English Standard Version
Ephesians 5:14
14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Ephesians 5:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
- New International Version (NIV)This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
Context of Ephesians 5:14
12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Read all of Ephesians 5Ephesians 5:14 word by word
πᾶν γὰρ τὸ φανερούμενον φῶς ἐστιν· διὸ λέγει· ἔγειρε ὁ καθεύδων καὶ ἀνάστα ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν, καὶ ἐπιφαύσει σοι ὁ Χριστός.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Whereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
- he saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- Awake thouἐγείρωegeirō · to ariseG1453
- sleepestκαθεύδωkatheudō · to sleepG2518
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- ariseἀνίστημιanistēmi · to ariseG450
- fromἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- the deadνεκρόςnekros · deadG3498
- ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
- shall giveἐπιφαύσκωepiphauō · to shine onG2017
- theeσύsu · youG4771
Cross-references for Ephesians 5:14
- Isaiah 51:17Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering.
- Isaiah 52:1Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.
- Isaiah 60:1Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
- Romans 13:11Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
- 1 Corinthians 15:34Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
- 2 Timothy 2:26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
- Ephesians 2:5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
- Isaiah 26:19Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.
- Ezekiel 37:4Then he said to me, "Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
- John 5:25"Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
- John 11:43When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out."
- Romans 6:4We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
- Colossians 3:1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
- John 8:12Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
- John 9:5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
Commentaries on Ephesians 5:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14Wherefore he saith - It is a matter of doubt and controversy whence this saying is derived. Some think it taken from Isaiah 26:19; : Thy dead men shall live; with my dead body shall they arise; Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust, etc. Others think that it is taken from Isaiah 60:1-3; : Arise, shine; for thy light is come, etc. But these passages neither give the words nor the meaning of the apostle. Epiphanius supposed them to be taken from an…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Wherefore he saith - Margin, or “it.” ̀ ́ Dio legeiThe meaning may be, either that the Lord says, or the Scripture. Much difficulty has been experienced in endeavoring to ascertain “where” this is said. It is agreed on all hands that it is not found, in so many words, in the Old Testament. Some have supposed that the allusion is to Isaiah 26:19, “Thy dead men shall live - awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust, for thy dew is as the dew of herbs,” etc…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3-14Verses 3-14 Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Our cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places that hope, confidence, and delight, in…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-14"Wake up, O sleeper": This could be words from an unknown Christian song. It might be inspired by texts in Isaiah (compare Isaiah 26:19; 52:1; 60:1). It urges God's people to leave their sinful ways and live in the full light of Christ.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. Wherefore--referring to the whole foregoing argument (Ep 5:8, 11, 13). Seeing that light (spiritual) dispels the pre-existing darkness, He (God) saith ... (compare the same phrase, Ep 4:8). Awake--The reading of all the oldest manuscripts is "Up!" or, "Rouse thee!" a phrase used in stirring men to activity. The words are a paraphrase of Is 60:1, 2, not an exact quotation. The word "Christ," shows that in quoting the prophecy, he views it in the light…Read the comment
Topics related to Ephesians 5:14
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ephesians 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries