v.1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.
“followers” means an imitator
For further study: Matthew 5:45, 48, Luke 6:36, Ephesians 4:32
v.2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given him for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
“walk” means to tread all around, walk at large as proof of ability, to live, deport oneself, follow as a companion or votary
“offering” means presentation, an oblation or sacrifice
“sweetsmelling” means good-scentedness, fragrance
For further study: John 13:34, 15:12, 1 Thess. 4:9, 1 John 3:11, 23, 4:21, Gal. 1:4, 2:20, Heb. 7:27, 9:14, 26, 10:10, 12, 1 John 3:16, Gen. 8:21, Lev.1:9, 2 Cor. 2:15
v.3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints,
“fornication” means harlotry (including adultery and incest), idolatry
“uncleanness” means impurity
“covetousness” means avarice, fraudulency, extortion
“named” means assign an appellation, to utter, mention, profess
“becometh” means to tower up (be conspicious), to be suitable or proper
“saints” means sacred (physical pure, moral blameless or religious, ceremony consecrated)
For further study: Romans 6:13, 1 Cor. 6:18, 2 Cor. 12:21, Eph. 4:19-20, Col. 3:5, 1 Thess. 4:3, 1 Cor. 5:1
v.4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
“filthiness” means shamefulness, obscenity
“foolish talking” means silly talk
“jesting” means well-turned, ready at repartee, jocose, witticism, (in a vulgar sense) ribaldry
“convenient” means to attain to, be proper
For further study: Matthew 12:35, Eph. 4:29, Romans 1:28
v.5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
“whoremonger” means to sell, a male prostitute (as venal), a debauchee (libertine)
“unclean person” means impure
“covetous” means holding (desiring) more, eager for gain (avaricious, a defrauder)
“idolater” means image worshipper
“inheritance” means heirship, a patrimony or a possession
For further study: 1 Cor. 6:9, Gal. 5:19, 21, Col. 3:5, 1 Timothy 6:17, Rev. 22:15
v.6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
“deceive” means to cheat, delude
“vain” means empty
“wrath” means violent passion, punishment
“disobedience” means disbelief, obstinate and rebellious
For further study: Jeremiah 29:8, Matthew 24:4, Col. 2:4, 8, 18, 2 Thess. 2:3, Romans 1:18, Eph. 2:2, Col.3:6
v.7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
“partakers” means a co-participant
v.8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
“darkness” means shadiness, obscurity
“light” means to shine or make manifest by rays
“walk” means to tread all around, walk at large as proof of ability, to live, deport oneself, follow as a companion or votary
For further study: Isaiah 9:2, Matthew 4:16, Acts 26:18, Romans 1:21, Eph. 2:11-12, 4:18, Titus 3:3, 1 Peter 2:9, John 8:12, 12:46, 2 Cor. 3:18, 4:6, 1 Thess. 5:5, 1 John 2:9, Luke 16:8, John 12:36
v.9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
“goodness” means virtue or beneficence
“righteousness” means equity of character or act, Christian justification
For further study: Galatians 5:22
v.10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
“proving” means to test, to prove
“acceptable” means fully agreeable
For further study: Romans 12:2, Phil. 1:10, 1 Thess. 5:21, 1 Timothy 2:3
v.11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
“fellowship” means to share in company with, co-participate in
“unfruitful” means barren
“works” means toil as an effort or occupation, an act
“darkness” means the absence of spiritual light and truth
“reprove” means to confute, admonish
For further study: 1 Cor. 5:9, 11, 10:20, 2 Cor. 6:14, 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, Romans 6:21, 13:12, Galatians 6:8, Lev.19:17, 1 Timothy 5:20
v.12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
For further study: Romans 1:24, 26, Eph. 5:3
v.13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
“are made manifest” means to render apparent
“light” means to shine or make manifest by rays
For further study: John 3:20-21 and Hebrews 4:13
v.14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
“awake” means to stop being sluggish
“arise” means to stand up
For further study: Isaiah 60:1, Romans 13:11-12, 1 Corinthians 15:34, 1 Thess. 5:6, John 5:25, Romans 6:4-5, Eph. 2:5 and Colossians 3:1
v.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.
