Ephesians 5:13-14 13But when all the things are exposed by the light, it becomes clear, 14for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
Paul continues his metaphor of light and darkness. The image is easy for modern people to understand. When we are in the darkness, we are fortunate to have light switches or flash lights to show what is in the darkness. We are prone to trip and fall when we walk in the darkness. We do not see the hazards that are in our path. This can be easily applied to many areas of our lives. Paul has been especially concerned in this chapter about matters of behavior. He has been warning the Ephesians about the dangers of remaining in their old lives of ignorance and disobedience. They have been changed by the grace of God in Christ and have experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. But there are still many dangers that exist for believers, even after salvation and the journey of entire sanctification. The influence of the darkness can entice or deceive believers into acting like the people around them who are caught up in the empty pursuits of the darkness.
When the light of Christ comes to our lives, and we respond in the obedience of faith, our eyes will be opened to the truth that is found in Christ (4:21). The deceit of the darkness will be exposed for what it is, and we will see our situations more clearly. Knowing the truth helps us better discern the untruth. Walking in the light of Jesus helps us not be tripped up in the darkness of the world around us. The key is to live a life of holiness and love in imitation of Jesus Christ. The beginning of verse 14 continues the thought of verse 13 and makes Paul’s point even clearer. That which is bound in the darkness can be changed. God’s grace can change the darkness into light. God can help the Ephesians become aware of the darkness around them and in them. The ideas in Paul’s argument in chapters 4 and 5 are all related and present a consistent and clear message.
Paul quotes what is most likely an early Christian creed since there is no Scripture that matches it. It is used here as a call to wake up. The Ephesians must be aware of the dangers of compromise with the world of darkness. They had been lulled to sleep because of giving too much attention to the “sons of disobedience” around them. The darkness can do that. Darkness is when people sleep and when many bad things happen. There is also optimism in this statement. Christ can bring back the dead. There is resurrection hope for even the worst of sinners or backsliders. The Ephesians can have the confidence that they can experience all that God has planned for them in Christ. God’s grace can overcome the darkest of sins. The hope of the world is expressed in the last phrase: Christ will shine on you. When the Light of the world shines upon those who seek him, the result will be new life.
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