Paul opens the section with an admonition to “walk” in love. Ephesians 5:1-2. We have been freely forgiven and have received the unsearchable riches of God’s grace - and for Christ’s sake, Who gave Himself for us. As dear children - The meaning is, “as those children which are beloved follow the example of a father, so we, who are beloved of God, should follow his example.” What a simple rule this is! EPHESIANS 5:1-14. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group. 1 So be imitators of God, * as beloved children, a 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. However Paul sees walking in love as consistent with following God’s rules. Ephesians definition is - a letter addressed to early Christians and included as a book in the New Testament. as dear children; and because they are such by adopting grace; being predestinated unto the adoption of children, in the eternal purpose of God, and taken into that relation in the covenant of grace; and which is declared and made manifest in regeneration, and by faith in Christ Jesus: and they are dear, or beloved children, being loved with an everlasting and unchangeable love, and which is the spring and source of their adoption; and their being dear to him is seen by what he is unto them, their covenant God and Father; and by what he has done for them, in giving his Son to them, and for them; as well as in choosing, calling, and quickening them by his grace, and by the account he makes of them, as his jewels, his peculiar treasure, and the apple of his eye; and by the pity and compassion he has for them, and the care he takes of them; and therefore it becomes them to imitate him; for who should they imitate and follow after, but their Father, and especially when they are so dear unto him? They ask such innocent questions … What a simple rule this is! Rev., beloved. Prayer for Ephesians' strength, praise to God - Ephesians 3:14-21. Also, as we saw (Eph. During the last part of the 90's and now into the 21st Century, a new form of behavior has arisen, called "Road Rage." Angry and impatient drivers, suddenly take out all their frustrations on the next guy. In Christ's sacrifice his love triumphs, and we are to consider it fully. www.biblestudytools.com › commentaries › gills-exposition-of-the-bible. Then, in Ephesians chapters 4-6, Paul continued with his practical and moral application of the Christian faith. I) INTRODUCTION. There are both positive and negative sides to this pathway. [46] 2 And k walk in love, l as Christ loved us and m gave himself up for us, a n fragrant o offering and sacrifice to God. And how much contention and strife would be avoided if it were followed! 2. Ephesians 5:1-10 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. This word eklego (and related forms such as eklektos) are where we get the term “election,” meaning being elected or chosen by God. Bible Gateway Recommends. Living a life activated by loving-kindness in the keeping of God's commandments, following the example of Jesus Christ, and being tenderhearted to forgive is a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God.Three of the offerings were sweet smelling, and two were not. a. What does Ephesians 5:1 mean? Sonship infers an absolute necessity of imitation, it being vain to assume the title of son without any similitude of the Father [Pearson].Ephesians 5:1,2 Paul exhorteth to the imitation of God, and of thelove of Christ,Ephesians 5:3,4 to avoid fornication and all uncleanness,Ephesians 5:5,6 which exclude from, the kingdom of God, and drawdown God’s wrath on unbelievers,Ephesians 5:7-14 with whose works of darkness Christians, that havebetter light to inform and influence them, shouldhave no fellowship,Ephesians 5:15-17 to walk with prudence and circumspection,Ephesians 5:18-20 not to drink wine to excess, but to be filled withthe Spirit, singing psalms, and giving thanks to God,Ephesians 5:21 and being in due subordination to one another.Ephesians 5:22-24 The duty of wives toward their husbands,Ephesians 5:25-33 and of husbands toward their wives, enforced by theexample of Christ and his church.Be ye therefore followers of God; particularly in being kind, and forgiving injuries, Matthew 5:45,48; so that this relates to the last verse of the former chapter. We have been freely forgiven and have received the unsearchable riches of God’s grace - and for Christ’s sake, Who gave Himself for us. Exhortations to Love: And against Carnal Lusts and Communications. The passage exhorts believers to imitate God in their daily walk. Ephesians See Table at Bible. "We are sons of men, when we do ill; sons of God, when we do well" [Augustine, on Psalm 52]; (compare Mt 5:44, 45, 48). Ephesians 5:1, NASB: "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;" Ephesians 5:1, NLT: "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children." As dear children; viz.