Friday, September 23, 2016

Ephesians 6:1–4

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. 

Commentary 

Vs. 1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."

Continuing on from his exhortations to wives and husbands, the Apostle Paul now directs his address towards their children. Now children refers to children from the age of their understanding through their teens, right up until they leave their parents home. All children then, especially believing children are commanded by God to obey their parents/guardians in the Lord, for this is right in the sight of the Lord (also see Col. 3:20). Now instilling this critical value in children begins best from an early age, (which may or may not require corporal punishment depending on the child and their temperament), for this not only helps establish the children in the home in a secure and safe environment where their boundaries and responsibilities are clearly known and laid out to them; but it also helps with establishing the home and even society itself, as parents who do so are preparing their children for their own maturing and growth and social integration and ultimately adulthood as they move from one phase of life to the next, all which starts when they first enter school where they will have to obey their teachers and principals, (which if they didn't learn to obey their parents at home then their going to have a difficult transition there), then later to the pressures and responsibilities that come with the teen years and choosing career paths and getting drivers licensees and first jobs etc., and finally as they move into full independence and adulthood, which still requires us all to follow societal rules and laws that are given for the protection and well being of us all. Therefore if there is one thing that all believing parents can do to give their children the best possible start in life, and lay the best possible ground work for them to succeed in life, it begins in the home with teaching them to respect and obey their parents, because it is on that basic ground work on which all other Godly and righteous character attributes are built upon and that mature and responsible adults are established.

Vs. 2-3 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

To strengthen his exhortation the Apostle Paul now cites God's Law which carries within its commandment "to honor ones father and mother" a promise that God will be with all those who do so (see Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16, antithesis seen in Deut. 21:18-21; Matt 15:1-9). Thus the promise of God making ones ways well on the earth, and even the promise of long life is for all those who do so (consider Prov 3:1-2; 4:10).

Vs. 4 "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."

The Apostle Paul now addresses the fathers, since they are the heads of their families, and as such the duty and responsibility for their children's training and admonition (i.e preparation for adulthood) rests with him. Now the Apostle Paul to keep fathers from erring in this, now tells them not to provoke their children to wrath by being unfair, unjust, or heavy handed in how they exercise this God given duty, rather they are to bring up their children in the training and admonition of the Lord. Notice this God given responsibility does not rest with the church and their Sunday school programs, but with the father in his home where he must instill in them through the Word of God all Godly values and virtues, if it is going to take root and bear lasting fruits in the child's life anywhere else (consider Prov. 22:6; 2 Tim 3:15). Now to train ones children in the admonition of the Lord (and thus Jesus is the Lord of their household) begins by teaching and instructing them from God's Word, so that they are equipped to live and conduct themselves in a right and just and sound manner throughout their lives. And so they are taught how to respect and obey parents and elders, how to obey all authority and why, how to share and give, how to treat others, how to resolve conflicts, how to keep oneself from the perils of temptations and sin, how to honor God financially, and on it goes, there is nothing that a child cannot learn and prosper by if their parents, and specifically their father, takes the time to give and instill in them the life gifts and tools they will need to successfully navigate through their lives, all which are found in God's Word. Therefore let all fathers be about doing that, learning for themselves, and sharing what they learn with their children, in both word and deed, for nothing instructs and inspires a child more than to see their own father doing what is good and right and sound and just, amen.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.



Sunday, September 18, 2016

Ephesians 5:22–33

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Commentary
Vs. 22 "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord."

Having commanded that we all submit to one another in the fear of the Lord (Eph. 5:21), the Apostle Paul now commands that wives submit to their own husbands, as to the Lord (see 1 Peter 3:1-6). And so in commanding our mutual submission in verse twenty one, the Apostle Paul did not overthrow the headship of the male (or husband) of his wife, for that has it's origins in God's order of creation itself (see 1 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 2:11-15, vs. 13-15). Thus that is never in question, or to be questioned, rather only how the husband executes his solemn duty as such can be. The role reversal of the male being placed under the female is not to mark the church (1 Cor 11:3), since that is the error of this world, which makes equality not about the individual person in the eyes of God, but rather the roles they fulfill and perform, and or the things that they can do (consider Gal . 3:26-29). 

