Study Eight - Purity

Bible Studies at Bristol Road Baptist Church

Life in the Body of Christ

EPHESIANS STUDY EIGHT : PURITY Chapter 4 17-32

David A. Green BD 28 May 2003

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

Study No. 8

PURITY Chapter 4 verses 17-32 17

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. [There are four paragraphs in the NIV – we are combining the last two into one.]

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ We forget easily that the world into which the new-born Church emerged was a world just like our own. Morality was in steep decline. The spread of the Roman Empire coincided with a loosening of personal morals and a decline in standards. Many of the issues that have preoccupied our 21st Century minds recently – homosexuality, depravity of many kinds, the exploitation of children and a general decline in standards of public life and private mores – those issues were characteristic of the Gentile world in the time of Paul. Those who were the guardians of God’s laws were spread throughout this empire in the Jewish diaspora – and sometimes the effect was salutary. But Judaism itself had become a long argument about traditions, or else it was forced as in recent times, into a ghetto existence and had less effect on others. The Jewish influence upon the emerging Church was mainly concentrated on imposing Jewish outward values on the new believers. In this letter Paul is clearly writing to Gentiles, and he sets about showing the believers that they have to stand out from the darkness of the age. It was not that the gospel was ineffective – but then, as now, the forces of godlessness were doing all they could to taint and corrupt Christians. Satan is busy now as then to dilute the outward witness of the children of God. So, having stressed the necessity of maintaining unity, Paul turns to matters of conduct. The Christ who so wonderfully transforms the believer must be seen at work in the believer’s daily life – making him/her stand out from the crowd of godless selfishness and lax morals. It is worth noting that we are often sheltered by our own church culture from the wider and more divergent morality of our age. We either choose not to know or are in fact ignorant of the way people feel today about what is good living. Impurity has become a standard. If you pause long enough to consider it you will see how our day reflects perfectly the days of the Judges when “everyone does what is right in their own eyes”, having little regard for friends and family even – let alone society and nation. We often look upon these excesses in a superficial way – much as a safari tourist views the wild life from the security of a four wheel drive – or through binoculars, curious indeed – but somehow convinced such things are in another world. They are not. As evangelicals we need to restate the importance of MORALITY. Study Six - Page 3 of 11

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ R W Dale in his lectures on this passage says: “Christian people who are troubled because nothwithstanding all their prayers and all their meditation on eternal things their faith in God is weak, their love for Him cold and inconstant and their hope of eternal glory very dim, would do well to consider whether their spiritual failure may be explained by defective morality.” (p299) We place so much stress upon grace – that we are in danger – as happened in the time of Paul – of losing sight of the importance of Christian behaviour. Those who read Paul’s letter at Ephesus would have known very well about sexual immorality – for the church was positioned in the heart of Artemis country – and the evils that accompanied a sex-based worship were all too evident. From Acts 19 it is evident how the gospel reached Ephesus and what kind of effect it had on the Jewish and the Gentile population. In particular the riot that was provoked there demonstrates the issues that surrounded believers at this time. The Riot in Ephesus About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in no little business for the craftsmen. 25 He called them together, along with the workmen in related trades, and said: “Men, you know we receive a good income from this business. 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all. 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited, and the goddess herself, who is worshipped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” 28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s travelling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theatre. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theatre. 32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defence before the people. 34 But when they realised he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 23

Vested interest had exploited the souvenir trade of the cult of Artemis at Ephesus and confronted with the radical changes that believing brought rioted “about the Way” So as Paul addresses these moral issues he begins by demonstrating the CONTRAST

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

A. A CONTRAST

- the old nature

vv 17-19

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. Paul claims a special emphasis “and insist on it in the Lord” (17) The passage reminds us of the black description of pagan life in Romans 1. There are seven marks of this life: aimless blind ungodly shameless sordid indecent insatiable3

in the futility of their thinking darkened in their understanding separated from the life of God having lost all sensitivity given over to sensuality indulge in every kind of impurity with a continual lust for more

17 18 18 19 19 19 19

AIMLESS No one could have said there was nothing going on – for this was one of the noted regions of the time – attracting visitors and housing many famous institutions. Asia Minor ( as so well depicted in the Seven letters of Revelation ) was growth area – but it was spiritually bankrupt – without purpose and progress. “Chasing the bubbles and shadows…neglecting the great realities of life” (ibid.) BLIND A two fold disability – not understanding because they could not, and made blind because of their rejection of God. Compare Laodicea in Rev 3: 3

Believer’s Bible Commentary (Nelson)

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so that you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so that you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so that you can see.

