Introduction

In Ephesians 5:3–21, Paul contrasts the life of darkness, marked by disobedience and sin, with the life of light, marked by godliness and Spirit-filled living. As children of God, believers are called to imitate their Father by walking in His light, putting away immorality, and living in a way that pleases Him.

Key Points

• Main Point: God has lovingly adopted us as children of light who imitate our Father in heaven, saving us from being sons of darkness who live disobediently.
• Purpose: Bring God pleasure by being filled with His Spirit, walking in light, and putting off worldliness, idolatry, and sexual immorality.

Ephesians 5:3

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Paul highlights sexual immorality as the antithesis of imitating God by walking in love (5:1–2). Such behavior is inappropriate for Christians, who are part of Christ’s unified body (4:4) and share in the life of God (4:21–24). We do not forsake sexual immorality to earn connection with God; rather, we abandon it because God has already graciously connected us to Himself through Jesus. Since we can experience the fullness of God’s goodness and joy through Christ, there is no need to seek self-satisfaction in worldly or sexual pleasures. Thus, we are called to put aside sexual immorality and embrace the life God offers in Christ.

Ephesians 5:4

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Paul addresses the issue of sexual joking, particularly among Christians immersed in a sexually-charged pagan society. He urges believers to discard such humor, as it fosters a tendency toward sexual immorality, and instead to cultivate a spirit of thanksgiving for everything in Christ (5:20). Even today, much secular humor centers on sexual content. God calls Christians to replace such conversations—whether among fellow believers or in interactions with the world—with gratitude in Christ. By doing so, we imitate God’s life-giving nature, embracing the new life He provides rather than reverting to the destructive ways of the world.

Ephesians 5:5

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

The worship of Artemis in Ephesus involved sexual acts deemed immoral by God’s Word. Engaging in such practices not only violates God’s standards but also fosters covetousness, which leads to idolatry—ultimately prioritizing the desires of the flesh over devotion to the Lord. In God’s kingdom family, sexual immorality has no place, as it directly opposes His selfless and fatherly love. Moreover, such behavior feeds idolatry, which rebels against God’s sovereign and kingly rule, contrasting sharply with the holy character expected of His people.

Ephesians 5:6

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Empty words, in this context, are deceptive ideas that lure Christians into sexual immorality and idolatry by falsely framing God’s love as tolerance for sin. Such deception diverts us from the One True God, who alone offers eternal life and joy, leading instead to fleeting, hollow pleasures and exposing us to His righteous judgment against rebellion.

Ephesians 5:7–8a

Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.

The life of sexual immorality, alongside anger, corrupt talk, and resentment, belongs to the realm of darkness. Paul urgently exhorts the Ephesians to reject such darkness, reminding them of the light and life they have in God. Holiness is not about appeasing God through rule-following but about embracing the privilege of His life, love, and light. It requires vigilance and resilience against attempts—whether external or internal—to drag us back into the shadows.

Ephesians 5:8b–10

Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Paul urges the Ephesians, who were once in darkness, to walk as children of light, embodying God’s love and reflecting His nature. This light is characterized by all that is good, right, and true—qualities that align with God’s will and delight His heart. As children of God Most High, Christians are called to actively seek and live in the light and love of their heavenly Father.

Ephesians 5:11–14

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Paul contrasts the works of darkness—secretive, shameful, and unprofitable—with the light of Christ that calls us to live openly, with integrity, and blamelessly. He urges us to expose sin, whether in our own lives or in our community, so that we can walk in righteousness. When we confess and repent of our sins, we bring them into Christ’s light, receive His forgiveness through His blood, and experience restored fellowship with God and one another as children of light.

Ephesians 5:15–17

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Paul reminds us to carefully discern and pursue a lifestyle that aligns with God’s desires, calling this wisdom in a world that often celebrates foolishness. Living wisely requires the Holy Spirit’s empowerment to choose actions that delight God. This kind of life overflows with goodness, righteousness, and truth, reflecting the heart of God and bringing Him glory.

Ephesians 5:18

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit…

Paul warns us about the dangers of alcohol as a common gateway to sexual immorality, leading us to sin “under the influence.” Instead, he exhorts us to live under the influence of God’s Spirit, embracing a life of light rather than darkness. When we let God’s Spirit fill us, we move away from fleeting, empty pleasures and into the eternal joy of worshiping and praising Him daily, empowered by His love and grace.

Ephesians 5:19

…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart…

When we are filled with the Spirit, the natural overflow is singing praises to God together as one church. Unlike the world’s pursuit of joy through fleeting drunkenness, we are called to rejoice heartily in the new life God has given us. This Spirit-filled life is anything but stale—it is full of lasting joy, far surpassing the temporary pleasures of sin. Together, we amplify this joy as we lift our voices in praise, delighting in God and in one another.

Ephesians 5:20

…giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…

A Spirit-filled life overflows with thanksgiving, replacing the corruption of sexual immorality and crude joking with heartfelt gratitude to God in every moment and circumstance. We direct our thanks to God the Father, through Jesus our Lord, empowered by the Spirit. This life of gratitude is not a duty but an invitation to experience the boundless love, joy, and celebration of our Triune God. Today, God invites us to be filled with His Spirit, bask in His self-giving love, and lift up thankful praises to Him continually!

Ephesians 5:21

…submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

When we submit to one another, it may seem like a loss of autonomy, but it is actually an overflow of the Spirit’s life-giving work in us. As we are filled with endlessly thankful praise to God, His love overflows into our relationships, prompting us to humbly meet others’ needs above our own out of reverence for King Jesus (Phil 2:3–4). This mutual submission is not a burden but a joyful expression of God’s life-giving love, enabled by the finished work of Jesus and the power of His Spirit. We don’t yield to one another to earn God’s love, but as a natural outpouring of the boundless love He has already given us.

Conclusion

Paul reminds believers that as children of light, saved by God’s grace, they are called to reflect His holiness and love. This means rejecting immorality, idolatry, and worldliness, and instead walking in light, filled with the Spirit, and living in a way that pleases their Father in heaven. By imitating God and living Spirit-filled lives, believers bring Him glory and enjoy the fullness of life in His light.

Summary

• Put aside sexual immorality, impurity, and covetousness, which have no place among God’s children (5:3).
• Replace corrupt and crude speech with thanksgiving to God (5:4).
• Avoid partnering with worldliness and idolatry, which grieve God and result in judgment (5:5–8a).
• Walk as children of light, characterized by goodness, righteousness, and truth, seeking what pleases the Lord (5:8b–10).
• Expose the works of darkness by living openly and blamelessly in the light of Christ (5:11–14).
• Live wisely, discerning and following the will of the Lord (5:15–17).
• Be filled with the Spirit, singing praises to God and living in thanksgiving (5:18–20).
• Submit to one another in love and humility, out of reverence for Christ (5:21).