Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse urges us to "imitate God" not just as a general principle, but specifically in His kindness and forgiveness, just as beloved children naturally reflect their parents' character. This connection highlights that our relationship with God as His "beloved children" is the very reason and motivation for us to mirror His loving actions.
Paul is wrapping up his discussion on Christian living, emphasizing kindness, forgiveness, and unity within the church. He concludes chapter 4 by reminding believers how God in Christ has forgiven them, setting the stage for them to imitate that divine grace and love in their own lives. This call to imitate God and walk in love directly flows from the forgiveness and fatherly love they have received.
Understand the original words
mimētai · Greek Noun
One who replicates the character, attributes, or actions of another; in this context, the believer’s calling to reflect God’s holy character in their daily life.
tekna · Greek Noun
Those who have been brought into a familial relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, enjoying His affection, care, and protection.
peripateite · Greek Verb
To live, conduct oneself, or behave in a specific manner; in Scripture, it often refers to the entirety of a person’s moral and spiritual life path.
prosphoran · Greek Noun
A sacrificial gift or presentation offered to God; in this context, it emphasizes the sacrificial nature of Christ’s death as an act of obedience and atonement.
Jesus calls us to be perfect, just as our heavenly Father is perfect, which the context explains means being merciful and loving like Him, directly echoing the call to imitate God.
1 John 4:11This passage emphasizes that if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another, providing the foundational reason and motivation for imitating God's love in our relationships.
Luke 6:36Here, Jesus commands us to 'Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful,' which powerfully illustrates the practical outworking of imitating God's character, especially His mercy.
Romans 8:14-16This passage explains that those led by the Spirit are sons of God, and this divine adoption naturally leads to a desire to live like our heavenly Father, reflecting His character in our lives.
1 Peter 1:15-16Quoting Leviticus, Peter calls believers to 'be holy, because I am holy,' linking our imitation of God to His own divine nature and character, calling us to reflect His holiness.
barnesEphesians 5:1: "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;"
Be ye therefore followers of God - Greek, "Be imitators - μιμηταὶ mimētai - of God." The idea is not that they were to be the friends of God, or numbered among his followers, but that they were to imitate him in the particular thing under consideration. The word "therefore" - οὖν oun - connects this with the previous chapter, where he had been exhorting them to kindness, and to a spirit of forgiveness, and he here entrea…
vincentEphesians 5:1: "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;"
Be ye (γίνεσθε)Become, as Ephesians 4:32.Followers (μιμηταὶ)Rev, correctly, imitators.Dear (ἀγαπητά)Rev., beloved. As those to whom Christ has shown love
The verse urges us to "imitate God" not just as a general principle, but specifically in His kindness and forgiveness, just as beloved children naturally reflect their parents' character. This connection highlights that our relationship with God as His "beloved children" is the very reason and motivation for us to mirror His loving actions.
Paul is wrapping up his discussion on Christian living, emphasizing kindness, forgiveness, and unity within the church. He concludes chapter 4 by reminding believers how God in Christ has forgiven them, setting the stage for them to imitate that divine grace and love in their own lives. This call to imitate God and walk in love directly flows from the forgiveness and fatherly love they have received.
Paul is wrapping up his discussion on Christian living, emphasizing kindness, forgiveness, and unity within the church. He concludes chapter 4 by reminding believers how God in Christ has forgiven them, setting the stage for them to imitate that divine grace and love in their own lives. This call to imitate God and walk in love directly flows from the forgiveness and fatherly love they have received.
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thysian · Greek Noun
The act of offering something valuable (or a life) to God; historically involved the shedding of blood to provide atonement for sin, which Christ fulfilled perfectly.
"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." — The verse urges us to "imitate God" not just as a general principle, but specifically in His kindness and forgiveness, just as beloved children naturally reflect their parents' character. This connec…
