Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:14

What does Ephesians 5:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:14 means

Paul cites a saying—likely used in early Christian worship—urging the sleeper to awaken and the dead to rise, with the promise that “Christ shall shine upon thee.” The imagery portrays conversion and renewal: Christ’s light dispels darkness, grants life, and guides the path. It may echo prophetic calls to Israel to arise and shine. The command carries hope; awakening is possible because Christ Himself shines. Believers who have drifted into spiritual drowsiness are summoned to alertness; the lost are called to life. This is not self-reformation, but response to the gospel’s light that makes all things visible and new under Christ’s gracious radiance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this reason he says, Be awake, you who are sleeping, and come up from among the dead, and Christ will be your light.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

wherefore he saith, `Arouse thyself, thou who art sleeping, and arise out of the dead, and the Christ shall shine upon thee.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Wherefore he saith: Rise, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead: and Christ shall enlighten thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Wherefore he says, Wake up, [thou] that sleepest, and arise up from among the dead, and the Christ shall shine upon thee.

Context

Verses 11–13 described how light exposes and can transform. Now Paul turns that truth into an appeal: awake and arise to receive Christ’s shining. This concludes the light-versus-darkness section. Beginning in verse 15, Paul will shift to wisdom language—walk carefully, redeem the time, understand the Lord’s will—showing how awakened people live. The connection matters: those who have been illuminated by Christ now must live thoughtfully and purposefully in a dark age.

v.13But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light.

v.14This passage

v.15Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 5:25

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour cometh, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.

  • Ephesians 2:5

    even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved),

  • Romans 6:4

    We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

  • Isaiah 51:17

    Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, that hast drunk at the hand of Jehovah the cup of his wrath; thou hast drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering, and drained it.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:34

    Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.

  • Isaiah 52:1

    Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

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