Vs. 23 "For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body."

The Apostle Paul now gives the reason why wives are to submit to their own husbands, because the husband is the head of the wife (1 Cor 11:3), just as Christ is the Head of the church. This analogy then should not be lost on us, for as the Apostle makes clear here the wife is not to take the role of being the head of her husband, just as the church would never be the head of Christ! And thus the notion that the women should be made head of the male is one that is not born out of the Word of God, but only out of an unregenerate heart and a degenerating world, which through such gender role reversal notions, has already degenerated (or in their eyes "evolved") into justifying in their hearts and codifying in their laws the homosexual/transgender Satanic agenda, all of which is an abomination in eyes of God (Lev. 18:22; Deut. 22:5), and thus they are paving the way for the rising of the anti-Christ, as lawlessness abounds and transgressors reach their fullness (Dan. 8:23; Matt. 24:9-14; 2 Thess. 2:9-12).  Again the Apostle Paul in using the analogy of Husband as head of the wife with Christ as head of the church leaves no room for misunderstanding, because just as the church should never act as the head of Christ, similarly in no way should the wife ever act as the head of her husband. That all said, a marriage is not a dictatorial relationship where one rules over the other to the detriment of the other. Rather the role of leadership in the home or in the church is not about, nor should it ever be about exercising authority over another. It is about leading, leading by an example that compels others to want to follow in your Godly and righteousness footsteps, and thus they want to submit to your "authority," because in you they are to see the attributes of Christ Himself, (justice, mercy, kindness, love), who did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:42-45). Thus headship is never about commanding people submit to you, it's about leading in such a way that people want to follow you. Thus you want your kids to help their mom wash the dishes after dinner, then take the lead in this and set the example by washing them with her. Or you want your son to mow the lawn, then go out there with him and make it a father and son experience until he is old enough and confident enough to do this safely on his own.  

Vs. 24 "Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything."

The Apostle Paul carries on with his analogy, now bringing it into the realm of our submission to Christ Himself as the Head of the church. So then wives are to submit themselves to their husbands in everything as to Him. There is then in this commandment a great amount of responsibility that is being placed not only on the wife, but also on the husband, since he by God's design is the head of his wife (and thus his family) just as Christ is the Head of the church. And so though the passages exhortation is clear, I also want to be clear that in no way does this passage permit any husband unbridled authority over his wife, since he is accountable to Christ in all things, especially in how he treats her. For just as Christ would never do anything to the detriment of the church, so he should be very careful not to do anything to the detriment of her person, faith, or well being. Now the number one thing a husband can do to forward his wife wanting to submit herself to him in all things is to make her feel safe and secure in her home. That is critical, and thus having a steady job and making provisions for her and their family, and thus being a solid and steady and trustworthy individual are all key ingredients to building her confidence in you as a capable and Godly leader of the home.   

Vs. 25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 

Having commanded all wives submit to their own husbands in all things as to Christ, the Apostle Paul now addresses the husbands. Notice how the Apostle Paul also links his command for husbands to love their wives with how Christ loved the church. The love then Paul is speaking of here is sacrificial in nature. And thus the husband is in no way to "lord" authority over his wife, rather he is to give himself for her well being. For just as Jesus loved and gave Himself for the church, "that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word" (vs. 26). So too should all husbands sacrificially love their wives by always considering their persons and well being with the decisions that they make as heads of their wives and families. For it was the Lord Jesus Christ who in love for the church first laid aside all His rights and privileges as the Son of  God so that He could suffer Crucifixion death for our redemption and eternal salvation. So too then should the husband always have in mind his own wife's salvation and sanctification. For the Lord Jesus Christ did so that He might sanctify and cleanse her (i.e. the church) with the washing of water by the Word. That is Jesus having made atonement for us all by His own death on the cross; so as to restore us all who believe in Him back to God the Father in heaven; He then rose from the dead and ascended back to our God and Father in heaven to be seated at His right hand before sending His Spirit to bring us to life and unite us all who believe in Him with Himself as one people In One Body of Christ. Thus with the birth of church, it is the Word of God that is sanctifying our persons, assemblies and lives as we believe and obey it (John 17:17). That is the sanctifying and cleansing and washing of her (i.e. the church with the washing of the water of the Word) that the Apostle Paul is referring to here. The analogy being that just as Christ did (and does) all things for His bride's (i.e. churches) salvation and sanctification, so too should all believing husbands be with their own wives. 
And so the ongoing sanctification of the church (that is the setting apart of us who believe from all that defiles the flesh and spirit and thus is offensive to God, consider 2 Cor 6:14-7:1) is so that Jesus can present His church to the Father without spot or blemish (vs. 27).

