God’s Word Translation
Ephesians 5:13
13Light exposes the true character of everything
Ephesians 5:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
- New International Version (NIV)But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
- New King James Version (NKJV)But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
Context of Ephesians 5:13
11Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. 12It is shameful to talk about what some people do in secret. Light exposes the true character of everything 14because light makes everything easy to see. That’s why it says: “Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15So then, be very careful how you live. Don’t live like foolish people but like wise people.
Read all of Ephesians 5Ephesians 5:13 word by word
τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐλεγχόμενα ὑπὸ τοῦ φωτὸς φανεροῦται·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ephesians 5:13
- Lamentations 2:14Your prophets saw misleading visions about you. They painted a good picture of you. They didn’t expose your guilt in order to make things better again. They gave you false prophecies that misled you.
- Hosea 2:10I will show her naked body to her lovers, and no one will rescue her from my power.
- Hosea 7:1“Whenever I want to heal Israel, all I can see is Ephraim’s sin and Samaria’s wickedness. People cheat each other. They break into houses and steal. They rob people in the streets.
- Micah 7:9I have sinned against the Lord. So I will endure his fury until he takes up my cause and wins my case. He will bring me into the light, and I will see his victory.
- John 3:20People who do what is wrong hate the light and don’t come to the light. They don’t want their actions to be exposed.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore, don’t judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people’s motives. Then each person will receive praise from God.
- Hebrews 1:13But God never said to any of the angels, “Take the honored position—the one next to me on the heavenly throne until I put your enemies under your control.”
Commentaries on Ephesians 5:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13But all things that are reproved - Dr. Macknight paraphrases this verse as follows: "Now all these reprovable actions, , which are practised in celebrating these mysteries, are made manifest as sinful by the Gospel; and, seeing every thing which discovers the true nature of actions is light, the Gospel, which discovers the evil nature of the actions performed in these mysteries, is light." The apostle speaks against these mysteries as he speaks against…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13But all things that are reproved - Margin, discovered. The word used here properly means proved, demonstrated, reproved, or convicted (see the notes on John 16:8); but it seems here to be used in the sense of disclosed, or discovered. The sense is, that “its true nature is demonstrated;” that is, it is made known. Are made manifest by the light - The sense is, “light is the means of seeing what things are. We discern their form, nature, appearance, by it…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. 1313. that are reproved--rather, "when they are reproved," namely, by you (Ep 5:11). whatsoever doth make manifest--rather, "everything that is (that is, suffers itself to be) made manifest (or 'shone upon,' namely, by your 'reproving,' Ep 5:11) is (thenceforth no longer 'darkness,' Ep 5:8, but) light." The devil and the wicked will not suffer themselves to be made manifest by the light, but love darkness, though outwardly the light shines round them…Read the comment
Topics related to Ephesians 5:13
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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