Note 3 at Eph. 5:2: Six times in the epistle of Ephesians Paul uses the term "walk." Walk in good works (Eph. 2:10), walk worthy of the calling you've received (Eph. 4:1), walk no longer as the Gentiles do (Eph. 4:17), walk in love (Eph. 5:2), walk as children of light (Eph. 5:8), and walk circumspectly (Eph. 5:15).

This verb PERIPATEO (walk) occurs a total of 96 times in the New Testament. It is translated "walk" 93 times, "go" 1 time, "walk about" 1 time, and "be occupied" 1 time. This word contains the idea of regulating, conducting, and living one's life in a particular manner. In this verse Paul's admonishment to the believer is to conduct his life continually in love, for God is love (1 Jn. 4:8).

Note 4 at Eph. 5:2: The love described here is "agape" love (see note 4 at Jn. 13:35, p. 483) and seeks only the best for its objects regardless of feelings. As described here, the Cross is the ultimate definition of love: "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8, NIV). For additional information about agape love see reference c at this verse.

Note 5 at Eph. 5:2: The phrase "for us" in this verse comes from the Greek words HUPER HEMON. According to the Greek scholar Kenneth S. Wuest, "HUPER is the great preposition of substitutionary atonement in the New Testament, and means, 'instead of, in behalf of.' It does not merely mean that Christ died for us, for our benefit, but He died instead of us, in our place. He substituted for us, receiving the full impact of the Divine wrath against sin" (Wuest's Word Studies, p.119).