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Ephesians Bible Study
- Thread starter Radagast
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Ephesians 5:1-14 in the ESV continues:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 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 become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
The quotation here seems to be a summary and paraphrase of passages from Isaiah, such as Isaiah 60:1: "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."
Also Isaiah 26:19: "Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead."
And perhaps Isaiah 9:2: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined."
This brothel in Ephesus tells us something about what Paul wants the Ephesians to avoid:
I'd like people to post some general reflections on this passage. I have only one specific question: What does "arise from the dead" mean in this context?
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 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 become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
The quotation here seems to be a summary and paraphrase of passages from Isaiah, such as Isaiah 60:1: "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."
Also Isaiah 26:19: "Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead."
And perhaps Isaiah 9:2: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined."
This brothel in Ephesus tells us something about what Paul wants the Ephesians to avoid:
I'd like people to post some general reflections on this passage. I have only one specific question: What does "arise from the dead" mean in this context?
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The passage speaks to coming alive in Christ from the dead works of our old life.
I think this reflects back to Ephesians 5:6-13 where the comparison is to what "the sons of disobedience do".
The understanding relates back to the era of it's writing and the paganism of sensual god worship that existed in that time in Ephesus. We don't worship them today, but sex and sensuality is the call of our day as well.
The call is to allow the light of Christ to shine on us! it brings to mind Christ stating "You are the light of the world" in the beattitudes.
I think this reflects back to Ephesians 5:6-13 where the comparison is to what "the sons of disobedience do".
The understanding relates back to the era of it's writing and the paganism of sensual god worship that existed in that time in Ephesus. We don't worship them today, but sex and sensuality is the call of our day as well.
The call is to allow the light of Christ to shine on us! it brings to mind Christ stating "You are the light of the world" in the beattitudes.
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Ephesians 5:15-33 is, of course, a much-discussed passage:
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Saviour. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. {Or: holy and blameless} 28 In the same way husbands should love their 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 Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (ESV)
Note that in the Greek there is no verb in verse 22. The verb is in verse 18 ("be filled with the Spirit"). Verses 18-22 run: ... ἀλλὰ πληροῦσθε ἐν πνεύματι (but be filled with the Spirit) λαλοῦντες ἑαυτοῖς ψαλμοῖς καὶ ὕμνοις καὶ ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς (addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs) ᾄδοντες καὶ ψάλλοντες τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν τῷ κυρίῳ (singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord) εὐχαριστοῦντες πάντοτε ὑπὲρ πάντων (giving thanks always and for everything) ἐν ὀνόματι τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ) τῷ θεῷ καὶ πατρί (to God the Father) ὑποτασσόμενοι ἀλλήλοις ἐν φόβῳ Χριστοῦ (submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ), αἱ γυναῖκες τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν (the wives, to their own husbands) ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ (as to the Lord).
This means that the wives submitting to their own husbands is a special case of "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ," which in turn is one of the ways of being "filled with the Spirit."
Remember also that Paul uses the word "mystery" to refer to a formerly secret part of God's plan, which has now been revealed
Four questions:
1) What does Paul say about Christian music?
2) What are the four ways of being "filled with the Spirit" that Paul lists (verses 19-21)?
3) What are we to give thanks for?
4) What are the obligations on husbands here?
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Saviour. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. {Or: holy and blameless} 28 In the same way husbands should love their 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 Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (ESV)
Note that in the Greek there is no verb in verse 22. The verb is in verse 18 ("be filled with the Spirit"). Verses 18-22 run: ... ἀλλὰ πληροῦσθε ἐν πνεύματι (but be filled with the Spirit) λαλοῦντες ἑαυτοῖς ψαλμοῖς καὶ ὕμνοις καὶ ᾠδαῖς πνευματικαῖς (addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs) ᾄδοντες καὶ ψάλλοντες τῇ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν τῷ κυρίῳ (singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord) εὐχαριστοῦντες πάντοτε ὑπὲρ πάντων (giving thanks always and for everything) ἐν ὀνόματι τοῦ κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ (in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ) τῷ θεῷ καὶ πατρί (to God the Father) ὑποτασσόμενοι ἀλλήλοις ἐν φόβῳ Χριστοῦ (submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ), αἱ γυναῖκες τοῖς ἰδίοις ἀνδράσιν (the wives, to their own husbands) ὡς τῷ κυρίῳ (as to the Lord).
