Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God."
Text: Ephesians 5:5
AN IMPORTANT OBSERVATION
There is a very close linkage between Ephesians 5:3 and Ephesians 5:5. The link is even clearer when we compare the texts consciously:-
Fornication v. 3… Uncleanness v.3 Covetousness v.3
Fornicator v. 5… Unclean person v. 5 Covetous man v. 5
1. The same Greek substantives were used.
2. Therefore Paul must have been making the same reference.
WHAT WAS THE POINT?
The key to understanding what Paul was driving at may be found in the phrase, “who is an idolater”. This phrase links his three references.
Let us ponder why Paul mentioned these details yet again.
1. Some Historical Background
a) The Ephesian Church was set up in the midst of an idolatrous city (Cf. Acts 19).
b The cult of Diana had widespread influence.
c) Common to many of these cultic communities were the things Paul singled out
i) Fornication
ii) Uncleanness
iii) Covetousness
d) The enemies of the Gospel were prepared to go to any lengths to hinder the spread of the Gospel. They even resorted to violence to curb the preaching of the Gospel
2. A challenge to recognize and resist all subtle and wrong influences
Idolatry practised in the ancient world had deadly and pernicious influences. Behind the three references singled out was the problem of idolatry. The unsuspecting believer, the naïve Christian must be warned. Paul used very strong words to warn his readers so that no one would easily fall into the trap laid by idolaters.
Recognition must lead to resistance to all wrong influences, whether blatant or subtle. (The battle against idolatry may be traced all the way back to ancient Israel. Paul certainly did not want the Church to fall into the same snare of idolatry as ancient Israel).