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

6Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.

Ephesians 5:8 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• ye wereεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• sometimesποτέpote · once/whenG4218
• darknessσκότοςskotos · darknessG4655
• butδέde · thenG1161
• nowνῦνnun · nowG3568
• lightφῶςphōs · lightG5457
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• walkπεριπατέωperipateō · to walkG4043
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• childrenτέκνονteknon · childG5043

Cross-references for Ephesians 5:8

• Ephesians 2:11Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.
• Ephesians 4:18Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.
• Ephesians 6:12For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
• Psalms 74:20Remember your covenant promises, for the land is full of darkness and violence!
• Isaiah 9:2The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
• Isaiah 42:16I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way. I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them. Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them.
• Isaiah 60:2Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
• Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the Lord your God before it is too late. Acknowledge him before he brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains. For then, when you look for light, you will find only terrible darkness and gloom.
• Matthew 4:16the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”
• Luke 1:79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
• Acts 17:30“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him.
• Acts 26:18to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’
• Romans 1:21Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.
• Romans 2:19You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.
• 2 Corinthians 6:14Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?
• Colossians 1:13For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear 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