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Selected Verse: Ephesians 5:13 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Eph 5:13 |
King James |
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
that are reproved--rather, "when they are reproved," namely, by you (Eph 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,' Eph 5:11) is (thenceforth no longer 'darkness,' Eph 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. Therefore, "light" has no transforming effect on them, so that they do not become light (Joh 3:19-20). But, says the apostle, you being now light yourselves (Eph 5:8), by bringing to light through reproof those who are in darkness, will convert them to light. Your consistent lives and faithful reproofs will be your "armor of light" (Rom 13:12) in making an inroad on the kingdom of darkness. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But all things that are reproved - Margin, discovered. The word used here properly means proved, demonstrated, reproved, or convicted (see the notes on Joh 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. So it is with the gospel - the light of the world. It enables us to see the true nature of actions. They are done in darkness, and are like objects in the dark. Their form and nature cannot then be known; but, when the light shines, we see what they are;" compare notes on Joh 3:20-21.
For whatsoever doth make manifest is light - "Anything which will show the real form and nature of an object, deserves to be called light." Of the truth of this, no one can doubt. The meaning in this connection is, that that system which discloses the true nature of what is done by the pagan, deserves to be considered as "light;" and that the gospel which does this, should be regarded as a system of light and truth. It discloses their odiousness and vileness, and it stands thus in strong contrast with all the false and abominable systems which have upheld or produced those vices. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
All things (τὰ πάντα)
More literally, they all, or all of them; the secret sins just mentioned.
That are reproved (ἐλεγχόμενα)
Lit., being reproved. Rev., when they are reproved. Reproved is to be taken in the same literal sense as in Eph 5:11, and not metaphorically in the sense of being demonstrated by light, or brought to light, which is almost synonymous with are made manifest.
By the light
Connect with are made manifest, not with are reproved.
Whatsoever doth make manifest is light (πᾶν τὸ φανερούμενον φῶς ἐστίν)
Wrong. The A.V. renders doth make manifest, as in the middle voice, but the verb is in the passive voice. It occurs nearly fifty times in the New Testament, and never as middle. Hence Rev., correctly, everything that is made manifest.
Is light
A general proposition, going to show that manifestation can come only through light. Whatever is revealed in its true essence by light is of the nature of light. It no longer belongs to the category of darkness. Manifestation is a law of good and evil alike. That which is of the truth seeks the light and cometh to the light. That which is evil avoids the light, and loves darkness better than light, but none the less is brought to the light and appears in its own light. See Joh 3:20, Joh 3:21. This truth is embodied in another form in the parable of the Tares. Growth is manifestation. By suffering the tares to grow, their difference from the wheat, which at first is not apparent, is fully revealed. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| But all things which are reproved, are thereby dragged out into the light, and made manifest - Shown in their proper colours, by the light. For whatsoever doth make manifest is light - That is, for nothing but light, yea, light from heaven, can make anything manifest. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
But all things that are reproved - Dr. Macknight paraphrases this verse as follows: "Now all these reprovable actions, ελεγχομενα, 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 fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness; but by no means either borrows expression or similitude from them to illustrate Divine truths; for, as it would be a shame even to speak of those things, surely it would be an abomination to allude to them in the illustration of the doctrines of the Gospel. |
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.