Read & explore together
Imitators of God
These verses call those addressed to imitate God in a practical way. Love, purity, speech and loyalty belong together here, and the passage ends with a serious warning not to share in sinful patterns.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of Ephesians gives direct teaching to people called beloved children and saints. It points to Christ’s love and self-giving as the pattern for their walk, then names behaviours and forms of speech that do not fit them, ending with a warning about deception and participation.
Ephesians 5:1–7Main takeaway
This passage teaches that imitating God means walking in Christ-like love and refusing conduct, speech and partnerships that do not fit beloved children and saints.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Imitate God by walking in loveThe passage begins with both identity and command. Those addressed are called beloved children, and they are told to imitate God.
Explanation
The passage begins with both identity and command. Those addressed are called beloved children, and they are told to imitate God. Verse 2 shows what this imitation looks like: walk in love. The example is Christ, who loved us and gave himself up as an offering and sacrifice to God.
02Some practices do not fit saintsThe teaching then names sexual immorality, all uncleanness and covetousness. These are not presented as small matters.
Explanation
The teaching then names sexual immorality, all uncleanness and covetousness. These are not presented as small matters. The verse says they should not even be mentioned among those addressed, because this is what becomes saints. The point in the verse is that such practices are out of place among saints.
03Speech should be fitting and thankfulThe passage moves from actions to words. Filthiness, foolish talking and jesting are called inappropriate.
Explanation
The passage moves from actions to words. Filthiness, foolish talking and jesting are called inappropriate. In contrast, giving of thanks is set forward. This shows that speech matters in this passage. Words can be unfitting, while thanksgiving matches the kind of life these verses call for.
04A warning about inheritance, idolatry and deceptionThe warning becomes stronger in the final verses. The sexually immoral, the unclean and the covetous have no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.
Explanation
The warning becomes stronger in the final verses. The sexually immoral, the unclean and the covetous have no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. The covetous person is called an idolater. Empty words must not deceive, because God’s wrath comes on the children of disobedience, so they must not be partakers with them.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does verse 2 explain what it means to imitate God in verse 1?
Look for the action commanded and the example given: walking in love as Christ loved and gave himself up.
02What does verse 3 say is out of place among saints?
Name the practices listed, then notice the phrase that explains why they do not fit those addressed.
03Why does the passage warn against empty words before saying not to be partakers with them?
Follow the link across verses 5 to 7 between these sins, inheritance in the kingdom, God’s wrath and the final command.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ephesians 5:1–7
1Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.
2Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
3But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;
4nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks.
5Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.
6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
7Therefore don’t be partakers with them.