Sabbath, July 19 – Ephesians 5, 6
1. What does it mean to imitate God as His children? (Ephesians 5:1–2)
2. What kinds of speech does Paul warn believers to avoid? (Ephesians 5:3–4)
3. Why must believers put on the whole armor of God? (Ephesians 6:11–12)
4. How should Christian relationships reflect Christ’s love? (Ephesians 5:21–33)
Commentary and reflection
In Ephesians 5 and 6, Paul calls believers to a life that reflects Christ’s love. He writes:
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us.” (Ephesians 5:1–2, NKJV)
Imitating God means living in love a life shaped by Christ’s self-sacrifice. In contrast, Paul warns believers to avoid sexual immorality, impurity, and greed. These sins, often tied to pagan practices, have no place among God’s people.
Equally dangerous are sins of speech. Paul urges believers to avoid obscenity, foolish talk, and crude jokes. Such words, he says, are out of place among saints. Instead, our speech should reflect gratitude and grace.
Paul solemnly warns: “For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man… has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” (Ephesians 5:5, NKJV). He cautions believers not to be deceived into thinking that conduct no longer matters because they are Christians. The wrath of God comes on those who persist in such sins.
Before knowing Christ, believers lived in darkness. But now they are “light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8). Paul urges them to “walk as children of light.” A transformed life begins with grace but demands discernment. We’re called to test what pleases the Lord, rejecting what doesn’t belong in a life dedicated to Him.
“The nearer man approaches to the image of God, the more deeply he feels his own unlikeness to God.” — Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 265
Believers must shine God’s light, calling each other away from error. Paul reminds us that time is short, and we live in evil days. We must be wise, seeking the Lord’s will.
Paul contrasts drunkenness with being filled by the Spirit. Rather than losing control, Spirit-filled believers overflow with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Our hearts become fountains of praise and joy.
Paul speaks to marriage, urging wives to respect their husbands and husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church. Christ’s headship is not only about authority but sacrificial care. Husbands are to love their wives “just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25).
Marriage reflects the sacred relationship between Christ and His people.
Children are commanded to honor their parents, a commandment tied to God’s promise of blessing. Parents, in turn, must not provoke their children but nurture them in the Lord.
Paul addresses slaves and masters, emphasizing that both are under Christ’s authority. Whatever their earthly status, all serve the Lord, who shows no partiality.
Paul closes his letter by describing our spiritual battle:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age.” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV)
Believers are to put on the whole armor of God: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith as a shield, salvation as a helmet, and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.
This armor equips us against the devil’s schemes, from temptations to false teachings.
“Perilous times are before us. Everyone who has knowledge of the truth should awake and place himself, body, soul, and spirit, under the discipline of God. The enemy is on our track; we must be wide awake, on our guard against him… We must put on the whole armor of God.” — Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 3, p. 265
My prayer: Lord, help us to imitate You in love, live as children of light, and stand firm in Your armor. May our words honor You, and our relationships reflect Christ’s love. Keep us faithful until You come. Amen.