The command grows directly out of the closing appeal of chapter 4. Believers are to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving because God has forgiven them in Christ. The “therefore” also reaches back to the new humanity of Ephesians 4:24, which is created after God’s likeness “in righteousness and true holiness.” Imitating God is the practical expression of living as people whom He has recreated.
Such imitation never means copying qualities that belong uniquely to deity, such as omnipotence or omniscience. It means reflecting the moral character God has revealed: truth instead of falsehood, generosity instead of theft, edifying speech instead of corruption, forgiveness instead of bitterness, and love instead of selfishness. Jesus gave the same pattern when He called His disciples to love their enemies because their heavenly Father is kind even to the ungrateful and evil.
The phrase “as dear children” establishes the order of grace. They do not imitate God in order to become His children. They imitate Him because, through Christ, they have already received adoption and are loved by the Father. A child naturally learns by watching and following a beloved parent. Christian holiness similarly grows from knowing God’s love, beholding His character, and responding to the new identity He has given.
The command therefore opposes both legalism and careless living. Holiness cannot purchase adoption, yet adoption cannot leave conduct unchanged. Grace brings believers into God’s family and then forms the family resemblance in them. Where resentment yields to forgiveness, selfishness to generosity, and impurity to holiness, the Father’s character becomes visible in His children.
followers of God — μιμηταὶ τοῦ θεοῦ (mimētai tou theou)
Literally, “imitators of God.” The command concerns reflecting God’s revealed moral character, especially His kindness, forgiveness, holiness, and self-giving love. It does not mean that human beings become divine.
The command grows directly out of the closing appeal of chapter 4. Believers are to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving because God has forgiven them in Christ. The “therefore” also reaches back to the new humanity of Ephesians 4:24, which is created after God’s likeness “in righteousness and true holiness.” Imitating God is the practical expression of living as people whom He has recreated.
Such imitation never means copying qualities that belong uniquely to deity, such as omnipotence or omniscience. It means reflecting the moral character God has revealed: truth instead of falsehood, generosity instead of theft, edifying speech instead of corruption, forgiveness instead of bitterness, and love instead of selfishness. Jesus gave the same pattern when He called His disciples to love their enemies because their heavenly Father is kind even to the ungrateful and evil.
The phrase “as dear children” establishes the order of grace. They do not imitate God in order to become His children. They imitate Him because, through Christ, they have already received adoption and are loved by the Father. A child naturally learns by watching and following a beloved parent. Christian holiness similarly grows from knowing God’s love, beholding His character, and responding to the new identity He has given.
The command therefore opposes both legalism and careless living. Holiness cannot purchase adoption, yet adoption cannot leave conduct unchanged. Grace brings believers into God’s family and then forms the family resemblance in them. Where resentment yields to forgiveness, selfishness to generosity, and impurity to holiness, the Father’s character becomes visible in His children.