Ephesians Chapter Five Part 2
Ephesians Chapter Five – Part 2
This section of Ephesians five, taken by itself, might instill doubt and fear. The enemy will certainly use it to that end at every opportunity. As with any scripture passage, it is crucial that we keep in mind its context within the greater book or epistle, and the audience to whom it was directed. First, we will read these eight verses, and then have a look at context, audience, and finally what it means for us as believers today. Text in parentheses is mine.
Ephesians 5:3-7 (KJV) “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 (fitting proper): but rather giving of thanks. 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. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
Beginning with the context, this passage is part of a letter from the Apostle Paul to the fellowship of believers at Ephesus. Since this is a letter to believers, we can assume certain things about what is written. If what we read speaks of characteristics of those who are not in Christ, we can safely assume that Paul is talking about unbelievers or about who we were before we believed.
At the beginning of his letter, Paul indicates the audience to whom he has written. In Ephesians 1:1 (KJV) we find, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:” He has written to the saints and to those who are faithful in Christ Jesus. These are both references to the same group of people.
The saints are faithful, and they are in Christ Jesus. We all became saints by grace through faith. (see Ephesians 2:8) That makes us faithful people, and it places us in Christ. We know that we who are in Christ are faithful because if we were not, we could not have been placed into Christ since that requires faith. In addition, one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit within us is faith, or faithfulness. (see Galatians 5:22) The Spirit of God has made us faithful.
Paul provides a list of various sorts of people who have no inheritance in the kingdom of God. He makes it clear that he is speaking about those who are such. He says that no one who IS this kind of person is excluded. He goes on to clarify further by saying that it is those who are children of disobedience upon whom the wrath of God is coming. If you are a child of God, you cannot be a child of disobedience. The New Testament is clear that disobedience is unbelief—rejection of the gracious gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Scripture is talking about identity here, not about behavior.
So Paul tells the saints not to join in with such people and do things that are unhealthy, unloving, and faithless. The truly beautiful thing in all of this is that he does not stop there. Look at what he says next.
Ephesians 5:8-10 (KJV) “8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”
This might remind us of a prophesy in Isaiah 9:2 (KJV) “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” This was fulfilled by Jesus Christ. (see Matthew 4:15-16) On the road to Damascus, Jesus told Paul that his job would be. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Acts 26:18 (KJV) By this and many other passages, we know beyond doubt that forgiven saints have an inheritance in the kingdom of God. (see also, 1 Peter 2:9-10, John 8:12, John 12:46, 2 Corinthians 4:6, and 1 Thessalonians 5:5)
From this passage we learn that as saints, we are no longer like those in the world. Our identity is different. We are not people who are rejecting Christ, walking in darkness, and being children of disobedience. We are light in the Lord. Paul then, encourages us to act like who we are. To be ourselves.
The fruit of the Spirit, we are reminded, consists of all good things. Specifically, it consists of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These are the things we can trust are being produced in us. When we yield to the Spirit, they begin to come out and be displayed in the world. The fact that this fruit, produced by the Holy Spirit who lives in us, is manifested, or made real, through us proves the value of what God finds acceptable.
