Ephesians 6:5–9

⁵ Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; ⁶ not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, ⁷ with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. ⁹ And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Commentary

Vs. 5 ⁵ Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 

Continuing on from his exhortations to the families the Apostle Paul now moves to the workplace. Today there are not bondservants, but there are employers and employees and so the exhortations here apply to those relationships and responsibilities. To begin then the Apostle Paul addresses employees first, since that is what must of us are, saying, we are to be obedient to our employers in sincerity of heart, as to Christ. Obviously this is not a blind obedience that would requires us to place ourselves (or anyone else) at risk of injury, or prosecution, or scrutiny for violating civil laws or workplace regulations and such given for the direction and safety of all employees. Similarly the employer has no jurisdiction when it comes to an employees faith and conscience, to command anyone to knowingly violate theirs. That said an employee may have to reconsider their employment if an employer would require them to do something that they themselves feel is a violation of theirs, but that decision would be up to the employee and employee alone, for not even the church Pastor has jurisdiction in this, for it always comes down to the individual believer and their own faith convictions and conscience that determine this, therefore do not judge one another in regards to this (see Rom 14:10), unless another believer is using this precept to justify doing a undeniably clear violation of God's Moral Law (1 Cor 5:3-5). Now the manner in which we are to obey our employers is with "fear and trembling". The idea here is not that we be cowering in their presence, but rather we are to respect (if not their person) then the position and the authority God has given them to rule and govern us in the workplace. And thus bad mouthing the boss when they are not around should never be heard coming from any Christians mouth, same with slacking off in the workplace, because the work that we perform there we must view as to Christ, and thus we should seek to serve Him there to the best of our abilities, (first proving ourselves there to Him, so as to be qualified to serve Him elsewhere) and thus let us all serve Him in all honesty and integrity and faithfulness in our workplaces. 

Vs. 6 "not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" 

Having commanded our obedience to our employers (see verse 5), the Apostle Paul now addresses the manner in which we are to serve Christ in the workplace. And so we are not to serve our employers (and thus Christ) with mere "eye-service." Meaning we don't try too look busy, or only do what they say we are to do, when they are around. Rather we work in same manner when they are there, and when they are not, "doing the will of God from the heart". Which means we all strive to be a faithful and diligent employee whose employer doesn't have to come and regularly check up on us to see if were doing what we are supposed to be doing, or to see if we are doing our work in the manner in which we were instructed to do it, because they have come to trust that what we are when they are around, so we are when they are away. Thus we don't take shortcuts in exercising our duties, or do things half-heartily, or take unnecessary restroom breaks, or speak ill of others so as to try to promote oneself, or partake in all of the workplace rumors and gossip that inevitably undermine the companies harmony and productivity. Rather as bondservants of Christ we do the will of God from the heart, which is to serve our employers not with eyeservice, but as if we are serving Christ Himself! 

Vs. 7-8 ⁷ with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

And so it is we are to serve our employers with goodwill (gr. εὔνοια) which means we are eager employees who willingly and wholeheartedly serve our employers in whatever duties that are assigned to us. Because as the apostle Paul says, what we do in the workplace is in fact our serving Christ Himself and He will reward us according to what we have done there, according to what we have done there in our service towards Him.

Vs. 9 "And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him." 

Having addressed us as employees, the Apostle Paul now addresses us as employers. Notice that holding such a position is likewise a responsibility that also carries with it an accounting to our mutual Master in heaven, who does not show favor towards employer or employee, or in fact anyone (consider Deut. 16:19-20; Job 13:10, 31:13; Acts 10:34-35; James 2; 1 Peter 1:17-20).

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

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.

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.

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.

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, 9, 29; 16:31; 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.

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.

Ephesians 4:25–32

²⁵ Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. ²⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil. ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. ²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Commentary
Vs. 25 "Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another." 

