Original Language Studies
EPHESIANS CHAPTER FIVE
INTRODUCTION TO THIS STUDY

The purpose of this study work is to give you the original Greek language words and definitions for all the key words in this selected Bible text. This work does not make any effort to interpret the text in question, though some interpretation may occur naturally as a result of the study. The English translation used is the King James (Authorized) Version, not because it is the best translation available, but because I just plain prefer it for study!

All Scripture text will be presented in normal cased lettering, and all notes within the text will be in TRUE TYPE FONT, as shown. This (I hope) will allow you to avoid confusion between God's Word and my notes. As I update this website, I will continue to embellish the text so that anyone using NETSCAPE or MSIE 3.0 or higher will be able to read the document easier. Greek tenses are abbreviated as follows:

If you discover obvious errors (as I am human, and do make mistakes), please let me know. Do not contact me to argue about the doctrinal differences that you may have with my teaching. I do not argue Theology with anyone, so all Legalists, cultists, and others with extremist views, please save your (and my) time. If you want to discuss your doctrinal differences, or share a viewpoint, please contact me at Didaskalos Ministries. I am not so arrogant as to think I know it all, or even 1% of what the scripture teaches.


* Note: Verses with no additional notes are shown in diminished text. Those who are interested in helping in the Greek exegesis of this text, please contact me at bibleteacher.org.
 
 
Lesson One: Knowing And Following Christ Our God

Ephesians 5:1

Be ye (GINOMAI, Pres Ac Imperative = keep on being!)

therefore followers (MIMETES = imitators. We imitate God by imitating Jesus Christ)

of God, as dear children;
 
 
One of the most wonderful things about knowing God is that there's always so much more to know, so much more to discover. Just when we least expect it, He intrudes into our neat and tidy notions about who He is and how He works. (Joni Eareckson Tada)

1. As Christians, we are to "keep on being" (Present Active Imperative GINOMAI) or keep striving toward a goal. What is this goal? (Ephesians 5:1)

2. How do we IMITATE (MIMETES) God?

a. We imitate God by following Christ, the revealed member of the Godhead:

John 12:26  "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor."

b. We imitate God by following the example of our Godly leaders:

1 Corinthians 11:1-2 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. [2] Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you."

c. When WE follow after Godliness, as per the Biblical standard, then WE become someone worthy of being followed:

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: [7]  So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia."

d. We should also follow the example of the Old Testament saints who, though not perfect, followed the revealed Word of God to the best of their ability:

Hebrews 6:12-14 "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. [13]  For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, [14] Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee."

Ephesians 5:2

And walk (Pres Ac Imperative here, "keep on walking)

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 savor.
 
 
3. What must the IMITATOR OF CHRIST be like? What is our number one objective? (Ephesians 5:2)

a. Jesus laid down His life for us. How do we imitate His example?

1 John 3:16-18 "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. [17]  But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? [18]  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

4. Christians are to "keep on walking" in love (AGAPE). Why? 

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. [35]  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

1 Thessalonians 4:9  "But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another."

5. The Christian seeking maturity in Christ not only walks in Love, but also walks:

a. In the TRUTHS of God's Word:

3 John 3-4 "For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. [4]  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

b. In the POWER of the Spirit of GOD:

Galatians 5:16-18 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. [17]  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. [18]  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."

c. In FAITH, believing what God has said:

2 Corinthians 5:7  "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"

Ephesians 5:3

But fornication, (PORNEIA  {pronounced por-ni'-ah}; harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry:--fornication) and all

uncleanness, (AKATHARSIA {pronounced ak-ath-ar-see'-ah}, Thayer = "Luxurious, lustful, sinful living)

or covetousness, (PLEONEXIA  {pronounced pleh-on-ex-ee'-ah} avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion:--covetous(-ness) practices, greediness)

let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Ephesians 5:4

Neither filthiness, (AISCHROTES  {pronounced ahee-skhrot'-ace } shamefulness, i.e. obscenity:--filthiness)nor

foolish talking, (MOROLOGIA  {pronounced mo-rol-og-ee'-ah} from a compound of 3474 and 3004; silly talk, i.e. buffoonery)

nor jesting, (EUTRAPELIA  {pronounced yoo-trap-el-ee'-ah} well-turned, i.e. ready at repartee, jocose; witticism, i.e. (in a vulgar sense) ribaldry)

which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 5:5

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, (PORNOS  {pronounced por'-nos} from pernemi  a (male) prostitute (as venal), i.e. (by analogy) a debauchee (libertine):--fornicator, whoremonger)

nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

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.
 
