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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS

CHAPTER FIVE:
“WATCH HOW YOU WALK!”

[“Wise Conduct That Unifies”]
Key word: Walk

Ephesians 5:1-2 – Imitate God and Walk in Love

EP5:1 So, as beloved children become imitators 253 of The God,

253

Beloved children become imitators: Or, KJV: be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; TCN: imitate God; CON: be followers of God’s example; KNX: you must be like him; PME: as children copy their fathers you, as God’s children, copy him. See notes on Matthew 5:48. (Luke 6:36) The thought of imitating God is daunting but what is asked is a life of loving concern for others – both good and wicked, both thankful and ungrateful, both friends and enemies.

EP5:2 and continue to walk in love, 254 just as Christ also loved you and gave himself as a perfumed, sweet-smelling offering 255 and sacrifice to The God. [Exodus 29:18]

254	Continue to walk in love: Or, TCN: live a life of love; WMS: practice living in love; NOR: let love guide your footsteps. “Let everything you do be charitable in loving concern.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)

255

He gave himself as a perfumed, sweet-smelling offering: Or, TCN: gave himself for you as an offering and a sacrifice to God, that should be fragrant and acceptable. Galatians 2:20 describes Paul’s feelings, “… who loved me and handed himself over for me.” Perhaps echoing Exodus 29:18, “… a burnt offering to Jehovah, a restful odor.” Compare 2 Corinthians 2:15, “… a sweet odor of Christ.”

Ephesians 5:3-5 – Conduct and Kingdom Inheritance

EP5:3 Do not discuss sexual immorality, 256 or uncleanness, 257 or the desire for more, 258 or moronic talking, 259 or obscene jesting, 260 just as it befits Saints.

256	Sexual immorality: Or, fornication, prostitution. The Greek is porneia and the general use of the word is in the context of prostitution, homosexuality and incest. Or, TCN: unchastity; WMS: sexual vice. [See notes on Galatians 5:19ff.]

257	Uncleanness: Or, TCN: every kind of impurity; KNX: debauchery. [See notes on Galatians 5:19ff.]

258	Desire for more: Or, KJV: covetousness; PME: the itch to get your hands on what belongs to other people. Note the link at 1 Corinthians 5:11, “… a fornicator or a greedy person.”

259	Moronic talking: The Greek is moralogia. Or, KJV: foolish talking; CON: buffoonery; NEB: no coarse, stupid, or flippant talk: BAR: stupid or frivolous talk.

260	Obscene jesting: Or, RHM: shamefulness; CON: buffoonery, nor ribald jesting; GDS scurrilous talk; WMS: suggestive jesting; TAY: dirty stories, foul talk and coarse jokes.

EP5:4 For it is unbecoming and disgraceful to even mention such things 261 among yourselves, but rather continue expressing thanks. 262

261

To even mention such things: Or, KJV: not be once named; PME: don’t even talk about such things. Colossians 3:5, 8 has it, “So, all of you deaden your earthly members – sexual immorality, impurity, passion, harmful greed which is idolatrous… Get rid of all of it – wrath, anger, harmfulness, abusive speech, foul talk – remove all of it out of your mouth!” [NCMM] The above would not be said if something of a problem did not exist. It is clear that a Christian will be characterized his or her speech.

262	Expressing thanks: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “You must find something to be grateful to God for in everything.” [BAR]

EP5:5 For you realize this that every sexually immoral or unclean person – or one who desires more 263 (which amounts to idol-worship) – has no inheritance in the Kingdom 264 of Christ and God.

263	One who desires more: Or, TCN: greedy of gain; BAR: characterized by that greed, which has made gain its god. Neither an elder nor a deacon can be “greedy of dishonest gain.” (1 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:7)

264	No inheritance in the kingdom: Compare 1 Corinthians 6:9 and Galatians 5:21. This is not that “realm of profession” compared in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 13; but, rather, it is the center of sovereignty, the celestial government of YHWH and His Anointed. [Revelation 11:15]

Ephesians 5:6-14 – Go on Walking as Children of Light

EP5:6 Let no one seduce you with empty words 265 regarding these [ungodly] things, for the wrath of The God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.

