What does "walk in love" mean in the context of Ephesians 5:2? Canonical Text “and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.” — Ephesians 5:2 Immediate Literary Context Ephesians 4:17 – 5:21 draws a sharp contrast between the futile “walk” of the Gentiles and the new “walk” of those created after God in righteousness. Verse 2 functions as the positive heart of five “walk” commands (5:2, 8, 15; cf. 4:1, 17). Old Testament Grounding Paul echoes Leviticus 19:18 (“love your neighbor as yourself”) and Deuteronomy 6:5 (“love the LORD your God”). The same God who commanded covenant love in the Torah now empowers it in Christ, fulfilling Ezekiel 36:26-27. Christological Model The clause “just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us” grounds the command in the historical, substitutionary death and bodily resurrection of Jesus (cf. Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Love is defined, not abstractly, but by the cross: a voluntary, atoning act that secured redemption (Ephesians 1:7) and was vindicated historically by the empty tomb attested by multiple eyewitness groups (1 Corinthians 15:5-8; Habermas & Licona, “Minimal Facts”). Sacrificial-Aroma Imagery “Fragrant offering” (προσφορὰν καὶ θυσίαν, ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας) alludes to Levitical burnt offerings whose smoke rose as “a pleasing aroma to the LORD” (Leviticus 1:9). Christ fulfills every type—burnt, sin, peace offerings—rendering further sacrifices obsolete (Hebrews 10:10-14). To “walk in love” is therefore to embody lives that ascend to God with the same pleasing fragrance (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). Contrast with the Pagan Walk First-century Ephesus teemed with Artemis worship, ritual prostitution, and magic texts (validated by the “Ephesian letters” amulets unearthed in 1869–72). Paul counters that culture with holy love: purity over lust (5:3-5), mutual servanthood over exploitation (5:21 – 6:9). Communal Dimension The plural imperative shows that loving conduct is inseparable from covenant community. Early Christian apologist Aristides (ca. A.D. 125) testifies: “They love one another, and he who has gives to him who lacks.” This social evidence corroborates the textual summons. Theological Synthesis 1. Ground: Christ’s atoning, historical self-gift. 2. Mode: Continuous, Spirit-enabled lifestyle (Ephesians 5:18). 3. Goal: God’s glory displayed through a fragrant community. 4. Scope: Personal holiness, marital fidelity, family nurture, vocational integrity. Practical Outworking • Forgive sacrificially (5:1 – 2 links to 4:32). • Serve materially (1 John 3:17). • Speak grace (Ephesians 4:29). • Guard purity (5:3-4). • Practice hospitality (Romans 12:10-13). Conclusion “Walk in love” in Ephesians 5:2 is a Spirit-empowered, continuous lifestyle modeled on Christ’s historic, sacrificial death and resurrection, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial aroma, contrasting pagan self-seeking, manifesting communal witness, and glorifying God until Christ returns. |
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