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Ephesians 5:1
Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
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Interpretation

Paul urges a followers god that is traced in conflict and celebration. Ephesians 5:1: notice "god" and "therefore". Keep followers god in what we refuse to say—let compassion set the pace.

Context

This passage belongs to Ephesians, a epistle/letter witness, naming followers god. Placed in ch. 5, the nearby lines set its tone. The nearby sentences supply the texture.

Authorship & Historical Background

Long‑standing tradition credits Ephesians to Paul. A common scholarly view of Ephesians: Deutero‑Pauline (disputed).. Scholars commonly date Ephesians AD 80–90. Apostolic Community is especially relevant in this line.

More details
Traditional:Paul
Modern scholarship:Deutero‑Pauline (disputed).
Date:AD 80–90
Manuscripts & Textual Witnesses
The Greek text is preserved in thousands of manuscripts. Early papyri (P46, P66, P75) from the 2nd-3rd centuries, along with major uncials like Sinaiticus and Vaticanus (4th century), provide strong textual witness. Minor variants exist but do not alter the main meaning.
Sources & witness notes
SinaiticusVaticanusP46