265

Let no one seduce you with empty words: CON: mislead; RCNT: specious arguments; NEB: shallow arguments; WMS: groundless arguments; KNX: do not allow anyone to cheat you with empty promises; PME: don’t let anyone fool you on this point, however plausible his argument. Colossians 2:4, 8 has it, “[So] no one may delude you with persuasive statements… Be alert so that no one takes you captive and carries you away like spoil through philosophy and hollow seduction.” [NCMM]

EP5:7 So, do not become joint partakers with them. 266

266	Do not become joint partakers with them: Or, RHM: co-partners; KNX: you do ill to throw in your lot with them; TAY: don’t even associate with such people; BAR: never have anything to do with people like that. 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers.”

EP5:8 For you were once [children of] darkness, 267 but now [you are children of] light in union with the Master. 268 So continue walking as children of the light. 269

267	Once [children of] darkness: See notes on Ephesians 2:12.

268	Light in union with the Master: Or, TAY: full of light; KNX: you are all daylight. (1 John 2:9)

269	Continue walking as children of the light: Or, WEY: live and act as sons of Light; KNX: live as men native to the light; NEB: live like men who are at home in daylight.

EP5:9 For the fruitage of light is every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth, 270

270	Fruitage of light is every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth: TCN: the outcome of life in the Light may be seen in every form of goodness, righteousness, and sincerity; WEY: effect of the Light; WMS: product of the Light; PME: wholesome and good and true; NEB: justice.

EP5:10 Keep proving to yourselves what is well pleasing 271 to the Master.

271	Proving what is well pleasing: The Greek is docimazontes. Or, KJV: proving; WEY: learn in your own experience what is fully pleasing; PME: let your lives be living proof of the things which please God; BAR: submit everything to the test of the approval of the Lord. Compare Romans 12:2.

EP5:11 Do not share with their unfruitful works of darkness, 272 but instead continue to reprove them. 273

272

Share not with the unfruitful works of darkness: Or, KJV: have no fellowship; PME: steer clear of the activities of darkness; BAR: have no share. Isaiah 52:11, “Turn away, turn away… keep yourselves clean.” Romans 16:17, “… avoid them.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6, “… disassociate yourselves from any brother who is lazy and disorderly” [NCMM]

273	Continue to reprove them: Or, CON: expose their foolishness; WEY: set your faces against them; NEB: show them up for what they are. Titus 1:13, “Reprove them with severity.”

EP5:12 For it is disgraceful to talk about these secret things, 274

274	Disgraceful to talk about these hidden things: Or, KJV: it is a shame even to speak; TCN: degrading; KNX: their secret actions are too shameful even to bear speaking of; BAR: try to keep hidden.

EP5:13 However, every thing reproved by the Light is being revealed, 275 for the Light is making it manifest.

275

Reproved by the light is being revealed: Or, NAS: all things become visible when they are exposed by the light; WEY: everything can be tested by their light and thus be shown in its true colours. The Nazarene taught: “Now this is what condemns: Though the Light has entered the world of humankind humans loved the Darkness rather than the Light because their works were wicked. For everyone who habitually does vile things continues to hate the Light, and he will not approach toward the Light, so that his works might be reproved. However, the person doing [what is] truthful approaches toward the Light so that his works should be made manifest as having been worked in [harmony with] God.” (John 3:19-21 NCMM)

EP5:14 Therefore he tells us: 276 “Awake, O sleeper, and rise up from the dead, and the Christ will illuminate you.”

276

He tells us: Or, “it.” Or, BAR: as the hymn has it. There are various opinions on the source of this quotation. Some view it as an early Christian hymn. Others think it a conflate, or compound paraphrase, of two or more OT sources, such as Isaiah 29:16, Isaiah 60:1, 2, or Daniel 12:2. However, these would be severe misapplications. For example, Jesus alludes to Isaiah 26:19 (LXX) and conflates it with Daniel 12:2 applying both to the resurrection of the Saints. On this application compare 2 Corinthians 5:10 and 1 John 2:28.

Ephesians 5:15-20 – Watch How You Walk!

