What does Ephesians 5:2 mean?

Explanation

Ephesians 5:2 encourages believers to model their lives after the love of Jesus Christ, who loved us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His life for our benefit.

This verse presents love as not just a feeling or emotion but as a deliberate action of self-giving and self-sacrifice.

The term "walk in love" suggests living in a manner that consistently displays love through actions, just as Jesus did.

The offering of Christ to God is metaphorically described as a "sweetsmelling savour," which refers to the aroma of sacrifices that were pleasing to God under the Old Testament law.

Here, it symbolizes the acceptability and perfection of Jesus' sacrifice to God.

Historical Context

This verse is found in Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, which is generally understood to have been written while Paul was in prison, around 60-62 AD.

The letter was addressed to the church in Ephesus, a significant city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) known for its cultural influence and a shrine to the goddess Artemis.

Paul's exhortation to "walk in love" would have resonated with the Ephesians who lived in a diverse society with various religious practices, emphasizing a Christian lifestyle that stood out through love and selfless living.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints interpret this verse in various ways:

• Traditional Protestant Theology: Often emphasizes the imitative aspect, where believers are called to emulate Christ's sacrificial love.
• Catholic Theology: Might highlight the sacrificial nature of love, drawing parallels to the Eucharist as the representation of Jesus' sacrifice.
• Liberation Theology: May interpret this call to love as a challenge to work for justice and liberation of the oppressed, following Jesus' example.
• Feminist Theology: Could examine the self-giving aspect of love not as self-erasure but as a powerful choice made from a position of strength and agency.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse prompts Christians to exhibit love through selflessness in everyday situations such as in family dynamics, workplace interactions, and communal living.

It encourages thoughtful gestures, kindness, forgiveness, and generosity.

Emulating Christ's love means putting the needs and well-being of others before personal desires and comforts.

Cross-References

• John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
• 1 John 3:16: "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."
• Romans 12:1: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

Language Study

In the original Greek, the key words are:

• "Agape" (love): This is the Greek term for selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others, distinct from other forms of love like friendship or romantic love.
• "Peripateo" (walk): It implies to live, to conduct one's life, or to be occupied with.
• "Prosphora" (offering): A presentation or a gift brought to God.
• "Thusia" (sacrifice): Denotes an act of offering, often of a religious nature.

These terms together point to a life lived in alignment with God’s character as displayed in Christ, a life marked by giving oneself as a gift and sacrifice that is well-pleasing to God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other ancient religions, sacrifices were made to appease or win favor with the gods.

In contrast, the Christian concept as presented by Paul in Ephesians is of a sacrificial act already completed by Christ that believers are to emulate. This stands out from the transactional nature of sacrifices in other religions.

Christianity proposes a sacrificial act motivated by love rather than obligation or the hope of receiving favor.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, acts of love and altruism, like those encouraged in Ephesians 5:2, can be linked to positive psychological and physiological effects, such as reduced stress, increased happiness, and even longer lifespan.

While science mostly examines the natural benefits and outcomes of these behaviors, the verse encourages them as spiritual imperatives that reflect divine love.

Commentaries

Commentaries offer various interpretations of Ephesians 5:2:

• Matthew Henry's Commentary emphasizes the imitability of Christ's love and how His sacrifice cleanses believers from sin.
• John Gill's Exposition of the Bible identifies the sacrificial aspects of Christ's atonement and draws comparisons with Old Testament offerings, emphasizing the completeness and efficacy of Jesus’ sacrifice.
• The New Bible Commentary stresses the importance of love as the sum of all virtues and the guiding principle for Christian behavior in all relationships and actions.