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Ephesians 5

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Adam Clarke Bible Commentaryv. 1

Be ye therefore followers of God - The beginning of this chapter is properly a continuation of the preceding, which should have ended with the second verse of this. The word μιμηται, which we translate followers, signifies such as personate others, assuming their gait, mode of speech, accent, carriage, etc.; and it is from this Greek word that we have the word mimic. Though this term is often used in a ludicrous sense, yet here it is to be understood in a very solemn and proper sense. Let your whole conduct be like that of your Lord; imitate him in all your actions, words, spirit, and inclinations; imitate him as children do their beloved parents, and remember that you stand in the relation of beloved children to him. It is natural for children to imitate their parents; it is their constant aim to learn of them, and to copy them in all things; whatever they see the parent do, whatever they hear him speak, that they endeavor to copy and imitate; yea, they go farther, they insensibly copy the very tempers of their parents. If ye therefore be children of God, show this love to your heavenly Father, and imitate all his moral perfections, and acquire the mind that was in Jesus.

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Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 1

EXHORTATIONS TO LOVE: AND AGAINST CARNAL LUSTS AND COMMUNICATIONS. CIRCUMSPECTION IN WALK: REDEEMING THE TIME: BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT: SINGING TO THE LORD WITH THANKFULNESS: THE WIFE'S DUTY TO THE HUSBAND RESTS ON THAT OF THE CHURCH TO CHRIST. (Eph. 5:1-33) therefore--seeing that "God in Christ forgave you" (Eph 4:32). followers--Greek, "imitators" of God, in respect to "love" (Eph 5:2): God's essential character (Jo1 4:16). as dear children--Greek, "as children beloved"; to which Eph 5:2 refers, "As Christ also loved us" (Jo1 4:19). "We are sons of men, when we do ill; sons of God, when we do well" [AUGUSTINE, on Psalm 52]; (compare Mat 5:44-45, Mat 5:48). Sonship infers an absolute necessity of imitation, it being vain to assume the title of son without any similitude of the Father [PEARSON].

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John Gill Bible Commentaryv. 1

Be ye therefore followers of God,.... Not in his works of infinite wisdom and almighty power, which is impossible; but in acts of righteousness and holiness, and particularly in acts of mercy, goodness, and beneficence; as in forgiving injuries and offences, and in freely distributing to the necessities of the saints; as the connection of the words with the preceding chapter, and the instance and example in the following verse show: and this should be done by the saints, 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?

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 1

Here we have the exhortation to mutual love, or to Christian charity. The apostle had been insisting on this in the former chapter, and particularly in the last verses of it, to which the particle therefore refers, and connects what he had said there with what is contained in these verses, thus: "Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be you followers of God, or imitators of him;" for so the word signifies. Pious persons should imitate the God whom they worship, as far as he has revealed himself as imitable by them. They must conform themselves to his example, and have his image renewed upon them. This puts a great honour upon practical religion, that it is the imitating of God. We must be holy as God is holy, merciful as he is merciful, perfect as he is perfect. But there is no one attribute of God more recommended to our imitation than that of his goodness. Be you imitators of God, or resemble him, in every grace, and especially in his love, and in his pardoning goodness. God is love; and those that dwell in love dwell in God and God in them. Thus he has proclaimed his name, Gracious and merciful, and abundant in goodness. As dear children, as children (who are wont to be greatly beloved by their parents) usually resemble them in the lineaments and features of their faces, and in the dispositions and qualities of their minds; or as becomes the children of God, who are beloved and cherished by their heavenly Father. Children are obliged to imitate their parents in what is good, especially when dearly beloved by them. The character that we bear of God's children obliges us to resemble him, especially in his love and goodness, in his mercy and readiness to forgive. And those only are God's dear children who imitate him in these. It follows, And walk…

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 1

5:1 Imitate God . . . in everything you do: Primarily by expressing love (5:2; cp. Matt 5:44-45, 48). • because you are his dear children: Just as children follow their parents’ example, believers should follow God’s example (1 Cor 4:14-17).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 1

γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… μιμητής (mimētḗs, G3402) — an imitator οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) ἀγαπητός (agapētós, G27) — beloved τέκνον (téknon, G5043) — a child (as produced)

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Strong's Concordancev. 2

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… περιπατέω (peripatéō, G4043) — to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively,… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἀγαπάω (agapáō, G25) — to love (in a social or moral sense) ἡμᾶς (hēmâs, G2248) — us παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us προσφορά (prosphorá, G4376) — presentation; concretely, an oblation (bloodless) or sacrifice θυσία (thysía, G2378) — sacrifice (the act or the victim, literally or figuratively)

