QT 31/08/2026 Mon Ephesians 5 Partnering and De-Partnering 结伴与分道扬镳

QT 31/08/2026 Mon Ephesians 5  Partnering and De-Partnering
READ https://www.esv.org/Ephesians+5

Every partnership is shaping your life. Some pull you toward darkness. Others draw you closer to Christ. In Ephesians 5, Paul tells us who to walk away from—and who to walk with.

Ephesians 5 presents two contrasting calls. As followers of Christ, we are to de-partner from everything that belongs to darkness and partner with one another in a way that reflects the gospel. Paul shows that the Christian life is not only about what we leave behind, but also about what—and whom—we embrace.

(1) De-partner from darkness (Ephesians 5:1–20)

Paul begins by calling believers to "walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us" (5:2). Because we belong to Christ, certain patterns of life no longer fit our new identity.

First, believers are to separate themselves from sinful speech and conduct. Paul warns against sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthy talk, foolish talk, and crude joking (5:3–4). These are not merely isolated acts but habits that characterise those outside God's kingdom (5:5).

He therefore commands, "Therefore do not become partners with them." (Ephesians 5:7, ESV) Again he says, "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." (Ephesians 5:11, ESV)

This does not mean withdrawing from the world or refusing to love unbelievers. Jesus Himself ate with sinners. Rather, Paul warns against participating in or approving lifestyles that oppose God's holiness. Christians are called to be light, not merely observers of darkness.

Second, believers are to de-partner from foolishness. "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (5:17)

Instead of allowing the world to shape our thinking, we are to pursue God's wisdom, be filled with the Spirit (5:18), worship together, encourage one another, and continually give thanks to God (5:19–20).

Reflection: Are there relationships, influences, conversations, or habits that I have partnered with that are slowly dulling my walk with Christ?

(2) Partner with one another in Christlike love (Ephesians 5:21–33)

Having explained what believers must leave behind, Paul turns to the relationships they are to cultivate. The foundation is this:

"Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." (5:21)

Biblical submission is not rooted in wealth, authority, education, social standing, or pedigree. Its foundation is reverence for Christ. Because Jesus is Lord, believers willingly seek one another's good with humility and love.

Paul then applies this principle to a few relationships in the rest of the epistle, but firstly, to marriage.

Wives are called to submit to their husbands "as to the Lord" (5:22–24). Husbands are commanded to love their wives, "as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." (5:25)

Notice the extraordinary standard placed upon the husband. Christ's love was sacrificial, costly, and life-giving. He did not merely give up comfort or convenience—He gave up His very life. If someone asks for your life, they are asking for everything. This is the depth of sacrificial love Paul calls husbands to imitate.

Likewise, the wife's submission is comprehensive: "...as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands." (5:24)

Neither instruction is about superiority or inferiority. Rather, both husband and wife are called to give themselves fully to one another according to God's design. Their different roles serve the same goal: displaying the love, unity, and faithfulness that Christ has for His church.

(3) Marriage points to a greater partnership

Paul concludes with a remarkable statement: "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church." (5:32) Marriage is not an end in itself. It is a living picture of the gospel.

Every faithful Christian marriage points beyond itself to the greater relationship between Christ and His redeemed people. Christ is the Bridegroom who gave Himself completely for His bride. The church joyfully responds in loving submission to her Saviour. Human relationships, at their best, become signposts directing the world to Jesus Christ.

Gospel Application

Ephesians 5 calls believers to make two deliberate choices every day.

*First, de-partner from sin, darkness, and foolishness. Refuse to participate in attitudes and actions that dishonor Christ.

*Second, partner with fellow believers—and especially within marriage—in humility, sacrificial love, and mutual devotion, all out of reverence for Christ.

*Ultimately, our greatest Partner is Christ Himself. He did not remain distant from sinners but gave Himself completely to redeem His bride. Having received such immeasurable grace, we are now called to walk in love, reflect His character, and build relationships that bear witness to the gospel.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us out of darkness into Your marvelous light. Help us to turn away from sinful partnerships and to pursue wisdom, holiness, and Spirit-filled living. Teach us to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ and to love sacrificially as Jesus loved the church. May our relationships, especially our marriages, reflect the beauty of the gospel and point others to our faithful Saviour. In Jesus' name, Amen.

