Ephesians 81-82_24 Ephesians 5:1-8
Ephesians 1981-82 Corps Teachings. Lesson 21: Ephesians 5:1-8.
Format: AUDIO
Publication Date: 1981-82
Victor Paul Wierwille was a Bible scholar and teacher for over four decades.
By means of Dr. Wierwille's dynamic teaching of the accuracy and integrity of God's Word, foundational class and advanced class graduates of Power for Abundant Living have learned that the one great requirement for every student of the Bible is to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Thus, his presentation of the Word of God was designed for students who desire the in-depth-accuracy of God’s Word.
In his many years of research, Dr. Wierwille studied with such men as Karl Barth, E. Stanley Jones, Glenn Clark, Bishop K.C. Pillai, and George M. Lamsa. His formal training included Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Theology degrees from Mission House (Lakeland) College and Seminary. He studied at the University of Chicago and at Princeton Theological Seminary from which he received a Master of Theology degree in Practical Theology. Later he completed his work for the Doctor of Theology degree.
Dr. Wierwille taught the first class on Power for Abundant Living in 1953.
Books by Dr. Wierwille include: Are the Dead Alive Now? published in 1971; Receiving the Holy Spirit Today published in 1972; five volumes of Studies in Abundant Living— The Bible Tells Me So (1971), The New, Dynamic Church (1971), The Word's Way (1971), God's Magnified Word (1977), Order My Steps in Thy Word (1985); Jesus Christ Is Not God (1975); Jesus Christ Our Passover (1980); and Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed (1982).
Dr. Wierwille researched God's Word, taught, wrote, and traveled worldwide, holding forth the accuracy of God's "wonderful, matchless" Word.
EPHESIANS 5:1-8
April 7, 1982
Well, tonight I’d like for you to take your Bibles and go to Ephesians, please. Chapter
5. Much of the material (I’d like some coffee please) that I’m going to cover tonight will fit
right in with the Advanced Class, and one of the reasons it does is because I think I told
you in the opening part of the Advanced Class that of all the revelation that has ever been
given, nothing has ever exceeded the abundance of the revelation that’s given in the Book
of Ephesians. And that’s why Ephesians fits so beautifully into the Advanced Class.
In King James, chapter 5, verse 1. Thank you dear. She’s the one that’s “Constantly
Abiding” {audience laughter}; we love that song. And she said she and her husband were
going to call you, J.P., tonight so you be looking for it.
Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Is verse 1.
The word “followers” is the word “imitators” or imitating.
And the word “children” is a son, you understand. A child would be a son, beloved
son.
And these words, “Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children;” You see, the
“dear” and the walking in love of the second verse, when you put all of this together what
you end up with is that the nature of the walk of a believer has to be in response to Christ’s
love, to his love. That’s why the literal translation of verse 1 is:
Ephesians 5:1 Literal translation according to usage
Therefore become imitators of God like beloved children.
And the expanded one is shorter.
Ephesians 5:1 Expanded translation
Become therefore imitators of God like beloved sons.
And verse 2 in King James says:
Ephesians 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 sweet smelling savour.
Now this is a beautifully unique verse in here.
This “and walk” is one of the imperative moods that’s used so frequently in Ephesians
here. It’s a command. An imperative mood is a command.
There are three types of walk in Ephesians. You might call it the walk of believers in
Ephesians.
[1.] First is: The walk of love—Ephesians 5:2.
[2.] Then you have: The walk as children of light—Ephesians 5:8.
[3.] The third one is: Walk circumspectly. And whenever I think of circumspectly, I
think of walking the chalk, walking the line—Ephesians 5:15.
Now on the negative side—on the negative side, the walk of unbelievers is a six-fold
walk here in Ephesians, and they are all found in verses 3 and 4. Three of those six are
uncleanness in action. [1.] Number one is: Fornication. [2.] Number two: Uncleanness.
[3.] Number three: Covetousness.
Then there are three of uncleanness in the Word in the six-fold walk of the flesh. Three
are uncleanness in action; three of them are uncleanness in word. Those three of
uncleanness in word are, in verse 4 you have: [4.] filthiness, [5.] foolish talking, [6.] and
jesting.
The word “us” in verse 2 should be the word “you,” y-o-u, you. Because many of the
manuscripts, well, that’s not true. The majority of the manuscripts have “us.” But some of
the key manuscripts as far as I can see and from the truth that’s taught, I think it ought to
be “you,” which will personalize God’s love to you, the receiver of this knowledge that’s
in the Word.
The words “hath given himself ” is a surrender, honey; surrendered himself.
“…loved us and hath given for you” or for you—And that is literally it could be
rendered how you ought to pleasingly walk. And that second “us” in that verse again ought
to be “you,” personalizing it for the reader.
