Class Notes, Eph 6:1-9

Context:

We have been in a section (starting in 5:21) called "walk in submission," but some group with the preceding verses (5:15) "walk in wisdom"

• Walking wisdom has a clear focus on using your mind, and being filled with the Spirit, which we saw in Colossians is directly related to letting the word of Christ dwell in you richly
• Walk in submission refers to the major relationships most people have and how we to submit to each other in them

Eph 6:1-3 (NIV) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

Verse 1 is most closely associated with a number of proverbs (1:8; 6:20: 23:20)

• Prov 1:8 (NIV) Listen, my son, to your father's instruction // and do not forsake your mother's teaching.
• The verse contains two modifiers that have implications
  • The phrase "children" limits their control over you to the period you are a child. After that, children are to honor their parents
  • The phrase "in the Lord" means that your parents cannot tell you to do something outside of God's moral law

Verses 2-3 is OT law (which we are not under, unless it is repeated in the NT by Jesus or the apostles).

• Ex 20:12 (NIV) "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. (also Deut 5:16 is similar)
• This passage repeats it, so we are under this law of Christ
• Jesus hints at it in his discussions with the Pharisees (Matt 15:4-6) regarding "corbin."

The promise, in context, is associated with staying in the land, but here Paul changes the ending for a NT context. There is a reason that this verse is true (outside of the fact that God says it) and it is more associated with Proverbs

• If you listen to godly counsel, you will make better decisions
• If you ignore godly counsel, you will suffer the consequences
• Godly wise counsel is found in older saints who have walked with God over a long period of time
• Normally (which is why is sounds like a Proverb), children who obey their parents avoid many of the perils of life

Eph 6:4 (NIV) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

You can be the perfect parent and have children who grow up with all kinds of problems

• God is the best example: Adam and Eve
• The Father of the prodigal son: zero for two
• Adam and Eve: Cain and Abel

You can be the worse parent and have children who grow up as godly servants of God

• Numerous examples of Christian speakers
• George Mueller

Not sure where David fits, but David had Absalom, Ammon, and Solomon (plus many others)

• David's father was not any better. Six of seven were rejected for the kingship

How does one exasperate their children or provoke to wrath?

• One is over control
• Another is overly critical
• A third way is uninvolved

Instead, parents are to do what?

• In response to the above, establish limits but transition authority over time
• Praise them in a meaningful way (not to develop a big head)
• Be involved with their lives
• Also, training suggests directing and correcting the child
• Instruction is correction but by word of mouth

Eph 6:5-8 (NIV) Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

There are some estimates that slaves accounted for 1/3 of the Roman empire. Jewish slaves held different rules, usually the individual sold himself for a set period of time. In that sense, slaves and masters would more closely imitate the employee / employer relationship of today. Still, the Roman empire was not as gracious and the conditions were much worse

There are seven characteristics of Slave's submission

1. With respect. Even though there are no distinctions in Christ, we still are to show respect to authorities
2. With fear. Sense of not making mistakes. Do a good job
3. With sincerity of heart. No duplicity or hypocrisy or "brown-nosing"
4. Obey as you would obey Christ. In a sense, our bosses represent the will of God for us
   1. Rom 13:1-7 (NIV) Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. // 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

1. Service should be consistent. This is close to the third (sincerity). Once again, they are God's will for us
2. We should do our work as if we were working for God. And God sees us every moment
3. Lastly, our work should be wholehearted. It should not be a half-effort, but our very best. One of the worst phrases for a Christian to quote, "it is good enough for government work"
   1. Rather, is it good enough to for my Lord

There is a reward for the good we do in life. Our witness for Jesus Christ is affected by the quality of earthly jobs. We want to be a better witness for Christ, it should start in how well we do our jobs

Eph 6:9 (NIV) And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Because there is mutual submission among believers, every group has responsibilities in how they serve others

The first command is to treat them in the same way, meaning?

