Ephesians 5

Christ's offering and sacrifice

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 savour. Ephesians 5:2

Christ gave Himself as the real offering the Old Testament sacrifices pointed to. 'Sweetsmelling savour' is the law of Moses' language for an offering God accepts.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• typified by Leviticus 1:9 — the burnt offering 'of a sweet savour unto the LORD'

Kingdom of Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

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. Ephesians 5:5

The kingdom belongs to Christ and to God the Father; unrepented sin keeps a person from inheriting it.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

The Lord, source of light

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: Ephesians 5:8

Saints who were once in darkness become light through their union with the Lord, who is the Light.

• the same title in John 8:12 — 'I am the light of the world'

The Lord

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:10

Disciples test their choices by what pleases the Lord Jesus.

Christ, Giver of light

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek Christos, Hebrew Messiah)

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Ephesians 5:14

Paul quotes a saying — probably an early Christian hymn built on Isaiah — calling people asleep in sin to wake up; Christ is the one who gives them light.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Isaiah 60:1 — 'Arise, shine; for thy light is come'
• alludes to Isaiah 26:19 — 'Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust'

The Lord

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17

Wisdom is understanding and doing the Lord's will.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus — 'Jehovah saves'; Christ — 'the Anointed One'

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Ephesians 5:19–20

Saints sing to the Lord and give thanks to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ — the pattern of worship and prayer the Savior taught.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

Saviour of the body

Saviour — the one who rescues and delivers

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:22–24

Paul uses marriage to teach that Christ leads His Church and is its Saviour; a husband's headship is to be patterned after Christ's saving, self-giving leadership.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Colossians 1:18 — Christ 'the head of the body, the church'

Christ the Bridegroom of the Church

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25–27

Like a bridegroom, Christ gave His life for His Church, cleanses her through baptism and His word, and will present her to Himself pure and without blemish.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same event in Revelation 19:7-8 — 'the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready'
• the same title in Matthew 25:1 — the virgins 'went forth to meet the bridegroom'

The Lord who nourishes the Church

Lord — Master and rightful ruler; in Paul's letters the title of the risen Jesus, carrying the weight of the divine name

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: Ephesians 5:29–30

The Lord nourishes and cherishes His Church; its members are joined to Him as parts of His own body.

The great mystery: Christ and the Church

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. Ephesians 5:31–32

Paul quotes Genesis 2:24 and reveals its deeper meaning: the covenant union of husband and wife is a pattern of the covenant union between Christ and His Church.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• quotes Genesis 2:24 — 'they shall be one flesh'
• interprets Genesis 2:24 — marriage in Eden read as a figure of Christ and the Church
• alludes to Isaiah 54:5 — 'thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name' — Jehovah as husband of His people