Ephesians 5:6-10

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Therefore do not be partakers with them.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),

10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.

empty (v.6) = vain, hollow — here, plausible but devoid of truth — attempting to make the sins Paul mentioned in verses 3 and 4 look unsinful

these things (v.6) — the sins in verses 3 and 4

sons (v.6) — a Hebraism in which calling a person having a certain quality a son of that quality

be (v.7) = become — referring to a relapse into past sins — stop becoming

partakers (v.7) = participants

were (v.8) — indicator of past position — “you were; don’t become again”

you were once darkness (v.8) — not in darkness — darkness was our nature. Now we are light (not in light) — light is now our nature in Christ.

light (v.8) = phos = light itself, not a mere lamp — not just enlightened but light itself in the Lord

walk (v.8) = order one’s behavior, conduct oneself — the verb tense commands a habitual action

children (v.8) = born ones — children of God, thus light in the Lord, thus children of light

Spirit (v.9) — should probably be “light”

fruit of the light (v.9) — the moral results of the light

goodness (v.9) = benevolence, active goodness

finding out (v.10) = putting to the test for the purpose of approving, then, when it meets the specifications, sanctioning or approving it — proving

acceptable (v.10) = well-pleasing

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