Lockman - Bible questions and answers

		Eph 5:1 Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];
		Eph 5:2 and walk continually in love [that is, value one another--practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. [Ezek 20:41]
		Eph 5:3 ¶ But sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith].
		Eph 5:4 Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God].
		Eph 5:5 For be sure of this: no immoral, impure, or greedy person--for that one is [in effect] an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God].
		Eph 5:6 ¶ Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin]. [Lev 18:24, 25]
		Eph 5:7 So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin].
		Eph 5:8 For once you were darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light]
		Eph 5:9 (for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
		Eph 5:10 trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him--your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].
		Eph 5:11 Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character];
		Eph 5:12 for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret.
		Eph 5:13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light [of God's precepts], for it is light that makes everything visible.
		Eph 5:14 For this reason He says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine [as dawn] upon you and give you light." [Is 26:19; 51:17; 52:1; 60:1, 2]
		Eph 5:15 ¶ Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],
		Eph 5:16 making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.
		Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is.
		Eph 5:18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him. [Prov 23:20]
		Eph 5:19 Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, [offering praise by] singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
		Eph 5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
		Eph 5:21 being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
		Eph 5:22 ¶ Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as [a service] to the Lord.
		Eph 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as Christ is head of the church, Himself being the Savior of the body.
		Eph 5:24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives should be subject to their husbands in everything [respecting both their position as protector and their responsibility to God as head of the house].
		Eph 5:25 ¶ Husbands, love your wives [seek the highest good for her and surround her with a caring, unselfish love], just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
		Eph 5:26 so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God],
		Eph 5:27 so that [in turn] He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy [set apart for God] and blameless.
		Eph 5:28 Even so husbands should and are morally obligated to love their own wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.
		Eph 5:29 For no one ever hated his own body, but [instead] he nourishes and protects and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,
		Eph 5:30 because we are members (parts) of His body.
		Eph 5:31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED [and be faithfully devoted] TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. [Gen 2:24]
		Eph 5:32 This mystery [of two becoming one] is great; but I am speaking with reference to [the relationship of] Christ and the church.
		Eph 5:33 However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear]. [1 Pet 3:2]

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