Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5, part of Paul’s letter to the Ephesian church, written around AD 60–62 from Rome during his imprisonment, focuses on practical Christian living, urging believers to imitate God, walk in love, and live wisely. Paul addresses relationships within the church and household, emphasizing Christ’s love as the model for behavior, particularly in marriage, and contrasts the Christian life with the darkness of the world.
Key Sections
Imitating God in Love (5:1–2): Paul calls believers to imitate God as beloved children, walking in love as Christ did, who gave Himself as a fragrant offering and sacrifice for us.
Living as Light (5:3–14): Believers must avoid sexual immorality, impurity, greed, and crude talk, as these suit the disobedient, who face God’s wrath. As children of light, they produce goodness, righteousness, and truth, exposing darkness. Paul quotes a saying, possibly from early hymns, “Awake, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Walking Wisely (5:15–21): Paul urges careful, wise living, redeeming the time in evil days. Instead of drunkenness, be filled with the Spirit, expressed in psalms, hymns, thanksgiving, and mutual submission out of reverence for Christ.
Marriage and Christ’s Love (5:22–33): Wives are to submit to husbands as to the Lord, as the husband is the head, like Christ is head of the church. Husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church, sacrificing for her to make her holy. Marriage reflects Christ’s union with the church, a profound mystery, with mutual love and respect.
Cross-References
Imitating God: 
1 John 4:11: Love as God loves.

Matthew 5:48: Be perfect as God is.

Colossians 3:12–14: Clothe in love.
Living as Light: 
1 Thessalonians 4:3–7: Avoid immorality.

Romans 1:18: Wrath on unrighteousness.

John 8:12: Light of the world.
Avoiding Immorality: 
1 Corinthians 6:18–20: Flee sexual sin.

Colossians 3:5: Put away greed.

James 3:6: Tongue’s corruption.
Filled with the Spirit: 
Acts 2:4: Spirit-filled speech.

Colossians 3:16: Word dwells richly.

Philippians 4:6: Thanksgiving in all.
Marriage and Christ: 
Colossians 3:18–19: Wives and husbands.

1 Peter 3:1–7: Mutual honor in marriage.

Revelation 19:7–9: Bride of Christ.
Christ’s Sacrifice: 
Romans 5:8: Died for sinners.

Hebrews 9:14: Offered Himself.

Genesis 2:24: One flesh in marriage.
Theological Meaning
Imitation of God: Believers reflect God’s character through sacrificial love, modeled by Christ (5:2; Romans 12:1–2).

Holiness in Conduct: Christians reject worldly sins, living as light to expose and transform darkness (5:8–9; 1 Peter 1:15–16).

Spirit-Filled Life: The Spirit empowers worship, gratitude, and submission, contrasting fleshly indulgence (5:18; Galatians 5:22–23).

Christ and the Church: Marriage mirrors Christ’s sacrificial love and the church’s submission, a divine mystery (5:32; Colossians 1:18).

Wise Stewardship: Believers use time purposefully, guided by God’s will in a corrupt world (5:16; Colossians 4:5).

God’s Wrath: Persistent sin invites judgment, urging repentance (5:6; Romans 2:5).
Questions and Answers
What does “walk in love” mean (5:2)?
Live sacrificially, emulating Christ’s self-giving love for others (5:2; John 15:12).

Why avoid immorality and greed (5:3–5)?
They’re unfit for God’s kingdom, bringing wrath on the disobedient (5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9–10).

What is “children of light” (5:8)?
Believers, transformed by Christ, reflecting His righteousness and truth (5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5).

What does “redeem the time” mean (5:16)?
Use time wisely, prioritizing God’s will in evil days (5:16; Psalm 90:12).

How are wives to submit (5:22–24)?
Voluntarily, as to Christ, respecting husbands’ leadership, like the church to Christ (5:24; Colossians 3:18).

How should husbands love (5:25–28)?
Sacrificially, like Christ’s love for the church, nurturing and cherishing their wives (5:25; 1 Peter 3:7).

How does this apply today?
Live holy, love sacrificially, walk wisely, and reflect Christ in relationships (5:1–2; Philippians 2:3–4).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written from Roman imprisonment (Acts 28:16–31), this chapter addresses Ephesus’s church, steeped in pagan immorality and idolatry (Acts 19:18–19). Household codes (5:22–33) adapt Greco-Roman norms, infusing them with Christ’s love (Colossians 3:18–19). Ephesus’s culture valued sensuality (5:3) and drunken festivals (5:18), contrasting Paul’s call to holiness (Acts 19:24–27).

Cultural Questions: “Immorality” (5:3) includes Ephesus’s temple prostitution (1 Corinthians 6:15–16). “Children of light” (5:8) counters Ephesus’s Artemis cult (Acts 19:28). “Awake, sleeper” (5:14) may reflect baptismal hymns, common in early churches (Colossians 3:16). “Submission” (5:22) aligns with Roman household roles but redefines them through mutual love (Genesis 2:24). “Mystery” (5:32) uses Jewish imagery for divine plans (Daniel 2:28).

Application: Ephesians 5 calls believers to reflect God’s love, reject worldly sin, and live Spirit-filled lives. It challenges cultural indulgence and power imbalances, urging sacrificial relationships and wise living in a dark world (Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:15–17).