The Epistles · Chapter 5 of 6

Ephesians 5

Paul calls believers to imitate God and walk in love as Christ loved them and gave himself for them. He warns against impurity, greed, and empty words, urging them to live as children of light and to make the most of the time. He calls them to be filled with the Spirit, singing and giving thanks, and closes by portraying marriage as a picture of Christ and the church.

What happens in Ephesians 5

Paul urges believers to be imitators of God as beloved children and to walk in love, following Christ who gave himself as an offering and sacrifice to God. He warns that impurity, covetousness, and coarse talk have no place among the saints. Believers were once darkness but are now light in the Lord, so they must walk as children of light, bearing good fruit. Paul calls them to walk wisely, redeeming the time. Rather than being drunk with wine, they are to be filled with the Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and giving thanks always.

Submitting to one another in reverence for Christ, they order their households. Wives are to submit to their husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is head as Christ is head of the church. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. Paul calls marriage a great mystery, speaking of Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5 in context

This chapter continues the practical section of Ephesians, moving from general Christian conduct into specific relationships. Paul contrasts the old life of darkness with the new life of light and calls for Spirit-filled worship and thanksgiving.

The latter half introduces his teaching on the household, beginning with marriage, which he interprets throughout as a living image of the relationship between Christ and his church, the mystery at the heart of the chapter.

Main themes of Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5 (KJV)

1Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And 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. 3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5For 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. 6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That 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. 28So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Verses to carry from Ephesians 5

“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.”Ephesians 5:2

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

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

Reflection

Whether or not you are married, this chapter holds up Christ's self-giving love as the measure of all love. Ask where you are called to give yourself for another's good rather than serve yourself. Let the way you love reflect the Savior who gave himself to make his people holy and whole.

A prayer from Ephesians 5