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Gary Hampton Commentaries

Ephesians 5:1,2

Walking In Love Like God

God extended his forgiveness to all men through the loving gift of his Son on Calvary. Paul's reference in 4:32 to Christians forgiving as God forgives led him to encourage them to imitate, or mimic, God in all they did. Just as children like to do what mom and dad do, Christians should strive to do what their Father in heaven does (5:1; Matthew 5:44-48).

All that the Father and Son have done for the redeemed is motivated by love. Therefore, Christians should let their lives be directed by love (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8; 1 John 4:7-10). Christ's great sacrifice, which was made out of love, went up before the Father as a sweet smelling sacrifice. In fact, all sacrifices motivated by a proper spirit and offered in accord with his will are pleasing to God (Genesis 8:20-22). Jesus' sacrifice was all the more pleasing because it was sufficient to pay the price for sin (5:2; Hebrews 10:1-10).

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See also Ephesians 5:1,2 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    CHAPTER V. _Christians should imitate their heavenly Father, and walk in_ _love, after the example of Christ_, 1, 2. _They should avoid all uncleanness, impurity, covetousness, and_ _foolish jesti...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    BE YE THEREFORE FOLLOWERS OF GOD - Greek, “Be imitators - μιμηταὶ mimētai - of God.” The idea is not that they were to be the friends of God, or numbered among his followers, but that they were to i...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    3. THE WALK IN HOLINESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS Chapter S 4:17-5:21 _ 1. Not as the Gentiles walk (Ephesians 4:17)_ 2. The putting off and putting on (Ephesians 4:20) 3. Followers of God (Ephesians 5

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    EPHESIANS 4:25 TO EPHESIANS 5:2. PRECEPTS OF THE NEW LIFE. Away then with lying, resentment, stealing, foul talk, bad temper, lust. Remember the common membership (Ephesians 4:25). Give the devil no s...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE IMITATION OF GOD (Ephesians 5:1-8)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    You must become imitators of God, as well loved children imitate their father. You must live in love, as Christ loved you, and gave himself to God as a sacrifice and an offering, a sacrifice which was...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    FOLLOWERS. imitators. Greek. _mimetes._ See 1 Corinthians 4:16. GOD. App-98. DEAR. beloved. App-135. CHILDREN. App-108....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Ephesians 5:1-14. The subject pursued: Christ's Sacrifice the supreme example of self-sacrifice: Purity: Reproof of darkness by light 1. _therefore_ The argument passes unbroken from the previous wor...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΓΊΝΕΣΘΕ ΟΥ̓͂Ν ΜΙΜΗΤΑῚ ΤΟΥ͂ ΘΕΟΥ͂, ὩΣ ΤΈΚΝΑ�. The thought of the Divine Example is repeated and enforced by reference to the thought of the Fatherhood of God (bringing the passage into yet closer relat...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    17–5:14. THE GREAT CONTRAST Ephesians 4:25 to Ephesians 5:14. THE CONTRAST IN DETAIL...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΓΊΝΕΣΘΕ _praes. imper. med. (dep.) от_ ΓΊΝΟΜΑΙ (G1096) становиться. _Praes. imper._ указывает на образ жизни, ΜΙΜΗΤΑΊ _pl. от_ ΜΙΜΗΤΉΣ (G3402) подражатель. Последующий _gen._ указывает на пример для...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    BE YE THEREFORE, &C.— "Since therefore God is so exceedingly good and merciful in the exercise of his pardoning grace toward you (ch. Ephesians 4:32.), let this excite you to be (μιμηται) imitators of...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    _PREVIEWING IN OUTLINE FORM_ (EPHESIANS 4:17-32; EPHESIANS 5:1-2) B. Walk as becometh saints. Ephesians 4:17-32;...

  • Combined Bible Commentary

    (5:1,2) "Therefore" means, "because you are children of God, be like (imitate) your Father". This does not say that we are to imitate Christ. Rather, we are to imitate the Father, who made it His purp...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; BE YE, [ ginesthe (G1096)] - 'become.' THEREFORE - since 'God in Christ forgave you' (Ephesians 4:32). FOLLOWERS - Greek, 'imitators' of God...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    __ Summary of Previous Grace 13 Before the revelation of the secret administration by means of this epistle the saints among the nations were in a period of adolescence. This is fully set forth by t...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE OLD DARKNESS AND NEW LIGHT. RULES FOR THE MARRIED 1, 2. In close connexion with what precedes. 'It is the mark of beloved children to become imitators of a loving Father; practise the self-sacrif...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    CHRISTIAN BELIEF AND BEHAVIOUR EPHESIANS _LES PAINTER (BIBLE TEXT BY CYNTHIA GREEN)_ CHAPTER 5 5:1-14 ~ LOVE 5:1-7 ~ LIVE IN LOVE V1 You must try to be as much like God as you can. You are his...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    (3 _a_) In Ephesians 4:31 to Ephesians 5:2, he deals with malignity, as utterly unworthy of the love of God manifested to us in Jesus Christ....

