Ephesians 5 "The family Unit; Christ and His Bride, the Church." This Bible
Study is written by Roger Christopherson, and it's
transcription/location is provided by http://www.theseason.org God knows our likes and dislikes, and He knows what makes our body function, because He created it. God's word then is the instruction manual for those interested in knowing all parts of how to maintain it, and keep it functioning. When we study the Scriptures we gain the wisdom to keep ourselves functioning at our best, both physically and mentally; for the only true wisdom is of God. Ephesians 5:1 "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;" We are to be imitators [followers] of God. in the last chapter, God told us to mature in the word, as Christians. The word "perfect" in the Greek [verse 4:13] is "mature"; to be complete and fully grown as an adult. Here in this verse we are to be children, with respect to God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Though we be adults in maturity, we are to be as children before our Lord. Thus, as children we become imitators of our Father, giving Him our respect and obedience, and the love that is binding between the child and his [her] Father. Little children will believe whatever the Father states, and it's faith in the Father is 100 percent. Ephesians 5:2 "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." "Love" is a binding force that keeps us going in both good and bad times. Remember back in verse 3:17, "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye be rooted and grounded in love." That means at the core root of your being and nature you are grounded in love. Love is the soil in which your soul is rooted. Your love is the "sweet-smelling" offerings and sacrifices; and with out your love, He will not accept any of your offerings and sacrifices. When you demonstrate your love for Him, He will give His blessings to you. It is automatic, and from it we do have peace of mind. Ephesians 5:3 "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;" Ephesians 5:4 "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." We can't allow ourselves to be drawn into the place where these things can be even associated with us. This doesn't mean that we become an old stuffed shirt; but rather all that we say and do should reflect our love for Christ. This word "jesting" is better translated from the Greek text "vulgar" [ribaldry, in the Greek]. We can find humor in many things, only vulgarity is not one of them. When we are happy and in a peace of mind, we should have a sense of humor. Ephesians 5:5 "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." There is no room in Christ's kingdom for anyone that worships and idol, or someone other then God. The "whoremonger" is so tied up in lustful things, that these sins are all he can think about day and night. He lives for it; and yet, through repentance, and belief in Jesus Christ, even this person can be saved, and brought into the kingdom of God God will gladly forgive, when we have a repentive heart. Our "inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" is the position we will have as joint-heirs with Jesus Christ in God's eternal kingdom. Ephesians 5:6 "Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." "Vain words" are "empty words", or words with no value to them. Remember in Ephesians 2:2 who these "Children of disobedience" are? "Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world [this flesh age], according to the prince of the power of the air [Satan, the spirit [Satan's spirit] that now worketh in the children of disobedience." These sons are in the Greek text "huios", a son or male having reference to physical origin and nature, including that of a relationship to his father. "They", are the progeny of their father Satan, by birth. "They" are called "Kenites" and are named after their father "Cain", who came through the sexual union between Satan [the serpent] and Eve in the "garden of Eden", as recorded in Genesis 3:, and also referred to by Paul in II Corinthians 11:3, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ". To understand the "beguiling of Eve" by Satan [the serpent], let's go to Strong's Greek numbered dictionary # 1818. # 1818, "Exapatao; from 1537 and 538; to seduce wholly:-beguiled, deceive. Then in # 1537 of Strong's numbered Greek dictionary; "Ek; or ex; a prime prep, denoting origin (the point whence motion or action proceeds, from out of, or the cause of.) Then in # 538, "Aparche, is the act to cheat, or delude." So we see what happened in the "Garden of Eden" was the sex act between mother Eve, being wholly seduced sexually by the serpent Satan. To find out the result we go to Genesis 4:, and in that chapter, we see at totally different set of generations that we have from Adams in either Genesis 5, or Luke 3:23-38. However, we can see how Satan deceives by the naming of all the offspring generations similar to that of Seths, the true on of Adam. Abel was murdered without offspring, by his twin brother "Cain". Now to identify the origin to the "Kenites", as being that of the offspring of father "Cain", we must go to Strong's Hebrew numbered Dictionary, # 7014, and 7017. In #7014; "Quyin, Kah-yin; the same as 7013; Kajin, the name of the first child, also of a place in Pal., and of an Oriental tribe:-Cain, Kenite (s)." Then in # 7017 we read; "Qeyniy, Kay-nee; or Qiyniy (1 Chronicles 