• As the slave serves the Lord, so the master serves the Lord in how he treats the slave
• You could also add: respect, doing a good job, sincerity, consistently, wholeheartedly, and as serving God

More specifically

• We are not to threaten our employees. How does that show up today?
  • Bullying is rampant in many places in America. A recent study said that 50 percent of workers have had bosses who are bullies

• Don't show favoritism
  • This often accompanies bullying of a few is the favoritism to another few
  • Very poor way to lead and manage people

Good leadership can still be tough but it is fair, consistent, caring, and whole-hearted

• Your employees should be your flock
• Discipline should only be used for the good of the individual and the organization. But it needs to be applied the right way

How to Recharge Your Spiritual Batteries through the Word of God

1. Context
   • In Ephesians, Paul prays that for the Ephesians. He asks for power through the HS
     • Eph 3:16 (NIV) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being
     • How do we get that power? Compare Eph 5:18-20 and Col 3:16
       • Eph 5:18-20 (NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
       • Col 3:16 (NIV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
     • The degree to which he are filled with the Spirit or have power is directly related to our intake to the Word of God
     • So, then how do we recharge our spiritual batteries
2. Hand illustration overview
   
   
3. Hear
   • Rom 10:17 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. [[In context, it refers to the need to hear the message for salvation]]
   • What is it about "hearing" the word of God that is not as good as some of the other means of intake? (doesn't require much effort, and is not direct intake)
   • Who learns more, the preacher or the person who listens? Why?
     • The person who does the work learns more
     • The ABC example
   • Why bother to hear the word at all?
     • Involves another sense
     • Provides different insight or perspective
   • What are ways to intake the word through hearing?
     • Listening to a message
     • Reading a Christian book -- why is that hearing and not reading? Reading is direct intake of the word of God; hearing is where someone else does the hard work
   • APPLICATION:
     • If the strength of hearing is different points of view and thought, then listen to challenging speaker
     • On-line messages / podcasts:
       • www.discipleshiplibrary.com
       • www.reasons.org
         • Science News Flash; I didn't Know That; Straight Thinking; Creation Update; Without a Doubt: The Cell's Design; More Than a Theory; The Bigger Picture; Why the Universe is the Way It is
       • www.rzim.org
         • Just Thinking; Let My People Think
       • www.reasonablefaith.org
         • Defenders; Reasonable Faith
4. Read
   • Rev 1:3 (NIV) Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. [[In context, it is referring to this particular book, but other passages (Ps 19, 119) talk about the benefits of the getting the word]]
   • What changes between hearing and reading?
     • We change senses with reading, we now use our sight
     • But the biggest change is that we directly get God's word into our life, as opposed to a intermediary. We are not reading about God's word, we are directly reading God's word
   • But, beyond the direct aspect, what is the advantage of a bible reading program?
     • A bible reading program provides a perspective; an overview; a historical lay of the land; a way to fit other stories and teachings into
   • The most difficult way to read the bible through -- read from one cover to the other -- you will get stuck somewhere between Leviticus and Deuteronomy
   • APPLICATION:
     • Many of the great Christian leaders read through the whole bible every year
       • 3 Chapters a day and 5 on Sunday
     • I recommend skipping around (see Handout)
     • If you have an e-reader
       • Barnes and Nobles sells "The One Year Bible New Living Translation" (OT, Psalm, Proverb, & NT passage each day) for $9.89
       • Amazon also sells Kindle version for $9.89
     • PC Bible v5 and Logos v4 have bible reading programs with bible software
     • E-sword is free to download, but I don't know if it has a reading program
     • If you have an Android phone (not sure on the iPhone)
       • YouVersion Bible has a built in reading plan and all versions of the bible
       • CrossConnect Bible does not have a reading plan but allows you to download and listen to any chapter of the bible (or version) at no cost
5. Study
   • Acts 17:11 (NIV) Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. [[In context, fits well]]
   • Why is study better than reading?
     • We are really engaging our mind (in fact the degree of mind engagement is the measure of how well you remember)
   • APPLICATION: How to study? You need to tools
     • If you are old-fashioned, you need to build up a library. Key items
       • Good modern study bible
       • Concordance (prefer Strongs because it adds a Greek and Hebrew dictionary)
       • Naves topical bible (useful for topical studies)
       • An additional version (Amplified bible) -- parallel bible
       • Treasury of Scripture knowledge (one of the best cross-reference resources out there)
       • A good commentary (personal recommendation: www.soniclight.com/constable/notes.htm
     • If you have a PC
       • You can download E-Sword for free (www.e-sword.net/index.html) -- modern bible versions will cost you $20-$30
       • Or use an on-line tool, www.blueletterbible.org -- you have to be on-line, but everything is free to access (bible versions, commentaries, even audio)
         • There is a version for the iPad
       • If you want to spend $50-$750, you can buy various versions of PC Study Bible or Libronix' Logos or others
     • I would not recommend bible study on an Android phone or an iPhone (iPad is probably okay)
       • You need multiple windows in view
       • You need a good picture of what you have
       • If you do it the old-fashioned way, you need a desk with a lot of space to spread out
       • You need a pen and pencil or some-type of word-processor (if you have an extra computer, you can put Linux on it, and get a free
   • APPLICATION: Specific study techniques
     • Passage / paragraph analysis #1
       • The following is a format to follow for a plan of Bible Study called STS, or Search the Scriptures.
   Passage: (List the particular passage you are going to analyze.)
   Point of the Passage: (What is it really saying?)
   Parallel Passages:
   Verse Reference Key Thought:
   Problems of the Passage: What is difficult to understand or deal with?
   Profit of the Passage: How is this applicable to me? Make as many practical applications as possible.
   
