Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:8

What does Ephesians 5:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:8 means

A decisive change has occurred: believers were not merely in darkness; they “were once darkness,” but now they are “light in the Lord.” Union with the Lord has redefined who they are. Therefore, they must “walk as children of light.” Identity leads to lifestyle. Light in Scripture signifies purity, truth, and the presence of God. To walk as children of light is to let His character govern choices, motives, and relationships. This is not self-generated moralism; it is the outworking of a new creation. The church becomes a visible contrast community in a dark world, shining by goodness and truthfulness sourced in the Lord’s grace.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For you at one time were dark, but now are light in the Lord: let your behaviour be that of children of light

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for ye were once darkness, and now light in the Lord; as children of light walk ye,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for ye were once darkness, but now light in [the] Lord; walk as children of light,

Context

After telling believers not to partake in darkness (v. 7), Paul roots the command in a radical identity shift: from darkness to light in the Lord. This sets up verses 9–10, which describe the “fruit of the light” and the call to discern what pleases the Lord. Verses 11–14 will add a negative and positive: do not fellowship with dark works, but expose them, because light reveals and awakens. This movement from identity to ethical fruit helps readers avoid legalism; obedience flows from who they now are in Christ.

v.7Be not ye therefore partakers with them;

v.8This passage

v.9(for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 49:9

    saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture.

  • Psalms 74:20

    Have respect unto the covenant; For the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of violence.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:18

    But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.

  • Ephesians 2:11

    Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands;

  • John 12:46

    I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness.

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Ephesians 5

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ephesians 5.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Ephesians 5:8.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary