Eph 5:1 | JFB | e4.org | 1. therefore —seeing that "God in Christ forgave you" ( ). followers — Greek, "imitators" of God, in respect to "love" ( ): God's essential character ( ). as dear children — Greek, "as children beloved "; to which refers, "As Christ also loved us" ( ). "We are sons of men, when we do ill; sons of God, when we do well" [AUGUSTINE , on Psalm 52]; (compare ). Sonship infers an absolute necessity of imitation, it being vain to assume the title of son without any similitude of the Father [PEARSON ].

‏ Ephesians 5:1

1. therefore—seeing that "God in Christ forgave you" (Eph 4:32).

followers—Greek, "imitators" of God, in respect to "love" (Eph 5:2): God's essential character (1Jo 4:16).

as dear children—Greek, "as children beloved"; to which Eph 5:2 refers, "As Christ also loved us" (1Jo 4:19). "We are sons of men, when we do ill; sons of God, when we do well" [AUGUSTINE, on Psalm 52]; (compare Mt 5:44, 45, 48). Sonship infers an absolute necessity of imitation, it being vain to assume the title of son without any similitude of the Father [PEARSON].