The fifth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a powerful and often debated portion of Scripture. It moves from grand theological themes about God’s eternal plan in Christ to intensely practical instructions for daily living. This chapter isn’t a collection of unrelated rules; it’s a cohesive blueprint for how to live as “children of light” in a dark world. It calls believers to a higher standard—one defined not by legalism, but by a profound imitation of Christ’s love. This guide will break down the key themes of Ephesians 5, providing a clear and practical understanding of its message for today.
The Call to Imitate God: The Foundation of Christian Conduct
Paul begins the chapter with a stunning command: “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Ephesians 5:1). This single verse sets the tone for everything that follows. Our moral and ethical behavior is not rooted in a desire to earn God’s favor, but is a response to the favor we have already received. As dearly loved children, we are called to mimic our Father.
The primary way we imitate God is by walking in love, “just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). The love described here (agape in Greek) is not a sentimental feeling but a self-sacrificial action. It is the same love that led Jesus to the cross. This foundational principle redefines all Christian relationships. Every interaction—in the family, the workplace, and the church—is to be filtered through this lens of self-giving, Christ-like love.
From Darkness to Light: A Radical Transformation
The chapter then draws a sharp contrast between the old life and the new. Paul provides a specific list of behaviors that belong to the “kingdom of darkness,” including sexual immorality, impurity, greed, obscene talk, and foolishness (Ephesians 5:3-5). He states clearly that those who persistently practice such things without repentance have no inheritance in God’s kingdom.
This is not because God is exclusionary, but because these behaviors are fundamentally incompatible with the holy nature of God. The call is to a clean break: “Let no one deceive you with empty words” (Ephesians 5:6). The Christian life involves a decisive rejection of the patterns of the world.
The powerful metaphor Paul uses is one of light and darkness. He declares, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Notice he doesn’t say you were in darkness, but you were darkness. Your very nature has been transformed. Now, as children of light, our lives should produce the “fruit of the light,” which is found in all goodness, righteousness, and truth (Ephesians 5:9). We are to have nothing to do with the “deeds of darkness” but rather expose them simply by living truthfully in the light.
Living Wisely in a Foolish World
How do we practically live as children of light? The answer is through wisdom. Paul commands his readers to “be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15). Wisdom is the practical application of God’s truth to everyday life. It involves:
- Redeeming the time: Making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). This means prioritizing what is eternal and impactful over what is trivial and fleeting.
- Understanding the Lord’s will: Wisdom isn’t about knowing facts, but knowing God’s heart and His purposes. This comes through prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- Being filled with the Spirit: This is the engine of the wise life. Instead of being under the influence of wine, which leads to debauchery, believers are to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). The results of this filling are corporate and relational: speaking to one another with psalms and hymns, singing from the heart, giving thanks always, and submitting to one another (Ephesians 5:19-21).
Spirit-Filled Relationships: Wives and Husbands
The famous “household code” in Ephesians 5:22-33 flows directly from the command to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:21). Mutual submission is the overarching principle. The instructions to wives and husbands are a specific application of this principle within the marriage covenant.
Wives are called to “submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). In its cultural context, this was a radical call for order and respect within the home, elevating the wife’s role by connecting her submission to her relationship with Christ. It is a voluntary submission, modeled on the church’s willing submission to Christ.
Husbands are given a far more extensive and demanding command: “Love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). This is not a command to tyrannical rule but to self-sacrificial service and leadership. The husband’s role is defined by the cross. He is called to love his wife in a way that seeks her holiness, cherishes her, and nourishes her as his own body. This love is purposeful: to present her to Christ “without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27).
Paul concludes this section by revealing that marriage is a profound “mystery” that illustrates the relationship between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:32). Human marriage is meant to be a living parable of the gospel—of Christ’s faithful, sacrificial love and the church’s joyful, trusting response. The ultimate goal of these instructions is not power dynamics, but a gospel-centered union that reflects the beauty of Christ’s love to the world.
In summary, Ephesians 5 provides a comprehensive vision for the Christian life. It calls us to imitate God’s love, live as children of light in a dark world, walk in wisdom, and model our most intimate relationships on the sacrificial love of Christ for His people. It is a challenging yet beautiful roadmap for a life that truly honors God.