Continuing on from His exhortation to put of the old man (or old nature) and to for us to to put on the new man (i.e. our new nature In Christ), the Apostle Paul now quoting from Zechariah 8:16 (also consider Lev. 19:11) gives us some very tangible and practical ways by which we can all do that. And so to begin with the Apostle Paul says we should start by putting away all lying, saying: “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another." That is we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are all apart of Christ's Body, and thus we are all members of one another, Spiritually joined and united with each other In Christ. And so as members of one another we should be honest and truthful with each other, because that is foundational to building deep and trusting and lasting relationships with each other, as well as building peoples confidence in ourselves, that we are honest and trustworthy people who live by the truth, and thus walk in all honesty and integrity. For lying and practicing the same not only undermines and destroys peoples trust and confidence in each other; ruining marriages and relationships of all sorts; but it can also undermine and destroy peoples trust and confidence in systems, organizations, and even can cause people to loose their faith and confidence in Christ Himself, something none of us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ would ever want anyone to do. And so lying is utterly repulsive for all of the relational and societal carnage it brings with it (consider Isaiah 59:13-15). But lying is also repulsive in what it also does to the individual who speaks and lives by lies. For lying and practicing the same is like driving a wedge between oneself and God Himself (consider Jer. 9:6). And so lying opens the door for Satan, the father of lies to come into someones heart and mind and life and begin to sow and justify all kinds of evil thoughts and desires. Therefore no one should ever underestimate the seriousness of lying, or the seriousness by which God sees all lies (Prov 12:22) and will judge all unrepentant liars (Psalm 5:6; 1 Tim 9-10; Rev 21:8), because lying, like all sins is never self contained, but has far reaching and negative and damaging ripple effects on those around us (consider Prov 29:12), especially on those who love us. Therefore lets us all put away all lying, ¹⁰ For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. ¹¹ Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. ¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:10-12.

Vs. 26-27 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil."

Now before someone goes off and justifies their own ungodly wrath or anger or malicious spirit notice first that the anger being spoken of here is linked with not sinning, and so the exhortation starts with hating what is evil in ones own life, and not yielding oneself to it, or partaking in evil with others (Consider Exodus 23:1-2; Prov. 8:13; 13:5). For there is a time for a just anger against sin, against evil, against corruption, against violence and injustices and crimes against an individual or humanity when these are committed (Psalm 11:5-7; Ecc 3:8). But there is also a sinful anger that is not true of God's Word, nor representative of Christ and His Spirit within us, but rather is only born out of ones old sinful nature and is vindictive, vengeful, unforgiving and unmerciful etc., and thus is not what Christ wants to see in any of us. Just as there is an ungodly angry and wrath born out of jealously which is often manifested through malice and hatred and outbursts of wrath which is is not what we have been called to do, to walk in the spirit and ways of our old nature (consider Titus 3:3-8). Thus the Apostles Paul's exhortation here about "being angry" should not be confused with justifying ones own ungodly, or unjust anger, hatred, or unforgiving spirit at being wronged. Rather the godly anger here is like the anger Jesus felt when He saw that the Temple was given over to those peddling wares within it, and thus who were exploiting and profiteering off of those who had come to seek God through it (see Matt. 21:12-14; John 2:13-17; also consider 1 Sam. 2:22-36; 3:11-14). Or the anger God feels when the poor, the weak, the vulnerable are exploited and abused (Isaiah 10:1-4; antithesis Psalm 12:5; 140:12; Prov 22:22-23; Isaiah 41:17), and so we are commanded to defend the same from the greedy, from the wicked, and from all unjust and evil men and woman who only rob, abuse and exploit the same for their own pleasure and gain (Psalm 82:3-4; Isaiah 1:17). Those then are some ways in which Godly anger can manifest itself and bring about justice and constructive change for us all. That said, I think the Apostle Paul's exhortation here is more geared towards us as believers who as members of one another are going to have times when we will be wronged. And so dealing with the causes of our anger and wrath during these times is paramount to not only our own peace, but also maintaining our fellowship and unity and love as believers, as well as having healthy relationships in all areas of our lives. Therefore the anger and wrath spoken of here, at sin, or at having been sinned against (Lev. 19:17) is to be dealt with directly by our dealing with the people directly related to it, as soon as it is reasonable and possible for us to do so, rather than letting it fester and burn on and on inside us, as the Apostle warns of happening to us if we do not readily deal with it in the daytime, before the night comes and all manner of evil thoughts and desires of "getting even" begin to take root inside of us. For as it is with lying, not readily and justly dealing with ones own anger and wrath only gives the devil a foothold in ones own person and life, which will only be harmful to oneself and others through the bitterness and such that will be born out of it (Heb. 12:15). Therefore when it comes to our interpersonal relationships we must follow what the Lord Jesus Christ commands in Matt 18:15-35 (also see James 5:16) so as to prevent the devil from getting a foothold in our lives, or the lives of those we have wronged. 

Vs. 28 "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need."

