EPHESIANS 5:8-12 YOU WERE ONCE DARKNESS

 

EPHESIANS 5:8-12 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

You Were Once Darkness; Is used by metonymy, of "those who are in moral or spiritual darkness. You were once; has the idea of the believer's position changing from darkness or sin to light or righteousness. Believers are able to change their walk corresponding to their position in Christ. NSB* The Greek word for darkness is σκότοςs kotos. Vine's (def B-3f) Strong's G4655.

Light In The Lord; "light as seen by the eye," and, metaphorically, as "reaching the mind," whence phaino, "to make to appear," phaneros, "evident," etc.). Apart from natural phenomenon. Only acceptance and faith in Christ can give you the capacity for it. The Greek word for light used here is φῶς phos. Vine's (def A-1), Strong's G5457

Children; a child" (akin to tikto, "to beget, bear"), is used in both the natural and the figurative senses. In contrast to huios, "son" (See below), it gives prominence to the fact of birth, whereas huios stresses the dignity and character of the relationship. Figuratively, teknon is used of "children" of light. The Greek word used in this text for Children is τέκνον teknon. Vine's (def 1b), Strong's G5043.

Cross Reference: 1 Thessalonians 5:5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

Though the day of the Lord will overtake the unsaved world unexpectedly, it will not overtake Christians, because they will be looking forward to and expecting it. In his characteristic style, Paul first addresses the reader's beliefs, then their behavior. Note 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 as opposed to 5:6-11. NSB*

Moving to Verse 9

Fruit Of The Spirit; Is seen in goodness, righteousness, and truth as the expression of the union of the Christian with God(Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). [The singular form suggesting the unity of the character of the Lord as reproduced in them, namely, "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance," all in contrast with the confused and often mutually antagonistic "works of the flesh."] The Greek word for fruit is καρπός karpos. Vine's (def A-1), bracketed. Strong's G2590. 

Cross Reference: Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

These verses encourage the readers to walk in the Spirit in such a way that is not conceited, provoking others, or envious of others. 

Goodness; "goodness," signifies that moral quality which is described by the adjective agathos (describes that which, being good" in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect;). It is used, in the NT, of regenerate persons. The Greek word is ἀγαθωσύνη agathosune. Vine's (def B-2), Strong's G19.

Righteousness; Has the idea of right action. Action that is right or just. A walk corresponding to our position in Christ. The Greek word is δικαιοσύνη dikaiosune.Strong's G1343. Strong's denotes equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification. Dodson expands - justice, justness, righteousness (usually if not always in a Jewish atmosphere), justice, justness, righteousness, righteousness of which God is the source or author, but practically: a divine righteousness.

Truth; Dodson's definition - Truth, but not merely truth as spoken; truth of idea, reality, sincerity, truth in the moral sphere, divine truth revealed to man, straightforwardness. The Greek word is ἀλήθεια alētheia. Strong's G225.

Moving to Verse 10.

Cross Reference: Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Finding; The KJV uses "prove" here, which means, to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve. The Greek word used here is δοκιμάζω dokimazō. Strong's G1381. Vine's (def A-1) is as follows - to test, prove," with the expectation of approving, is translated "to prove".

Acceptable; "well," arestos, "pleasing," is rendered "acceptable,". The Greek word for acceptable is εὐάρεστος euarestos. Vine's (def B-4), Strong's G2101. 

Moving to Verse 11. 

Cross Reference: 1 Corinthians 5:9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

No Fellowship; "To have fellowship with or in". Also denotes communication or to partake with. The Greek word for fellowship is συγκοινωνέω sunkoinoneo. Vine's (def B-2) Strong's G4790.

Unfruitful; "unfruitful" (a, negative), is used figuratively of the works of darkness. The Greek word is ἄκαρπος akarpos. Vine's (def B-2), Strong's G175. Strong's denotes the idea of "barren". 

My notes - Nothing beneficial towards anyone comes out of darkness or evil. 

Works Of Darkness; full of darkness, or covered with darkness," is translated "dark" and is used of "evil works,". The Greek word for darkness is σκότος skotos. Vine's (def B-3g), Strong's G4655. Strong's denotes "shadiness". 

Expose; The KJV uses the word reprove. It means "to convict, rebuke, reprove," is translated "to reprove". To confute, admonish. Dodson expands I rebuke, expose (a) I reprove, rebuke, discipline, (b) I expose, show to be guilty. The Greek word for reprove is ἐλέγχω elencho. Vine's (def B-1), Strong's G1651.

Moving to Verse 12.

Shameful; shameful, i.e. base (specially, venal), disgraceful. The Greek word for shame here is αἰσχρός aischros. Vine's (def C-1), Strong's G150. 

Speak; to say, speak:" primarily, to pick out, gather," chiefly denotes "to say, speak, affirm," whether of actual speech. The Greek word is λέγω lego. Vine's (def 1), Strong's G3004.

In Secret; "secretly, in secret". Denotes "privately". The Greek word is κρυφῆ kruphe. Vine's (def B-1), Strong's G2931.

This verse effectively bans Christians from indulging in the modern preoccupation with examining the lucid details of evils such as the occult or other perverted practices. NSB. 

Takeaways: 

1. Anyone outside of Christ is in moral or spiritual darkness. As a result of being saved by Jesus Christ we are no longer in darkness and because of that...

2. We don't even want to communicate or partake with "things" that are unfruitful works of darkness. Paul uses the idea of not being yoked together with unbelievers. Yoked in 2 Corinthians 6:14 is in reference to marriage, but here in verse 11, Paul expands that to "fellowship" with the things of darkness. 

3. DO NOT shun or deride new Christians or those trying to escape spiritual or moral darkness. Christians ought to be the light displaying the fruits of the spirit, ie  "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and temperance". As Christians, we should be the single "safest" physical place for those seeking to escape darkness. Christ clearly being the savior, Lord, comforter, and more. 

This does not mean we don't use discernment and wisdom, but those things do not look like cruelty and shame when it comes to the soul fleeing darkness. We shun and "expose" the works of darkness avoiding speaking secretly about it or engaging in it.  

NSB* = Nelson Study Bible