The following notes are from a lesson I put together for CrossWay’s 2023 men’s retreat.

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“Walking” is one of the most frequently used images in the entire Bible (not just by Paul, but especially by him). And we continue to use it even today (e.g., “How’s your walk with the Lord?”).

Understand the Imagery

Uses of “walk” in Ephesians:

• 2:2 – We once walked in trespasses and sins.
• 2:10 – God has created us in Christ and prepared for us to walk in good works.
• 4:1 – We are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.
• 4:17 – We must no longer walk as the Gentiles (those who aren’t God’s people) do.
• 5:2 – We are to walk in love, as Christ loved us and as imitators of God (5:1).
• 5:8 – Since we are no longer darkness but light, we must walk as children of the light.
• 5:15 – We must look carefully how we walk, not as unwise but wise, making the best use of the time (5:16).

Introduction to the imagery:

“In biblical times walking was the most common way of going somewhere, even over long distances. … Beyond the literal mechanics of movement by foot, walking at a more figurative level becomes a prime metaphor for … a person’s lifestyle (with the image of walking suggesting continuing progress in time and in a chosen direction). … Passages such as these use the metaphor of walking to identify a person’s conduct of life and the results that flow from it.”

—Dictionary of Biblical Imagery

Consider how ubiquitous walking would have been for people in the ancient world—such a pervasive image for all aspects of their lives. And consider how much Paul him (author of Ephesians) would be familiar with the act of walking (traveling the Roman Empire during his missionary journeys in Acts).

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