Read & explore together
Children of Light
Ephesians 5:8–20 teaches its readers to live differently because they are now light in the Lord. The passage contrasts darkness and light, then describes wise, Spirit-filled living in everyday words and actions.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This part of the letter gives direct teaching about daily conduct. It starts with the statement, "you are now light in the Lord", then traces what fits that calling: goodness, righteousness, truth, careful walking, understanding the Lord’s will, Spirit-filled song, and thankful speech to God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:8–20Main takeaway
Because they are now light in the Lord, the readers are called to reject deeds of darkness and to live wisely with truth, worship, and thanksgiving.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Walk as children of lightThe passage begins with a sharp contrast: "you were once darkness" but "are now light in the Lord".
Explanation
The passage begins with a sharp contrast: "you were once darkness" but "are now light in the Lord". The command that follows is to "walk as children of light". This kind of walk is described by "goodness and righteousness and truth", and by proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.
02Do not share in unfruitful deedsThe letter says not to have fellowship with "the unfruitful deeds of darkness" and instead to reprove them.
Explanation
The letter says not to have fellowship with "the unfruitful deeds of darkness" and instead to reprove them. It adds that the things done in secret are shameful even to speak about. Verse 13 explains that things, when reproved, are revealed by the light, "for everything that reveals is light".
03Awake and walk carefullyA quoted call says, "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Explanation
A quoted call says, "Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Then the teaching turns practical again: "watch carefully how you walk", choosing wisdom instead of foolishness. The readers are to redeem the time because the days are evil.
04Understand and be filledThe passage links wisdom with understanding: "don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Explanation
The passage links wisdom with understanding: "don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." It then contrasts drunkenness, which leads to dissipation, with being filled with the Spirit. Spirit-filled life is shown here through psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, melody to the Lord, and constant thanksgiving to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What qualities and actions describe walking as children of light in this passage?
Look at the named fruit in verse 9 and the testing or proving language in verse 10.
02How does the passage contrast deeds of darkness with the work of light?
Notice the words about fellowship, secrecy, shame, reproof, and revealing.
03What does being filled with the Spirit look like here?
Answer from the actions listed in verses 19 and 20 without adding examples from elsewhere.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Ephesians 5:8–20
8For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
9for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,
10proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.
11Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them.
12For it is a shame even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
13But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.
14Therefore he says, “Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
15Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise,
16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17Therefore, don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
19speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;