With apostolic authority Paul gave the command, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6). In context, “these things” refer to what the apostle had just described in verses 3-5:

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Sexual immorality and covetousness are under discussion here. The world that surrounds Christians tempts us to succumb to its ways of thinking and acting; however, we are not to be conformed to the world, but transformed by renewing our minds by the will of God (Eph. 4:23; Rom. 12:2). Paul continues to give commands in Ephesians 5 that show us how we ought to respond to these sins. We are not to be partakers (v. 7), but instead we are to walk as children of light by learning what is pleasing to the Lord (vv. 8-10).  Ephesians 5:11 gives two commands. First, do not participate in these works of darkness. Second, instead of participating we must reprove them, as light exposes darkness. These deeds of darkness are so disgraceful that it is shameful to even speak of their perverted depravity in detail (Eph. 5:12).

Yet, today’s entertainment is often saturated with talk that mentions the particulars of sexual impurity and jokes about it (Eph. 5:3). Covetousness, the greedy desire to have more, is prevalent in our society as well. The two converge when a person covets another’s body for sinful, selfish gratification.

Instead of thinking these sins are no big deal, we must follow the commands of God here in Ephesians 5. Don’t let anyone deceive you about these matters with empty words (Eph. 5:6). Some who serve their own appetites rather than Christ will try to cause you to stumble and create division with beguiling talk (Rom. 16:17-18; Eph. 4:14). Christians must walk as children of light, bearing the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth (Eph. 5:8, 9). In the context of Ephesians, goodness goes back to the fact that God has created us in Christ for good works (2:10), righteousness goes back to fact that we are to put on the new man who is truly like God in holiness (4:24), and truth, found in Jesus, goes back to what we were taught when we learned Christ, as opposed to sensuality and greedy impurity (4:19-21). We are commanded to reprove and expose these sins (Eph. 5:11). As we do this, we must, of course, speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).

Jesus loved people by telling them what was lacking for eternal life, exposing covetousness on one occasion (Mk. 10:21). Impenitent participation in these sins forfeits one’s eternal inheritance in God’s kingdom (Eph. 5:5). Jesus was against the congregation at Thyatira for allowing the woman called Jezebel to teach and seduce people to practice sexual immorality and idolatry (Rev. 2:20-23). In love, He also rebuked the congregation at Laodicea for their lackadaisical attitude toward Him and their trust in money (Rev. 3:17-19).

How do you respond to the sins listed in Ephesians 5:3-5 that are unabashedly paraded all around us? Do you respond in the way Ephesians 5 commands you?

The law God gave to the Israelites through Moses often gives emphasis to the need for it to be read aloud. Moses commanded the law to be read at the end of every seven years, so that all may hear and fear God (Deut. 31:10-13). Joshua read all the words of the law, the blessings and the curses at Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal (Josh. 8:33-35). When a copy of a book of the law was found, Josiah repented and had the words of the Law read in the hearing of all the people (2 Kings 23:1-3). After the exile, Ezra along with some assistants read and explained the law to the people so that they understood (Neh. 8:5, 7, 8).

If the law of Moses was to be read aloud, how much more important it is for the last will and testament of Jesus Christ to be read aloud? We should pay even closer attention to the New Testament as it is a great salvation spoken by the Lord Himself (Heb. 2:1-4). Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31, 32). The words Jesus has spoken are spirit and life (John 6:63). As Peter recognized, we can go to no other than Jesus for the words of eternal life (John 6:68). God has indeed spoken to us by His Son, and we must hear Him (Matthew 17:5; Hebrews 1:1, 2).

Jesus said those who read publicly are blessed as well as those who “hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Rev. 1:3). Paul wanted the letters to Colossae and Laodicea to be exchanged and read aloud” (Col. 4:16). First Thessalonians came with a solemn charge that it was be read before all the holy brothers (1 Thess. 5:27). Why? Because what Paul wrote were the commandments of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor. 14:37). The one who has the commandments of Jesus and keeps them truly loves the Lord (John 14:15, 21). When the mystery of the gospel of Jesus Christ—which was revealed to Paul who wrote to congregations and individuals—was read then people could understand (Eph. 3:3, 4). Paul exhorted Timothy to public reading of Scripture (1 Tim. 4:13). The first-century custom seems to have been reading aloud even in private as Philip heard the Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah (Acts 8:30). The Ethiopian was traveling in his own private chariot and yet still read aloud.

Spoken messages as well as writings were being given by the apostles in the first century as the New Testament was being produced (2 Thess. 2:2, 15). Now, God has preserved for us the faith, the whole system of truth, in the writings, or Scriptures, written in the first century (Jude 3).  It is serious to fail to obey the written apostolic instruction of the letters of the New Testament (2 Thess. 3:14). Why? The apostles were guided by the Spirit in being reminded of all Jesus taught while on earth as well as being guided in all truth, including many things the disciples of Jesus could not bear while He was on earth (John 14:26; 16:12, 13). Thus, the words of every book of the New Testament are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The public reading of the Scriptures is tremendously important. We are thankful for the young men of the congregation who take this responsibility so seriously and do such a fine job of reading God’s word before His people.

-Mark Day

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,” (1 Timothy 1:5). Love from a pure heart for God and for others is in summary the greatest of God’s commands (Mark 12:29-31). A good conscience that in justice approves of what is good and disapproves of what is evil only comes with extensive training in God’s word (Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Timothy 3:9).  Timothy’s genuine faith was a product of his mother and grandmother having genuine faith and teaching him the Scriptures (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-17). These three are major issues; Jesus highlighted justice (a good conscience), mercy (love), and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). Similarly, the famous question that highlights these three is, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

From these major thrusts of God’s commands some turn aside into empty talk (1 Timothy 1:6). Paul urged Timothy to remain in Ephesus to correct false doctrine that would go against the healthy teaching of the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:3, 10, 11). The Gospel not only involves the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), but also healthy teaching on right living. God’s law given to Israel at Sinai included commands regarding respecting God who is holy (Exodus 20:1-11); it also included commands of honoring one’s parents and loving others by proscribing murder, adultery, theft, and lying (Exodus 20:12-16).

Notice how Paul describes the activities of insubordinate sinners that fly in the face of these commands of God in 1 Timothy 1:9-11:

knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is glorious. It deserves our respect and defense. The world wants to run it down, but we must, as Paul did, be ready and willing to defend it (Phil. 1:7, 17). The Gospel of Jesus Christ can change me for good. I can be purified in love for God and others. I can develop a good conscience and live a just life that is fair toward others. My faith can grow as I learn to walk humbly with my God. I need the Gospel and so do you. Will you defend and promote this life-changing gift from God or will you neglect it to your own peril?

-Mark Day