Sunday, August 21, 2016 pm
STUDIES IN EPHESIANS (31)
Not Even Named Among You
Ephesians 5:3-7
Today we continue our study of Ephesians.
We have been examining the conduct of Christians as Paul outlines
it in this book (Eph. 4:17-5:2ff).
WE have talked about how the new man is no longer walking as the
rest of the Gentiles do (as the ungodly of the world).
Instead, they are truthful, exercising self-control, and lives
with kindness and forgiveness.
Then, as noted in our last lesson, we strive to imitate God and
walk in love. Later in
this chapter we will notice more calls for the way a Christian is to
walk. But tonight we find a
description of how we are NOT to walk.
In fact, what we address this evening is conduct not even to be
named among you.
In
Ephesians we have already noted some passages that describe the behavior
of the ungodly – In describing the way they once walked in 4:17-19 we
notice the world with darkened understanding, ignorance and blindness in
their hearts had given them over to lewdness, uncleanness and
greediness. They
had been caught up in deceitful lusts (4:22), 2:2-3 describes how they
walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of
the power of the air, and the spirit who now works in the sons of
disobedience, conducting themselves in the lusts of the flesh,
fulfilling the desires of their flesh and mind.
As a result, they were children of wrath.
All of these are general descriptions of the state of the
ungodly. NOW, in our text,
Paul specifically identifies some of these sins and more pointedly notes
that as Christians we should have NO part in them.
a.
Fornication
(immorality - NASB) – a general term for all forms of illicit sexual
relations – including adultery, homosexuality, bestiality, extramarital
relations as well as premarital relations.
We have addressed this sin on numerous occasions recently.
Thus we simply mention it here.
b.
All uncleanness
(any impurity - NASB) –
i.
ἀκαθαρσία, (akatharsia)
– a term defined as moral impurity, filthy, vileness, moral corruption.
It is the opposite of purity.
As a matter of fact, literally it means “not pure”.
ii.
The word is found 10
times in the New Testament.
In Matthew 23:27 it describes dead men’s bones and their graves
(describing the corruption of the Pharisees).
Romans 1:24 – God gave the ungodly up to uncleanness in the lusts of
their hearts to dishonor their bodies.
Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:21 is fearful of the church having failed to
repent of their fornications, uncleanness and lewdness.
Galatians 5:19 – it is a work of the flesh.
iii.
Uncleanness is immoral
and filthy behavior. It is
one who lives to fulfill his sensual lusts.
It is probably tied to fornication (“and all” – “or any” NASB)
and describes how God views the one caught up in such behavior.
We see it all around us in this society.
We hear of all sorts of perverted
behaviors today and conduct.
And it’s not just done in secret.
It is done openly and bragging.
Immoral relationships and conduct is treated as normal and even
encouraged in many instances.
iv.
In God’s eyes, it
involves anything that makes you unclean before Him (under the Old Law
this included idolatry, improper sacrifices, etc.).
v.
NOTICE in our text it is
“all” or “any” – anything that fits into this category is under
consideration. One thing I
think of with this is how we seem to tolerate certain forms of
fornication while ignoring others.
E.g. unlawful divorce and remarriage which leads to adultery vs.
homosexuality.
vi.
Paul here is saying that
we should have nothing to do with fornication or anything like it or
that promotes it.
vii.
1 Thessalonians 4:7,
God did not call us to
uncleanness, but to holiness.
c.
Covetousness (greed – NASB) – again, this is a subject we have addressed in recent
studies. It describes
greediness and selfishness as one desires and pursues that which he is
not entitled to (this includes in God’s eyes – i.e. the pursuit of
wealth to the neglect of spiritual matters, etc.).
In 1 Timothy 6:6 – we are told to be godly and content.
Vs. 9-10 describes covetousness.
d.
Neither filthiness
– behavior that flouts moral and social standards, shamefulness,
obscenity (BDAG). It
describes shameful behavior.
In our society this is related to the uncleanness above.
The uncleanness is the behavior while the filthiness is the
causes.
Today this includes profane and vulgar language which is everywhere,
movies and music that promote this language, the rank immodesty and
nudity that is so prevalent and promoted today, television that shows
loose morals in the form of fornication, immodest dress and other lewd
behavior, movies that show nudity, AND lest we ignore it, pornography,
which is an absolute blight on society and brings this filthiness into
our homes.
Colossians 3:8 speaks of putting off…filthy language (derived from the
same root word)
James 1:21 – lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness
(different Greek word)
Friends, we must remove filthiness from our lives and sphere of
influence!
e.
Foolish talking
– this refers to speech which results from not thinking.
Described as foolish or silly talk.
