Ephesians 5:8 Commentary and Bible Study

Believers demonstrate light, by their lives. The passage before us is very profound, but the actual structure and the heads of thought are clear and straightforward. Back in verse 2 he says, ‘Walk in love.’ Walking is prominent in the entire passage. Here in verse 8, the idea continues to be found – the analogy of walking – and still in verse 15, ‘See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.’ So that is in the background, the illustration of the Christian walk – a walk indicating something which is steady and consistent, day after day, not spurts of activity and enthusiasm, devotion, or concern, but a steady walk. This walk is characterised by particular things. First of all, the demonstrating of light. ‘You were sometimes darkness’, darkness, as we know, indicating spiritual ignorance and lifelessness. We have a lack of understanding. We cannot see the truth of God; we cannot see what he is doing; we cannot grasp the purpose of life. The conscience also is darkened. It doesn’t move as it is designed to. It only speaks quietly or ignorantly as in the case of those who in their religion see themselves as quite righteous. The conscience works in the wrong way: if I get up at 8 o’clock or even 7 o’clock, I do well, or if I say a large number of Hail Mary’s. Conscience has latched onto the wrong things. We are in darkness about eternity. Are we going to everlasting light or everlasting darkness? In darkness there is no growth. If the sun shines, vegetation grows. As the crop grows it bears fruit. If the Son of God is in our lives then our lives will bear fruit, but if we are in darkness, we have never had this light. The soul is inert and asleep, under sin and condemnation, ruled by sin – ‘You were sometimes darkness, but now’, post-conversion, a great regenerating work of God has taken place. Now are you light in the Lord: light in terms of cleansed, forgiven, granted great understanding, the emancipation of the mind, understanding the word, discerning the times, possessing the message of light and life and power. Now are ye light in the Lord, not on your account, obviously, but through a new condition and life purchased for you by Christ in his righteous offering on Calvary's cross, his atoning death. In the light, we see the beauty of God’s plan with wonder and amazement. We can see why people are as they are. So the command is, ‘Walk as children of light.’ You are different; you are a distinctive people. Walk as those who are to demonstrate the light that you've received.Light is used in two ways in relation to Christ. We have him as our light, he has shone in our hearts, but we are also those from whom light shines, influencing others. He is the light of the world (John 8:12), and we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). We are reflectors and it is as if we have light in ourselves. He has shined in our hearts to give that light to others. We still shame ourselves at times but we have a new nature. We no longer love our sin, but when we do sin we strive against it.