Ephesians 5:13

13 But all things having their true character exposed by the light are made manifest; for that which makes everything manifest is light.

Ephesians 5:13 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 5:13

But all things that are reproved
As all sins should be, by the ministers of the Gospel, and by other saints, and will be by God; either by his Spirit convincing of them, or by his judgments, and the letting out of his wrath and fury, either here or hereafter, for the punishment of them:

are made manifest by the light:
either by the saints, who are made light in the Lord, and detect and reprove the sins of others; or by the word of the Lord, which discovers the heinousness of sins; or by Christ the light of the world, who as Judge will bring to light the hidden things of darkness; or by the omniscience of God, to whom darkness and light are both alike

for whatsoever doth make manifest, is light;
this is true in things natural and spiritual, whether of the sun in the firmament, or of Christ the sun of righteousness; or of the divine word, or of good men.

Ephesians 5:13 In-Context

11 and do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather also reprove [them],

12 for the things that are done by them in secret it is shameful even to say.

13 But all things having their true character exposed by the light are made manifest; for that which makes everything manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he says, Wake up, [thou] that sleepest, and arise up from among the dead, and the Christ shall shine upon thee.

15 See therefore how ye walk carefully, not as unwise but as wise,

Footnotes

• [a]. Or 'expose [them]' -- that is, expose (as by light) their true character. Elenko: see John 3.20.
• [b]. Or 'but all of them, having their true character exposed by the light, are made manifest,' or 'are made manifest by the light.'