Ethics 101 -Whoever has borne malice against his companion unjustly shall do penance for six months/one year; and likewise, whoever has taken revenge in any matter whatever . . . whoever has spoken foolishly: three months . . . [1] Whether the Stoics, Cynics, Pythagoreans, or the Jewish Essenes, ethical behavior in the 1st century ace was at the top of philosopher lists. Ephesians 4 reflects just such a list of behaviors that could impact the Christian community either negatively or positively. Despite their differences-and there were many-the major 1st century philosophical movements sought to achieve the well-lived or nobly-lived life. Ethics, according to Meeks, is the art of right living and one that is learned. As he points out, "Reason must be accompanied by practice, practice in different ways. [2]

An Ancient Witness - It would be extremely perverse, since we belong intimately to one another, to say things that are not true. For this is not the way the body functions. The eyes, for example, when they see cliffs . . . instantly report them to the feet so that they may turn aside and protect the whole body from harm. [3]

Without the aid of this lesson, what five virtues would you put at the top of your ethics list as the ones that you value most?

Why does speech seem to be the greatest threat to a healthy community? Describe as many different contexts for speech to cause damage-covertly and overtly.

How does the Ephesian writer take a different path in how one can seek to live nobly? What motivation does the writer use?

 

I would consider taking my listeners back into the 1st century and expose them imaginatively to several philosophic schools with the focus on the common yearning to live nobly.

I would move into our culture and attempt to raise something of the same kind of yearning to live a worthy life.

The final move would be to the Ephesian text to view how the writer and early Christian communities also valued good behavior. While all roads aim for Rome, not all get us there! I would suggest a Christian ethic based on the Christ who not only models noble living, but also inculcates something of his nature/spirit into his follows to enable them to live a life that is pleasing to God.

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[1] 1 Qumran Scroll 7:8-10, cited in Wayne Meeks, The Moral World of the First Christians (Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1986), page 80.
[2] Ibid, page 60.
[3] Theodoret [fl 445] in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture VIII (InterVarsity, 1999), p. 176.