Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians

Lesson 12

Manifesting Christianity

Ephesians Chapter 5:1-

Prayer:

Father, We believe in you for our daily needs. We relish your faithfulness and give thanks for your watch care over us as we strive to represent you as the only Gospel some folks will ever see. Keep us in the center of your will, and give us your words to speak out life so that others will know of your deep love for them, and your faithfulness will be extolled by the whole world. We want you to be all in all for every soul that lives among us.

Key Word - "manifest"

The word for manifest is phaneroo (fan-er-o'-o); it means to render apparent (literally or figuratively). The King James Version translates the word also as to [appear, manifestly declare, (make) manifest (forth), shew (self). In chapter five we see illustrations of this word in relationships between saint to saint, husband to wife, wife to husband, saint to pagan, and pagan to pagan. How the relationships are shown or illustrated is the heart of Paul’s theme in chapter five. Basically we need to shine forth the brightness of Christianity to any and all people who will listen. We should demonstrate how superior the life of Jesus Christ living within us really is to the world.

This is a highly controversial chapter because of the abuse of verses 21 through the 33 concerning wives and husbands. The idea of a submissive [church mouse wife to a Rambo type husband and how she should react to her husband in cases of abuse has been the subject of many debates. We suggest that the Bible is quite clear about the task of each member of the marital partnership. We joyfully state our results and feel that they will stand the test of time. Let’s open the Word of God and see the treasures he has given us to manifest in these dark times.

Eph 5:1-14

5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

The Greek word for followers is mimetes (mim-ay-tace'); an imitator. If we are to be like God, we must imitate him. Since we cannot imitate Him like adults we must strive to be like Him as His children. Our whole conduct should be like that of our Lord; imitating him in all our actions, words, spirit, and inclinations; imitate him as children do their beloved parents.

The term dear uses a derivative form of the Greek word for love which is agape. For many years now we have heard the term agape used to mean God’s love. This is only half way true for in other passages when the scriptures refer to God the Father loving Jesus Christ, the term philos or brotherly love is used. [John 5:20] It is therefore safe to say that agape and philos are two sides of the same love nature of God. The word teknon is used here for children, not infants in both the natural and the figurative senses.

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

We should live daily and conduct ourselves in love, the agape- philos kind of love and be willing to surrender ourselves to God as a fragrant sacrifice or roughly translated sweet-smelling "good stink".

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

As Christians we should be irreproachable. No fornication [porneo where we get our word pornography] or uncleanness [specifically demonism] or covetousness [extortion] should be indwelling with us. We should be constantly giving thanks [eucharisto]. No shameful behavior or buffoonery, not even quick witted comebacks, because there is an opportunity for the devil to enter into our lives when we practice these seemingly harmless behaviors…and someone gets offended

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Those folks who are living a lifestyle depicted in verses three, four and reiterated in verse five will have no inheritance in either kingdom for eternity. Should they change, then the situation can be remedied.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

People will come with vain and empty headed words trying to deceive us into thinking we can do the same things that pagans do. God promises his built-up wrath or [Greek word orge] upon us as his special "sons and daughters" who are disobedient and show a lack of belief. Paul uses the word huios and not teknon here indicating a special relationship already developed.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

We should not be a participant, i.e. (as noun) a sharer; or by implication an associate, with the children of disbelief.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

We, who were once in darkness, are now children teknon of the light phos we should conduct ourselves in the "enlightened" way

9(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth ;)

The word for fruit here is fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively, while the Greek word for Spirit is "light" The rest of the words goodness, righteousness, and truth, carry no difference from the original.

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Our acts of righteousness, goodness, and truth are tested and proven to see if they are pleasing and kosher with our supreme commander, our Lord Jesus.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

We should have no association, companionship, or especially resemblance, with the unfruitful works of darkness. There is no restriction, however, against contact with the people who do the works of sin. Once we have made contact we should admonish their wrongdoing.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

The Greek word for secret here is kruphe which means secret or private. This word is not to be mistaken for mystery [musterion] used earlier in our study of Ephesians. The same word kruphe is used in 1 Cor 13:34 where women should be silent or secret in the church, due to their behavior.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

All evil being admonished against in verses 3 through 12 are revealed by the light and the source of that light is God.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Apparently the apostle Paul freely adapts Is 26:19; 60:1. The last phrase--- shall give thee light,

or shall shine suggests the possibility that we have here the fragment of an early Christian hymn.

Isn’t the Lord Jesus Christ, who we trust for salvation, so good to us? He provides the source of our strength, and He becomes the sustainer of our every thought, word, and deed. All we have to do to enjoy this blessing is to think upon Him every day of our lives…and fellowship with Him.