2:55), Kee-nee, patron. from #7014; a Kenite or member of the tribe of Kajin:-Kenite." These "Kenites" are the "children of disobedience", and we will always have these kenites around, for they are part of God's plan for this age. When we stray from God, by any means, even in our watching of TV, these Kenites will fill that void, and try to lead us into disobedience against our Heavenly Father. They will set our minds to their standards created by their father, Satan, and encourage you on as you walk with them. It is time to wake up. These "children of disobedience" have grown close in their love of religion, and through religion they will lead and deceive the entire world very shortly. They understand that through their twisting and perverted interpretations, these Kenites are making the entire Christian world ready to accept their father [the Antichrist] as the true Messiah. In ignorance of God's word it will come to pass. Know this: Christianity is not a religion [religious form], it is a reality. Be careful when you are around these "children of disobedience." Ephesians 5:7 "Be not ye therefore partakers with them." We are compelled to stay away from them; and come out from amongst them. As a Christian you are to seek out those with like understanding and faith that you have; and act the way that Paul, through Jesus Christ, has instructed us to act, in serving our Heavenly Father. We are to try to please God in all that we do, and our friends should be like-minded. Ephesians 5:8 "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light," Christ is our light, and as we follow His ways, we reflect His light to the world. We do make a difference in this wicked world, as we become that candle of Christ's hope, standing in the darkness of this wicked world. Even a single candle will break the darkness of an entire room. God"s Word is the truth, and no darkness [wickedness] can stand before it. Our eyes mirror our souls, and when our soul is filled with God's love, and His Word, you will make a difference. This verse eight is directed to the "Children of light". Ephesians 5:9 "(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)" In the original text, "spirit" is given as "light". We are the "children of light", for we are not "in" the light, but by being in Christ and in God's Spirit, we are the light. That light is in our souls and spirits, and as such, any "light" given off will, or should produce fruit by the light from within us. That fruit is formed in us as we continue to study and mature in God's holy Word. Ephesians 5:10 "Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord:" Ephesians 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Paul is repeating here what he said in Romans 12:1; "I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable [spiritual] service." We are to prove ourselves to be an acceptable service unto God. To be "acceptable" in the Greek text is "euarestos", and it means to be "well pleasing". Paul repeats this over in many other verses, such as in Philippians 4:18, Colossians 3:20, Titus 2:9, Hebrews 13:21, and so on. If you claim to be Jesus Christ's, then it is your duty to be pleasing to Him, and we can only do that by following His Word. When we reprove a brother in the Lord, by having "no fellowship" with him, it is to be in love and for the correction of the wayward "unfruitful" brother. This is not a pleasant thing to do, but it must be done to establish a firm standard, which comes from God's Word. Ephesians 5:12 "For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret." Who are "them"? They are the "children of disobedience". What they do in secret, those offspring of "Cain" [Kenites], is the work of their father Satan. The word "secret", or "kruphe" in the Greek text, is to "hide within", and to conceal their outward activity. In this final generation we know their activity is preparing the way for the acceptance of Satan, the Antichrist [their father]. The time of Satan's arrival is coming very soon, and then he will reign over the one world religious system, which will arise out of their one world political system. The only way this agenda of theirs is going forth is through secrecy, and their total control of their four hidden dynasties. Those dynasties are economics [commerce, banking, industry and so on], education, politics and religion. Much of the Kenite's work today deals with the tearing apart of the moral fiber of the schools, homes, community, and even in the Christian churches. This is accomplished through hidden methods, while the Christians sleep in their prosperity, and contentment. Ephesians 5:13 "But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light." Through the Scriptures, the Bible, all prophecy can be made known. Their secrets and Satanic dealings are all written before they occur, and as we become aware of what their mission is; then their goals that they set to achieve will not become traps for us. They can only do what God allows them to do, and God has written in His word exactly what they will do. Their secrets are only secret to those outside of God's holy Word. All truth brings an end to lies, and through the light of understanding, we have the "hope" of Jesus Christ. We know through God's Word what tomorrow will bring, as well as the end of this earth age, and throughout eternity. Ephesians 5:14 "Wherefore He saith, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." "Awake