In addition to calling his readers to walk in unity (4:1) and holiness (4:17), Paul urged them to walk in love (5:2). He first advocated positive love (vv. 1-2) and then negatively warned to abstain from evil (vv. 3-6).
5:1 "Therefore"does not introduce a conclusion to what has preceded, but it gives a reason for what follows. It is only normal and natural for children to imitate their parents. So too should the children of God imitate their heavenly Father (cf. Matt. 5:48; Luke 6:36).
5:2 This verse explains how we are to imitate God, namely by loving. The measure and model of our love should be Christ's love for us. He loved us to the extent of dying for us. His self-sacrifice was pleasing and acceptable to God as a sweet aroma. Jesus' death was both an offering of worship to God as the burnt and meal offerings in Judaism and a sacrifice of expiation as the sin and trespass offerings. We also express our love most when we lay down our lives for those we love, particularly God (1 John 3:16).
5:3 The self-centered practices introduced here are the opposite of love. There should be no hint of them in the believer's life. Sexual immorality was common among unsaved Gentiles, but it is totally inappropriate for saints. Impurity is a broader term that includes all types of uncleanness (cf. 4:19). Greed is the lust for more and is essentially idolatry (v. 5).
5:4 The Christian's speech should also demonstrate love (cf. 4:29). Filthiness or obscenity refers to dirty speech. Silly or foolish talk (lit. stupid words) probably describes talk that just wastes time, not necessarily "small talk."Coarse jesting does not mean joking necessarily but vulgar joking that relies on clever word plays such as double entendres. This type of speech is inappropriate for saints who should be full of thanksgiving since we have received so much. Thanksgiving is also edifying.
5:5 Paul warned his readers against improper conduct by reminding them that people who practice such things sacrifice an inheritance in the kingdom to come, namely the millennial kingdom (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:21).123The AV, NKJV, and NIV have "any inheritance,"and the NASB has "an inheritance,"but the Greek text omits the article: "does not have inheritance."Since Paul had already said that all believers have an inheritance in Christ (1:3-14), he was evidently contrasting unbelievers with believers (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:21; Matt. 19:16; Mark 10:17; Luke 18:18).
Interpreters who take this verse as evidence that a truly saved person cannot and will not practice these vices overlook the fact that some genuine believers live carnal lives (cf. 1 Cor. 3:1-4).124
5:6 This verse further stresses the urgency of living lives of love rather than selfishness. The empty words in view would be words teaching that living a moral Christian life is unimportant. They are empty because they are void of content, containing no truth. If the wrath of God is presently coming on the sons of disobedience (cf. 2:2), certainly His own sons can expect His discipline when they practice the same things. Since God is holy He deals with sin wherever He finds it, in unbelievers and in believers alike.