QT 31/08/2026 星期一  以弗所书 5 结伴与分道扬镳
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/eph/5/

每一段伙伴关系都在塑造你的生命。有些将你拉向黑暗，有些则使你更亲近基督。在《以弗所书》第5章中，保罗告诉我们该远离谁——又该与谁同行。

《以弗所书》第5章提出了两个截然不同的呼召。作为基督的跟随者，我们应当与一切属于黑暗的事物断绝关系，并以彰显福音的方式彼此相交。保罗表明，基督徒的生活不仅关乎我们舍弃什么，更关乎我们接纳什么——以及接纳谁。

(1) 与黑暗断绝关系（《以弗所书》5:1–20）

保罗首先呼吁信徒“要凭着爱心行事，好像基督爱我们，为我们舍己”（5:2）。因为我们属于基督，某些生活模式已不再符合我们新的身份。

首先，信徒要远离罪恶的言语和行为。保罗警告要远离淫乱、污秽、贪婪、污秽的言语、愚妄的言语和粗俗的玩笑（5:3–4）。这些并非仅仅是孤立的行为，而是那些在神国度之外之人的典型习惯（5:5）。

因此，他吩咐说：“所以，不要与他们同流合污。”（以弗所书 5:7）他又说：“不要参与暗昧无益的事，倒要把它揭露出来。”（以弗所书 5:11）

这并不意味着要脱离世界，或拒绝爱那些不信主的人。耶稣自己也曾与罪人同桌用餐。相反，保罗告诫我们，不要参与或认可那些违背上帝圣洁的生活方式。基督徒被召唤成为光，而非仅仅是黑暗的旁观者。

其次，信徒应当与愚昧划清界限。“因此，不要作糊涂人，要明白什么是主的旨意。”（5:17）

我们不应让世界塑造我们的思维，而要追求神的智慧，被圣灵充满（5:18），一同敬拜，彼此鼓励，并不断感谢神（5:19–20）。

反思：我是否参与了某些关系、受到某些影响、进行了某些对话，或是养成了某些习惯，这些正在慢慢削弱我与基督同行的生命？

(2) 以基督般的爱彼此相爱（以弗所书 5:21–33）

在阐明信徒必须摒弃什么之后，保罗转向了他们应当培养的关系。其根基在于：

“还要存敬畏基督的心，彼此顺服。”（5:21）

圣经所说的顺服并非植根于财富、权柄、教育、社会地位或血统。其根基在于对基督的敬畏。正因耶稣是主，信徒才甘心乐意地以谦卑和爱心寻求彼此的益处。

保罗随后在书信的其余部分将这一原则应用于几种人际关系，但首先是婚姻关系。

妻子被呼召要“像顺服主一样”顺服丈夫（5:22–24）。丈夫则被吩咐要爱妻子，“好像基督爱教会，为教会舍己”（5:25）。

请注意，这为丈夫设定的标准是何等非凡。基督的爱是牺牲的、代价高昂的，且赋予生命。祂不仅舍弃了安逸与便利——祂更是舍弃了自己的生命。若有人索要你的生命，就等于索要你的一切。这就是保罗呼吁丈夫们效法的牺牲之爱的深度。

同样，妻子的顺服也是全面的：“教会怎样顺服基督，妻子也要照样凡事顺服丈夫。”（5:24）

这两项教导都不是关于优越或劣等。相反，丈夫和妻子都被呼召按照神的旨意，全然地献身于对方。他们不同的角色服务于同一个目标：彰显基督对祂的教会所怀有的爱、合一和信实。

(3) 婚姻指向更伟大的伙伴关系

保罗以一段引人深思的话作结：“这是极大的奥秘，但我是指着基督和教会说的。” (5:32) 婚姻本身并非目的，而是福音的活生生的写照。

每一段忠实的基督徒婚姻，都指向超越自身、更宏大的基督与祂所救赎之民之间的关系。基督是新郎，祂为新娘全然献上了自己。教会则满怀喜乐地以爱心的顺服回应她的救主。人际关系若能达到最佳状态，便会成为指引世人归向耶稣基督的路标。

福音应用

《以弗所书》第五章呼吁信徒每天做出两个有意识的选择。

*首先，与罪、黑暗和愚昧断绝关系。拒绝参与任何有损基督尊荣的态度和行为。

*其次，与信徒同工——特别是在婚姻中——以谦卑、牺牲的爱和彼此委身，这一切都出于对基督的敬畏。

*归根结底，我们最伟大的伙伴就是基督自己。祂没有与罪人保持距离，而是全然献上自己来救赎祂的新娘。既蒙受了如此无量的恩典，我们如今被呼召要在爱中行走，彰显祂的品格，并建立能为福音作见证的人际关系。

祷告

天父，感谢祢呼召我们出离黑暗，进入祢奇妙的光明之中。求祢帮助我们远离罪恶的伙伴关系，追求智慧、圣洁和被圣灵充满的生活。教导我们因敬畏基督而彼此顺服，并像耶稣爱教会那样以牺牲的爱去爱人。愿我们的关系——尤其是婚姻——能彰显福音的美好，并引导他人归向我们信实的救主。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。