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Selected Verse: Ephesians 5:8 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Eph 5:8 |
Strong Concordance |
For [1063] ye were [2258] sometimes [4218] darkness [4655], but [1161] now [3568] are ye light [5457] in [1722] the Lord [2962]: walk [4043] as [5613] children [5043] of light [5457]: |
| |
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 [1161] all things [3956] that are reproved [1651] are made manifest [5319] by [5259] the light [5457]: for [1063] whatsoever [3956] doth make manifest [5319] is [2076] light [5457].
19 And [5037] art confident [3982] that thou thyself [4572] art [1511] a guide [3595] of the blind [5185], a light [5457] of them which are in [1722] darkness [4655],
36 While [2193] ye have [2192] light [5457], believe [4100] in [1519] the light [5457], that [2443] ye may be [1096] the children [5207] of light [5457]. These things [5023] spake [2980] Jesus [2424], and departed [565], and [2532] did hide himself [2928] from [575] them [846].
1 The book [976] of the generation [1078] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547], the son [5207] of David [1138], the son [5207] of Abraham [11].
11 And [2532] such [5023] were [2258] some of you [5100]: but [235] ye are washed [628], but [235] ye are sanctified [37], but [235] ye are justified [1344] in [1722] the name [3686] of the Lord [2962] Jesus [2424], and [2532] by [1722] the Spirit [4151] of our [2257] God [2316].
11 Wherefore [1352] remember [3421], that [3754] ye [5210] being in time past [4218] Gentiles [1484] in [1722] the flesh [4561], who [3588] are called [3004] Uncircumcision [203] by [5259] that which [3588] is called [3004] the Circumcision [4061] in [1722] the flesh [4561] made by hands [5499];
12 That [3754] at [1722] that [1565] time [2540] ye were [2258] without [5565] Christ [5547], being aliens [526] from the commonwealth [4174] of Israel [2474], and [2532] strangers [3581] from the covenants [1242] of promise [1860], having [2192] no [3361] hope [1680], and [2532] without God [112] in [1722] the world [2889]:
16 Let your [5216] light [5457] so [3779] shine [2989] before [1715] men [444], that [3704] they may see [1492] your [5216] good [2570] works [2041], and [2532] glorify [1392] your [5216] Father [3962] which [3588] is in [1722] heaven [3772].
5 And [2532] the light [5457] shineth [5316] in [1722] darkness [4653]; and [2532] the darkness [4653] comprehended [2638] it [846] not [3756].
7 Be [1096] not [3361] ye [1096] therefore [3767] partakers [4830] with them [846].