 
6. Why are the things of the flesh forbidden as unbecoming, or the ANTI-WALK of the Christian? (Ephesians 5:3-6)

a. Sin is like a communicable disease - it can infect us if we are not vigilant:

1 Timothy 5:21-22 "I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. [22]  Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

b. Sin can mis-direct the focus of our love from Christ and toward the world:

1 John 2:15-17 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16]  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. [17]  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

Ephesians 5:7

Be not ye therefore partakers (SUMMETOCHOS  {pronounced soom-met'-okh-os}; a co-participant: partaker, partner with) with them.
 
 
7. We who are now Christian WERE partners with the world, but are now in partnership with God. What does this imply? (Ephesians 5:7-8)

James 4:4  "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

1 Peter 2:11-12 "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; [12]  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

 
Lesson Two: Roots
Though it was hotly disputed for a time, author Alex Haley wrote a book called "Roots" that traced his ancestry from ancient Africa to the present. Haley did this because he felt it was necessary that both he, as well as other African Americans, understand their cultural origin. Haley was right. Until we understand who we are, and where we came from, we cannot effectively serve the Lord Jesus in this world.

Last week I and another man were joking about a lack of money in our lives, when another Christian walked by with a money clip in his hand. I quipped, "Hold him down, and whatever I get you can have half". This was, truly, just a joke. However the believer stopped and said, "Now, its only five dollars. You wouldn't want to die and go to hell for five dollars, would you?"

This started me thinking on several levels. First, this other brother truly has no concept of who he is in Christ. The Cross of Christ richly paid for our sins, and if I were to (as I jokingly stated) take that five dollars, certainly five measly dollars wouldn't wipe out the purchase price - the Blood - that was shed for me. If the Blood was that cheap, then what hope do we have? For I know NO Christian who has not, at one time or the other, slipped into sin - if but for a brief moment. The brother who made the strange statement has not lived a sinless life, nor does he do so now. Yet I do not say this to condemn him, for neither do I - hard as I try - live a sinless life. We can't, for corruption runs through our very veins.

Yet, do we surrender to sin? No, absolutely not! For we must understand that the source of both OUR POWER and OUR SALVATION is Jesus Christ. We also must understand that power can ONLY exist exclusively in the vessel. In other words, we MUST choose our power. Will we allow self and sin to remain active as the power in our lives, or will we rely on the Greater Power - the Spirit of God? 

Ephesians 5:8

For ye were sometimes (pote [pot-eh'], in past times) darkness1, but now [are ye] light2 in the Lord: walk as children of light:
 
1. All people, even those who loudly protest it, are in and love ________ prior to salvation (John 3:19-21).

John 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20]  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. [21]  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

2. Salvation brought about a supernatural change in each one of us, in that it made us - as Christians - "light in the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8). What does this mean?

a. As individuals, the light of Christ should shine out ___________ ___________  ____________. (Philippians 2:15-16)

Philippians 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; [16]  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

b. As a Church, the light of Christ should shine out like we are a ________ on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16).

Matthew 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [15]  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. [16]  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1. darkness   2. where we are  3. city

Ephesians 5:9

(For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness4 and righteousness5 and truth6;)
 
4. The "fruit of the Spirit", which is active in the believer who is focused on Jesus, has three PROMINENT light bearing characteristics:

a. Goodness, agathosune [ag-ath-o-soo'-nay], {Thayer = uprightness of heart and life, goodness, kindness }{Strong's = virtue or beneficence:--goodness}. Goodness is a direct trait of God's nature (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

2 Thessalonians 1:11  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

Psalms 33:5  He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

Romans 15:14  And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

- How is God's goodness illustrated around us? If we are to reflect this goodness, then how do we do this? DIG!

- If I were to live this five minutes as if they were my last five minutes on earth, what would I do?

5. Righteousness, dikaiosune  [dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay], {Thayer = in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God}. Literally, righteousness means "to do right" and "to be right". There are two inconsistent portrayals of righteousness prevalent in the Church today:

a. Being righteous by faith, yet neglecting doing righteousness. This is a dangerous condition, for it brings false security. Profession without an inner change is NOT salvation. Jesus said that we would know the believer by their _________. (Matthew 7:17-18)

Matthew 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18]  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Jesus also said that the sheep that belonged to Him would know His ________. (John 10:25-28)