   • Detailed paragraph study #2
     • Pray -- only the Holy Spirit can reveal the deep truths of God's word
     • Read the chapter through multiple times (check context)
     • Read the paragraph under consideration several times
       • Read other bible versions
     • Outline the paragraph
       • Identify non-routine words
       • Identify key phrases, principles, or words as outline headings. Use less important phrases, words supporting statements as sub-points
       • Write the headings and sub-points in your own words
     • Record cross references with connecting thoughts
     • Define words (dictionary, lexicon, word study books)
     • Fill out a table where the rows are each verse and the columns are Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, Personal application, Questions). Not every block need be filled in
   Table with columns: Verse; Observation; Interpretation; Correlation; Application; Questions
   1:1
   1:2
   …Last verse then 1. Develop a new outline of the passage. 2. Record a paragraph title and key verse. and 3. Read a commentary on paragraph (Constable (see above) is a good reference)
   

• Verse analysis

Date of Study _________________ Verse Analyzed___________________

1. What is the thought preceding this verse?
2. What is the thought immediately following this verse?
3. State in your own words what this verse means. What is the writer saying?
4. How is it translated in other versions?
5. What are the key Greek / Hebrew words in the verse? What is the Greek definition for each?
6. Indicate in writing how you can apply this to your own life.

• Word Study
• English word
  • Various translations:
  • Dictionary definition:
• Greek word (s):
  • Lexicon definition:
  • Definitions (other Greek sources):
• NT references (same Greek word):
• Greek synonyms:
• Table w/columns: Total; Translated as:; In New Testament; By Author; In this section

