It is inconsistent for the objects of God"s love ( Ephesians 5:2) to become fellow partakers ( Ephesians 3:6) with the objects of God"s wrath ( Ephesians 5:6) by joining in selfish, immoral, impure conduct. This verse contains the first command. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Ephesians 5:1-12 - Walk As Children Of Light
It is indeed a high calling to imitate God and to walk in love after the measure of Christ; but it will be impossible unless we open our innermost heart to the Holy Spirit. We must not only sacrifice ourselves for others, but there should be a fragrance in all that we do. "An odor of a sweet smell." Note carefully the injunctions of Ephesians 5:3-4, especially as they concern speech. It is by our speech that we betray the true condition of our hearts.
We must be as distinct from the worldly as light is from darkness. There should be no twilight in our testimony for our Lord, though there may be considerable obscurity in our views of truth. Whatever is unfruitful; whatever we should blush to have transcribed and read to the world; whatever would be inconsistent with the strong, clear light of the throne of God and the Lamb, must be avoided. We must walk in the light of the Lord. Then we ourselves shall become luminous, as some diamonds do after being held in sunshine. People who love darkness will avoid and hate us; but their treatment may be only a cause for our own encouragement, as God becomes increasingly precious to us. [source]
Chapter Summary: Ephesians 5
1After general exhortations to love; 3to flee sexual immorality; 4and all uncleanness; 7not to converse with the wicked; 15to walk carefully; 18and to be filled with the Spirit; 22he descends to the particular duties, how wives ought to obey their husbands; 25and husbands ought to love their wives, 32even as Christ does his church
Greek Commentary for Ephesians 5:7
Partakers with them [συνμετοχοι αυτων] Late double compound, only here in N.T., joint These Gnostics. [source]
Be not [γίνεσθε] Lit., become not. It is a warning against lapsing into old vices. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 5:7
2 Corinthians 6:14Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers [μη γινεστε ετεροζυγουντες απιστοις] No other example of this verb has yet been found, though the adjective from which it is apparently formed, ετεροζυγος heterozugos (yoked with a different yoke) occurs in Leviticus 19:19 of the union of beasts of different kinds. In Deuteronomy 22:10 we read: “Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together.” Literally, “Stop becoming (μη γινεστε mē ginesthe present imperative, not μη γενηστε mē genēsthe aorist subj.) unequally yoked with unconverted heathen (unbelievers).” Some were already guilty. Marriage is certainly included, but other unions may be in mind. Cf. Ephesians 5:7. Paul gives as the reason (γαρ gar) for this prohibition five words in questions to distinguish the contrasts. [source]
Ephesians 5:8Ye were [] Emphatic, and according with become of Ephesians 5:7. Ye were darkness, but now are ye light. Do not become darkness again. [source]
Ephesians 3:6Fellow-heirs - of the same body - partakers [συγκληρόνομα σύσσωμα συμμέτοχα] The second of these words occurs only here; the third only here and Ephesians 5:7. They are strange to classical Greek. [source]
What do the individual words in Ephesians 5:7 mean?
Greek Commentary for Ephesians 5:7
Late double compound, only here in N.T., joint These Gnostics. [source]
Lit., become not. It is a warning against lapsing into old vices. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 5:7
No other example of this verb has yet been found, though the adjective from which it is apparently formed, ετεροζυγος heterozugos (yoked with a different yoke) occurs in Leviticus 19:19 of the union of beasts of different kinds. In Deuteronomy 22:10 we read: “Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together.” Literally, “Stop becoming (μη γινεστε mē ginesthe present imperative, not μη γενηστε mē genēsthe aorist subj.) unequally yoked with unconverted heathen (unbelievers).” Some were already guilty. Marriage is certainly included, but other unions may be in mind. Cf. Ephesians 5:7. Paul gives as the reason (γαρ gar) for this prohibition five words in questions to distinguish the contrasts. [source]
Emphatic, and according with become of Ephesians 5:7. Ye were darkness, but now are ye light. Do not become darkness again. [source]
The second of these words occurs only here; the third only here and Ephesians 5:7. They are strange to classical Greek. [source]