Ephesians 5:1 Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children

◄ Ephesians 5:1 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children

English Standard Version
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

King James Bible
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children.

International Standard Version
So be imitators of God, as his dear children.

American Standard Version
Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children;

Darby Bible Translation
Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children,

Young's Literal Translation
Become, then, followers of God, as children beloved,

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

5:1,2 Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be ye followers of God, imitators of God. Resemble him especially in his love and pardoning goodness, as becomes those beloved by their heavenly Father. In Christ's sacrifice his love triumphs, and we are to consider it fully.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

CHAPTER 5

Eph 5:1-33. Exhortations to Love: And against Carnal Lusts and Communications. Circumspection in Walk: Redeeming the Time: Being Filled with the Spirit: Singing to the Lord with Thankfulness: The Wife's Duty to the Husband Rests on that of the Church to Christ.

1. therefore—seeing that "God in Christ forgave you" (Eph 4:32).

followers—Greek, "imitators" of God, in respect to "love" (Eph 5:2): God's essential character (1Jo 4:16).

as dear children—Greek, "as children beloved"; to which Eph 5:2 refers, "As Christ also loved us" (1Jo 4:19). "We are sons of men, when we do ill; sons of God, when we do well" [Augustine, on Psalm 52]; (compare Mt 5:44, 45, 48). Sonship infers an absolute necessity of imitation, it being vain to assume the title of son without any similitude of the Father [Pearson].