The words “an offering and a sacrifice” is a figure of speech, Hendiadys. The
difference is that the word “offering” is a general term; “sacrifice” is more technical term
for like Old Testament ritual. Literally, it’s an act of submission usually involving the
death of a sacrificial substitute, but it doesn’t require your death. It requires you as a
doulos, a servant. It applies figuratively to the Christian’s walk. It’s a sacrificial offering.
As the lamb was sacrificed under the administration of the law, so Christ was the sacrifice
in his administration, and I am literally sacrificing myself for him as a doulos. That’s the
key to it. By the freedom of my will, I’ve sold out, sacrificing in my life in his behalf as a
doulos, a servant.
This “sweetsmelling savour” is “Chanel No. 19.” The thing that makes you smell good
before God is your walk, and that’s a walk that has to be done in love. Anything outside of
love is not walking in the light as he is the light. So the thing that makes you smell so
good, a sweet smelling savour, is that you walk in love with the love of God in renewed
mind in manifestation. And perhaps I ought to just say that this again is a figure of speech,
a sweet smelling savour, and that figure of speech is Antipatheia, which attributes to God
human characteristics.
But Jesus Christ, people, was like the burning incense that God truly desired. It’s a
savour of a sweet smell, and it indicates the great pleasure that God has in this sacrifice of
His son, Jesus Christ, and of you as a doulos.
That’s why the literal translation of verse 2 is as follows.
Ephesians 5:2 Literal translation according to usage
And walk in love like Christ also loved you, yes, even giving up himself for
you a sacrificial offering to God for a sweet smelling fragrance.
Now the expanded one.
Ephesians 5:2 Expanded translation
Conducting your life in love, yes, even as Christ also loved you and
surrendered himself for you a sacrificial offering to God for a sweet
smelling fragrance that pleases God.
Now verse 3, King James.
Ephesians 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once
named among you, as becometh saints;
See, I had you to change the “us” to “you” in verse 2. See now how beautifully this
follows. Be ye therefore, first verse, love you, for you, now we’re in verse 5, let not once
be named among you as becometh what? {saints}. The continuity fits.
The word “fornication” here is not only associated with pagan idolatry, but it describes
all kinds of sexual behavior, including adultery, incest, homosexuality, and so forth. It does
not have, this word, fornication, does not have the narrower meaning that the usage carries
today in our culture, because fornication today is defined as premarital sexual relations.
Adultery is defined as post marital. That’s not its meaning Biblically. It includes all that
stuff, pagan idolatry and all those wrong sexual behaviors.
The word “uncleanness” here is used of physical, cultic and moral impurity.
“…covetousness” is again greed with a passion [chuckles].
Then those words “let it not once be named”—The verb here is doubled to increase the
intensity of it. The double allowing translating the first verb…verb is surely; surely, which
indicates the intensity of it. The Aramaic literal is unique here. The Aramaic literally reads,
“to be named, will be named.” To be named, will be named. Really what you have here is
the emphasis, Corps and College, Advanced Class students, the emphasis here is how far
away certain things must be rejected by you that would interfere with your walk in love. If
you truly love God, people, that is to love God in the renewed mind in manifestation, then
you will not do the rest of these things.
Now here’s the literal of verse 3.
Ephesians 5:3 Literal translation according to usage
But spiritual fornication and every impurity and also greed will surely not
be named among you as becoming to saints.
And this is the expanded one.
Ephesians 5:3 Expanded translation
But idolatry which is all uncleanness which is having more gods than
needed surely let not even one other name of God ever be named among
you for that is totally [parenthesis] (completely off the wall) [end of
parenthesis]…
Totally—
Ephesians 5:3 Expanded translation
…not for the saints.
Verse 4, King James.
Ephesians 5:4
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient:
but rather giving of thanks.
The word “filthiness” is basically the word “profanity,” using the name of God in vain.
And these words, “neither or neither [different pronunciation] and nor”—this neither,
neither or nor separates out certain other actions that are not even to be named.
“…foolish talking” is words of senselessness, in other words, stupid talk.
“…jesting”—That word in the Aramaic is “nonsense.” But when you work it down, it
means to make fun of, saying anything to do that which provokes laughter. Like you hear
people ridiculing and provoking jokes that make laughter about God. That’s this word
jesting. It also includes sly questions, smart answers and numerous other types of speech
with pretense. Aristotle said it was “cultured insolence.” That’s pretty neat.
“…which is not convenient”—It’s not befitting, not suited at all to one’s purposes or
needs.
And that’s why I literally translated verse 4 as follows.
Ephesians 5:4 Literal translation according to usage
Nor profanity, nor senseless talk, nor nonsensical fun which is unnecessary
but instead thanksgiving.