6.  Memorize

• Ps 119:9,11 (NIV) How can a young man keep his way pure? // By living according to your word. // 11 I have hidden your word in my heart // that I might not sin against you.
• Comparing study to memorization, what is the advantage of memorization?
  • Longer term retention
  • Recall
  • Transformation
    • Rom 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
      • We are called to be transformed by renewing our mind
    • Isa 55:10-11 (NIV) As the rain and the snow // come down from heaven,// and do not return to it // without watering the earth // and making it bud and flourish, // so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, // 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: // It will not return to me empty, // but will accomplish what I desire // and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
      • God's word causes change
    • Heb 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
      • God's word can root out the issues of sin in our life
• APPLICATION:
  • How to memorize; what to memorize?
    • The Topical Memory System by the Navigators (60 key verses covering all aspects of a Christian's life)
    • Key verses from QT or bible study or your reading program
    • A New Testament book like Philippians
  • At one Navigator conference, an individual who had memorized thousands of verses challenged us with memorizing 1000 verses. You can do it at a verse a day for three years
  • Instructions:
    • Reference fore and aft
    • Once a day for six weeks
    • Regular review -- usually once a month
  • Review:
    • http://versemachine.calvinf.com/tms/quiz
    • Android app: studydroid flash cards
  • Create your own cards
    • Use business cards stock paper
    • Use Microsoft word and a business card template
    • I buy 50 at a time from www.americankelco.com/businesscardholders.html

7.  (Optional) The sixth finger -- fits between Read and Study -- Devotional Time

• Devotional Time includes Quiet Time (QT) and Time Alone with God (TAG)
• It is not reading because …
  • The goal is not to get a broad view of scripture, but rather to hear God speak
  • Usually, the number of verses read is few, a paragraph or two, sometimes only a verse or two

• It is not study because …
  • I'm not consulting other resources (usually)
  • I'm not trying to figure out meaning; I'm listening to God speaking

• It adds prayer -- in a purposeful sense because prayer should be a part of every activity involved with the word of God
  • I respond to God in prayer

• I add journaling
  • I record what the verse says
  • I record what the verse means to me
  • I record what I need to do as a result (meditation / application)

8. Meditate

• Ps 1:1-3 (NIV) Blessed is the man // who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked // or stand in the way of sinners // or sit in the seat of mockers. // 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, // and on his law he meditates day and night. // 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, // which yields its fruit in season // and whose leaf does not wither. // Whatever he does prospers.
  • What is the result? Meditation is like the nourishment of the river to the tree's roots and the sun to the tree's leaves
  • Nourishment implies that you get something out of it. So tools of meditation are designed to help you get something out. I see a direct link between meditation and application. Good meditation ends in application

• AEIOU
  • Ask questions: who, what, where, when, why and how
  • Emphasize different word
    • THE LORD is my shepherd ...
    • The Lord IS my shepherd ...
    • The Lord is MY shepherd ...
    • The Lord is my SHEPHERD …
  • In your own words
    • Paraphrase the verse
  • Other verses
    • Look for cross-references that relate to the verse
  • Use it
    • How can I apply this verse to my life?

• Time travel
  • Imagine yourself back in time
  • What is the day like? What do you see, smell, feel, hear, and taste?
  • How are people responding? What are different people thinking: believers, skeptics, the not-so-sure?
  • What is going on around? Are there distractions?
  • How does "imagining yourself in the time" effect your understanding of the passage /verse?

• SPECK (more application oriented)
  • Sin(s) to confess
  • Promise(s) to claim
  • Example(s) to follow or avoid
  • Command(s) to obey
  • Knowledge about God to incorporate