In his ongoing exhortation of our putting off the old man, the Apostle Paul now says that the one who stole, should not only steal no longer (also see Deut 5:19; 1 Peter 4:15), and rather that they should labor with their own hands in some sort of honest employment, and not just to meet their own needs, but also to help meet the needs of those who are in need, and thus to bring forth some positive fruit for Christ and blessing to others through their new lives as well. Now stealing is not just something that the common thief (Deut. 5:19), dishonest worker or employer does (Titus 2:9-10; James 5:4). But sadly stealing, robbing, lying and cheating is found in all levels of society. And so not only does God have prohibitions against it, but also judgments for those who follow after it (consider Lev. 19:11, 13; Psalm 37:21; 50:15-21; Prov. 3:27-28; 11:1; 20:14, 23; 22:23; Isaiah 10:1-4; 58; Jeremiah 7:8-10; 9:4-6; 22:13-17; Ezekiel 22:9; 45:9-10; Hosea 4:1-2, 8:4-6; Micah 6:11; Nahum 3;1; Zechariah 5:3; Malachi 3:5, 8-12; Luke 19:45-46; 11:17; Rom. 2:22; 13:9; 1 Cor 6:8; James 5:1-6; Rev 9:21 etc.). Therefore we as the children of God must not be partakers in anything that would put us under just scrutiny by man, or by God (Lev. 19:13, 35-36; Deut 25:13; 15, 16; Prov 16:11 etc.), because ones own reputation and integrity and peace is far more valuable than the little bit of temporal wealth that is gained by it (consider Prov 20:17; 28:6; 29:24; Heb. 13:18).

Vs. 29 "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

Having dealt with the hands, the Apostle Paul now turns too the mouth. Now we know that all sins have their origins in the human heart (Matt. 15:19) and that the mouth is a good indication of the good or the evil that is taking place inside oneself (Luke 6:45). And so believers should not only guard their hearts with all diligence from the corrupting influences of this world (Prov. 4:23-27), but also their mouths, because it is the mouth that directs the body, whether into good or evil (James 3:3-7; also consider James 1:19-20). Therefore things like profanity, speaking folly, off-color humor, disparaging and discouraging words and speech, slighting or deprecating of others are not the kinds of things that God approves, or wants to hear coming out of our mouths. Rather God wants us to use our mouths to encourage and build each other up in our faith and lives, and give grace to those who hear us; whether inside or outside of the faith. Therefore our mouths should be like life giving streams of fresh glacier mountain water that truly refresh and bless others, rather than being like the dark and dirty stagnate swamp waters that only pollute and defile, and thus quench the thirst of no one (consider Prov. 10:11, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 31, 32, 11:9, 12:14, 18, 20, 13:2-3; 14:3, 7; 15:2, 7, 14, 23, 28, 16:13, 21, 23, 27, 21:23; 18:7, 20, 21; 22:11; 23:16; 24:26; 26:28; 28:23; 31:26).

Vs. 30 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." 

Lying, stealing, corrupt speech all grieve the Holy Spirit, just as any sin in a believers life does. And so not grieving the Holy Spirit who has sealed us for the day of redemption is foundational to not only our own Spiritual growth and edification, but also the edification of others as well.

Vs. 31-32 ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

The Apostle Paul now lists several things that are grievous to the Holy Spirit when believers walk in them, they are:
bitterness, πικρία, LN. 88.201 "a state of sharp, intense resentment or hate" often manifested through ones disposition and speech (see Rom. 3:14). Now living by as much only has the effect of defiling others with the same spirit of bitterness (see Heb. 12:15).
wrath, θυμός, LN. 88.178 "a state of intense anger, with the implication of passionate outbursts—‘anger, fury, wrath, rage." This word often indicates a sudden rising up of anger and thus an outburst of wrath, like that which the people of Nazareth, Jesus' home town exemplified, when Jesus preaching in their Synagogue justified two Gentiles, the widow of Zarepath of the region of Sidon, whom God sent Elijah the prophet too, who she received and believed God's word spoken to her, and thus she did as he commanded her, and she and her whole household lived. And Namaan the Syrian, a leper and commander of the Syrian army who likewise believed Elisha the prophet, and thus did what he commanded him, and he was healed by God (see Luke 4:26-30, vs. 28; for other uses of this word also see Acts 19:28, Rom. 2:8; 2 Cor 12:20; Gal. 5:20; Col. 3:8; Heb. 11:27; Rev 12:12; 14:10, 19; 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19; 19:15).
anger, ὀργήa, LN 88.173 "a relative state of anger", —‘anger, fury.’ This word indicates an ongoing state of anger, as such no believer can live in as much without grieving the Holy Spirit, and so we are commanded to put such wrath away from ourselves because the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God (James 1:19-20). Also in 1 Tim. 2:8 men are to pray to God without wrath and doubting, the implication being that harboring anger towards anyone while seeking God in prayer by faith are two incompatible practices, and thus ones wrath must be dealt with if one expects God's intercession.
clamor, In this context this basically means very loud and contentious quarreling and arguing. Basically yelling and shouting at each other, rather than working out ones differences like Christians should do.
evil speaking, βλασφημέω; βλασφημίαa, LN. 33.400 "to speak against someone in such a way as to harm or injure his or her reputation (occurring in relation to persons as well as to divine beings)—‘to revile, to defame, to blaspheme, reviling.’ Evil speaking has the effect of not only harming another persons reputation or person, but also of stirring up others to do the same, and so it is grave evil, which no one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ should ever partake in.
malice, κακία, LN 88.199 "a feeling of hostility and strong dislike, with a possible implication of desiring to do harm—‘hateful feeling.’

