Ephesians 5:8

Ephesians 5:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
• New International Version (NIV)For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
• English Standard Version (ESV)for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
• New King James Version (NKJV)For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Context of Ephesians 5:8

6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9(for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8 word by word

ἦτε γάρ ποτε σκότος νῦν δὲ φῶς ἐν κυρίῳ· ὡς τέκνα φωτὸς περιπατεῖτε,Read the interlinear

• you were formerlyποτέpote · once/whenG4218
• darknessσκότοςskotos · darknessG4655
• but nowνῦνnun · nowG3568
• you are Lightφῶςphōs · lightG5457
• in the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• walkπεριπατέωperipateō · to walkG4043
• childrenτέκνονteknon · childG5043

Cross-references for Ephesians 5:8

• Ephesians 2:11Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands--
• Ephesians 4:18being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;
• Ephesians 6:12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
• Psalms 74:20Consider the covenant; For the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence.
• Isaiah 9:2The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.
• Isaiah 42:16I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them And rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, And I will not leave them undone.”
• Isaiah 60:2For behold, darkness will cover the earth And deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you And His glory will appear upon you.
• Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the Lord your God, Before He brings darkness And before your feet stumble On the dusky mountains, And while you are hoping for light He makes it into deep darkness, And turns it into gloom.
• Matthew 4:16The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.”
• Luke 1:79To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
• Acts 17:30Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
• Acts 26:18to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’
• Romans 1:21For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
• Romans 2:19and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
• 2 Corinthians 6:14Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
• Colossians 1:13For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Commentaries on Ephesians 5:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8For ye were sometimes (, formerly) darkness - While ye lived in darkness, ye lived in these crimes. But now are ye light in the Lord - When ye were in heathenish darkness ye served divers lusts and pleasures, but now ye have the light - the wisdom and teaching which come from God; therefore walk as children of the light - let the world see that ye are not slaves to the flesh, but free, willing, rational servants of the Most High; not brutish followers of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8For ye were sometimes darkness - see the Ephesians 2:11-12 notes; 1 Corinthians 6:11 note. The meaning here is, that they were themselves formerly sunk in the same ignorance, and practiced the same abominations. But now are ye light in the Lord - Light is the emblem of happiness, knowledge, holiness. The meaning is, that they had been enlightened by the Lord to see the evil of these practices, and that they ought, therefore, to forsake them. Walk as…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. 8Darkness means not knowing God and being controlled by sin (see 4:18). Light in the Lord is the good news of Christ (see John 8:12). As people of light, believers live in fellowship with God, who has no darkness (see 1 John 1:5–7; 5:9; compare Matthew 5:14–16; John 8:12; 12:35–36, 46; Romans 13:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:4–8; 1 Peter 2:9).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. sometimes--"once." The emphasis is on "were." Ye ought to have no fellowship with sin, which is darkness, for your state as darkness is now PAST. Stronger than "in darkness" (Ro 2:19). light--not merely "enlightened"; but light enlightening others (Ep 5:13). in--in union with the Lord, who is THE LIGHT. children of light--not merely "of the light"; just as "children of disobedience" is used on the opposite side; those whose distinguishing…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 5:8

• Blindness
• Darkness
• Depravity of Man
• Holiness
• Light
• Righteous

In the dictionaries

• In the Lord
• Arise
• Awake
• Dear
• Ephesians, Epistle to
• Fellowship
• Flesh
• Fruit
• Light
• Melody

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