EP5:15 So, hold an accurate view [of these matters], watching clearly 277 how you are walking – not as unwise persons but as wise persons. 278

277

Hold an accurate view of these matters, watching clearly: Or, KJV: walk circumspectly; ASV: look therefore carefully how; ALF: take heed; TCN: take great care; PME: live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility; BAR: par careful attention to the kind of life you live. How Christians conduct themselves in life is a subject that the disciple should study carefully.

278	Not as unwise persons but as wise persons: Or, GDS: do not act thoughtlessly, but like sensible men; WMS: not thoughtlessly but thoughtfully; NEB: like sensible men, not like simpletons. Proverbs 13:20, “He that is walking with wise persons will become wise.”

EP5:16 Continue buying out for yourselves the appointed time, 279 because these days are wicked.

279

Buying out for yourselves the appointed time: Or, KJV: redeeming the time; ALF: buying up opportunities; TCN: make the most of every opportunity; PME: make the best use of your time; BAR: seize each opportunity as it comes. Colossians 4:5, “All of you continue to conduct yourselves with wisdom toward those outside, and make the most of this present season.” [NCMM]

EP5:17 Because of this do not become senseless 280 but continue discerning the will of the LORD. 281

280	Do not become senseless: Or, KJV: be ye not unwise; TCN: do not grow thoughtless; WMS: stop becoming senseless; KNX: you cannot afford to be reckless.

281	Continue descerning the will of the LORD: Or, KJV: understanding; RHM: discernment; CON: learn to know; BAR: try to understand what the Lord wants you to do. [Romans 12:2]

EP5:18 Also, do not keep getting drunk with wine 282 – a course [filled with] wastefulness and riotous excess. 283 Instead continue to be filled spiritually. 284

282	Do not keep getting drunk with wine: Or, TCN: do not drink wine to excess; WEY: do not indulge in much wine; WMS: stop getting drunk on wine; KNX: do not besot yourselves; PME: don’t get your stimulus from wine; NEB: don’t give way to drunkenness. Compare Isaiah 5:11.

283	Riotous excess: Or, KJV: excess; ASV: riot; RSV: debauchery; BECK: wild living; RHM: dissoluteness; TCN: leads to profligacy; WEY: a thing in which excess is so easy; NEB: the dissipation that goes with it; BAR: the way debauchery lies. See Habakkuk 2:15.

284	Continue to be filled spiritually: Or, in pneuma. Or, TCN: seek to be filled with; WEY: drinking deeply of; WMS: ever be filled; PME: let the Spirit stimulate your souls. A phrase that is rare in the Christian Bible. See the Biblical Article God’s Spirit and You.

EP5:19 Keep talking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 285 singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. 286

285

Talking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs: Or, KJV: spiritual songs; TCN: sacred songs; KNX: spiritual music; PME: express your joy in singing among yourselves. James 5:13, “Let him sing psalms.” Acts 16:25, “Paul and Silas were praying and praising God with song.” 1 Corinthians 14:26. “… one has a hymn.”

286

Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord: Or, RHM: striking strings with your heart; TCN: make music in your hearts; BECK: with your hearts sing and play music to the Lord. (Psalm 33:2, 3) Music or singing is extremely rare in the Master’s life as found in the Gospels. There is only one example which followed the last Passover. Some either understand the above to be singing to one’s self, or songs without musical instruments. We can state firmly that music did not play the part it does in some modern Christian groups.

EP5:20 Continue giving thanks 287 to The God and Father for everything in the name of our Master Jesus Christ.

287	Giving thanks: Or, NEB: give thanks every day for everything. Colossians 3:17, “… thanking God the Father through Jesus.”

Ephesians 5:21-27 – Subjection and Love in Marriage

EP5:21…In fear of 288 Christ all of you be submissive to one another. 289

288

In fear of: The sentence in Greek is broken from the previous verse. The Greek is phobo and is one reason why wives should be in subjection to their husbands. Or, RHM: in reverence of Christ; KNX: stand in awe of; TAY: honor. The basis for what follows is “fear” or “respect” for the Lord of the Church, Jesus Christ. There is a strong element of Psalm 2:1, 11 here where “fear of the (anointed) king” is prophetically commanded.

