Ephesians 5:1

Ephesians 5:1

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

a. NLT: Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

b. NIV: Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

c. YLT: Become, then, followers of God, as children beloved,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

e. Worrell Translation: Become ye, therefore, imitators of God, as beloved children.

f. Wuest Translation: Be becoming therefore imitators of God, as children beloved.

g. Peshitta Eastern Text: Be therefore God-like, as beloved children.

1. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”

a. Be [ye] [Strong: 1096 ginomai ghin'-om-ahee a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.]

b. therefore [Strong: 3767  oun oon apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly:--and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.]

c. followers [Strong: 3402 mimetes mim-ay-tace' from 3401; an imitator:--follower.]

1). Rick Renner Daily Devotional: 3/6/16 The word mimetes means to imitate someone or to mimic what you see someone else doing. It was also used to describe actors orperforming arts artists who acted on the stage for their profession. In addition, mimetes frequently depicted the modeling of a parent, teacher, champion, or hero. When a person was known for his high moral character, others were encouraged to emulate or copy that person. The word mimetes is frequently used in the New Testament. For instance, Paul used the word mimetes when he told the Corinthians, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” (1 Corinthians 4:16). This verse could be translated, “I’m urging you to act like me! Watch what I do, and duplicate in your own life everything you see in me.…” In Second Thessalonians 3:7, Paul used the word mimetes when he told the Thessalonians, “For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us.…” This could be translated, “It would behoove you to follow our example — to imitate and mimic us with the goal of replicating the things you observe in our lives.” Hebrews 13:7 also uses the word mimetes. It says, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” The last section of that verse could be translated, “...You need to carefully model your faith after theirs — doing what they do, saying what they say, acting like they act — considering the great maturity and fruit produced by their lives.”

d. of God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

e. as [Strong: 5613 hos hoce probably adverb of comparative from 3739; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.]

f. dear [Strong: 27 agapetos ag-ap-ay-tos' from 25; beloved:--(dearly, well) beloved, dear.]

g. children [Strong: 5043 teknon tek'-non from the base of 5098; a child (as produced):--child, daughter, son.]

1). We are to be like God in our behavior.

a). 1 Peter 1:14-16  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

2). Rick Renner Daily Devotional 3/6/16 When all of this is put together in Ephesians 5:1, it could be interpreted: “Be constantly in the process of becoming more like God — making it your aim to act like Him, to duplicate Him, and to exactly copy Him in every area of your life....”.

3). This all matches what the New Testament declares what God’s will is for us to be transformed into the image of Christ.

a). Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

b). 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.