See how the qualities of the unbelieving world have become the feature of the unbelieving church! UNGODLY “separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” This fundamental and hopeless state of alienation – turning from the God of creations to idolatry – and then plunging further and further away from Him in an increasingly incurable manner. Those three words describe their SPIRITUAL STATE – it is linked to their MORAL DEPRAVITY with the next word: SHAMELESS 19 Having lost all sensitivity, The underlying mental and spiritual processes now bear fruit in a defective conscience which is seared to the point of insensitivity. At first bad conduct produces a twinge – but as conscience is progressively ignored the pain seems less and less – until we have a moral anaesthesia ἀπηλγηκότες (ap-algia) Compare: 1 Timothy 4 v 2 whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. The idea is conveyed by our word “callous” - hardened by repeated sin to the point of insensitivity. The last stage of the process of degradation is set out in the three remaining words: sordid indecent insatiable

which words describe the blatant immorality of the age. Study Six - Page 6 of 11

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ SORDID given over to sensuality The old word “lewd” is rarely used – but if it was it would describe an old form of depravity as well as a new one. When the mind and heart are hard and blind and ignorant, and the conscience is dulled out of existence then the animal takes over – as the displays at Pompeii testify. As The Message translates the verse: 19 They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion. INDECENT

indulge in every kind of impurity The suggestion here is of a trade in impurity – making such behaviour a means of profit and life. INSATIABLE

with a continual lust for more As Jesus said: Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

So does Paul describe the Gentile darkness – beginning with a way of thinking – proceeding with hardness of heart – and culminating in rampant vice.

But against such darkness SEE THE LIGHT A Great Change …

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ

B.

A Great Change

verses 20 - 24

20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. As John says : “The light shines in the darkness…” Against a backdrop all dark with sin and vanity and ugly excess the message of Christ came and He affected a PROFOUND CHANGE. Elsewhere in this letter the message is seen in terms of resurrection and the grave – here it is described in terms of EDUCATION and a change in moral ATTITUDES. We do not often describe the work of salvation in terms of education – but Paul’s language is such language: came to know Him heard of Him were taught in Him

v 20

It is the language of DISCIPLINE and changed habits: you were taught … to put off … to put on…

vv 22-24

This process of CHANGE is progressive, learned, measured and always being applied more and more. It is a process of learning, discipline and example. (a)

It is centred in Christ

vv 20,21

(b)

It is applied by a PUTTING OFF of the old life

v 22

(c)

It is a CHANGE OF ATTITUDE

v 23

(d)

It is a determined PUTTING ON of the new

v23, 24

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ And culminates in the unfashionable words:

RIGHTEOUSNESS HOLINESS

This “manner of life” is the subject of these closing chapters of the letter – but we conclude tonight’s study with reference to one aspect in particular:

C.

A New Conversation

vv 25 — 32

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. If you were to be asked which lessons a new Christian should learn first about the application of the spiritual life in Christ to the day by life in the world where would you begin? In verses 25-32 Paul speaks about: lying anger theft idleness unwholesome talk bitterness and rage At the same time he stresses a new attitude to: One another The Devil and The Holy Spirit

25 27 30 Study Six - Page 9 of 11

Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ It is interesting that so much stress is placed upon TALKING – and the sins that transform talk into lies or anger or unwholesomeness. Paul once again uses a fragment of Scripture to make his point – again from the Psalms, but this time quoting consistently from the LXX of Psa 4 v 4 4 In your anger do not sin; (when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

Selah)

Apart from the commandment to steal no more – but on the contrary be usefully employed – Paul’s advice has to do with CONVERSATION. These are the marks of the changed life – and you will notice that they are given in the context of OUR LIVES TOGETHER AS CHRISTIANS So – notice the threefold emphasis: One another The Devil and The Holy Spirit

25 27 30

The constant refrain concerns our life as members of the Body of Christ

ONE ANOTHER we are all members of one body something to share with those in need helpful for building others up according to their needs

25 28 29

THE DEVIL 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. The Psalm is quoted to reinforce an interesting injunction that illustrates the way in which we can easily allow Satan a way in to spoil our fellowship. Paul does not forbid anger neither does he encourage it – but he does forbid anger with sin.

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Ephesians Life in the Body of Christ “Anger is to be avoided at all costs, but if, for whatever reason, you do get angry, then refuse to indulge such anger so that you do not sin.”4 As James 1 :19 19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. and finally … THE HOLY SPIRIT 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. The Holy Spirit’s most obvious work in the early Church was the power He exercised on speech. It seems natural therefore that Paul should link this warning about grieving the Spirit with his words about speech on the one hand – and kindness and forgiveness on the other. We all too easily forget that in our relationship with each other in the fellowship we may grieve the Holy Spirit – after all He is the One who seals us for the Day of redemption. He is sensitive to the wrongs of believers and looks for a kind and compassionate nature that more than anything else is FORGIVING. With that closing phrase we go full circle – and are back with the thought of Christ forgiving us – which must accompany every moral directive, as it does every act of worship.

David A Green BD 28 May 2003

4

Lincoln, A. T. (1998). Vol. 42: Word Biblical Commentary : Ephesians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System;Word Biblical Commentary (Eph 4:28). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.

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