John Calvin Commentary Ephesians 5:1

"Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;" — Ephesians 5:1 (ASV)

Be you therefore followers. The same principle is pursued and reinforced by the consideration that children ought to be like their father. He reminds us that we are the children of God, and therefore we ought, as far as possible, to resemble Him in acts of kindness. It is impossible not to perceive that the division of chapters, in this instance, is particularly unfortunate, as it has created a separation between parts of the subject that are very closely related. If, then, we are the children of God, we ought to be followers of God. Christ also declares that unless we show kindness to the unworthy, we cannot be the children of our heavenly Father.

“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you; that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
(Matthew 5:44–45)