A.T. Robertson Commentary Ephesians 5
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Ephesians 5
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Ephesians 5
"Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;" — Ephesians 5:1 (ASV)
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.
"and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell." — Ephesians 5:2 (ASV)
An offering and a sacrifice to God (προσφοραν κα θυσιαν τω θεω). Accusative in apposition with εαυτον (himself). Christ's death was an offering to God "in our behalf" (υπερ ημων) not an offering to the devil (Anselm), a ransom (λυτρον) as Christ himself said (Matthew 20:28), Christ's own view of his atoning death.
For an odour of a sweet smell (εις οσμην ευωδιας). Same words in Php 4:18 from Le 4:31 (of the expiatory offering). Paul often presents Christ's death as a propitiation (Romans 3:25) as in 1 John 2:2.
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;" — Ephesians 5:3 (ASV)
Or covetousness (η πλεονεξια). In bad company surely. Debasing like sensuality.
As becometh saints (καθως πρεπε αγιοις). It is "unbecoming" for a saint to be sensual or covetous.
"nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks." — Ephesians 5:4 (ASV)
Filthiness (αισχροτης). Old word from αισχρος (base), here alone in N.T.
Foolish talking (μωρολογια). Late word from μωρολογος (μωροσ, λογος), only here in N.T.
Jesting (ευτραπελια). Old word from ευτραπελος (ευ, τρεπω, to turn) nimbleness of wit, quickness in making repartee (so in Plato and Plutarch), but in low sense as here ribaldry, scurrility, only here in N.T. All of these disapproved vices are απαξ λεγομενα in the N.T.
Which are not befitting (α ουκ ανηκεν). Same idiom (imperfect with word of propriety about the present) in Col 3:18. Late MSS. read τα ουκ ανηκοντα like τα μη καθηκοντα in Ro 1:28.
"For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God." — Ephesians 5:5 (ASV)
Ye know of a surety (ιστε γινωσκοντες). The correct text has ιστε, not εστε. It is the same form for present indicative (second person plural) and imperative, probably indicative here, "ye know." But why γινωσκοντες added? Probably, "ye know recognizing by your own experience."
No (πασ--ου). Common idiom in the N.T. like the Hebrew= oudeis (Robertson,
Grammar, p. 732).
Covetous man (πλεονεκτησ, πλεον εχω). Old word, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 5:10f.; 6:10.
Which is (ο εστιν). So Aleph B. A D K L have ος (who), but ο is right. See Col 3:14 for this use of ο (which thing is). On ειδωλολατρης (idolater) see 1 Corinthians 5:10f.
In the Kingdom of Christ and God (εν τη βασιλεια του Χριστου κα θεου). Certainly the same kingdom and Paul may here mean to affirm the deity of Christ by the use of the one article with Χριστου κα θεου. But Sharp's rule cannot be insisted on here because θεος is often definite without the article like a proper name. Paul did teach the deity of Christ and may do it here.
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