So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. Truth to Learn As we love ourselves, so a husband should love his wife. Behind the Words The word translated “ought” is opheilō, which means “to be indebted” or “to be...
Ephesians 5:27 – No Blemishes or Wrinkles
that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Truth to Learn Christ did everything in order to make us perfect for Him. Behind the Words “He might present” is from...
Ephesians 5:26 – A Holy Cleansing
that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, Truth to Learn Jesus Christ gave His life to sanctify and cleanse His bride. Behind the Words “He might sanctify” is translated from the Greek verb hagiadzō, which is based on hagios, which is based...
Ephesians 5:25 – Sacrificial Love
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, Truth to Learn Husbands are to sacrifice for their wives. Behind the Words The word translated “love” is agapaō, which refers to “good will” or “benevolence,” that is, acts of goodness toward someone else....
Ephesians 5:24 – A Submissive Witness
Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Truth to Learn Submission is part of what it means to be a Christian. Behind the Words The words “just as” are translated from the Greek word hōsper, which is...
Ephesians 5:23 – God Honoring Submission
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body Truth to Learn Submission is part of God’s plan and it honors Him. Behind the Words “Head” is translated from kephalē, which means “the uppermost part...
Ephesians 5:22 – Sometimes It’s Difficult
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Truth to Learn God has a perfect plan for the marriage relationship. Behind the Words The word translated “wives” is gunē, which means “a woman.” It also is used throughout the New Testament to indicate a woman who is engaged...
Ephesians 5:21 – The Spirit of Submission
submitting to one another in the fear of God. Truth to Learn The Spirit-filled Christian is humble and subservient. Behind the Words The word translated “submitting” is translated from the Greek verb hupotassō. This word is made up of hupo, meaning “under” or “beneath” and tassō, which means “to arrange...
Ephesians 5:20 – Thankful for Everything
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Truth to Learn Thankfulness is an indication of Spirit-filling. Behind the Words “Giving thanks” is translated from the Greek word eucharisteō. This word is made up of eu, meaning “good” or...
Ephesians 5:19 – Sing to God!
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, Truth to Learn Singing God’s praise is a sign of being filled with the Spirit. Behind the Words “Speaking” is from the Greek word laleō, meaning “to utter words,”...
Ephesians 5:18 – Spirit Filled Living
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, Truth to Learn Be filled with the Spirit, not with yourself. Behind the Words “Drunk” is translated from the Greek verb methuskō, which is derived from methu (or methy), a fermented, alcoholic wine....
Ephesians 5:17 – God’s Will?
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Truth to Learn Christians need to understand God’s will. Behind the Words “Be” is translated from ginomai, which primarily means “to begin to be” or “to become.” It implies a change of state from one condition to...
Ephesians 5:16 – Time and Eternity
redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Truth to Learn You only have one life. Live it with eternity in view. Behind the Words The word “redeeming” is translated from the Greek word exagoradzō, which is made up of ex, meaning “out of” and agoradzō meaning “to buy” (the...
Ephesians 5:15 – Carefully, not Fearfully
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, Truth to Learn Be careful that you live a godly example, loving others. Behind the Words “See” is translated from the Greek verb blepō, which is one of several verbs used with regard to seeing. Blepō refers to...
Ephesians 5:14 – Rise and Shine!
Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." Truth to Learn We need to wake up and shine the light of Christ. Behind the Words The words “He says” are from the verb legō, which we learned a couple of verses...
Ephesians 5:13 – Be The Light
But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light Truth to Learn God’s light exposes sin for what it is. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “exposed” is elegchō, which we learned back in verse eleven means “to rebuke or...
Ephesians 5:12 – No Sordid Details
For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. Truth to Learn God knows the sordid details; we don’t have to talk about them to Him or to others. Behind the Words “Shameful” is from the Greek adjective aischros, which refers to...
Ephesians 5:11 – Expose Darkness
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Truth to Learn Christians should always do what is right, avoid what is wrong, and expose evil for what it is. Behind the Words The words “have … fellowship” are translated from the Greek verb sungkoinōneō,...
Ephesians 5:10 – Just Do It!
finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. Truth to Learn We please God by doing, not just knowing. Behind the Words “Finding out” is from the Greek word dokimadzō. The basic meaning of this word is “to test something to determine its worth.” It is the word used of...
Ephesians 5:9 – Goodness, Righteousness, and Truth
(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), Truth to Learn We should always exhibit goodness, righteousness, and truth. Behind the Words The word “fruit” is translated from the Greek word karpos, which is derived from the same base as harpadzō, meaning “to pluck” or...
Ephesians 5:8 – Live the Light
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light Truth to Learn Christians are to demonstrate the light of God in our lives. Behind the Words “Once” is translated from pote, which means “at some time.” It can be used with...
Ephesians 5:7 – Saved? Really?
Therefore do not be partakers with them. Truth to Learn You can’t be a child of God and still live like the Devil. Behind the Words The word “be” is translated from the Greek verb ginomai, which means “to begin to be” or “to become.” “Partakers” is from summetochos, which...
Ephesians 5:6 – Don’t Be Deceived
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Truth to Learn Don’t believe everything you hear taught about the Bible. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “deceive” is apataō, which means “to deceive” or...
Ephesians 5:5 – How’s Your Behavior
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Truth to Learn Christians should act like Christians, not heathens. Behind the Words The words “you know” are translated from the two Greek words...
Ephesians 5:4 – Not Sin, Thanks
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Truth to Learn Don’t do these sins. Instead, give thanks to God. Behind the Words “Filthiness” is from the Greek word aischrotēs, which is from aischros, meaning “indecent.” Aischrotēs refers to any kind...
Ephesians 5:3 – Do What Fits
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; Truth to Learn We are saints, so we need to learn to live like saints. Behind the Words The word “fornication” is translated from the Greek word porneia. This word...
Ephesians 5:2 – The Love Offering
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Truth to Learn God gave us a sacrifice of love. We should give Him the same. Behind the Words Peripateō is the Greek word...
Ephesians 5:1 – Imitators, Not Actors
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. Truth to Learn We need to live the part that God has given us. Behind the Words “Therefore” is translated from oun, which indicates a connection of two thoughts, sometimes indicating an affect from the previous thought, but often just a link...
Ephesians 4:32 – Kindness, Compassion, and Forgiveness
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Truth to Learn Kindness, compassion, and forgiveness are of vital importance within the church. Behind the Words The verb “be” is translated from ginomai, meaning “to cause to be” or “to become.” It...
Ephesians 4:31 – Grieving Actions
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. Truth to Learn These are things which make God sad. Let’s not do them! Behind the Words The word “Bitterness” is the translation of pikria, from pikros which means “that which is unpleasantly...
Ephesians 4:30 – Signed, Sealed, and Deliverable
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Truth to Learn All Christians are sealed with the Holy Spirit of God. Behind the Words “Grieve” is translated from the Greek verb lupeō, which is derived from the noun lupē,...