Book of Ephesians - Chapter 5 - Verse 1

When Paul tells the Ephesians to "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children," he is urging them to imitate and emulate God in their thoughts, actions, and character. By following God, believers are encouraged to imitate His love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness towards others. Just as children look up to and imitate their parents, so too should believers look to God as a perfect example of how they should live their lives. The phrase "as dear children" emphasizes the loving and obedient relationship that believers should have with God. By following God as dearly loved children, believers are called to exemplify His nature in their own lives, showing love, kindness, and forgiveness to others just as God has shown to them. Ultimately, this verse reminds believers of the importance of reflecting God's character in all aspects of their lives, striving to be more like Him every day.

When examining the theological interpretation of the verse "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children," we see a call to imitate God's character and behavior in our own lives. The word "followers" comes from the Greek word "mimetes," which signifies an imitator or one who mimics. This suggests that as believers, we are called to imitate God's love, patience, kindness, and other attributes in our interactions with others. The phrase "as dear children" further emphasizes the close relationship we have with God as His children, indicating that we are beloved and cherished by Him. This relationship should motivate us to follow His example and live according to His will. By imitating God as dear children, we demonstrate our love and devotion to Him while also growing in spiritual maturity and becoming more like Christ.