Ephesians 5:7 – Don’t Touch It

Be not ye therefore partakers with them. (KJV)

Therefore because of what has been spoken in the previous sentence – the wrath of God will fall upon the children of disobedience. Because of the coming judgement, says Paul, be not ye partakers with them! Them is speaks back to the children of disbelief, and by partaking, it’s specifically about the six categories/actions that Paul previously mentioned to ‘not once be named among you as becomes saints‘.

The word for partakers can be also translated as co-participant. It distinguishes between being in the world and being part of the world. The Christian is called to a life of holiness. This life is possible to live in whatever context you may find yourself. You don’t have to go to a monastery or hide out in a cave. However, to become a co-participant with the unbelievers in actions that are unfit for a saint will very much lead to damnation and judgement. Be in the world, be a light in the world. Do not join hands with the world. Only a few verses later, Paul will strike this nail on the head again when he says, ‘Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness!’

The message of Ephesians 5 rings loud and clear to any who are paying attention – there are things that do not belong at all in the life of a saint. Get rid of them, don’t touch them, don’t have any association with them. Pursue the life of one who has been sanctified.

This message is not a new message. Way back in Isaiah 52:11, the prophet declares, ‘Depart ye, depart ye. Go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing. Go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean that bear the vessels of the LORD.’ And further back in Proverbs 9:6, Solomon writes, ‘Forsake the foolish, and live!’ And finally, in the children of Israel’s journey to the Promised Land, this became a literal command when Moses pled with the children of Israel in Korah’s rebellion to ‘Depart from the tents of these wicked men and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.’ (Num 16:26)

The message is clear and final. If you wish to be a child of God, you must separate yourself from anything unholy. The two will not mix together.