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    V. (1, 2) These verses are an expansion and enforcement of the last verse of Ephesians 4. There the forgiveness of “God in Christ” is set forth in one pregnant phrase. Here the two parts of this idea...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    FOLLOWERS OF GOD. — The phrase is unique and very striking; literally, _imitators of God_: and the word “therefore” implies that this imitation of God must be chiefly in His essential attribute of lov...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 22 DOCTRINE AND ETHICS Ephesians 4:25; Ephesians 5:1 The homily that we have briefly reviewed in the last chapter demands further consideration. It affords a striking and instructive exampl...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    A paragraph ruled by the general idea of the imitation of God in the forgiving love which has been appealed to in the preceding verse. In the light of that Divine example Paul charges his readers to f...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    γίνεσθε οὖν μιμηταὶ τοῦ Θεοῦ : _become ye therefore imitators of God_. γίνεσθε, as in Ephesians 4:32, = “become ye,” rather than “be ye”. This γίνεσθε also resumes the former γίνεσθε (Ephesians 4:32),...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT Ephesians 5:1 It is indeed a high calling to imitate God and to walk in love after the measure of Christ; but it will be impossible unless we open our innermost heart to the...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    All that the apostle had been saying was emphasized by the statement of their relationship to God as he called them to be "imitators of God." Again he urged them to put off the old and put on the new....

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    CONTENTS The Apostle is still prosecuting the same Subject, as in the former upon the Church to follow God, under the Character of dear Children. He closeth his subject, in a most beautiful Represent...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (1) В¶ Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (2) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savo...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    In this epistle we have the unfolding of the grace of God in all its fulness, not merely the application of His righteousness to man's need on His part, but God from out of Himself, and for Himself, a...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _THE HIGHEST DIGNITY OF MAN_ ‘Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us.’ Ephesians 5:1 We can follow God in love. In this ability our highe...

  • John Brown Commentaries Selected Books of the Bible

    I. INTRODUCTION A. As we return to the book of Ephesians, we continue our study on Christian behavior. 1. The Apostle Paul has just given the Ephesian Christians, (and us) a "list" of ungodly behavi...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    1._Be ye therefore followers. _The same principle is followed out and enforced by the consideration that children ought to be like their father. He reminds us that we are the children of God, and that...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Moreover, let us remark here, and it is an important feature in this picture of the fruits of grace and of the new man, that when the grace and love, which come down from God, act in man, they always...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    BE YE THEREFORE FOLLOWERS OF GOD,.... Not in his works of infinite wisdom and almighty power, which is impossible; but in acts of righteousness and holiness, and particularly in acts of mercy, goodnes...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; Ver. 1. _Be ye therefore followers_] In forgiving one another. _ As dear children_] God hath but a few such children. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 5:45 _...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Therefore_ Because you are forgiven by God, and have been so much loved; (Ephesians 4:32;) _be ye followers_ Μιμηται, _imitators, of God_ In loving and forgiving; _as dear_ Αγαπητα, _beloved, childre...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    FOLLOWERS OF GOD; imitators of him, especially in his love to men. We have reason for everlasting gratitude to God that he has given us a perfect example; and it should be our great object perfectly t...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    BE YE, THEREFORE, FOLLOWERS OF GOD, AS DEAR CHILDREN;...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    A WARNING, PRINCIPALLY AGAINST THE SINS OF UNCLEANNESS. The imitation of God excludes uncleanness:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    WALK IN LOVE (vs.1-7) Verses 1 and 2 of chapter 5 are closely connected with verse 32 of chapter 4. God's gracious character of love that delights to have us as His dear children is our example. The...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    CHAPTER 5 We must not follow the ways of the old man. We must be ______________ of God. He is our Father. We are his _____________. We must __________ in love because Christ loved us. He gave himsel...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    “BE YE THEREFORE IMITATORS OF GOD, AS BELOVED CHILDREN” Ephesians chapter Ephesians 5:22-33 “The Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians is rightly regarded as the most profound of his writings but he empl...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1,2 Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be ye followers of God, imitators of God. Resemble him especially in his love and pardoning goodness, as becomes those beloved by their...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    EPHESIANS CHAPTER 5 EPHESIANS 5:1,2 Paul exhorteth to the imitation of God, and of the love of Christ, EPHESIANS 5:3,4 to avoid fornication and all uncleanness, EPHESIANS 5:5,6 which exclude from, the

