INTRO: We began in the previous message on Ephesians 5. We had a twofold command in verses 1-2. It is very difficult to see how verses 1-2 relate to the passage before it and the one after it. It is these kinds of decisions one needs to make in order to properly interpret a passage. I quoted from Lloyd Jones in the previous message. He said, "It would be interesting, from the mere standpoint of mechanics, to know whether this injunction belongs to the previous section or the Epistle or to the one that follows. Frankly, I cannot make up my mind, I really believe it belongs to both" (291).
I'm not sure that 'mere mechanics' is the right way of putting it but it is certainly interesting and in this case perplexing. It seems to me that it begins a new section by concluding the previous section with the first command, and beginning the new with the second command. If that is correct, the command, "To follow God as dear children" relates to the last words of the previous section. Verse 2 then begins the new.
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