Test and prove
This phrase emphasizes the importance of discernment and examination in the Christian life. In the context of Ephesians, Paul is urging believers to carefully evaluate their actions and beliefs to ensure they align with God's will. The Greek word used here, "dokimazō," implies a process of testing or proving something to determine its authenticity or value. This concept is echoed in Romans 12:2, where believers are encouraged to be transformed by the renewing of their minds to discern God's will. The idea of testing is also seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:21, where Paul advises to "test all things" and hold on to what is good.

what pleases the Lord
This phrase focuses on the ultimate goal of a believer's life: to live in a way that is pleasing to God. The notion of pleasing God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, as seen in Colossians 1:10, where Paul prays for believers to live a life worthy of the Lord and to please Him in every way. Pleasing God involves obedience, faith, and love, as highlighted in Hebrews 11:6, which states that without faith, it is impossible to please God. The cultural context of Ephesians, written to a diverse audience in Ephesus, a city known for its pagan worship and immorality, underscores the call for Christians to stand apart by living lives that reflect God's holiness and righteousness. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of God's people being set apart for His purposes, as seen in the Old Testament with Israel and fulfilled in the New Testament through the Church.

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor, Ephesus was a center of commerce and culture. The Ephesian church was one of the early Christian communities to which Paul wrote.

3. The Ephesian Church
The recipients of the letter, this early Christian community faced challenges from both pagan influences and internal disputes.Discernment as a Spiritual Discipline
Believers are called to actively discern and test what aligns with God's will. This requires a deep engagement with Scripture and prayer.

Pleasing God as a Life Goal
Our actions and decisions should be guided by a desire to please God, not merely to follow rules or seek approval from others.

The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit aids in understanding and discerning what pleases God. We should seek His guidance in our daily lives.

Practical Testing of Actions
Evaluate your daily actions and decisions by asking if they align with biblical principles and reflect Christ's love.

Community and Accountability
Engage with fellow believers to gain insights and accountability in discerning what pleases the Lord.(10) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.--So in Romans 12:2, the "proving what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God," is the fruit of transformation "in the renewing of the mind." "To prove" is to try in each case, by the full light of God, what is accordant to His will; it is a work partly of thought, partly of practical experience; and it always implies a searching examination of heart and action by the touchstone of God's word.

Verse 10. - Proving what is well-pleasing to the Lord. A general rule applicable to the whole walk. To prove is to ascertain by test and experiment. Our whole walk should be directed to finding out what things are pleasing to Christ, rejecting at once everything that is not so, and clinging to all that is. We are not to follow the tradition of our people, and not to take a vague view of duty; we are to prove the matter, to put it to the test. For the supreme practical rule of the Christian's life must be to please Christ.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Test and prove
δοκιμάζοντες (dokimazontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1381: From dokimos; to test; by implication, to approve.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

pleases
εὐάρεστον (euareston)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2101: Acceptable, well-pleasing (especially to God), grateful. From eu and arestos; fully agreeable.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Lord.
Κυρίῳ (Kyriō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.


Ephesians 5:10 NIV
Ephesians 5:10 NLT
Ephesians 5:10 ESV
Ephesians 5:10 NASB
Ephesians 5:10 KJV

Ephesians 5:10 BibleApps.com
Ephesians 5:10 Biblia Paralela
Ephesians 5:10 Chinese Bible
Ephesians 5:10 French Bible
Ephesians 5:10 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Ephesians 5:10 Proving what is well pleasing to (Ephes. Eph. Ep)