Ephesians 5:7–14 . . .

“Walking and Living in the Light”

Paul started chapter 5 by challenging his readers then (including us today) to love each other as much as God loves us, and to forgive others as God has forgiven us. If you missed last week’s enlightening study titled “Live in the Way of Love or Else” (covering 5:1–6; see our previous study), Apostle Paul clearly instructs us on loving and walking the same way Christ does. He also exhorts us to never be immoral, impure, or greedy, nor be obscene, talk foolishly, or joke coarsely. Those of us who are faithful followers of Jesus must avoid acting like unbelievers because unbelievers, filled with immoral behavior, have no place in the kingdom of God. Such behavior stirs up Father God’s wrath.

Continuing his exposition of our need to walk in the light of Christ and please God, in today’s passage Paul makes it plain that living apart from darkness doesn’t mean withdrawing completely from the world. Instead, walking as children of the light means not engaging in the sins of the unbelieving culture, even as we love and relate to sinners around us (v. 11). When it comes to interacting with the world, we aren’t forbidden from making friends with those who are still enslaved to sin; rather, we’re forbidden from acting in ways that displease God.

Don’t Team Up with the Godless (5:7)

We’ve been learning from Paul what we Christians need to do in our lives. In previous commentaries, we’ve read and learned that believers — Father God’s children — should walk in unity (4:1–16); walk in holiness (4:17–32); and walk in love (5:1–6). In this discussion, we’ll see that believers are also to intentionally walk as “children of light.” After all, says Paul, when we children of God live in his light, “everything that is illuminated becomes a light.”

Paul’s words in this short verse offer brief yet powerful instruction. “Partners” are those who work together in a connected relationship. Believers and unbelievers are not to be closely partnered or connected. The unbeliever’s sinful actions can be associated with believers, causing damage to the reputation of the church (5:3–4). Believers can no longer live as they did before choosing Christ as Lord (v. 8). Instead, they’re to do what pleases God (v. 9). Paul’s instructions in vv. 8–14 continue to emphasize these themes, contrasting the lives of believers and unbelievers.

Of course, this doesn’t mean Christians are to avoid all contact or association with non-Christians. Jesus was a friend of sinners (Matthew 11:19). Imitating him requires us to show love and a good example to the unsaved (Matt. 5:15–16), as we evangelize them (Matt. 28:19). However, certain limitations exist. When that line gets crossed, we might give the impression that we approve of what God calls sin.

God wants us to walk in light. How do we Christians walk in the light of Christ? The first thing Paul requires of us is: “Do not to be partners with them.” But, who are “them”? They are the godless people he characterized in v. 6 (see previous commentary) who “deceive you with empty words.” They’re sometimes referred to as “sons of disobedience.” What might such vain words be? In effect, they include comments that are truthless, empty, pointless, and hopeless. That said, it includes all wording contrary to how God wants us to behave. Paul also told the believers in the church of Philippi what to say and practice: Philippians 4:8–9.

Because there were unbelievers in Ephesus’ church body who live alienated from God (Eph. 4:17–18), Paul felt the need to tell the saints not to partner with them and never listen to their hopeless, vain, empty words that have no truth.

How to Walk as Children of Light in a Dark World (5:8–10)

Paul goes on to say that we believers “were once darkness.” But, thankfully, we’ve become “light in the Lord.” Because of God’s power to have given us new birth, we’ve become children of his light through his creative power. Just as he initially created light out of darkness, he’s transfigured us from being darkness into being light in the Lord.

Note: Just because we’re children of light doesn’t guarantee that we’ll live that way. That’s why Paul exhorts us, in effect: Be what you are. Now you’re light; so, walk that way!

In these three verses, Paul attests: If we walk as children of light, we’ll be good and righteous and become people of truth who’ll learn what pleases our Lord. He repeats the theme: you are children of light, so live like children of light. Note: He doesn’t say only that we were once in darkness; he says we were once darkness itself. Now, we’re not only in the light, we are the Lord’s light.

As we’ll see in vv. 13–14, God’s light, which shines through us, illuminates, transforms, exposes, and cleanses us. Those whom the light redeems become visible — that which is visible is light. In other words, after dark individuals get cleansed, they become lights through whom our Savior shines brightly. This is what happened at our conversion when we asked Jesus to become our Lord. We continue to become ever brighter lights when we, through confession and repentance, expose our sin to God and flee from it.

Expose the Fruitless Deeds of Darkness (5:11–13)

In addition to those four fruitful attributes for children of [Jesus’] light, Paul insists that we expose the deeds of darkness in our fatalistic despairing world.

