Ephesians 5 2

Ephesians 5:2 kjv

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 sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:2 nkjv

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Ephesians 5:2 niv

and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:2 esv

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesians 5:2 nlt

Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Ephesians 5 verses

Ephesians 5 2 Meaning

Walk in love, following the example of Christ. Christ's love is selfless, sacrificial, and directed towards others. His love is the ultimate standard for Christian conduct. This love is not merely an emotion but an active commitment.

Ephesians 5 2 Context

Ephesians 5:2 is part of a larger section in Paul's letter to the Ephesians where he exhorts believers to live lives worthy of their calling as God's children. Following the previous verse which calls believers to be imitators of God, this verse provides the specific manner in which to imitate God: by walking in love, just as Christ loved the church. The immediate context is about practical Christian living and ethical behavior within the body of Christ and in the world. Chapter 5 contrasts the walk of believers with the ungodly walk of unbelievers described in chapter 4. This verse bridges the general exhortation to imitation with the more specific instructions on holy living that follow, particularly concerning relationships within marriage, family, and the workplace.

Ephesians 5 2 Word Analysis

• καὶ (kai): "and," a conjunction used here to link clauses, showing the connection between imitating God and walking in love.
• περιπατῆτε (peripatēte): "walk." From the verb peripateō, it means to conduct oneself, to live, or to order one's life. It's a metaphor for the overall conduct and behavior of a person. It's a present active imperative, urging a continuous, ongoing lifestyle.
• ἐν (en): "in." A preposition indicating the sphere or manner in which the walking occurs. It denotes that love is the element or the way of life.
• ἀγάπῃ (agapē): "love." This refers to the highest form of selfless, sacrificial, divine love. It is the love God possesses and displays. It is a deliberate choice and commitment, not merely an emotion. This agape love is the guiding principle.
• ὥσπερ (hōsper): "as," "just as." A comparative particle introducing an example or a standard.
• καὶ (kai): "and." Another conjunction.
• Χριστὸς (Christos): "Christ." The Anointed One, Jesus.
• ἠγάπησεν (ēgapesēn): "loved." The aorist indicative active of agapaō. It signifies a past, completed action of love, referring to Christ's action on the cross.
• ἡμᾶς (hēmas): "us." Direct object, referring to believers.
• καὶ (kai): "and."
• παρέδωκεν (paredōken): "gave up," "delivered up." The aorist indicative active of paradidōmi. It implies a willing surrender or offering.
• ἑαυτὸν (heauton): "himself." Reflexive pronoun, emphasizing that the offering was voluntary and complete.
• ὑπὲρ (huper): "for," "on behalf of." A preposition indicating the beneficiary or the substitutionary nature of the act.
• ἡμῶν (hēmōn): "us," "our." Possessive pronoun, showing who received the benefit of Christ's giving of himself.
• εἰς (eis): "for," "unto," "as." A preposition often used to indicate purpose or result. Here, it suggests the purpose or result of His giving himself up was "for us."
• προσφορὰν (prosphoran): "offering." From prosphora, which means an offering, gift, or oblation. In the context of Christ, it refers to His atoning sacrifice.
• καὶ (kai): "and."
• θυσίαν (thusian): "sacrifice." From thusia, meaning a sacrifice, often a propitiatory or sacrificial offering. It amplifies the nature of Christ's self-giving as a divine, atoning sacrifice.
• τῷ (tō): "the."
• θεῷ (theō): "God." Dative case, indicating the recipient of the offering.
• εἰς (eis): "for," "unto," "as."
• ὀσμὴν (osmēn): "fragrance," "odor." From osmē, a scent.
• εὐωδίας (euōdias): "sweet-smelling." From euōdia, a good or sweet fragrance. This evokes imagery from Old Testament sacrifices that were pleasing to God.

Group Analysis:

• "walking in love": This is the core command, depicting a lifestyle of selfless affection and care. It’s not a passive state but an active, directed path.
• "as Christ loved us": This sets the standard and source for Christian love. Christ’s love is the benchmark against which believers are to measure their own.
• "and gave himself up for us": This elaborates on Christ's love, highlighting its ultimate expression through His sacrificial death. The passive voice for "gave himself up" (though active in Greek, the giving is initiated by God) shows obedience and willingness. The phrase "for us" (huper hēmōn) emphasizes the substitutionary aspect of His sacrifice.
• "as an offering and sacrifice to God": This clarifies the theological significance of Christ's act. It was a perfect, acceptable, and propitiatory sacrifice that pleased God and accomplished redemption.

Ephesians 5 2 Bonus Section

The concept of "sweet-smelling aroma" (εὐωδίας, euōdias) for the offering and sacrifice of Christ draws heavily from the Old Testament Levitical sacrificial system, where specific offerings were described as having a pleasing aroma to God (e.g., Leviticus 1:9, 1:13, 2:2, 8:21). Paul uses this imagery to affirm that Christ's ultimate sacrifice was perfectly acceptable to God, a complete atonement that propitiated God’s wrath and satisfied divine justice. This signifies the perfection and finality of Christ's work, a stark contrast to the continuous and incomplete nature of animal sacrifices under the Old Covenant. It underscores that our imitation of Christ is rooted in His perfect sacrifice which has eternally pleased God. The "giving of himself" (paredōken heauton) is also a rich theological concept, pointing to the voluntariness of Christ's mission and His active role in His own atoning death, aligning with His declaration in John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

Ephesians 5 2 Commentary

This verse commands believers to emulate the selfless and sacrificial love of Christ. Our conduct (walking) should be defined by this divine love, not by worldly standards. Christ's voluntary surrender of Himself for humanity serves as the ultimate model. His sacrifice is not just an example but the very means of redemption, a perfect offering pleasing to God. To walk in this love means prioritizing the well-being of others, displaying humility, patience, and forgiveness, mirroring Christ's own actions on the cross. This love is a powerful, unifying force in the church.

• Practical Usage: When facing conflict, remember Christ gave Himself up for you. Respond with grace, not retaliation. When making decisions, consider if your actions benefit others, as Christ did. Show kindness and patience in your relationships, reflecting His forgiving nature.