Now in contrast to practicing those very negative and destructive things, we are to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. The measure than of God loving and forgiving us and seeking our well being through the Crucifixion death of His Son, who know also lives to ever make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25), is how we are to love and forgive others, because we will all have to endure injustices, injuries, conflicts, and the like, and most of these we will have no control over, for that is the very nature of life itself. Yet what we can control and be better people for is how we respond to them, for that is God's plan for us in this life, to become more like Christ, which we do when we walk in the Spirit and not yield ourselves to our old sinful ugly nature. My God Himself than help and strengthen us all as we grow in His Son, becoming more and more like Him as we yield our hearts and lives to His Will for us all, amen.

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

Additional Resources Consulted
Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 763). New York: United Bible Societies.

MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1939). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Additional Information
All indicated definitions were taken from Louw-Nida Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament

Ephesian 4:17-24

¹⁷ This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, ¹⁸ having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; ¹⁹ who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. ²⁰ But you have not so learned Christ, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Commentary

Vs. 17 "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind"

The Apostle Paul in speaking by the Lord's authority now makes a strong appeal, (i.e. testifies) that we who believe should no longer walk (that is live) "as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind." The Apostle Paul's thought here is that we who have come to know God through Christ should no longer live our lives like those who having no know true knowledge of God only walk in the futility of their own minds. And so as disciples of Christ we should no longer live like those who hearts and lives are being swayed and directed by all of the lies of this world which are propagated in every generation through worldly philosophies, through peoples own sinful hearts and desires, and very often through popular culture which is a reflection of all of this and very often is the means by which the father of lies propagates his own lies and agenda, misleading people and taking people captive to do his own will by promising them much personal gratification and pleasure and riches and whatever else people think will fulfill them through it, but only delivering them much disappointment and misery in the end. In essence then we are not to follow the "wisdom" of this age (Mark 8:36). For all such who do so are only walking in the futility of their own minds, because apart from the Word of God to enlighten, illuminate, and ultimately direct us away from this worlds lies and into God's truth, no one doing so can rise any higher than their own finite and sinful understanding, and thus they always end up justifying their own, or some else's depraved and evil desires. And so practicing ungodliness and uttering error against the Lord is a way of life in this life for those of it. And thus we are not to follow any of their sinful ways, or their lives course practices.

Vs. 18 "having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart"

The Apostle Paul now says of them that their understanding is darkened, darkened because having rejected the revelation and illumination that God gives all people of Himself their own understanding becomes darkened. This is self evident especially today as our world is more and more rapidly and progressively willfully setting itself against the Word of God, so too it's values, its ideals, it's "morals" are becoming more and more depraved, warped, and jaded. For when one walks in ones own understanding and thus lives their lives according to their own sinful hearts desires ones heart inevitably and progressively becomes not only hardened towards God, but their understanding also becomes darkened as God gives them over to a debased mind as His judgment against them for doing so (see Rom. 1:18-32). And so when any individual, or even a society rejects God's truth and light which He shines on all people in every generation their understanding becomes darkened. Something which the Lord Jesus Christ Himself warns us all about when He says, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them. John 12:35-36  

Now the second thing that marks the people of this world is that they themselves are alienated from the life of God. That is they have no Spirit life within them, nor can they have the life and love and joy of God within themselves as long as they alienate themselves from Him by not believing His Son Jesus Christ and His Gospel which we are all commanded to believe and obey. And so their persons and lives and pursuits always reflect this, which is the greatest tragedy of all not to know God, nor have the life of God within oneself. And thus to only live a life of vanity, as Solomon called it so many ages ago (see Book of Ecclesiastes). And so being lost in their own ignorance and given over to their own blindness of heart, they have neither desire nor concern for any of those things that make for a true and fulfilling and a meaningful life, by finding it in Christ alone, who frees us from sin and Satan so that we can fully live richly and abundantly and peacefully In Christ who both gives us true liberty and His life as well as the means to fulfill our lives with meaningful pursuits and purposes. And so their manner of person and life should not be ours.