“Throughout Scripture, darkness symbolizes sin and its effects (Proverbs 2:12–15; Matt. 6:23; Isaiah 29:15). The word ‘fruitless’ in v. 11 means having no beneficial use; unproductive. The works of darkness are fruitless because they end in death. By telling the Ephesians what behaviors to avoid, Paul outlines the unfruitful works of darkness. He may have been speaking about the sins of fellow members of Christ’s body, since Jesus taught believers to hold one another accountable for how they live and to work to restore those who get entangled in sin (Matt. 18:15–20; Luke 17:3). Darkness can’t remain in the light of God’s truth. Whether we expose unfruitful works of darkness in the church or shine light into a lost world, we’re to fulfill our mission on earth: to transform darkness into light as those living in darkness become people of the light.”^[1]

What are the unfruitful works of darkness that Paul refers to in 5:11? In 4:17–5:21, we find his practical yet challenging instruction in holy living. The path to holiness includes imitating God (the way children imitate a parent) by walking in love (5:1–2) and walking as “children of light” (vv. 8–9). The opposite of holy living is characterized in the Bible as “walking in darkness” (Isaiah 9:2), which is why Paul warns, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (v. 11). We shouldn’t be interested in hearing gossip about someone’s latest sexual sin. Such talk should repulse us! Instead, Paul says, we should expose such sins. We unmask and disclose those sins primarily by our actions, secondarily in our conversations.

Interestingly, Paul explains that we aren’t to merely take a defensive stance against dark deeds and stay away from them. Our approach must be offensive: We’re to “expose” unfruitful works of darkness. The interplay between light and darkness helps us understand how this exposure happens. What’s hidden in darkness can be revealed only when light shines on it. By walking in Christ, we shine a holiness light on the world’s dark recesses. Our efforts to live sanctified lives stand in stark contrast to our fallen culture’s evil, thereby exposing sinners for who they are, unveiling what they deserve: God’s wrath. Our preaching of the gospel goes hand in hand with such living so that those whose sinful deeds are “exposed” will know that they’ll escape the darkness only if they connect with Jesus.

Only two responses can follow such exposure: (1) Many will hate the light and the people whose lives provide the illumination, trying to stamp out the light and silence the church (John 3:19–20); (2) Others will feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit and see the darkness of their deeds, turning from sinfulness toward Christ as they begin to glorify the Lord.

By the obvious difference in how we all live, believers’ lives expose the sin of those who engage in unfruitful deeds of darkness. “Everything exposed by the light becomes visible… everything that is illuminated becomes a light” is difficult to translate but Paul seems to be arguing that sometimes light not only exposes, but also transforms.

Unbelievers: Awaken to the Truth about Christ! (5:14)

In his closing verse, Paul appears to be saying to the church body in Ephesus, See how attractive sinful people look in the light of Christ. Wake up from your sleep and climb out of your coffins. Christ will show you the light! Watch your step; use your head; make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

“The phrase ‘Wake up, sleeper’ is believed to come from an ancient hymn or poem that would have been familiar to Paul’s readers at the time. He’s urging them to imitate Christ by living a godly life while avoiding sinful deeds. Through the metaphor of light and darkness, Paul contrasts the old life with the new one in Christ. Light symbolizes the truth of Christ and his gospel; it exposes people’s evil deeds, revealing their nature. The light of Christ’s truth and righteousness makes all things clear, including good and evil. So comes the timely command: ‘Wake up, sleeper.’

“By itself, v. 14 serves as a general call to every human to leave sin and turn to Christ. The figurative language used here represents a state of spiritual separation from God, where one is in darkness, unable to comprehend God’s truth. However, when people ‘rise from the dead’ by repenting and believing in Christ, his light shines upon them, bringing clarity. They become capable of grasping God’s truth and living according to His ways.”^[2]

In this eight-verse passage, Paul has dealt with an essential issue in his day that concerned a church in a very pagan environment. For us, today, how do we relate to our godless culture without partnering with it and becoming tainted by it? His bright answer is this: We’re to walk as children of light in this dark world, exposing the deeds of darkness.

Closing Considerations for Walking in the Light

Clearly, an amazing transaction occurred the moment we finally believed the gospel, repented of our sins, and confessed Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We were successfully rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of Light. And now Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, has come to dwell within us. So, how are Christ’s followers supposed to live? As we consider the first half of chapter 5, we have these three basic responsibilities:

• 1. Walk in love (5:1–2). As the Savior sacrificially loved us, so we are to love others. If we remain at odds with our brothers and sisters in Christ, we can’t claim to be walking in Light (1 John 1:7).
• 2. Abstain from sin (5:3–7). Believers aren’t sinless, but they don’t habitually practice deeds of darkness.
• 3. Learn and live out what pleases God (5:8–14). The fruit of Light is goodness, righteousness, and truth. These are displayed in our character, conversation, and conduct when we’re living out our faith in the Lord.

Let’s make it our aim to move ever closer to the Light, letting Jesus expose and remove all areas of darkness in our life so we can fully and brightly reflect his glory and goodness. Paul’s strategy herein is wise: Walk as a child of light, maintaining proper contact with the world. As you do, your godly life and words will expose the deeds of darkness. Some will awaken from the dead and Christ will shine on them, as he has on you.

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