20160824 Wednesday, August 24 2016
Ephesians 05: Who Tries To Imitate God?

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"So God created man in His own image, in the Image of God created He him; male and female created He them ... Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children"

The Greek word pronounced mim-ohs (from which originated the English word mimic) means to imitate, not in a foolish or mocking manner, but in the same way that a child looks to a parent - as actually stated below in the Holy Scriptures. The Revised Standard Version (RSV) more literally translates it as "imitators" of God, while the King James which renders it "followers" of God, although the children of God (see What Was The Lesson Of John 3:16?) are followers of Him and His Commands.

"5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 5:1-2 RSV)

"5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour." (Ephesians 5:1-2 KJV)

To seek to "imitate" God is well in keeping for those who were made in God's image ("imitate" and "image" have the same meaning when used in the same way) i.e. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Genesis 1:27 KJV). That was what the apostle Paul (see Paul, The Apostle To The World) was referring to when he said "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children."

"5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 5:12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 5:14 Wherefore he saith,

Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." (Ephesians 5:1-21 KJV)

Physical marriage will not apply in the Kingdom of God ("22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven" Matthew 22:30 KJV) because the purpose and prophetic meaning of marriage will by then be accomplished (see From Husbands and Wives To Brothers and Sisters and What's The Expiration Date Of The Church?). Paul's lessons about marriage always looked forward to the greater meaning: "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. ... I speak concerning Christ and the church" (see Eve Was Created From Adam; What Woman Was Created From Jesus Christ?).

"5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 5:28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 5:31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." (Ephesians 5:22-33 KJV)

Fact Finder: What does "perfection" mean in living according to the Word of God?
See Perfecting Your Perfection