Vs. 28 "So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself." 

Since Christ so sacrificially loved the church, husbands are commanded to love their wives just as their own bodies, "he who loves his wife loves himself." The idea here being that since the two in marriage become one flesh (see Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:5-6, Eph. 5:31); for a husband not to love and care for his wife as himself is not only not being as Christ Himself is towards us all who believe and belong to Him, but is also not being congruent with what the Scripture commands and teaches.

Vs. 29 "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church." 

To strengthen his point the Apostle Paul now reasons that no one ever hated his own flesh, but they nourish and cherish it just as the Lord does the church. And so no husband who professes faith in Christ can rightly said to be obeying Him if he does not do his duties as a husband by providing for and caring for his own wife, just as he provides and cares for himself. For just as he has physical needs, and so where he can he seeks to meet these, so to does his wife have the same. And thus to seek to meet ones own bodily needs while neglecting ones wife's needs is not congruent with what the Lord does or commands of us all, and that is that we care for one another. 

Vs. 30 "For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones."

In the same way a husband is to love his wife as he does his own body, so too does Christ love and care for the church, for each believer is a member of Christ's body, and as such Christ cares for us all as His own Body. And thus He seeks our sanctification and well being and transformation and provisions and whatever else He knows we need to be His Holy and Godly people. 

Vs. 31 For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 

The oneness of the husband and his wife is now made self-evident by the Apostles quotation of God's Word in Genesis 2:24. Thus the husband has no excuse for not loving his wife as himself, since they in effect are one in the eyes of God.

Vs. 32 "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church." 

That said, the analogy reaches far beyond the realms of human matrimony union, and rather finds it's true meaning and fulfillment in realm of Christ and the church. For the church is the bride of Christ and all things are paving the way for this great and grand holy union to come to its completion (Rev. 19:9; 21-22). 

Vs. 33 "Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." 

The Apostle now returns back to the present age to conclude his exhortation by summarizing it all with a command that husbands are to love their own wives as themselves, and that wives are to respect their husbands. For when they both do their part their marriage will grow stronger, because she receives the love she desires from him, and he receives the respect he desires from her. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Ephesians 5:15-21

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

Commentary
Vs. 15 "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise"

Since we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are commanded to walk as children of light; and thus to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; the Apostle Paul now says that we all should walk (that is live our lives) circumspectly (i.e. with caution and discretion) knowing that there are many pitfalls and evils all around us; and thus not as fools (who are snared by and entangled in their own sins and lusts) but as wise, as a people who fulfill their sojourn down here in the fear of the Lord (consider Prov. 1:7, 29-33; 8:13; 9:10; 10:27; 16:6; 19:23; 22:4 etc.). 

Vs. 16 "redeeming the time, because the days are evil"
Redeeming the time is to well use all the opportunities for doing good that God places before us all, because the days are evil, and opportunities for doing so are not forever. And what we do down here will effect how we will be rewarded in heaven. For God has a time-line which will not change and He will bring to close this present evil age in due time, ending forever all the works that are done in it, whether good or evil. 

Vs. 17 "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." 

If a Christian should be anything in this life, it is wise, wise in their lives and knowledgeable in their understanding of God and what the will of the Lord is for us all, and that is our sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3-4; 2 Thess. 2:13). 

