Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
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 savor.
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;


Book of Ephesians
On his second missionary journey, Paul went through Ephesus (Acts 18:18-21). It was not long, but he left Aquila and Priscilla, his companions from the time he had been in Corinth (Acts 18:1-3). Paul left Ephesus with the intention of returning. Finished second trip in Antioch, which he left in the third (Acts 18:22-23).
Before Paul get back to Ephesus, another preacher came through town. Apollos was an eloquent preacher and able, but arrived at Ephesus with incomplete understanding of the Lord's work. He understood God's plan until the baptism of John, but evidently did not know the length of God's plan. John and his baptism looked forward, still waiting for the death and resurrection of Christ. Aquila and Priscilla taught this zealous evangelist and he continued to preach boldly elsewhere, mainly in Achaia (province which included the city of Corinth). The report of this story is found in Acts 18:24-28.
When Paul came to Ephesus, he found a group of disciples who knew nothing of the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-2). By context, we deduce that these disciples heard and accepted the message preached by Apollo before they learn best from Aquila and Priscilla. Paul clarified the issue by showing that Jesus has died, rose again, returned to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit. Understanding better, these twelve men "were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 19:3-5). After baptism, Paul laid hands and they received gifts of tongues and prophecy of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6-7).
Paul continued for three years in Ephesus (Acts 20:31), teaching in the synagogue and in the school of Tyrannus, performing extraordinary miracles, and leading many people to Christ. The work of Paul and other disciples in Ephesus caused an uproar by the followers of the "goddess" Diana (Acts 19). Paul went to Macedonia and Greece. In turn, passed near Ephesus. Of Miletus, he called the elders of the Ephesian church and talked with them, warning of the danger of wolves enter in among them (Acts 20).
Paul continued his journey to Jerusalem, where he was arrested (Acts 21-23). He was transferred to Caesarea where he was detained for two years or more (Acts 23-26) and then was taken to Rome (Acts 27-28). Lucas ends the story of the book of Acts with Paul still in Rome two years after arrival in that city. During these years in prison, he wrote the book of Ephesians (see 3:1, 4:1, 6:20).
The Book of Ephesians
There are great similarities between Ephesians and Colossians. A parallel study of the two books shows many points equal and parallel structures. But the books are not equal. Colossians stresses the primacy of Christ. Ephesians also speaks of his primacy, but emphasizes more the role of the church in God's eternal plan.
There is a debate about the recipients of the letter. Some manuscripts omit the words "in Ephesus" in 1:1. We will not enter this discussion here, because it changes the meaning of the book for us. If only Paul sent this letter to the Ephesians or several brothers in several places, the message for today is the same.
Among the topics covered in this book:
Spiritual blessings in Christ
The primacy of Jesus Christ
Salvation by grace through faith
Peace in Christ
The eternal plan of God for the church
The gifts given to the church building to promote her
The importance of sanctification
The Christian conduct in various relationships: husband / wife, parents / children, servants / masters
The armor of God to meet the spiritual enemies


As children of God we must imitate him (1). What a challenge! Imitating the holy God who created us!
Specifically, we must imitate the love of Christ (2).
Note **: Love summarizes the commandments of God (Matthew 22:37-40), but we have no right to define love for our liking. God teaches us how to love (1 John 4:7-12). In love, we keep his commandments (John 14:15,23). Love is the highest of qualities produced by the Spirit in Christian life (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7,13, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Peter 1:5-7).
Walking in love (2). We walked in sin, fulfilling the desires of the flesh (2:2-3). Now we walk in good works (2:10). Love becomes the way of life of the disciple.
To walk in love, we must abandon the works of the flesh, that do not show love to our holy God (3-4).
Note: "... not even be named among you, as becometh saints." In the past, we walked in sin drawbacks practicing things that do not belong to new life. We should not feel pride or find funny things of the past. Reject the old man altogether.
The mouth that we used in the past to talk profane and vain things now serves to thank the Lord (4).
People who continue to practice the works of the flesh have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ (5-7). Note the meaning of the words used here:
(1) Incontinent: the Greek word (porn) brings a sense of fornicator or immoral person.
(2) Unclean: literally, a thing not washed or unpurified. We need to be washed in the name of Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:11).
(3) Scrooge: who wants to acquire more and more things, especially desiring things of others. Possessions become his idol (see Colossians 3:5).
Can be washed of such sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-11), but without the justification that comes from Jesus, we would have no hope in the Lord's kingdom.
Someone may try to fool us, minimizing the significance of these sins (6). The world is full of people who suggest that some sins are common, normal, even good. God does not consider such things pecadinhos. Bring his wrath on people who commit them.
The only solution to the problem: "Therefore do not be partakers with them" (7). We can not make deals with sin or serve Christ through the term. We have to leave sin and dedicate ourselves to it.
We went from darkness to light. Note the contrasts presented here:
We were darkness (5:8) X Now we are light (5:8)
We walked in sin (2:1-2) X We walk as children of light (5:9)
Unfruitful works (5:11) X Fruit of light (5:9-10)
Hidden Works (5:12) X All things manifest (5:13)
Fools (5:15) X the Wise (5:15)
Folly (5:17) X Understanding the will of the Lord (5:17)
Drunk with wine (5:19) X Filled with the Spirit (5:17)
** Note: There are accomplices (11). The attitude of the Christian toward sin needs to be well defined. We can not hide our faith (Mark 8:38), nor should we be complicit in the sins of others. Many people support the errors of their own family members, or attend churches that teach and practice the wrong things, and try to wash their hands as did Pilate (Matthew 27:24). Paul condemns the complicity in sin, saying that we should reprove the works of darkness. Loving God requires hate sin!
Note **: As if filled with the Spirit? The answer is here! Not something you expect out, but something we do, obeying the instruction of Paul (18). But how? He continues in the following verses speak of three ways to fill in the Spirit:
(1) Talking, singing, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (19).
(2) Giving thanks unto the Father in the name of Jesus (20).
(3) Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (21).
Summarizing the teaching of these verses, we need to occupy our thoughts with God's words, develop our communion with him, and show the spirit of the Lord in our service to others. Thus, we will be filling the Spirit!
Note **: Singing from the heart (19). The worship in many churches today is a show that appeals to listeners. It is a "praise" that comes from batteries, keyboards and guitars and that messes with people's emotions. Is this what God wants? Paul spoke here of worship from the heart in the form of talking, singing and praising. For this, we use the voice that God gave us heart and we deliver it. There is a big difference between the worship practiced in many modern churches and simple New Testament worship. Not once in the New Testament we find the early Christians using any type of instrument in worship. The worship of them came from the heart and was passed by voice, by which they are instructed and advised each other. Thus, acted on behalf of the Lord Jesus and please the Lord (Colossians 3:16-17). Today, some people would find it too radical a praise turned to the Lord in simplicity done what he asked! Let love and courage for him to please God, not men.
Note: "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (20). Acting on behalf of the Lord does not mean merely speak "in the name of Jesus." We have authority to act for him in all that we do (see Matthew 7:20-23, Colossians 3:17). Who respects the authority of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20) not exceed his word (1 Corinthians 4:6, 2 John 9).