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Strong's Concordancev. 3

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πορνεία (porneía, G4202) — harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀκαθαρσία (akatharsía, G167) — impurity (the quality), physically or morally ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than πλεονεξία (pleonexía, G4124) — avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion ὀνομάζω (onomázō, G3687) — to name, i.e. assign an appellation; by extension, to utter, mention, profess μηδέ (mēdé, G3366) — but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you καθώς (kathṓs, G2531) — just (or inasmuch) as, that πρέπω (prépō, G4241) — to tower up (be conspicuous), i.e. (by implication) to be suitable or proper (third… ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

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Strong's Concordancev. 4

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… αἰσχρότης (aischrótēs, G151) — shamefulness, i.e. obscenity μωρολογία (mōrología, G3473) — silly talk, i.e. buffoonery ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than εὐτραπελία (eutrapelía, G2160) — witticism, i.e. (in a vulgar sense) ribaldry ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) ἀνήκω (anḗkō, G433) — to attain to, i.e. (figuratively) be proper οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) μᾶλλον (mâllon, G3123) — (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather εὐχαριστία (eucharistía, G2169) — gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship)

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Strong's Concordancev. 5

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing ἐστέ (esté, G2075) — ye are γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole πόρνος (pórnos, G4205) — akin to the base of G4097 (πιπράσκω)); a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by analogy)… ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than ἀκάθαρτος (akáthartos, G169) — impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic)) πλεονέκτης (pleonéktēs, G4123) — holding (desiring) more, i.e. eager for gain (avaricious, hence a defrauder) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are εἰδωλολάτρης (eidōlolátrēs, G1496) — an image- (servant or) worshipper (literally or figuratively)

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Strong's Concordancev. 6

ἀπατάω (apatáō, G538) — to cheat, i.e. delude μηδείς (mēdeís, G3367) — not even one (man, woman, thing) ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) κενός (kenós, G2756) — empty (literally or figuratively) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) ὀργή (orgḗ, G3709) — properly, desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy),… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… ἀπείθεια (apeítheia, G543) — disbelief (obstinate and rebellious)

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Strong's Concordancev. 7

γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… οὖν (oûn, G3767) — (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly συμμέτοχος (symmétochos, G4830) — a co-participant αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…

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Strong's Concordancev. 8

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ποτέ (poté, G4218) — indefinite adverb, at some time, ever σκότος (skótos, G4655) — shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νῦν (nŷn, G3568) — "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or… φῶς (phōs, G5457) — compare G5316 (φαίνω), G5346 (φημί)); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… περιπατέω (peripatéō, G4043) — to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively,… ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) τέκνον (téknon, G5043) — a child (as produced)

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Strong's Concordancev. 9

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… καρπός (karpós, G2590) — fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἀγαθωσύνη (agathōsýnē, G19) — goodness, i.e. virtue or beneficence καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosýnē, G1343) — equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia, G225) — truth

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Strong's Concordancev. 10

δοκιμάζω (dokimázō, G1381) — to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are εὐάρεστος (euárestos, G2101) — fully agreeable κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful…

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Strong's Concordancev. 11

καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… συγκοινωνέω (synkoinōnéō, G4790) — to share in company with, i.e. co-participate in μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ἄκαρπος (ákarpos, G175) — barren (literally or figuratively) ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act σκότος (skótos, G4655) — shadiness, i.e. obscurity (literally or figuratively) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. μᾶλλον (mâllon, G3123) — (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather ἐλέγχω (elénchō, G1651) — to confute, admonish

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Strong's Concordancev. 12

γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are αἰσχρόν (aischrón, G149) — a shameful thing, i.e. indecorum καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… κρυφῆ (kryphē, G2931) — privately γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…

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Strong's Concordancev. 13

δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἐλέγχω (elénchō, G1651) — to confute, admonish φανερόω (phaneróō, G5319) — to render apparent (literally or figuratively) ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… φῶς (phōs, G5457) — compare G5316 (φαίνω), G5346 (φημί)); luminousness (in the widest application, natural or… γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

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Strong's Concordancev. 14

διό (dió, G1352) — through which thing, i.e. consequently λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… ἐγείρω (egeírō, G1453) — to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from… καθεύδω (katheúdō, G2518) — to lie down to rest, i.e. (by implication) to fall asleep (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀνίστημι (anístēmi, G450) — to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun) Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἐπιφαύω (epiphaúō, G2017) — to illuminate (figuratively) σοί (soí, G4671) — to thee

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