Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: Ephesians 5:8 - Basic English
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Eph 5:8 |
Basic English |
For you at one time were dark, but now are light in the Lord: let your behaviour be that of children of light |
| |
King James |
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of 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] |
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" (Rom 2:19).
light--not merely "enlightened"; but light enlightening others (Eph 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 characteristic is light. PLINY, a heathen writing to Trajan, bears unwilling testimony to the extraordinary purity of Christians' lives, contrasted with the people around them. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For ye were sometimes darkness - see the Eph 2:11-12 notes; Co1 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 children of light - see the notes on Mat 1:1, on the use of the word "son," or "children." The meaning here is, that they should live as became those who had been enlightened to see the evil of sin, and the beauty of virtue and religion; compare Joh 12:36, where the same phrase occurs. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Ye were
Emphatic, and according with become of Eph 5:7. Ye were darkness, but now are ye light. Do not become darkness again.
Darkness (σκότος)
See on Joh 1:5.
Light (φῶς)
Light itself; not a lamp. Children of light. See Mat 5:16. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Ye were once darkness - Total blindness and ignorance. Walk as children of light - Suitably to your present knowledge. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
For ye were sometimes (ποτε, 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 devil gods. |
13 But all things, when their true quality is seen, are made clear by the light: because everything which is made clear is light.
19 In the belief that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those in the dark,
36 In so far as you have the light, put your faith in the light so that you may become sons of light. With these words Jesus went away and for a time was not seen again by them.
1 The book of the generations of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
11 And such were some of you; but you have been washed, you have been made holy, you have been given righteousness in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
11 For this reason keep it in mind that in the past you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are looked on as being outside the circumcision by those who have circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;
12 That you were at that time without Christ, being cut off from any part in Israel's rights as a nation, having no part in God's agreement, having no hope, and without God in the world.
16 Even so let your light be shining before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
5 And the light goes on shining in the dark; it is not overcome by the dark.
7 Have no part with such men;