Section 5:1–20

Paul described behavior which is fitting for believers

In chapter 5, Paul continued with the subject of Christian behavior, which he had begun in the last section of chapter 4. So it is not necessary to start a new section here. One reason to start a new section here is to help the reader, as the previous section is already long. Some English versions begin a new section at 5:1 (Berean Standard Bible, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), NET Bible, God’s Word, New Century Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New King James Version), and some do not (New International Version, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, New Jerusalem Bible, Contemporary English Version, Revised English Bible, King James Version). You may want to consult your national translation and follow their example.

In this section, Paul exhorted the Christians to imitate God and avoid the sins of the pagan people surrounding them.

Here are some other examples for a heading for this section:

Living in the light (Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version)
-or-
Imitate God (God’s Word)

Paragraph 5:1–5

5:1a

Be imitators of God: The word “imitate” means “to copy the behavior, appearance, or speech, of another person.” People who are imitators of God are those who “behave in the same way as God.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

try to be like God (Good News Translation, New Century Version)
-or-
do as God does (Contemporary English Version)

therefore: The conjunction therefore links 4:32 to 5:1 as an expanded conclusion. In 4:32 Paul said that we should be kind, considerate and forgive others just as God has forgiven us. In 5:1, Paul made a conclusion with a more general statement and expanded on it in the following verses. We should follow God’s example in all our behavior.

In some languages, it will not be natural to translate this conjunction here. Some English versions leave it untranslated.

Here is another way to translate this conjunction:

In conclusion

5:1b

as beloved children: Here Paul figuratively refers to his readers as as beloved children of God. It should be clear in your translation that that the beloved children are God’s rather than Paul’s. Some translations make this explicit. For example:

because you are his dear children (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
since you are the children he loves (God’s Word)
-or-
Since you are God’s dear children (Good News Translation)

See love, meaning 1 in the Glossary for more information.

General Comment on 5:1a–b

If it is more natural in your language to reverse 5:1a–b, you may want to do so. For example:

5:1b Since you are God’s dear children, 5:1a you must try to be like him. (Good News Translation)

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