5:8a–b
you were once darkness, but now you are light: Paul contrasted the way they once were in the past before they were Christians, with the way they now are, now that they are Christians.
darkness…light: The words darkness and light are metaphors here. Many languages use darkness and light as metaphors. In this context, darkness refers to being disobedient and separated from the will and purposes of God. Here, light represents having true knowledge about the will and purposes of God.
Paul uses this metaphor for several verses here, and often in his writings. You should try to keep the metaphors of light and dark, if possible.
5:8a
For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces the reason that the Ephesians should not be partners with evil people. They should not be partners because they are now in the light.
Some versions do not translate this conjunction. Translate it in a way that is natural in your language.
you were once darkness: Here are some ways to translate this clause:
You used to be like people living in the dark (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
your hearts were dark
-or-
you lived/dwelt in the dark
-or-
the darkness ⌊of disobedience and sin⌋ controlled you
5:8b
but now you are light: Here are some ways to translate this clause:
now you have light ⌊from the Lord⌋ (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
now you have ⌊entered⌋ God’s light ⌊of truth and goodness⌋
-or-
now God has made your hearts bright ⌊with purity and truth⌋
Use expressions that are natural and clear in your language.
in the Lord: The phrase in the Lord means:
since you have become the Lord’s people
-or-
in union with the Lord (Jesus)
-or-
since you have become united to the Lord
Lord: Here the word Lord refers to Jesus. When Paul used the word Lord in his letters, he almost always meant the Lord Jesus.
5:8c
Walk: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as Walk means “behave.” See how you translated “walk/live” in 2:2a, 2:10c and 4:1b.)
as children of light: The phrase children of light here contrasts with the “sons of disobedience” in 5:6b. It refers to people who live in the light of God’s truth, that is, “people who behave as God wants.” All believers are children of light : they have turned away from their sins (darkness) and have come to Christ (light). For example:
people who belong to the light (Good News Translation)
Here are some other ways to translate “Walk as children of light”:
So act like people of the light (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
So you must live like people who belong to the light (Good News Translation)
-or-
Live as children who have light. (God’s Word)
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