depth of His commitment to His bride!

B. Ephesians 5:25-27 (NKJV) . . . . Christ . . . . gave Himself for her,

26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

1. Please understand that the church was (and is not now) holy and without blemish!

a) Yet the Lord made a "path" by which He could view His bride is such a way.

b) Unlike most of us husbands who look for reasons to pick our wives apart, Jesus looked for a way to see His bride "without blemish!"

c) A Christian husband should love his wife so much that he is willing to give his own life for her!

(1) John 15:13 (NKJV) "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

C. Ephesians 5:28-29 (NKJV) So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord [does] the church.

1. Please notice that the Apostle Paul says that husbands are supposed to love their "own" wives!

a) For many husbands, (and wives), it s easier to look at someone else's spouse and think, "Boy I wish my husband or wife was like them."

b) The remedy for that is to love your spouse more that you love yourself!!

(1) Paul validates that self-love by reminding us that we go to great lengths to make sure that "we" are comfortable, loved and well cared for!

(2) Here's what Paul is getting at:in Christ, you are your wife and she is you. You are one where He is concerned!

D. Ephesians 5:30-31 (NKJV) For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

31 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."

1. The reference here is out of Genesis 2:23 and it is used to validate Paul's statement that a husband and wife are one flesh just like the church is made one flesh through the cross!

a) When we accept Him as Savior, we become His beautiful bride, and consequently one flesh with Him!

(1) Something that was once "ugly" and "unacceptable" because of sin, is transformed by His righteousness, into something beautiful!!

E. Ephesians 5:32 (NKJV) This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church33Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife [see] that she respects [her] husband.

1. A "mystery" by Biblical definition, is something that has not yet been revealed.

a) 1 Corinthians 13:9-12 (NKJV) For we know in part and we prophesy in part10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

b) I am convinced that we husbands understand these verses very little!

(1) This great "mystery" of Christ and the church and how it relates to us as husbands is a lifetime undertaking!

(2) But this much we do know, men it is time to put away childish things.

III. CONCLUSION

A. If we have been treating our wives with anything or in any way that is less than what the Lord wants, we need to repent, and find out how to do a better job being a Godly husband.

B. Next week we will see how proper Christian behavior affects how we raise our children, and what kind of employer, and employees we are!