“walk” means to tread all around, walk at large as proof of ability, to live, deport oneself, follow as a companion or votary
“circumspectly” means exactly
“fools” means unwise
“wise” means applying spiritual truth in one’s life
For further study: Colossians 4:5
v.16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
“redeeming” means to buy up, ransom, to rescue from loss (improve opportunity)
“time” means an occasion, set or proper time, season
“evil” means times that are full of sorrow and affliction
For further study: Galatians 6:10, Colossians 4:5, Ecclesiastes 11:2, 12:1, John 12:35 and Ephesians 6:13
v.17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
“unwise” means mindless, stupid, ignorant, egotistic, rash, moral unbelieving
“understanding” means to put together, to comprehend, to act piously
“will” means a determination, active choice, special purpose, decree, volition or inclination
For further study: Col. 4:5, Rom. 12:2, 1 Thess. 4:3, 5:18
v.18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit;
“drunk” means to intoxicate
“wine” means new wine
“excess” means unsavedness, profligacy, debauchery
For further study: Proverbs 20:1, 23:20, 30, Isaiah 5:11, 22, Luke 21:34
v.19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
“psalms” means a set piece of music
“hymns” means song of praise
“melody” means to rub or touch the surface, to twitch or twang, to play on a stringed instrument, (celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying odes)
For further study: 1 Cor. 14:26, Col. 3:16 and James 5:13
v.20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
For further study: Psalms 34:1, Isaiah 63:7, Col. 3:17, 1 Thess. 5:18, 2 Thess. 1:3, Hebrew 13:15, 1 Peter 2:5, 4:11
v.21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
“submitting” means to subordinate, to obey
“fear” means to alarm or fright
For further study: Philippians 2:3 and 1 Peter 5:5
v.22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For further study: Genesis 3:16, 1 Cor. 14:34, Col. 3:18, Titus 2:5, 1 Peter 3:1 and Ephesians 6:5
v.23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
“head” means one to whom others are subordinate
“church” means a Christian community
“saviour” means deliverer
For further study: 1 Cor. 11:3, Eph. 1:22, 4:15, Col. 1:18, Eph. 1:23
v.24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
For further study: Col. 3:20, Titus 2:9
v.25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
For further study: Col. 3:19, 1 Peter 3:7, Acts 20:28, Galatians 1:4, 2:20 and Ephesians 5:2
v.26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
“sanctify” means to make holy, purify or consecrate, to venerate
“washing” means the Word of God as a cleansing instrument
For further study: John 3:5, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 10:22, 1 John 5:6, John 15:3, 17:17
v.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
“present” means to stand beside, to exhibit, proffer, recommend, substantiate, or to be at hand (or ready), aid
“glorious” means splendid, noble, the Body of Christ being presented as a bride
“spot” means to stain or soil
“wrinkle” means a fold (as drawing together)
“holy” means sacred (physical pure, moral blameless or religious, ceremony consecrated)
“without blemish” means blameless
For further study: 2 Cor. 11:2, Col. 1:22, Song 4:7 and Ephesians 1:4
v.28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
v.29 For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
“hated” means to detest, to persecute, to love less
“nourisheth” means to rear up to maturity, to cherish or train
“cherisheth” means to brood, to foster
v.30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For further study: Genesis 2:23, Romans 12:5, 1 Cor. 6:15, 12:27
v.31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
For further study: Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7-8 and 1 Corinthians 6:16
v.32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
v.33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
For further study: Eph. 5:25, Col. 3:19 and 1 Peter 3:6
Key Points
v.1 Imitate God like children do their earthly father.
v.2 Let love be your motivation, goal and strength.
v.3 Avoid all manner of sin at all costs.
v.4 Speak words that will edify others.
v.5 Don’t let sexual sin enter your life.
v.6 Deception will destroy the lives that are not fully committed to God, His Word and His kingdom.
v.7 Don’t associate with those who claim to be a Christian and still live a sinful life.
v.8 We are called to live a life of freedom in the light.
v.9 Let the Holy Spirit create fruit in you.
v.10 Pleasing the Lord should be a daily goal.
v.11 Don’t participate in sinful behavior with those who tempt you.
v.12-13 All things that are done in secret will be revealed by the light.
v.14 Stop being lazy and start working for the kingdom that Christ came to establish.
v.15 Fools embrace sin and the wise flee from it.
v.16 Lay up treasure in Heaven each day.
v.17 Be wise by seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness.
v.18 Be continually and daily, filled with the Holy Spirit.
v.19 Praise and worship the Lord daily.
v.20 Thank God for all of His goodness.
v.21-33 Be in agreement with God and His Word, to overcome your fleshly battles.