Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 3, 2019

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for February 3, 2019

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By Jim Barnette, Ph.D.
Samford University and Brookwood Baptist Church, Mountain Brook

When Substances Take Over
Ephesians 5:15–21

Walk wisely. (15–17)

The opening words here are closely related to Colossians 4:5, where Paul writes, “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” In Colossians, however, the Christian’s behavior is related to the impression it makes on others. Here the behavior applies more to internal relationships, especially the worship of the community. 

The path taken by “wise” believers is to be understood in light of its Old Testament background, where wisdom is not an intellectual achievement but rather a discerning knowledge of God and an avoidance of all that displeases Him (see Job 28:28; Ps. 1:1–6; Prov. 4:5). The verb for “redeeming” or “making the most of” one’s time was a market term for being alert to seize an opportunity at a bargain. It was a word that every reader of the epistle would understand. Paul is saying, “Be alert in these days to seize the opportunity at making the right choice. Given our state of depravity we are fortunate that God has given us the capacity to make right choices!” 

The word for “will” basically means “the Lord’s wish.” When the believer faces multiple choices about his or her conduct, the believer is to make the decision on the basis of discerning what the Lord wishes for him or her to do. 

Live under the control of the Holy Spirit, not the control of anything else. (18)

Pagan religion developed the attitude that salvation is debauchery — release from inhibited feelings by intoxication. Even the more ethical Epicureans nevertheless sought such release (1 Cor. 15:32). Some of this loose spirit was being brought into churches, as drunkenness at the Lord’s Supper in Corinth indicates. “Be filled” calls the reader back to Ephesians 1:23, 3:19, and 4:13 where the Church is described as the fullness of God. 

To be filled with the Spirit is the functional equivalent of being in Christ or having Christ in us. This fullness of God the Father and Christ the Son is mediated to the Church by the Holy Spirit. 

Let the control of the Holy Spirit govern how you live and act. (19–21)

One hallmark of the Spirit’s filling is the desire to give vocal expression of devotion “to the Lord” by way of hymns and spiritual songs. 

Three different types of songs are described here, and all three forms were used in early church worship. “Psalms” is based on a verb that originally meant “to stroke” and was related to the playing of a stringed instrument. Hence the word “psalm” came to be used for a song that was sung to an instrumental accompaniment. “Hymns” is a word used for songs of praise to the Sovereign God. Traces of such hymns appear in the New Testament in passages including Philippians 2:6–11, 1 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Timothy 2:11–14. “Songs” were pieces that were more subjective in nature, telling of personal testimony or perhaps telling the story of some biblical hero. 

Through these forms of musical expression Christians edify one another and offer thanks to God for His countless blessings. Paul has a congregational assembly in mind here. This recalling of corporate worship serves as a bridge linking the ethical teaching of these verses with what follows regarding the Church’s submission to Christ.