289

Be submissive to one another: This congregational submission is listed by Paul as: wives, children, and slaves. Or, KNX: submit to each other’s rights; BAR: your reverence for Christ must banish all feeling of superiority to others. Some apply this exhortation to all, including husbands, though Paul creates his own categories. 1 Peter 5:5, “You young men submit to the elders.” Philippians 2:3, “… viewing others as your superiors.”

EP5:22 Wives [be submissive] to your own husbands 290 as to the Master,

290

Wives [be submissive] to your own husbands: Or, KJV: wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands; GDS: subordinate yourselves; TCN: wives should submit to their husbands; PME: you wives must learn to adapt yourselves to your husbands; BAR: wives must be subject to their husbands, for that is their Christian duty. Compare Colossians 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1-7. Genesis 3:17 placed this judgment on the woman: “… and thy submission shall be to your husband and he will rule over you.” (LXX) Subjection or submission would only be required where the woman disagrees with the husband’s decision. On this subject see the work The Biblical Woman in NAZARENE COMMENTARY 2000©.

EP5:23 just as Christ 291 is head of the Church, even a savior 292 of that Body.

291

Christ: Or, the Messiah. The Greek is aner estin kephale tes gynaikos. Or, KNX: the man is the head to which the woman’s body is united; TAY: a husband is in charge of his wife. Compare 1 Corinthians 11:1. The only person without a “head” is God Himself. Research the Greek kephale in NAZARENE COMMENTARY 2000©. On Christ’s headship see the notes on Ephesians 1:22.

292

Savior: This is the first occurrence of “savior” in Paul’s writings. The designation “savior” is divided about equally between The God of Jesus and Jesus Christ himself. Regarding Jesus compare Philippians 3:20; 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 1:4; 3:4, 6; 2 Peter 1:1, 11; 2:20; 1 John 4:14. Related to the subject of the Trinity research savior under the topic of The Error of the Trinity. The word “savior(s)” is applied to other persons such as Judge Ehud and King David.

EP5:24 But just as the Church continues to subject itself 293 to the Christ, just so also wives [should continue to be in subjection] to their husbands in everything. 294

293	The Church continues to subject itself: The woman’s role model is the Church itself. The Church recognizes her Husband as king, lord, master, savior, etc. It is unthinkable a genuine and loyal member of the Church would ever criticize, slander, gossip, or rebel with regard to her Husband.

294

So also wives [should continue to be in subjection] to their husbands in everything: Or, WEY: so also married women should be entirely submissive to their husbands; TAY: wives must willingly obey your husbands in everything. Such subjection or submission would only occur when the wife disagrees with her husband for otherwise they are agreeable friends in union on matters. 1 Corinthians 14:34, “Let women be in submissive to men just as the Law requires.” The words “in everything” would reasonably not include the violation of God’s law nor any thing that would endanger her or her children.

EP5:25 Husbands should continue loving their wives 295 just as Christ also loved the Church, even sacrificing himself for it. 296

295

Husbands, continue loving their wives: Or, BAR: husbands, you must love your wives. The Greek is agapate usually translated “love” but which means ‘concern demonstrated by performing the highest good to another.’ The word is never used of a wife to her husband in the Christian Bible. “Love” or agape (agapoo) is the marital theme-word of the husband. This love is shown in two major ways according to Paul: physical and spiritual care. 1 Peter 3:7 demonstrates what else is involved: “Husbands, continue living with your wives in knowledge, treating the female with esteem as if they were a fragile receptacle.” [NCMM] A woman who wishes love should be loveable.

296

Sacrificing himself for it: Compare Acts 20:28. He was willing to sacrifice himself for his Church. Likewise, the Christian husband and father will be a self-sacrificing person willing to surrender personal choices and wants for those of the family. Surely the Golden Rule applies more in the family than anywhere else. The role model of Jesus the Nazarene is one of selflessness and self-sacrifice.