Vs. 18 "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit"

Therefore since sanctification or holiness is the goal of this life for us all who believe in Christ, being drunk with wine (or intoxicated with marijuana, or anything else) is not God's will for any of us. Rather God's will for us all is that we all be filled with the Spirit, (not demon spirits which are found in all false and misleading worship practices), but rather the Holy Spirit who has sealed us for forever and is sanctifying us all. For He has united us all with Christ, and He is now bringing forth Christ's fragrance and life through us all who believe in Him. Therefore let us be filled with the Spirit by walking in all goodness, righteousness and truth (Eph. 5:9), (rather than justifying or walking the sinful lusts of the flesh), for when we do we are also filled with the Spirit the fruits of the Spirit of God (Gal 5:22-23) and thus we are given all that is needed to live a Godly and joyful and fruitful life down here when we are filled with the Spirit. 

Vs. 19 "speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord"

Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs is not only edifying to one and to all, but it forwards our being filled with Spirit, as we worship and reverence and show our love and thankfulness to God through the same. As well they are one of the most effective tools God has given us all through His Son' s Spirit to minister His Word's truths to each other and to all, and thus to encourage, comfort, build up and strengthen each other through the same. For nothing is more powerful and effective than the Word of God spoken and sung by us through the Spirit. For it along reaches the depths of longing that is in every hungry human heart and every broken soul. 

Vs. 20 "giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ"

In order to help facilitate our ongoing Spirit filling, the Apostle Paul wants us all to always give thanks to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for all things, because not only have we been redeemed from all our sins and death and eternal condemnation, but we are now living a life that is not only Spirit alive and united with Christ (and thus nothing can or ever will separate us from the love of God, Rom 8:28-39) and so whatever troubles or burdens that we are now bearing in this life, all have an end, when we go to be with Christ forever (Rev. 21:4). And we will all be rewarded and comforted according to what we have done, and what we bore in this mortal life. Now in giving God thanks notice that God the Father's Name is never separated from the Lord Jesus Christ's Person and Name. For God the Father should never be separated from God's Son Person and Name, for they are One, and we are One in them and through them, and thus we are continually thankful to them. 

Vs. 21 "submitting to one another in the fear of God" 

Submitting to one another in the fear of God is not only essential for being Spirit filled (because God always resists the proud), but it is walking in the fear of the Lord when we do. And so no believer should ever think themselves above submitting to or serving another. The Lord Jesus Christ set forth the example of this when He washed the disciples feet, and so we should likewise be willing to serve, help and assist each other in whatever ways we can. Now submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord means taking Godly directions and counsel from one another. For Jesus Christ through His Spirit has equipped us all, and has given us all knowledge and understanding, and so though there is a hierarchy regarding the Spirit given gifts (1 Cor 12:27-30) and the headship principal governing genders (1 Cor 11:3; 12:27-30; 1 Tim 2:11-12), the fear of the Lord demands that we submit to one another (1 Peter 5:5). Thus if your wife asks you to do something, than you better not pull the husband is the head of house card on her, because if you do than you are not walking in the fear of the Lord, but only in the self-serving nature of a wicked and lazy man, not a Godly one, and thus if you do so you should be treated accordingly, with little to no respect, because God created the woman as mans-helpmate to complement and strengthen him in those areas in which he is weak and vulnerable. And so if she gives you good counsel thank God for it and do it, for not only do families grow strong when they do, but the church grows strong when we all submit to one another in the fear of the Lord. 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.


Friday, September 9, 2016

Ephesians 5:8-14

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”

Commentary
Vs. 8 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light."

In strengthening his exhortation for us all to be imitators of God as His dear children; and thus not to walk in the sins, and specifically the sexual sins, of those who do not know, nor obey God (Eph. 5:3-7). The Apostle Paul now says that though we were once darkness, (that is in realm of sin and Satan and death, and thus living under the dominion and influence of the same (consider Col. 1:13; 1 John 5:19 etc.), yet now we are light in the Lord (1 Thess 5:5), therefore the Apostle Paul commands us all to walk as children of light (also see Rom 13:12-14).