John 10:25  Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. [26] But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. [27]  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [28]  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

b. Doing righteousness, yet never being righteous by faith. The Christian is one who, deserving damnation, has thrown himself on the MERCY of the COURT. He knows his state was contemptable, but knows the Blood of Christ paid for that state. He knows his unworthiness. He knows his roots! The Pharisee, professing but never possessing the "righteousness of God by faith", leads to ______________. (Luke 18:11-14)

Luke 18:11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. [12]  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [13]  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [14]  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

6. Truth, aletheia [al-ay'-thi-a], {Thayer =  the truth as taught in the Christian religion, respecting God and the execution of his purposes through Christ, and respecting the duties of man, opposing alike to the superstitions of the Gentiles and the inventions of the Jews, and the corrupt opinions and precepts of false teachers even among Christians}. Truth is NOT just something to be KNOWN, but it is something that must also be _________. (John 3:20-21)

John 3:20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. [21]  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

Truth sets us _____. (John 8:32-36)

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. [33]  They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? [34]  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. [35]  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. [36]  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

__________ is impossible without truth.()

John 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. [22]  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.  [23]  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. [24] God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
 

5a. fruit, voice 5b. self-righteousness  6. done, free, worship

Ephesians 5:10

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Ephesians 5:11

And have no fellowship (sugkoinoneo  [soong-koy-no-neh'-o], be in partnership with) with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (elegcho  [el-eng'-kho], admonish, rebuke) [them].
 
7. The Christian, supernaturally saved, changed by the Spirit of God, is called to _________ display his new condition in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Hebrews 13:16)

1 Thessalonians 4:1  ¶Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

1 Thessalonians 5:21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Hebrews 13:16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

7. actively

Ephesians 5:12

For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Ephesians 5:13

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
 
Lesson Three: Wake Up!

Ephesians 5:14

Wherefore he saith, Awake (EGAIRO, Pres Ac Imperative = get excited!)

thou that sleepest, and arise (ANISETEMI, Aor Ac Ind = get up, rise up)

from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. (Note: This is perhaps a quotation of an early Christian hymn, like 1 Timothy 3.16 {Robertson})
 
 
1. Why do you think that Paul uses the terms {Awake (EGAIRO, Pres Ac Imperative = get excited!)} and {arise (ANISETEMI, Aor Ac Ind = get up, rise up)} to us, the Church?

2. Is it possible for a Christian to be born again, and yet still living in death?

Ephesians 5:15

See (BLEPO, Pres Ac Imperative = be constantly aware, look and keep looking!)

then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, (ASOPHOS = those without wisdom)

but as wise, (SOPHOS = those with divine wisdom)

Ephesians 5:16

Redeeming (EZAGOREO, Pres Participle = keep on purchasing out)

the time, because the days are evil.
 
3. What two types of people are there in life? (Ephesians 5:15)

4. The SOPHOS, Christian who utilizes Divine Wisdom, is characterized by what? (1 John 1:7; 1 John 2:4-6)

1 John 1:7  "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."

1 John 2:4-6  "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. [5]  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. [6]  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

5. What does it mean to "redeem the time" (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)? What are ways that I can "redeem the time" for God? (Ephesians 5:16; 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 4:5)

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 "But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; [30]  And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; [31]  And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; [6]  And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."

Philippians 4:8  "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Colossians 4:5-6 "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. [6]  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

Ephesians 5:17

Wherefore be ye not unwise, (APHRONE = stop being stupid)

but understanding (SUNIEMI = to come to a conclusion based on facts)

what the will of the Lord [is].

Ephesians 5:18

And be not drunk (METHUSKO, Pres Pas Imperative  + ME = do not be intoxicated with)

with wine, wherein is (EIMI, Pres Linear = beep on being)

excess; but be filled (ALLA PLEROUSTHE EN PNEUMATI = keep on being filled (Pres Imperative) with the Holy Spirit) with the Spirit;
 
6. What is the "Filling of the Spirit"? (Ephesians 5:18) Why are we commanded to stay in this state? What does the command imply?

7. What is the Spirit's primary commission from Christ? (John 14:16-17, 26)

John 14:16-17, 26 "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.... But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." 

8. What does the Filling of the Spirit empower the believer to do? (Acts 2:4; 4:8; 4:31; Luke 1:13-15; 1:41-42; 1:67-68; 2:25-26)

Acts 2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 4:8  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
9  If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

Acts 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Luke 1:13-15 "But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb." 

Luke 1:41-42 "And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb." 

Luke 1:67-68 "And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people" 

Luke 2:25-26 "And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ." 