thou that sleepest" is referring to those that are spiritually dead. Christ is telling those that are spiritually dead, to come out of their sins and spiritual wickedness. There is only one way that they can come out of the darkness, and that is by hearing the "Word of God". When we participate in any form of getting the word out; and in the conversion of souls, then God has a special reward for each of us. The "light" is the understanding given to us from the Scriptures [Bible], and it leads the sinner to repentance, and gives the Christian spiritual growth. Ephesians 5:15 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise," All wisdom, or common sense, comes from our Heavenly Father. It governs our thought and actions, which allows us to become wiser than the serpent. The more we study our Bibles, the easier our life's path becomes. Ephesians 5:16 "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Our duty is to make every day and each hour of each day count for the Lord. We are to be careful with our time, and use it to lead others to Christ. We do that by the way we live our lives, and the spiritual words of encouragement that we give to others. Satan will use our idle time for his use, if we are not on guard. We should always take time to share God's word with others; but of equal importance, we should study to be prepared to give the right answers to their questions. If you don't know the answer to their question, take the time to look up the facts in your Bible, or in one of the tools of the Bible [like the concordance, and numbered Hebrew and Greek dictionaries], and on that authority your words will be trusted. Ephesians 5:17 "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." The "will" of our Heavenly Father is His natural plan. That plan is written in our Bibles, as well as everything that God has done. He has told us in advance, and revealed all the mysteries of all ages through the revelations He has given to His Prophets and Apostles. If we but study His word, then the wisdom of the ages, written in that Word, will be passed on to us. Even Jesus Christ's suffering on the cross should have been no surprise to anyone, for every detail of that event is recorded in Psalm 22, and Isaiah 53, as well as many other passages. God's Word always comes to pass exactly as it is written. That word is written to you. Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the spirit;" When you drink any alcohol in excess, it leaves your mind's door open to the acceptance of all sorts of spirits, which are not of God. When we have Christ in and with us, the Holy Spirit is also within us, and when we saturate our souls with God's Spirit, the temptation of drunkenness will be gone. As we study God's Word, His Spirit will reveal His will to our understanding. God's will is His plan, and there are rules for those who desire to stay within God's plan, or "will" for their lives. Those who exist in an drunken state of mind make a mockery of God's will, for they allow satanic spirits to take control of their mind, soul and mouth. Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" This is the direction we need to take to stay in God's Spirit, and be useful to both God and ourselves. Singing and praising God can only pick up our minds and souls. This keeps us in a very healthy state of mind. We are suppose to be happy. The "Psalm" [Psalmos in the Greek] is to give spiritual uplift, while spiritual songs [Pneumatikos] are songs of praise and thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" We give thanks to the Father, because He is in control; and from Him all blessings that we have are given. Don't snub the Father. "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"; is the only way we can ever approach the Heavenly Father. Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." We are to submit ourselves in reverence to our Heavenly Father. To submit is to become part of the body of Christ, and as a member of that body, we subject our will to the fulfilling of God's will. This means to be reasonable in our submitting to each other for the promotion of the Gospel. Our reasoning comes from our common sense, which is where our discernment of all matters comes from. When we are able to discern between the spirits, that discernment comes only because the spirit of our soul is given over to God's Holy Spirit. It is from this that each Christian gives "reverence" [fear] to God. Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." From verse twenty two, we enter into an analogy, and this analogy sets a marriage, to help us relate to Christ and His Church. This analogy sets the same relationship, rules, and submission between Christ and His bride [the Church], as that of the husband and his wife. Don't use this verse to pick on your husband or wife, but rather to draw yourself closer together, and to the Lord. This will give us a better understanding of our Lord's feeling toward us, and the commitment He gives to us, and that we are to give back to Him. Ephesians 5:23 "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the church: and He is the Saviour of the body." Remember in verse 3:15 where it said; "of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." The "wives" or bride of Christ includes the "whole family" of God, both those alive in their physical bodies, and those that have passed on to be with the Lord. One of the greatest