Vs. 9  "for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth"

Notice that the fruit of the Spirit is not found in ecstatic utterances, nor is not found in the mere ceremonial observances of religious ordinances, but it is found in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Now goodness is doing good towards others, (which is in the heart of God, and thus at the heart of Gospel, and in the heart of everyone who believes In Christ), and it is found in all charity, and all generosity, in all kindness, and all mercy, and it is found in all agape love. And thus it is to be manifested through us who believe by all kinds of gracious acts and merciful deeds. For it is the Spirit Himself who gives us the desire to want to do good, while enabling us all to do so. Therefore let us all be about doing the good that God commands, and that we all want to do. 
Now righteousness is the morally righteous Character of God, revealed in His Word, and manifested through His Person in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus we are commanded to walk in the same righteousness; both doing and pursuing the same; because God's Character and Nature is Righteousness, and thus the fruit of the Holy Spirit is found in all righteousness as well. And so in this world where righteousness is so lacking, and where it does exist it has become so twisted and perverse that celebrating, and or fiercely defending homosexual and "transgender" perversion is now a measure of their "righteousness," (and thus they are paving the way for the anti-Christ's arrival by their trying to normalize and validate the same), let us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus who want to obey the truth, be walking in all righteousness, because doing so not only has many positive effects on us, sanctifying us, but also walking in righteousness will have many positive effects on those around us when we do so in a spirit of grace and truth (consider Prov. 10:2, 24, 25, 27; 11:4, 19, 21, 31, 11:28; 12:3, 21; 13:21; 14:32; 15:6, 92916:31; 20:7; 21:23; 29:6; John 1:17 etc.). For walking in righteousness is very revealing of the Son of God Himself, who knew no sin, and yet He suffered Crucifixion death in our place for all our sins, so that His Righteousness can now be imputed to anyone who repents and believes in Him (2 Cor 5:21). Therefore in a world that is so quickly degenerating, and by doing so, fulfilling the Word of God as transgressors reach their fullness, we all need to be walking in all righteousness, as we await Christ's return, extending God's grace to those who have not yet believed nor received Christ through it, so that God might redeem and transform their persons, hearts, and minds as well, when they repent and believe in the Gospel. Therefore we need truth, unchanging and irrefutable Biblical truth, for that alone is our only trustworthy guide into all goodness, righteousness, and truth; and thus it is only God's Word that sanctifies us (John 17:17). And so Biblical truth not only refreshes ones soul, but it also keeps us and cleanses us from all of the corrupting and degenerating lies of Satan that are in this world, which just keep lowering the bar till nothing is of limits. And so walking in the truth is not only foundational to knowing God (Jer. 9:6), but it is also the only way to keep Satan (the father of lies) at bay, for when one lives or practices a lie, (which is at the heart of all sins, and those who seek to justify the same) one only opens a door in their life to him (consider John 8:44; 1 Tim 4:1-5; 1 John 2:24).  

Vs. 10 "finding out what is acceptable to the Lord."

That's our responsibility, both individually and collectively, but the emphasis here is on us as individual believers to all find out what is acceptable to the Lord. Now this we can do by our own ongoing study of, and abiding in of Christ's Word, trusting the Holy Spirit to enlighten and teach us from it. Thus the Apostle Paul's exhortation here is that we both individually and collectively be about finding out and doing what is acceptable to the Lord which is revealed to us all in His Word.

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

Having fellowship with anyone who is practicing the unfruitful works of darkness is not just good Godly counsel (Prov 1:10-19; 12:26), but it is clearly commanded of us (see 1 Cor. 5:11-13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). And so whether these unfruitful works of darkness are being done by professing believers in the church, or by outright unbelievers in the world, no believer should have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; because our loyalty is to Christ Himself, not to friends, not to family, and not even to professing believers when these are knowingly walking contrary to Him. And so the Apostle Paul commands that we to have no have fellowship with them; and thus in any way validate what they are doing or pursuing; but rather we are to expose them, that is call sin what is, (consider 1 Tim 5:19-20), because loyalty to Christ demands both censure and exposure of them by us who believe, so that the unfruitful works of darkness do not take root amongst us as well. 

