The Glory Of Ephesian 5:1-5

I received a message from a very dear friend of our online ministry asking for a clearer explanation of Paul’s message in Ephesians 5:1-5.

According to this dear brother of ours, he got involved with some folks who said Paul’s use of words in Ephesians 5:1-5 suggests that believers in Christ who don’t live up to that name may end up missing the kingdom of God and be thrown to Hell. Well, nothing can be farther from what those verses are saying.

If we approach those verses of scripture with an open mind, a mind devoid of preconceived notions and truly willing to learn, then the light of God’s Word will flood our hearts as we study those scriptures closely.

What was Paul trying to pass across in Ephesians 5:1-5? Let’s see those verses closely.

Eph 5:1  Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 

Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 

Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 

Eph 5:4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 

Eph 5:5  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 

First, from verses 1 to 2, we see Paul talking to the Ephesian believers and instructing them on how to live their lives.

In that verse 2, he once again reinforced the believers' golden law or commandment which is Love. Not Law as in the sense of the old covenant anyway. He was actually making a reference to the love of God in Christ which we have received and should extend to all who come across us, especially our fellow believers.

In verse 3, Paul called those believers Saints (people who are righteous, sanctified and has no iota of sin in them). 

Having reminded them of their in-Christ identity as saints, he went on to instruct them on how saints are expected to live.

Please I’d like you to pay closer attention here. I need you to get this part clearly.

In instructing them on how they should live, he then makes a contrast between them and the rest of the world who has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. If you read from verse 3 and stop at just verse 5, you might end up with the assumption that Paul was saying believers who ever act wrongly has no part in the kingdom of God anymore. That’s not what he is saying there and the next few verses clearly reveal this.

Eph 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 

Eph 5:4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 

Eph 5:5  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 

Eph 5:7  Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 

Eph 5:8  For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 

Read that one more time.

Did you notice how he used the words “children of disobedience,” “them” and “darkness?” If you follow it down to verse 15, he repeatedly used these words and even added more like “fools” etc. Now all these negative terms used in that chapter have only one thing in common - they were descriptions of the unbelieving man who has no part in the kingdom of God!

So what Paul was saying, in essence, is “don’t copy the unbelievers and live in fornication, adultery, covetousness and idolatry. Why copy someone who does not have the same identity (saint, light, wise etc) as you? Why copy someone who has no inheritance with you in the kingdom of God and of Christ? Someone whom the wrath of God (eternal destruction or damnation) will come upon if he fails to embrace Christ.”

In other words, you are different in nature now as a Christian, let your actions reflect it. You are a child of Light (the same way Jesus Himself called you the Light of the world), don’t walk in darkness.

But then, what if some believers simply refuse that instruction and live carelessly even though they are truly born again? Will they end up in Hell just like the unbelievers?

The answer is right there in verse 2 and then verse 25 to 27. let’s take a look at them.

Eph 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 

Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 

Christ has given Himself for the believers’ sin (conscious and unconscious sins) and has also taken it upon Himself to see that He (Jesus) washes, cleanses and presents the believer to Himself SPOTLESS, HOLY and WITHOUT BLEMISH. No spot, wrinkle (sin) or any such thing will be in the believer on the last day. Read it again.

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 

Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 

Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 

That is what the Bible truly teaches!

As much as you can, live uprightly with all your heart as a believer. You are a living epistle on earth, make no mistake about that.

But while you are at it, also realise that it is not so as you won’t lose your salvation (you can’t lose what is not given to you to keep), it is rather so as to represent Christ everywhere you go. To shine as light even in the midst of darkness.

I hope this blesses you. Glory to God our King!