Class Notes, Eph 5:15-33

Review:
The Christian's conduct 4:1—6:20
1. Spiritual walk 4:1—6:9
1. Walking in unity 4:1-16
2. Walking in holiness 4:17-32
3. Walking in love 5:1-6
4. Walking in light 5:7-14
5. Walking in wisdom 5:15—20
6. Walking in submission 5:21-6:9
2. Spiritual warfare 6:10-20
Conclusion 6:21-24
Eph 5:15-20 (NIV) 15 Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1.  Verse 15 defines the topic area as … wise living.  How is wise living initially defined
• Carefulness -- deliberate type of living, one involving the comparison of choices, one following some logical sequence, while not dismissing spontaneity, there is a time and place for reactionary choices
• Deliberate living also suggests that there is a standard -- I would argue that our standard is the word of God
2. What are the characteristics of wise living and what do they mean?
• First, is making the most of every opportunity
• The why is that the days are evil
• Carpe Diem -- Seize the day.  What is God calling me to do that I have been putting off
• Wise living is characterized by moving out on the things God speaks to you
• Heb 10:39 (NIV) But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
• The Hebrew Christians were falling back into the world
• The Hebrew Christians were not different from those around them
• The Hebrew Christians were ashamed of the gospel
• Secondly, wise living is differentiated from foolishness
• Foolishness is characterized by impulsiveness
• Foolishness is also characterized by lack of knowledge (knowing what is true) and experience (getting advice from wise persons)
• Contrasted with foolishness is knowing what the Lord's will is -- how do we determine God's will?
• God's word (the main key to knowing God's will)
• Prayer
• Wise counsel, sometimes circumstances, and personal leading
• Third, be filled with the Spirit
• Notice the corresponding passage -- what is the same and what is different
• Col 3:16-17 (NIV) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
• Notice the similarity: Psalms and hymns, gratitude, and then instructions regarding husbands, wives, children, parents, slaves, and masters
• "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" is the only thing different, and would be equated with being filled with the Spirit
• The phrase "do not get drunk with wine" also gives us some insight.  Drunkenness suggests lack of mental discipline
• Fourth, wise living is characterized as being thankful
• Hymns and songs of worship
• Making music in your heart
• Giving thanks to God for everything
Eph 5:21 (NIV) Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
3. I believe this is the key word for the entire next section -- mutual submission
• Greek word for submission is hupotasso meaning to subordinate
• Subordinate suggests to voluntarily place under
Eph 5:22-24 (NIV) Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
4. The first part of mutual submission regards women
• The word "submit" does not appear in the oldest Greek texts
• So, each of the relationships are to submit to each other.  The wife is to place herself under her husband's authority
• The example for the wife is how the church, the body, submits to Christ as the head of the church
• Of course, it definitely helps to have a husband who is the spiritual head of the home
• It is difficult for the wife to submit to a husband who does lead spiritually.  The danger is that the wife may try to lead the home spiritually
• It is very difficult for the wife to lean on prayer, but often times that is the only option the wife has
Eph 5:25-33 (NIV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."  32 This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
5. The second part of mutual submission regards men
• The husband's submission is to love his wife
• The husband also has his example in Christ in two aspects
• One, in how he loved the Church
• Two, in how he sacrificially gave himself up for her
• What is Christ' purpose?
• To make her holy
• To cleanse her
• To present her as a radiant church
• To present her without stain, wrinkle, or any other blemish
• To present her blameless
• If this is Christ' purpose for the church, how does that relate to the husband?
• To see her reach her full potential
• To see her as beautiful and special, just as Christ treats his church
• Paul gives further explanation
• A husband's love for his wife should be as his love for his own body
• A husband is to care for his wife, provide for her needs (food, shelter, and clothing)
6. APPLICATION: The husband is to love his wife sacrificially, meaningfully, and intelligently.
• The husband's responsibility is active, that is, it requires "doing" 
• The wife's responsibility is attitudinally, that is, it is seen in her attitude more than her actions