Vs. 12 "For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret."

If what is known is bad, then what is not known is very likely much worse. Therefore the Apostle Paul wants us all to steer clear of all the unfruitful works of darkness, and will not even speak of the things done by them, so as not too pollute the minds of those believers who are seeking to sanctify their persons and lives, nor forward the wicked works of darkness, by making an open gossip and scandal of the wicked works of darkness done by them. For these kinds of these can be dealt with personally, judiciously, and divisively without dragging everybody into them, or down with them, Therefore we are to meditate on what is good and not on what is evil (consider Phil 4:8-9). 

Vs. 13-14 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

    “Awake, you who sleep,
    Arise from the dead,
    And Christ will give you light.”

The power of God's Word to illuminate all that is light and all that is not is self-evident. The same thing then applies to a Christian whose life is being lived in a Godly and grace filled manner. Therefore the Apostle Paul does not want to forward the wicked works of darkness by openly speaking of them, rather Paul only wants to speak of those things that are made manifest by light, because whatever makes manifest is light; that is whatever makes manifest the true Nature of God Himself in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ is light (whether God's Word or our lives being lived in a Godly and grace filled manner). And so rather than see people continue on in their sins and ignorance, or worse complacency, the Word of God says to one and to all:
“Awake, you who sleep,
    Arise from the dead,
    And Christ will give you light.”

For God has commanded everyone to repent and believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, because it is Christ Himself who is not only the light of the world (John 8:12), but He has been appointed by God Himself to  be the Judge of us all (Psalm 96:13; Mat 25:31-46; Luke 3:17; Acts 10:42; 17:31; 2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:1 etc.). Therefore He will render to each one of us according to our deeds, 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, (Rom 2:6-7). And so the exhortation is for us all to wake up and to be reconciled to God while we can, because God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be the righteousness of God by our faith in Him (2 Cor. 5:21 paraphrase). Therefore through Christ God will not only forgive and cleanse you of all your sins and transgressions, but He will also transform your person and bring you too Spirit life, the moment you repent and believe in Him (Eph. 1:13-14), therefore be reconciled to God today!

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.


Saturday, September 3, 2016

Ephesians 5:1-7

1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Commentary
Vs. 1 "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children."

In light of God's great mercies shown us through Christ (4:32) we should all be imitators of God as dear children. And thus showing and being generous with mercy and kindness and forgiveness (essentially giving grace) is all apart of being an imitator of God who as the Apostle Paul says here views us all who believe in His Son Jesus as His own dear children. 

Vs. 2 "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."

Walking in love towards each other is not just an exhortation but is exactly how Christ walked in love towards us all, giving His own life for us all so that we could be saved the moment we believe in Him (Eph. 1:13-14) from wrath and eternal condemnation. Therefore Jesus according to the Old Covenant burnt offering sacrifice commanded by God to make atonement for ones sins, is here described as the offering and sacrifice to God (for all our sins), a sweet smelling aroma (see Ex. 28:18; Psalm 66:15; Isaiah 53, vs. 10). Nothing then is more pleasing to God then to have reconciliation with us His creation. 

Vs. 3 "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints"

Now walking in love is not just an emotion or feeling, rather in practice it effects how we act and live towards each other (consider Rom 13:8-10). And so here we are commanded not to walk in the sexual sins which we once lived in and practiced and or justified in our ignorance, for such sins permeate this world, and are the corruption of this world, and are coming under the wrath and judgment of God (vs. 6, Col. 3:5-6). 

