Eph 5:5 | JFB | STEP | 5. this ye know-- The oldest manuscripts read, "Of this ye are sure knowing"; or as Alford, "This ye know being aware." covetous ... idolater-- ( ). The best reading may be translated, That is to say, literally, which is (in other words) an idolater. Paul himself had forsaken all for Christ ( ; ). Covetousness is worship of the creature instead of the Creator, the highest treason against the King of kings ( ; ; ; ). hath-- The present implies the fixedness of the exclusion, grounded on the eternal verities of that kingdom [Alford]. of Christ and of God-- rather, as one Greek article is applied to both, "of Christ and God," implying their perfect oneness, which is consistent only with the doctrine that Christ is God (compare ; ; ).

‏ Ephesians 5:5

5. this ye know--The oldest manuscripts read, "Of this ye are sure knowing"; or as Alford, "This ye know being aware."

covetous ... idolater--(Col 3:5). The best reading may be translated, That is to say, literally, which is (in other words) an idolater. Paul himself had forsaken all for Christ (2Co 6:10; 11:27). Covetousness is worship of the creature instead of the Creator, the highest treason against the King of kings (1Sa 15:3; Mt 6:24; Php 3:19; 1Jo 2:15).

hath--The present implies the fixedness of the exclusion, grounded on the eternal verities of that kingdom [Alford].

of Christ and of God--rather, as one Greek article is applied to both, "of Christ and God," implying their perfect oneness, which is consistent only with the doctrine that Christ is God (compare 2Th 1:12; 1Ti 5:21; 6:13).