Now here’s the expanded one.
Ephesians 5:4 Expanded translation
And never use the name of God in vain nor words that blame Him for evil
nor say or do something making Him a laughing stock [parenthesis] (make
fun of Him) [end of parenthesis] which is totally wrong, unnecessary and
discrediting but rather this, thanksgiving.
Now verse 5, King James.
Ephesians 5:5
For this ye know, that no whore monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous
man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and
of God.
In the last number of weeks that began with our time in Indiana when we had all of our
Greek and Aramaic people together, until this week here with you, questions always keep
coming up about rewards, about crowns, other stuff. All I know is what the Word says. If
you don’t like it, it’s your problem, not mine. And all I know is what the Word says. It’s
like people have said to me at times, “Well what about those poor heathens that never have
a change to hear it.” The Word says there’s only one way to get saved, and that’s the Lord
Jesus Christ, no other name given under heaven whereby we must be what? {saved}.
That’s what the Word says, and that’s where I stand. If it needs an explanation, let
somebody else explain it. Likewise with the rewards. One of the reasons people are so
rewards and about crowns and all the rest is because you’re trying to figure out how little
you can really do for God and still make it [slams fist down], get all the niceties. Once you
quit stewing about the rewards and all the rest of it and just walk the Word. When the Lord
returns, he’ll do the crowning, he’ll do the handing out. Why don’t you just do your utmost
for His Highest and quit stewing about it and you won’t have to be concerned about the
rewards. You’ll have plenty of them if you live the Word. And here’s one of the verses.
This word “know” k-n-o-w puts the emphasis on the knowing of it, that you know.
Now the word “whoremongers” is the word fornicators, and it’s not only spiritual but it
also includes those who prostitute their bodies to another because of lust and be…and for
hire, get paid for it. It’s a male prostitute, female; it’s one who indulges in unlawful sexual
intercourse. That is a fornicator.
Well, the covetous man, the unclean person, you know that one. Just an impure person.
Covetous is that one that passionately desireth. I gave you that one in the last session of
our meeting, Monday night, when we opened the class.
The inheritance of a reward can be forfeited, lost, but not the inheritance of eternal life.
You cannot lose the birth, you can only lose the fellowship with God and that’s the loss of
rewards. Even a born-again believer who manifests bad qualities does not sacrifice his
inheritance. He sacrifices the rewards, the inheritance of rewards.
The words “of Christ”—Of Christ are omitted in the manuscripts because Christ does
not have a kingdom. We’re part of the kingdom of God.
The literal translation of this wonderful verse is as follow. For you know. Now, I don’t
know how you are going put the emphasis on it, in writing, k-n-o-w, unless you put it in all
caps, or underscore it, circle it, do something. For you know, you know, you know. Well,
how do you know? The way you know it is from the Word, when I give you the expanded
one, I will include that, but that’s how you know when something is off the wall, from the
Word, for the word of God is the will of God. That’s the only way you ever know
anything. You can’t know the will of God without knowing the Word of God. Right?
{Right.} That’s why you’re in the Advanced Class. You want to know more of the Word
so you can do more of the will.
Ephesians 5:5 Literal translation according to usage
For you know that no idol worshipper nor unclean person nor defrauder
who is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of God.
Now this is the expanded one.
Ephesians 5:5a Expanded translation
For you know from experiencing the Word that every man…
I’d like to change the word “man” to “one”; I think it would be better. You know, man
is inclusive noun but everyone I think would…in the expanded might be alright.
Ephesians 5:5b Expanded translation
…that everyone who worships idols is impure, likewise with all homos and
prostitutes, they are all idolaters, they have no rewards in God’s kingdom.
I did something else for the Advanced Class tonight. That verse at the foundation, at
the bottom, way at the bottom is the word “idolaters,” so everything above it all is idolatry,
and I wrote out the following, which is not only an expanded one, but it’s a…I don’t know
something I just had in my head. So you can write it down if you want to.
To be an idolater—I started backwards here; laid the basis first—to be an idolater is to
be a worshipper of more than one true God. It’s to be a worshipper of more than one true
God spiritually and/or…and/or worshipping the body as a homo, a lesbian, a prostitute
[parenthesis] (money, prestige, social position) [parenthesis] defiled by a devil controlled
desire. There is no reward in God’s kingdom.
Now what I did here is to put together for you what I think is the great meaning of this
fifth verse. That to be an idolater is the worshipping of more than one true God spiritually
and/or worshipping the body as a homo does, or as a lesbian does or as a prostitute does.
She loves her own body and she says, “Look man, come get it, I’ve got it to give to you.
I’ll thrill you; I’ll turn you on.” Worshipping the creature more than the Creator.