9. What are the traits of a Spirit Filled person? (Ephesians 5:19-21)

a. The Spirit filled person has a ___singing_____ spirit (Ephesians 5:19).

b. The Spirit Filled person has a ____thankful___ spirit (Ephesians 5:20).

c. The Spirit Filled person has a ____submissive____ spirit (Ephesians 5:21)

Ephesians 5:19

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
 
Lesson Four: Submission Is Not Degrading

Ephesians 5:20

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Ephesians 5:21

Submitting (hupotasso, Expositor's Bible Commentary, occurs 23 times in Pauline writings, and denotes subordination to those considered worthy of respect, either because of inherent qualities or more often because of the position they held) yourselves one to another in the fear (phobos, fear, reverential fear) of God.
 
 
1. WITHIN THE CHURCH we are to submit (subordinate) ourselves to one another. 

a. Was this a COMMAND from Jesus? How did Jesus illustrate this? (John 13:6-16)

John 13:6-16  "Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10  Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11  For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him."

b. Was Jesus DEGRADED when He submitted? Are we DEGRADED when we submit?
c. What is one of the greatest threats in any organization, be it Church, business, government, or family unit? (Proverbs 16:18; Romans 12:3)

Proverbs 16:18  "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

Romans 12:3  "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

d. What caused Satan's fall from Heaven? (1 Timothy 3:6-7; Isaiah 14:12-17)

1 Timothy 3:6-7  "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7  Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

Isaiah 14:12-17  "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13  For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14  I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15  Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
16  They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
17  That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?"

e. What can pride and self glory lead to in any institution? How can pride affect the institution of marriage?

Ephesians 5:22

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own (idios, your very own) husbands, as unto the Lordcrossreference Col 3:18.
 
2. What does Ephesians 5:22 literally say? What does "as unto the Lord" mean? (also Colossians 3:18) 

Colossians 3:18  "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord."

3. When Paul tells the wife to submit herself unto her OWN husband, does this imply that she is inferior to men, or that all women should be subject to men? Again, in context, when Christ submitted Himself, was He inferior to the disciples? 

Ephesians 5:23

For the husband is the head (kephale [kef-al-ay'], head, leader, guide) of the wife, even as Christ is the head (kephale [kef-al-ay'], head, leader, guide) of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
 
4. The marriage relationship is set out as a reflection of the relationship between Christ and the Church. The word KEPHALE refers to AUTHORITY or LEADERSHIP within the institution, not to BEING. It is a position bestowed by God.

a. Does the Scripture ASSUME that women are inferior to men? What does the same Author of Ephesians write in Galatians 3:28?

Galatians 3:28  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

b. Marriage is a UNION, an INSTITUTION established by God where both partners have ________ worth. (1 Corinthians 11:11-12)

1 Corinthians 11:11-12  "Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
12  For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God."

c. Is the headship of the husband applicable if the man is NOT in Christ? What saith the Scripture? (1 Peter 3:1)

1 Peter 3:1  "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;"

Ephesians 5:24

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.

Ephesians 5:25

Husbands, love (agapao) your wives, even as Christ also loved the church (ekklesia, feminine gender noun = church, fellowship), and gave himself for it;
 
5. In Greco-Roman society, as well as Jewish culture, wives had obligations to their husbands but not vice versa. Christianity introduced the reciprocal duties of the husband. The husband is to love (agapao) his wife.

a. What does AGAPAO (n. AGAPE) imply within this context? How did Jesus show love for His Church? (Romans 4:24-25; Galatians 1:4-5)

Romans 4:24-25  "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

Galatians 1:4-5  "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5  To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Galatians 2:20  "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

b. The husband's attitude toward the wife should be to forsake _______. (Colossians 3:19)

Colossians 3:19  "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them."

Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Ephesians 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.

Ephesians 5:28

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
 
6. Christ made and continues to make the Church better by His love. How do you, as men, lead your wives toward improvement in Christ?

a. Woman is not the PROPERTY of man, but is the COMPLETION of man, a part of his body. Barclay stated:

"If it be needful that thou shouldest give thy life for her, or be cut to pieces a thousand times, or endure anything whatever, refuse it not ... He brought the Church to His feet by His great care, not by threats nor fear nor any such thing; so do thou conduct thyself towards thy wife."

b. If a man mistreat his wife,  does this effect his relationship with God? (1 Peter 3:7)

1 Peter 3:7  "Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered."

Ephesians 5:29

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Ephesians 5:30

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Ephesians 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.

Ephesians 5:32

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love (agapao ag-ap-ah'-o) his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence (phobeo [fob-eh'-o], have reverential fear for. See Ephesians 5:21) [her] husband.

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