ephesians-5:8

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 5:8

The reason Christians should not partake with unbelievers in their evil deeds is that we were formerly darkness (cf. Ephesians 4:17-19) but are now light, having trusted Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 3:17-21; cf. Matthew 5:14; Colossians 1:12-13). The second command is to walk as children of light. Obviously it is possible for the children of light not to walk (live) as children of light (cf. 1 John 1:6-7). Otherwise the command would be unnecessary."The gravest disservice that any... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:1-33

The old Darkness and new Light. Rules for the Married1, 2. In close connexion with what precedes. ’It is the mark of beloved children to become imitators of a loving Father; practise the self-sacrifice of Christ, which shows how He loved us and the Father.’3-14. Special exhortation against covetousness and impurity.3. But] The five sins mentioned in Ephesians 4:25-32 are to be put away; these two are not even to be mentioned: ’saints’ are set apart from such subjects, being consecrated to God.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 5:3-14

(3b) Ephesians 5:3-14 warn, with even greater fulness and emphasis, against the sins of impurity and lust, as incompatible with membership of the kingdom of heaven, as works of darkness, impossible to those who are children of light. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ephesians 5:8

(8) Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord.—This expression is unique, and far more emphatic than the more common phrases of “being,” or “walking,” “in darkness” and “in light.” (See Romans 2:9; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:4; 1 John 1:6-7; 1 John 2:9-10.) For here the outward element of light or darkness is said to pervade the inner nature of the soul. (1) Christ is the “true Light,” the “Sun of Righteousness” (John 1:4-9; John 3:19; John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46).... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ephesians 5:1-33

The Lessons of Childliness Ephesians 5:1 It is the great mark of the Gospel that its deepest truths are presented to us in forms taken from our daily life. The cleansing water and the simple meal are made sacraments revelations of Divine mysteries. The ties of family are the chosen emblems of our heavenly fellowship. One of these relations is set before us in the words which I have taken for my text. We all are as children in His household, heirs, indeed of a glorious inheritance, but yet... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:7-14

Chapter 23THE CHILDREN OF THE LIGHTEphesians 5:7-14The contrast between the Christian and heathen way of life is now, finally, to be set forth under St. Paul’s familiar figure of the light and the darkness. He bids his Gentile readers not to be "jointpartakers with them"-with the sons of disobedience upon whom God’s wrath is coming (Ephesians 5:6) -for he has hailed them already, in Ephesians 3:6, as "joint-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." "Once" indeed they shared... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ephesians 5:1-21

3. The Walk in Holiness and Righteousness CHAPTERS 4:17-5:21 1. Not as the Gentiles walk (Ephesians 4:17-19 ) 2. The putting off and putting on (Ephesians 4:20-32 ) 3. Followers of God (Ephesians 5:1-2 ) 4. Exhortations (Ephesians 5:3-21 ) At this point the exhortations to walk in separation begin. The “therefore” of Ephesians 4:17 refers us to the “wherefore” of Ephesians 2:11-12 . What Gentiles are in their natural condition is here once more put before us. The grace of God takes the... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ephesians 5:8

5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] {c} light in the Lord: walk as children of light:(c) The faithful are called light, both because they have the true light in them which enlightens them, and also because they give light to others, insomuch that their honest conversation reproves the life of wicked men. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Ephesians 5:1-33

WALK IN LOVE (vs.1-7) Verses 1 and 2 of chapter 5 are closely connected with verse 32 of chapter 4. God's gracious character of love that delights to have us as His dear children is our example. The more we realize the reality of this, the more consistent with it will be our walk. For we are to walk in love. Nor is it a love we must manufacture or awaken in our own hearts, but the blessed result of Christ's love to us. That love has given, not only many gifts, but Himself. He delivered... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:1-21

THE CHRISTIAN ’S WALK At 4:1 the apostle returns to the exhortation and practical application on which he had started at 3:1. The Ephesian Christians had been called with a holy calling (vocation) and now they were to “walk worthy” of it. “Walk” occurs five times in our lesson, giving completeness to it. WALK IN UNITY (Ephesians 4:1-16 ) The unity referred to is that which has been made among Christians by the baptism of the Holy Spirit into Christ (Ephesians 4:3-6 ). It is not anything... read more