Ephesians 5:1-4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 5:1-2

Here we have the exhortation to mutual love, or to Christian charity. The apostle had been insisting on this in the former chapter, and particularly in the Eph. 4:17-32 of it, to which the particle therefore refers, and connects what he had said there with what is contained in these verses, thus: ?Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be you followers of God, or imitators of him;? for so the word signifies. Pious persons should imitate the God whom they worship, as far as... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 5:3-20

These verses contain a caution against all manner of uncleanness, with proper remedies and arguments proposed: some further cautions are added, and other duties recommended. Filthy lusts must be suppressed, in order to the supporting of holy love. Walk in love, and shun fornication and all uncleanness. Fornication is folly committed between unmarried persons. All uncleanness includes all other sorts of filthy lusts, which were too common among the Gentiles. Or covetousness, which being thus... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 5:1-8

5:1-8 You must become imitators of God, as well loved children imitate their father. You must live in love, as Christ loved you, and gave himself to God as a sacrifice and an offering, a sacrifice which was the odour of a sweet savour to God. Let no one even mention fornication and unclean living and insatiable desire among you--it does not befit God's consecrated people to talk about things like that. Let no one even mention shameful conduct. Let there be no foolish talking and graceless... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 5:1-8

We must note two other warnings which Paul gives. (i) He says that these shameful sins are not even to be talked about. The Persians had a rule, so Herodotus tells us, by which "it was not even allowed to speak such things as it was not allowed to do." To jest about a thing or to make it a frequent subject of conversation is to introduce it into the mind and to bring nearer the actual doing of it. Paul warns that some things are not safe even to talk or to jest about. It is a grim commentary... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:1

Be ye therefore followers of God ,.... Not in his works of infinite wisdom and almighty power, which is impossible; but in acts of righteousness and holiness, and particularly in acts of mercy, goodness, and beneficence; as in forgiving injuries and offences, and in freely distributing to the necessities of the saints; as the connection of the words with the preceding chapter, and the instance and example in the following verse show: and this should be done by the saints, as dear children... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love ,.... To God; to which the saints are obliged, not only by the law of God, which requires it, but by the goodness of God, and the discoveries of his love to them; and which shows itself in fearing to offend him, in a conformity to his will, in making his glory the chief end of all actions, and in loving all that belong to him: and also the saints should walk in love to Christ; who is to be loved fervently, constantly, in sincerity, with all the heart, and above all creatures... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:3

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness ,.... The apostle proceeds to dehort from several vices, which are unbecoming the dear children and followers of God; and which the love of Christ should constrain them to avoid: the first of these, which is simple "fornication", is the sin which is committed between single or unmarried persons; and is contrary to the law of God, is a work of the flesh, and is against a man's own body; it renders persons unfit for church communion, brings... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:4

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting ,.... The former of these may include all filthy gestures and behaviour, every indecent habit and attire, and all actions which have a tendency to excite lust; and also all impure words, these discover an impure heart, and are the means of corrupting men's minds and manners; filthy speaking, is a verbal commission of the things that are spoken of; and it may include all impure songs and books, and the reading or hearing of them; this is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:1

Be ye therefore followers of God - The beginning of this chapter is properly a continuation of the preceding, which should have ended with the second verse of this. The word μιμηται , which we translate followers, signifies such as personate others, assuming their gait, mode of speech, accent, carriage, etc.; and it is from this Greek word that we have the word mimic. Though this term is often used in a ludicrous sense, yet here it is to be understood in a very solemn and proper sense. Let... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:2

And walk in love - Let every act of life be dictated by love to God and man. As Christ - hath loved us - Laying down your lives for your brethren if necessary; counting nothing too difficult to be done in order to promote their eternal salvation. Hath given himself for us - Christ hath died in our stead, and become thereby a sacrifice for our sins. An offering - Προσφορα· An oblation, an eucharistic offering; the same as מנחה minchah , Leviticus 2:1 , etc., which is... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 5:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ephesians 5:3-20

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 5:1-8

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Ephesians 5:1-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:2

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