Vs. 19 "who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."

The Apostle Paul here in describing them as being past feeling, is saying that their consciences have been calloused over. At one time they had a sense of guilt about the things they were doing, but now 
having willfully and regularly hardened themselves to that innate conviction of sin God gives all people, they now having "liberated" themselves from it, are "free" too practice all manner of lewdness; that is sexual sins without the slightest hint of guilt or desire for restraint. Same with uncleanness which is essentially the same but even more debased in nature and so we get the willful justifying ("normalizing") of all manner of homosexual and transgender perversion, even teaching it to children, while defending it in the courts of law, and yet all of it is utterly contrary and hostile to the Word of God (consider Deut 18:9-14; 22:5; Prov 17:15; 1 Cor 6:11). And so as I have said before climate change will not be the ruin of humanity, rather the moral change will, for the social confusion and upheaval and lawlessness that it will breed and bring with it no one will be able to contain. 

Vs. 20-24 ²⁰ But you have not so learned Christ, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

We as Christians then are not to live like the unbelieving and unregenerate world. For if we have truly heard the Lord Jesus Christ and believed in Him, and thus received Him and His life for ourselves, as the truth is in Jesus and Jesus alone (vs. 20-21), then we must put off the old man; (a reference to our old unregenerate sinful self) which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts (vs. 22); a reference to the flesh and the lusts of it (consider 1 John 2:15-17; also James 4:4); and instead be renewed in the spirit of our minds (vs. 23). Something which is foundational to all Christian life, liberty, freedom and growth, and thus the thwarting of Satan and sin in our lives, just as the Apostle Paul also exhorts us all in Rom 12:1-2. Therefore instead of walking in the old man's (or old natures sinful ways and desires) we are to put on the new man (i.e. our new nature, see 2 Cor 5:17) which was created according to God (that is we have been recreated in the image or nature of God expressly seen in the Person and Nature of Christ) and thus we are to now live in true righteousness and holiness, just as Jesus did. And so though we are changed being brought from spiritual death to Spiritual and everlasting life the moment we believed, there is the ongoing sanctifying of our persons and lives by the Holy Spirit renewing us day by day (2 Cor 4:16), which as the Apostle Paul states here requires the ongoing renewing of our minds, since it is the mind that directs the body (see James 1:13-15), and it is our bodies which are now the temple of the Lord (1 Cor 3:16-17), and thus we are to strive to live in all true righteousness and holiness, sanctifying our bodies for the Lord (1 Cor 6:19-20).
I pray then that we who believe in Christ will all be about doing that, because Christianity and specifically Christ, is not found in observing dead religious ceremonies and religious ceremonialism, and thus serving dead religious practices devoid of the life and love, and specifically the Person of Christ. Nor is Christianity found in the ecstatic worship and worshiping of God by which having a mere spiritual experience, often through their so called "spirit baptisms" and or the laying on of their hands by which they seek to propagate these, and so they hold these as the highest goal and pursuit in being Christians, and thus they only end up supplanting true faith in Christ and obedience towards God by them (consider Matt. 7:21-23; Hebrews 3:12-18). Nor is Christ and the Christian faith found in the religious doctrines and decrees of men who strip it of all it's life and liberty and joy and instead make into legalistic bondage and servitude through the doctrines and commandments of men (Col. 2:20-23). Rather the Christian faith is found exclusively in the Gospel and thus the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came first to save us from all our sins and transgressions (and thus the wrath and judgment of God) by His own death on the cross for us all. Then having achieved our eternal redemption from sin and death, Jesus rose from the dead to vanquish death itself, so that He can now give new and everlasting life to all who believe in Him (Rom 10:9-10, 13; 1 Cor 15:53-55). The question then is have you received the Lord Jesus Christ, God's Son and gift given too and for us all, so that we can be reconciled with God Himself the moment we repent and believe in Him. For again Christianity is not found in shadows and forms, nor experiences and doctrines, Christianity is found exclusively in the Person of Christ who comes into our persons and lives the moment we open our hearts to Him and invite Him in (Rev. 3:20). Therefore if you have not yet invited Jesus into your heart and life then please do so now, by a simply prayer prayed in faith inviting the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior you can have Him and all that God promises you through Him, therefore receive Christ today!

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. (1982). (Jn 12:35–36). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Word Studies 
Vs. 17 testify: μαρτύρομαι, Str. 3143; GK 3458; LN 33.223; 33.319 (Acts 20:26, Gal. 5:3; Eph 4:17) 3x