Remember Romans? See, all this stuff will fit [taps]. I think it’s a tremendous verse, real
teaching, real illuminating, contradicts what our general culture says, but can’t help that.
The Word’s the will of God [taps]. Their problem they’re not lined up with the Word, not
ours.
And then I threw in anything that…like the creature. Sure, we talk about homos,
lesbians, prostitutes, but you worship, love money, what’s the difference? You love your
social position. You love the prestige you have because you’re a great athlete or great
something else. That’s the same thing as it would be to be a lesbian or be a homo. It’s
worshipping yourself or the body, the creature, more than the Creator. And that is to be
defiled by a devil controlled desire, by a devil controlled desire. And the Word of God says
there are no rewards for those in the kingdom. [Taps three times and exhales].
Verse 6 in King James.
Ephesians 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.
“…vain words” are words that are plausible, sound good to the senses ears, but they are
not true.
The word “wrath” is again that word orgē, passionately angry, sanguinary revenge.
And that according to Bullinger also he says is etymologically related to the word orgē.
“…sons of disobedience” are children of the Devil. They have heard but refused to
believe; they chose another god.
The word “partakers” in Ephesians 3:6 is translated joint partakers of his promise in
Christ by the gospel.
Literal translation of usage of verse 7, of 6…is it or 7? Which one did I do? I already
handled 7, partakers, didn’t I? Joint partakers. That doesn’t mean pot {audience chuckles}.
So we’ll just put the two together.
Verse 6 literal.
Ephesians 5:6a Literal translation according to usage
For those born of the Devil will terrify you by words devoid of truth and
because of these men…
Of those born of the seed of the serpent, got it?
Ephesians 5:6b Literal translation according to usage
… because of these men comes the wrath of God down upon the sons of
disobedience.
Now this is the expanded one.
Ephesians 5:6 Expanded translation
Allow no one to seduce or terrify you with words of undue admiration or
irreverence devoid of truth because of men who have the wrong seed, the
passionate wrath of God comes down upon the sons of the Devil.
And verse 7 literal. Become not you therefore, verse 7.
Ephesians 5:7 Literal translation according to usage
Become not you therefore joint partakers with them [parenthesis] (sons of
the wrong seed) [end of parenthesis].
And I have no expanded one. I didn’t know what more to do with it. Just about as best
as I could understand it.
Now finally verse 8 for tonight. And I think you’re beginning to see how this will all fit
into your Advanced Class, operating word of knowledge, word of wisdom and specifically
when you get to discerning of spirits.
Verse 8 in King James reads:
Ephesians 5:8
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as
children of light:
“…ye were darkness” is a Metaphor, a figure of speech.
This word for “light” does not mean that simply you were enlightened but it literally
means that you are the light [voice slightly cracks]. It’s the word phos. You are the light
itself. You’re not just a lamp, you’re the light itself, kids.
The word “walk” in Aramaic literally is “therefore walk in like manner.” Since you’re
light therefore walk in like manner, that’s Aramaic.
[long pause and exhales] “…children of light” in Aramaic this phrase precedes “walk.”
Children of light is the figure, Idioma, i-d-i-o-m-a. The words, “children of ” then express
the relationship between the children and the quality, the light; the light, and that light is
God.
The literal translation of verse 8 is as follows.
Ephesians 5:8 Literal translation according to usage of
For you were formerly in spiritual darkness but now light in the Lord, walk
as children of light.
The expanded one is:
Ephesians 5:8 Expanded translation
For you were formerly in spiritual darkness, but now, you, children of light
[parenthesis] (God) [end of parenthesis] walk because you are the light.
Kids, I think that’s just tremendous. Formerly in spiritual darkness but now you,
children of light, literally children of God and God is light. If you don’t walk that walk and
talk that walk, God is never going to be made known. You are literally children of light.
You’re just not enlightened. You are the light. Someday it’s going to hit you, and when it
does, you’ll take a deep breath and you’ll walk. Walk because you are, you are the light.
Twice in the same verse. God tells you you’re light; you’re children of light. Then you do
what? Walk, walk. You walk because you are the light, and if they’re ever going to see
God, they have to see you. And of course, that’s why you’re in the Advanced Class, so that
you can learn more, apply more so they can see more of God. You’ve got to get some holy
boldness in your life to minister to people and you have to be honest enough when you
minister to them to get their believing up and not just screw around thinking that it’s you.
It’s God in Christ in you but they’ve got to believe too. You are God’s light. You’re His
hand, His mouth, His feet. You’re everything God is, because it’s God in Christ in you.
And that’s why I believe we’re going to see in our day and in our time yet John 14:12 a
living reality. And I thank you very much for the night. God bless. {Audience applause