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians I have become acquainted with your name, much-beloved in God, which ye have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Jesus Chris...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Ephesians 5:1 Therefore G3767 be G1096 (G5737) imitators G3402 God G2316 as G5613 dear G27 children G5043...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THE CHRISTIAN WALK IN LOVE, LIGHT AND WISDOM (5:1-21). ‘Therefore you be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    III. GENERAL CHRISTIAN DUTIES. This part of the Epistle is difficult to analyze. The ethical precepts are not arranged in any discoverable logical order. For convenience a division into two sections i...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _2. Precepts based upon the Self-sacrificing Love of Christ._ The connection of thought with chap. Ephesians 4:32 is very close; God's forgiving love is directly presented as a motive (‘therefore') fo...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Ephesians 5:1. BECOME THEREFORE. ‘Therefore' connects the exhortation with chap. Ephesians 4:31-32, but there is an advance in thought, so that a new section begins here. Strictly speaking Ephesians 5...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    IMITATORS OF GOD (μιμητα του θεου). This old word from μιμεομα Paul boldly uses. If we are to be like God, we must imitate him....

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 5:1 Christ's Acts of Love the Christian's Model. I. Christ took our flesh that in it He might go up and down among us; that in it He might be seen by us; that in it He might speak to us, an...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Ephesians 5:1. _Be ye therefore followers of God,_ Or, imitators of God,- Ephesians 5:1. _As dear children;_ Children are naturally imitators. They are usually inclined to imitate their father; thi...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Walk of the believer as God's child. The believer's warfare as filled with the Spirit. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Paul. CONCLUSION: As members of the family of God, it is our duty to put on...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Ephesians 5:1. _Be ye followers of God as dear children,_ for children are expected to walk in their father's steps. He sends us rain and fruitful seasons, he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    SINCE YOU ARE. "Do not imitate the viciously immoral character of the heathen _gods_! You are God's dear children and you must try to imitate his perfect character, especially his forgiving love!...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children._ IMITATORS OF GOD The apostle urges us to give and forgive. If ye be imitators of God, give, for He is always giving. I. Consider the precept he...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    EPHESIANS—NOTE ON EPHESIANS 5:1 New Life in Love. Paul gives general instructions for holy living. Purity of life comes from avoiding evil deeds and relationships and adopting holy practices....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES_ Ephesians 5:1. FOLLOWERS OF GOD.—R.V. _imitators_. St. Paul gathers up all duties into one expression, “imitation of God,” and urges them on his readers by a reminder...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION EPHESIANS 5:1 BE YE THEREFORE IMITATORS OF GOD, AS CHILDREN BELOVED. These words are closely connected with the preceding. In Ephesians 4:32 he had urged the example of God in one very mo...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn now in our Bibles to Ephesians, chapter 5. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children (Ephesians 5:1); Now, the therefore immediately points you back, back to the last verse of...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 John 3:1; 1 John 3:2; 1 John 4:11; 1 Peter 1:15; 1 Peter 1:16;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Be ye [γ ι ν ε σ θ ε]. Become, as ch. 4 32. Followers [μ ι μ η τ α ι]. Rev, correctly, imitators. Dear [α γ α π η τ α] Rev., beloved. As those to whom Christ has shown love...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    FOLLOWERS OF GOD Ephesians 5:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS The opening verse of today's chapter has a clear and clarion call to the children of God. It is something that we may not sidetrack or push aside....

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Be ye therefore followers — Imitators. Of God — In forgiving and loving. O how much more honourable and more happy, to be an imitator of God, than of Homer, Virgil, or Alexander the Great!...

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Our apostle having, in the conclusion of the foregoing chapter, exhorted the Ephesians to mutual offices of love and kindness towards each other, in the beginning of this chapter he makes use of sever...

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