blessings God could give a Christian, is a Christian mate. The caring husband, and the tenderness of his loving wife is the binding force Paul is using to show us the bond that Christ has for His bride, the Church. When the wife submits to the husband she is to give reasonable support to him. Here we have the analogy again between the positions within the marriage of husband and wife, and Christ and His Church [His bride]. Have you ever presented a stumbling block in the path of your husband or wife that would drive him or her away from Christ? We see that Jesus Christ, without one complaint, allowed Himself to be crucified for the salvation of His bride, you and I in His Church. This is the most complete commitment anyone can make for their mate, and it demonstrates in full how the Christian husband's responsibility to his wife should be, as he fulfills his role as head of his wife. Ephesians 5:24 "Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing." "In everything" in the Greek text means a full commitment. For two people [Christians] to be called mates, they must be fully committed. The difference in functional responsibilities between the husband and wife, does not apply and inequality of spiritual status. The Spiritual status of the woman in the end times will be of equal importance to the man, and this is because the circumcision of this age of grace is of the heart [Romans 3:30-31]. Man and Woman, Jew and Gentile; we are part of the bride of Christ through our justification [circumcision] by faith in Jesus Christ. That grace is given equally to a man or woman, and in these final days of this earth age, both will be delivered up to give account of themselves. and as they speak, it will not be them speaking, but rather the Holy Spirit putting the words in their mouths, and speaking through them [Mark 13:11]. We see in Joel 2:28; "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophecy...". In these end times both men and women have the power of the gifts of God. Women are not excluded from spiritual gifts. So we can realize the mutual binding relationship between Christ and His whole Church, men and women alike, and that of the husband to his wife. Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it;" There can be no greater love, then to lay down your life for another. Ephesians 5:26 "That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word," This is another analogy; "washing it with the Word". This is not referring to baptism, for this is the washing of your mind with "the Word of God". The Word of God will cleanse you and bring you under God's wisdom, and thus will convict men and women alike of their sin. As you stay in Christ and the Scriptures, you wash your soul daily as that instruction leads us into repentance. Ephesians 5:27 "That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Upon repentance you become spotless and without blemish. That is why Jesus Christ paid the price; so all of our sins would be placed on Him, and our souls would become holy and without blemish. At Christ's return at the last trumpet, many will be found "with child" [Matthew 24:19], which is also an analogy of an unfaithful bride to her future husband. Those people with child, will be part of the Antichrist's bride, and they will be taken out of season. This is why we are to be "washed in the Word", so we will know the times, and the seasons; as well as the events surrounding the coming of the Antichrist [at the fifth trumpet]. We can know the difference between the two trumpets [the fifth and the seventh] and we will not be deceived. We will see how important our spiritual armor of God is in the next chapter; and the "water" [words] of God that are washing over us and preparing us to stand against Satan's fiery spiritual darts [attacks]. Ephesians 5:28 "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself." Ephesians 5:29 "For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:" This is a beautiful relationship, the love affair between a Christian man and his wife. That close knit bond nourishes and grows into a unit of one. This is exactly how Jesus Christ feels toward His bride, the Church, for He so loved us that He willingly submitted Himself to the shame and suffering of the cross. It is time to "wash" our family in the word and prepare them with the discernment of God's Word. Ephesians 5:30 "For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones." This oneness form into a single body. Ephesians 5:31 "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." Ephesians 5:32 "This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church." The idea of this being a mystery, is only a mystery to those who haven't understood that this chapter is about Christ's relationship to His Church. Just as sure as a man will love and protect his wife, and even his own body; Our Lord Jesus Christ will love and protect His bride. Christ will protect you, for you are part of that body of Christ, called the Church. This is not a blind hope, but it is reality. Christ's love and caring for you is as close as any man or woman who cares for their spouse. Ephesians 5:33 "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence he husband." "Reverence" means to "endear" to love. The word used in the Greek text is "pheobo", and as it is used here, it means to "love".
Home .~ Plough .~ Seeds .~ Vine .~ Potter .~ Seasons .~ Sonshine .~ Rain .~ Field |