Fornication, (here means all forms of sexual immorality) uncleanness (means depraved sexual acts and lusts) and covetousness, which is linked with adultery (see Ex. 20:17); and so here is rightly linked with all sexual sins (see Eph 4:19). Yet here the Apostle Paul has in mind covetousness in all of it's broad and encompassing Scriptural meaning of coveting anything or anyone that belongs to someone else, or is forbidden for us to have (see Deut. 5:21). For when ungodly lust unites with greed in the human heart you get covetousness (which is idolatry Col. 3:5), and so covetousness puts not only something or someone before God Himself, but it also supplants God's Will revealed in His Word for us all, with ones own will, and thus you get all of the horrific fallout that comes when an individual puts gratifying their own ungodly lusts and desires for something or someone above all else. Now Jesus Himself strongly warns us all to guard our hearts and minds from covetousness, specifically for material possessions, because coveting has a very negative and corrupting effect on the human heart and soul, and can very easily and subtly supplant ones own desires for God Himself (see Matt. 6:19-24; 19:16-22; Luke 12:15-21). Therefore covetousness is rightly linked with idolatry because no other sin outside of flagrant idolatry itself, will so readily destroy ones faith in God, and lead one into doing and justifying all kinds of injustice and wickedness and evil as covetousness (consider Psalm 10:3; Prov. 1:10-19; 15:27; Isaiah 56:11; Jer. 6:10-13; 22:13-17; Micah 2:2; Luke 16:14; Rom 13:9; James 4:2; 1 Tim. 6:10; 2 Peter 2:3, 14 etc.). Therefore in light of this sins horrific effects covetousness is not to be named among any of us who believe In the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus we are not to practice it (Heb. 13:5), nor tolerate it (1 Cor 5:9-13, 6:9-11; Eph 5:5; 1 Tim 6:3-10), because all such things belong to God's enemies, and not His family and friends (consider Jer. 5:7-9, 26-29. 9:8-9; Rom. 1:28-32; 2 Thess. 2:9-12). Hating covetousness then is a pre-requisite for having a leadership role in the local church (Ex. 18:21; 1 Tim. 3:3, 8; Titus 1:7).  

Vs. 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 

The Apostle Paul now addresses the sins of the mouth, because putting off the wicked deeds of the flesh though sanctifying of us (both individually and collectively), will not reveal much of Christ to anyone if ones heart and mouth and life is still spewing out a cesspool of garbage. 
Now filthiness (αἰσχρότης, Str. 151) is obscene behavior and or obscene and unbecoming speech. While foolish talking (μωρολογία, Str. 3473) encompasses all forms of foolish and stupid talking and speech, and though "popularized" in popular culture, foolish talking only makes even the wise person look like a fool (consider Ecc. 10:1; Prov. 15:2, 14). As well it often leads one into all kinds of sins and lusts to their own ruin (consider Prov. 10:14; 18:7). Coarse jesting (εὐτραπελία, Str. 2160) is vulgar jesting, and or dirty speech, and likewise is not becoming of any Christian, for it too will come under the judgment of God (Prov. 10:31-32). And so rather than spewing out foolishness, or filth, or bitterness (Rom 3:13), we who believe In the Lord Jesus Christ have so much to be thankful for, we should use our mouths for giving of thanks (Psalm 30:1-5; Heb 12:15), which always has a positive effect on both ourselves, and others as well (consider Prov 12:14; 15:23; Acts 16:25-34).

Vs. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 

The Apostle Paul now makes it clear that no fornicator, unclean person, covetous man who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (see 1 Cor 6:9-10). Therefore people who are professing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, but are living contrary to Him are not in the Kingdom of Christ and God. For when Christ comes into ones heart and life Christ, by His Spirit, He not only cleanses us of our old sins and transgressions, He also changes us, (2 Cor 5:17) and gives us a hunger for righteousness and holiness in our own lives, and in the lives of others as well (consider 1 John 3:7-9; 3 John 11). 

Vs. 6-7 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

If anyone thinks that the church is a "sanctuary" from God's wrath and judgement while one is practicing such things, let them seriously consider passages like these. Now the church is a sanctuary for everyone who repents and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ through His Gospel, and thus is seeking to do God's Will. Therefore for all of us who are doing so, let us not be partakers with those who are only practicing such things (1 Cor 5:9-13; 1 Peter 4:3-5), because as the Apostle Paul warns here, the wrath of God is coming on the sons and daughters of disobedience (Rev. 22:15). 

Scripture Quotation
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Additional Resources Consulted
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.