This means that the wives submitting to their own husbands is a special case of "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ," which in turn is one of the ways of being "filled with the Spirit."
Remember also that Paul uses the word "mystery" to refer to a formerly secret part of God's plan, which has now been revealed
Four questions:
1) What does Paul say about Christian music?
2) What are the four ways of being "filled with the Spirit" that Paul lists (verses 19-21)?
3) What are we to give thanks for?
4) What are the obligations on husbands here?
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0
I've got question 1. Hopefully we can get some response from others. We're getting a lot of viewers...but they're not posting.
You folks viewing this feel free to jump in...this is an open study!
It's E-fellowship...get with it!
1) What does Paul say about Christian music?
The key thing here is our music, singing, and songs should be directed to God. It is worship that should be directed up...if it's directed to God the Holy Spirit will bless it and use it.
The key here is it's TO God...when it's done that way it blesses the Body of Christ!
You folks viewing this feel free to jump in...this is an open study!
It's E-fellowship...get with it!
1) What does Paul say about Christian music?
The key thing here is our music, singing, and songs should be directed to God. It is worship that should be directed up...if it's directed to God the Holy Spirit will bless it and use it.
The key here is it's TO God...when it's done that way it blesses the Body of Christ!
Upvote
0
- Dec 10, 2003
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I've got question 1. Hopefully we can get some response from others. We're getting a lot of viewers...but they're not posting.
You folks viewing this feel free to jump in...this is an open study!
It's E-fellowship...get with it!
1) What does Paul say about Christian music?
The key thing here is our music, singing, and songs should be directed to God. It is worship that should be directed up...if it's directed to God the Holy Spirit will bless it and use it.
The key here is it's TO God...when it's done that way it blesses the Body of Christ!
Upvote
0
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Let me just wrap up the questions myself:
2) What are the four ways of being "filled with the Spirit" that Paul lists (verses 19-21)?
3) What are we to give thanks for?
For everything.
4) What are the obligations on husbands here?
To love their wives as Christ loved the church... which involved being crucified.
2) What are the four ways of being "filled with the Spirit" that Paul lists (verses 19-21)?
- Singing together (addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs)
- A song in your heart (singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart)
- Thanksgiving (giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ)
- Submission (submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.)
3) What are we to give thanks for?
For everything.
4) What are the obligations on husbands here?
To love their wives as Christ loved the church... which involved being crucified.
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I'll post Ephesians 6, for general discussion, without specific questions:
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honour your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves {Or: servants}, obey your earthly masters {Or: your masters according to the flesh} with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants {Or: slaves} of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master {Lord} and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brothers {Or: brothers and sisters} and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
This chapter includes one of the most famous examples of Paul's military metaphors. The picture is of a Roman legionary:
Please discuss this chapter, and may peace, love, faith, and grace be with you all.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honour your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves {Or: servants}, obey your earthly masters {Or: your masters according to the flesh} with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants {Or: slaves} of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master {Lord} and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brothers {Or: brothers and sisters} and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
This chapter includes one of the most famous examples of Paul's military metaphors. The picture is of a Roman legionary:
Please discuss this chapter, and may peace, love, faith, and grace be with you all.
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Eph 6:1-3 is the family structure and order. It follows as the apostle gave the husband and wife relationship previously in chapter 5.
*Children are to be obedient and the promise for that obedience is consistent with the promise of the 5th commandment.
Eph 6:4 Parental authority, discipline and training of their children
*Parents are not to provoke children...this is a warning of abusing parental authority. When it comes to discipline and training we look to how God deals with us in this area and there's plenty of guidance in the Proverbs.
Eph 6:5-8: Is this day it better speaks to say employees obey your employers. This is a first line Christian witness, if we do it right. We should view our job as service to God.
Eph 6:9 Christian that own businesses should view their relationship to their employees and the running of their business as a witness to God.
*Children are to be obedient and the promise for that obedience is consistent with the promise of the 5th commandment.
Eph 6:4 Parental authority, discipline and training of their children
*Parents are not to provoke children...this is a warning of abusing parental authority. When it comes to discipline and training we look to how God deals with us in this area and there's plenty of guidance in the Proverbs.
Eph 6:5-8: Is this day it better speaks to say employees obey your employers. This is a first line Christian witness, if we do it right. We should view our job as service to God.
Eph 6:9 Christian that own businesses should view their relationship to their employees and the running of their business as a witness to God.
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