EP5:26 And this so that he might sanctify the Church 297 – having cleansed it with the bath of the water 298 of his message

297	Sanctify the Church: Or, TCN: make her holy. Compare Hebrews 13:12.

298

Cleansed it with the bath of the water: Or, KJV: with the washing of water by the word; RHM: bath of water in declaration; PME: through the baptism of his Word; NEB: water and word. Regarding the founding apostles of his Church, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by means of the Truth. Your word is the truth.” (John 17:17) After this model the Christian husband and father will read and study the Bible with his wife and family. He will also apply its principles within the family. This home teaching is further demonstrated by 1 Corinthians 14:35, “If the woman wishes to learn let her ask her husband at home.”

EP5:27 – so that he might present 299 the glorious Church to himself without a spot, or a wrinkle, or any thing of the sort 300 – but rather that it may be holy and unblemished. 301

299	He might present: Compare Psalm 45:13 and Revelation 21:11, 19.

300

Without a spot, or a wrinkle, or any thing of the sort: Or, CON: stainless glory; TCN: in all her beauty; WMS: as a splendid bride; BECK: as something wonderful. 2 Corinthians 11:2, “I joined you together with one husband to make you stand beside the Christ as a chaste virgin.” [NCMM] Colossians 1:22, “And all of this so that all of you might be presented to God in a holy, innocent, and guiltless state.” [NCMM] See notes on Ephesians 1:4.

301	Holy and unblemished: Or, TCN: faultless; PME: perfect. (Revelation 22:14)

Ephesians 5:28-33 – The Mystery of Marriage

EP5:28 In this same way husbands should continue loving their wives as their own bodies. 302 The man loving his wife loves himself. 303

302	As their own bodies: Or, TCN: This is how husbands ought to love their wives – as if they were their own bodies.

303	Loves himself: Or, TCN: is really loving himself; PME: the love a man gives his wife is the extending of his love for himself to enfold her.

EP5:29 For seldom does a man hate his own flesh, 304 but rather he nourishes and sustains 305 his own flesh, just as Christ does the Church

304	Seldom does a man hate his own flesh: Or, it is unheard of, that a man should bear ill-will to his own flesh.

305	Nourishes and sustains: Or, TCN: every one feeds his body and cares for it; WMS: feeds and fosters; KNX: fed and warmed. 1 Corinthians 7:33, “The husband has some worldly concerns so that he may win his wife’s approval.”

EP5:30 – because we are members of his Body. 306

306	We are members of his Body: The KJV adds, “of his flesh, and of his bones” which are now recognized as lacking ancient authority.

EP5:31 “For this reason 307 a person will leave his father and mother and will be closely attached 308 to his own wife, and the two will be one flesh.” [Genesis 2:24]

307	For this reason: This is a quote of Genesis 2:24. This verse is also quoted at Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7, 1 Corinthians 6:16.

308	Closely attached: The Greek is pros-skollethesetai. Or, KJV: joined; CON: cleave; TCN: united to; WEY: cling to; GDS: attach himself. The Hebrew in Genesis 2:24 carries the meaning of: stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to. The Greek root actually means “glue” or “cement.”

EP5:32 I am talking about Christ and his Church – this is a great mystery. 309

309	A great mystery: RHM: sacred secret; TCN: profound truth; PME: the marriage relationship is doubtless a great mystery. Research the Greek mysterion or the English mystery in Ephesians.

EP5:33 Besides this, also, each of you [men] should love his wife as he does himself, 310 but the wife should be respectful of her husband. 311

310	Love his wife as he does himself: Or, MON: love his own wife exactly as if she were yourself. Colossians 3:19, “All of you husbands, continue loving your wives and do not become embittered with them.” [NCMM]

311

The wife should be respectful of her husband: The Greek is phobetai. Or, KJV: she should reverence her husband; TCN: the wife be careful to respect; TAY: deeply respects her husband – obeying, praising and honoring him. Compare 1 Peter 3:2. Just as the husband’s word is “love” the wife’s is “respect.” The woman craves love and the man wants respect. Respect is demonstrated by two factors: a] obedience; and, b] speech. If the wife wants love she must be loveable.

Review Questions on Chapter Five