This is not talking about someone engaging in idle conversation
or as we say, “cutting up” (when appropriate) but rather it is one who
is saying things that makes one look foolish, particularly where God is
concerned. In other words,
it is conversation that negatively impacts spiritual matters (note: I’m
not speaking of the consequences of speaking the truth, etc.).
It can be striving over words, foolish disputes (Titus 3:9), etc.
I think of those who argue without any facts and thus they don’t
know what they are talking about.
I think of those who are constantly speaking nonsense, even at
inappropriate times. I think
of those who love to be heard for their many words.
Those who act like they are smarter than they really are.
f.
Coarse jesting – (KJV – “nor jesting”) this is
going further than mere foolish talk.
The actual word here in a good sense can mean wittiness.
However, in this text, it is clearly used to describe vulgar speech.
It is using profanity and taking God’s name in vain.
It is using suggestive speech and innuendo with filthy
implications. It is hurtful
insults, etc.
Again this is a big problem today in our society.
Most comedians thrive as they use this filthy language.
is it wrong to joke around?
It can be, if at the wrong time or using ungodly language.
But I am not convince telling a joke here or there is wrong.
With both the talking and jesting, they are qualified and are describing
behavior, “which is not fitting” or proper (KJV says, “convenient”).
g.
Let it not even be named
among you as is fitting for saints – these types of behaviors ought not even to be named in our midst.
Not only do we not participate in such behaviors, we do not
condone those who do. I
think of the Corinthian brethren in 1 Cor. 5:1-2.
I think of 2 John 9-11.
I think of Ephesians 5:11, “And
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
expose them” (we will deal with this next time)
Consider how many, even among brethren, today are seeking to redefine
what is sin, even in some of these area.
Others are teaching that God overlooks our weaknesses as long as
we are trying the best we can.
They would tolerate those involved in some of these behaviors.
May we never be guilty of such!
h.
Instead, let us give
thanks.
Again, we have emphasized this continually!
1 Thess. 5:18, in everything give thanks.
A genuine understanding of gratitude, especially toward what God
has done for us can move us to renounce our ungodly behaviors and live
FOR Him instead of against Him!
a.
This you know
– because we have been taught the consequences of such things.
As is typical, Paul’s writings are not his first contact with
these brethren. They
are brethren and have been taught (Acts 19 describes Paul’s time at
Ephesus. He was there for at
least 2-3 years – Acts 20:31).
As Christians, we need to study the Bible continually so we can learn
what to do and what not to do!
b.
No fornicator, unclean
person, or covetous man
(here he adds, who is an
idolater) -
These words are all forms of the sins we previously discussed.
The only addition here is describing the covetous person as an idolater.
(Colossians 3:5).
This is a strong saying and ought to get our attention.
We must strive to ensure that we do not let things become idols
in our lives.
c.
Has any inheritance in the kingdom of God
– worthy of note, as Paul is writing TO these Ephesians Christians he
notes that one who IS practicing any of these sins has any inheritance
in the kingdom of God. We
MUST receive forgiveness for our sins!
If you have never obeyed the gospel, become a Christian (cf. 1
Corinthian 6:9-11).
If you are a Christian and carried away in these sins, you need to
repent!
a.
Let no one deceive you
with empty words
– we need to beware of false teachers and false teaching.
Sometimes the world seeks to deceive us – I think of those who
try to use worldly wisdom to convince us to reject God and His word.
I think of those who appeal to pleasures and will tell you that
there is nothing wrong with... (fill in the blank, but we’ve probably
mentioned it in this lesson).
Sometimes it is so-called brethren – wolves that enter into our
midst (Acts 20:28-29, Matthew 7:15) and take advantage of the gullible
(2 Timothy 3:5-6). Peter was
clear in 2 Peter 2:1-3 that deceivers will come among us.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 warns of the coming of the lawless one who with
deception among those who are perishing.
When it comes to sin that we struggle with, we need to be extra vigilant
against this. Don’t let some
slick preacher or teacher tell you that you are ok when you are in sin.
Walk in love!
b.
Because of these things
the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience – as already noted in vs. 5, those practicing
ungodliness will not inherit heaven.
Rather they will be face the wrath of God.
2 Thess. 1:6-9 warns of the wrath of God that awaits those who trouble
the godly..
Not only will those of the world face the wrath of God, but also those
who allow themselves to be deceived with empty words – Hebrews 10:31, 2
Peter 2:20-22.
c.
Therefore, do not be partakers with them
– have nothing to do with those practicing and teaching error (2 John
9-11 again). 2 Corinthians
6:14-18 describes this same admonition.
To not partake with them includes considering their ways, participating
in their conduct or even approving of them.
Romans 1:32.
The
admonition of this text is to walk in love.
When we imitate and love God, it will affect both what we do and
what we DON’T do. Let us
resolve to overcome ungodliness in our lives.
Think about it.