Class Notes, Eph 5:1-14

Eph 5:1-2 (NIV) Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
1. This is the third section on the practical application of being a member of God's family, a citizen of God's kingdom, and part of this new thing the church, the merging of Jew and Gentile.  Verses 1-2 form the thesis statement for this next area.  What is the emphasis and why?
• Walk in love -- 2 reasons
• Be imitators of God -- why? Going back to chapter 2-3, you are a member of God's family
• Love as Christ loved us -- how? Sacrificial love.  Truly is a sacrifice which is indicative of the words "fragrant offering"
2. The next verses are best understood in the context of the introductory statements
• Live a life of love
• The example of God and His son is the positive context
Eph 5:3-7 (NIV) But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person — such a man is an idolater — has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
3. So from the negative point of view, what does Paul list that is not part of a life of love?
• Sexual immorality - Greek word porneia meaning adultery and incest.  Interestingly, the word figuratively means idolatry.  How does this fit with the topic of love?
• Love has been perverted in our society
• Sex is outside of the context that God placed it for our good.  Sex is a good thing, but even good things have rules to prevent them from being a bad thing
• Pornography is the ultimate idolatry, where my satisfaction comes first and foremost
• Any kind of impurity.  This is a broader term for all types of uncleanness.  It is the Greek word akatharsia meaning physically or morally unclean.  Thayer describes the moral sense as the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate (recklessly wasteful, wildly extravagant) living.  How does love fit?
• This person is in love with themselves
• There only purpose is to please themselves
• They give very little of themselves  to others so that they can focus on themselves.  They are in love with themselves
• All of this starts out in a sexual context, and the living described here is very likely focused on lustful immorality
• Greed.  Greek word pleonexia.    Louw and Nida define it as a "strong desire to acquire more and more material possessions or to possess more things than other people have, all irrespective of need - 'greed, avarice, covetousness.'
• Again the focus is on self
• Likewise, the greed may refer to sexual possessions and experiences
• So far, the main thought is that the negative aspect of love is love for self.  Consequently, the godly aspect of love is a love for others (in a right manner)
4. Paul now focuses on our speech in light of love.  And there is probably still a sexual component to this ...
• Obscenity.  This is just filthy or dirty speech.  Nowadays we are seeing more and more of this talk presented as natural in everyday contexts.  And I am sure, the world is following like dumb dogs.  But it is not true in all work places and presents a very misleading picture.  Most obscenities seem to have a sexual nature
• Foolish talk.  This is talk that is both foolish and stupid.  Trench describes it as the "talk of fools" which is foolishness and sin together
• Coarse joking usually involves vulgar expressions and indecent content.  It can be witty, but it is often pointed (which suggests sarcasm) or with indecent content
• One of the great destroyers of marriages is sarcasm
• Sarcasm can work between common-sex friends, usually men, but very seldom works in other contexts
• It might even start out cute and fun, but in the long run brings a steady deterioration of the relationship -- partly because sometimes the barbs are true, and soon one has difficulty in distinguishing the difference
5. Finally Paul makes a very interesting statement
• First, in chapter one, Paul stated that believers have an inheritance
• Secondly, Christians can live carnal lives (1 Cor 3:1-4)
• So, the contrast is really between believer and unbeliever
• One is part of the kingdom and the other is not part of the kingdom
• So the inference is, why would we, who a part of  the kingdom, live like those who are not part of the kingdom
• Another possibility which is supported by other scripture is that our inheritance is affected by how we live.  The word "any" in the AV, NKJV, and NIV is not found in the Greek
• This would fit with the believer's judgment described in 1 Cor
• In any case, since all believers struggle with sin, this would be a person who is habitually or as a way of life lives this way.  In which case, one can question his salvation
Eph 5:8-14 (NIV) For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."
6. Now Paul urges them to live as children of the light.  What does it mean to live in the light?
• First, it is contrasted with how they used to live -- "once were darkness" -- so it is a different lifestyle than you lived before you came to Christ
• Goodness.  Greek word agathoosunee meaning uprightness of heart and life.  It is found only in biblical and church writings.  [suggests that it is not one of the words that the world uses a lot]
• Opposite would be a heart and life exhibiting the worst of the world's virtues
• Righteousness.  Greek word for dikaiosunee meaning the virtue or quality or state of one who is diakaios (observing divine and human laws) -- one who is such as he ought to be
• I like the simple definition for righteousness -- doing what is right
• Opposite would be doing what is wrong habitually
• Truth.  Greek word aletheia meaning truth or verity
• Opposite is someone who doesn't think twice about lying or shading the truth if it suits his purpose
7. Instead of being involved in darkness, we should
• Not even talk about it
• Expose it.  How does a believer expose sin?
• Not by drawing attention to the sin.  Although in the case of believers, we do need to confront sin
• But by drawing attention to the light.  If we are light, our lives are a testimony against sin