John Calvin Commentary Ephesians 5:2

"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)

And walk in love as Christ also hath loved us. Having called on us to imitate God, he now calls on us to imitate Christ, who is our true model. We ought to embrace each other with that love with which Christ has embraced us, for what we perceive in Christ is our true guide.

And gave himself for us. This was a remarkable proof of the highest love. Forgetful, as it were, of himself, Christ did not spare his own life, that he might redeem us from death. If we desire to partake of this benefit, we must cultivate similar affections toward our neighbors. Not that any of us has reached such high perfection, but all must aim and strive according to the measure of their ability.

An offering and a sacrifice to God of a sweet smelling savor. While this statement leads us to admire the grace of Christ, it bears directly on the present subject. No language, indeed, can fully represent the consequences and efficacy of Christ’s death. This is the only price by which we are reconciled to God. The doctrine of faith on this subject holds the highest rank.

But the more extraordinary the revelations of the Redeemer’s kindness that have come to us, the more strongly are we bound to his service. Besides, we may infer from Paul’s words that, unless we love one another, none of our duties will be acceptable in the sight of God. If the reconciliation of humanity, effected by Christ, was a sacrifice of a sweet smelling savor, we, too, shall be unto God a sweet savor, (2 Corinthians 2:15), when this holy perfume is spread over us. To this applies the saying of Christ:

Leave thy gift before the altar, and go and be reconciled to thy brother. (Matthew 5:24).