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,...
Ephesians 4:29 – Constructive Words
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Truth to Learn Our speech should build up, not tear down. Behind the Words “Let … proceed” is translated from the verb ekporeuomai, which is a...
Ephesians 4:28 – Give or Take
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Truth to Learn Overcome the problem of stealing by giving to others. Behind the Words The words “stole” and “steal”...
Ephesians 4:27 – Accusation and Defense
nor give place to the devil. Truth to Learn Satan accuses us of wrongdoing. Don’t give him more to say. Behind the Words The word “nor” is from mēte, which is made up of mē (implying qualitative negation) and te, meaning “and.” There is another Greek word translated “and.” It...
Ephesians 4:26 – Sinless Anger
"Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, Truth to Learn It’s God-like to get angry without sinning. Behind the Words “Angry” is translated from the Greek verb orgidzō. It is based on orgē which refers to “excitement of the mind,” that...
Ephesians 4:25 – A Body of Truth
Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. Truth to Learn Honesty is critically important within the body of Christ. Behind the Words “Therefore” is translated from the Greek word dio, which is made up of dia,...
Ephesians 4:24 – It’s Your Choice
and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Truth to Learn We have a choice in how we live our lives. Behind the Words The words “put on” are the translation of the Greek verb enduō, which is made...
Ephesians 4:23 – Christians Growing Young
and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, Truth to Learn God expects us to use our mind to become more like Christ. Behind the Words “Be renewed” is translated from the Greek verb ananeoō, which appears nowhere else in the New Testament. It is made up of ana,...
Ephesians 4:22 – Lose the Old Man
that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, Truth to Learn Christians need to deny the desires of their sin nature. Behind the Words The words “put off” are translated from apotithēmi, which is made up of apo, meaning...
Ephesians 4:21 – Living The Truth
if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: Truth to Learn Christians know the truth and should live as such. Behind the Words “If indeed” is the translation of the Greek word eige, which is made up of ei, meaning...
Ephesians 4:20 – Learn By Faith
But you have not so learned Christ, Truth to Learn We can only learn Christ by faith. Behind the Words “So” is translated from houtōs, which literally means “in this manner.” It is a comparative word which, when used with the negative article ou as it is here, indicates a...
Ephesians 4:19 – Numb, Uncontrolled, and Unclean
who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. Truth to Learn The unsaved are in a hopeless state. Offer them hope! Behind the Words The words “being past feeling” are from the Greek verb apalgeō, which is made up of apo, meaning...
Ephesians 4:18 – Darkened, Alienated, and Ignorant
having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; Truth to Learn The unsaved are the way they are because of unbelief. Behind the Words “Understanding” is translated from the Greek word dianoia,...
Ephesians 4:17 – New Way of Living
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, Truth to Learn Don’t live your life like the rest of mankind. Behind the Words “Testify” is translated from marturomai, a form...
Ephesians 4:16 – Growth At Work
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Truth to Learn Growth of the body depends on all parts doing...
Ephesians 4:15 – Lovely Body Building
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— Truth to Learn We need to be truthful and loving as we minister to our fellow Christians. Behind the Words “Speaking the truth” is translated from the verb alētheuō, which is derived...
Ephesians 4:14 – Doctrinal Trickery
that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, Truth to Learn False teaching appears deceptively easy and attractive. Behind the Words Nēpios is the Greek word translated...
Ephesians 4:13 – Gifts For Unity
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; Truth to Learn Christians should all be working for each other. Behind the Words “Come to”...