Ephesians 5:10

KJV

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

Proving {G1381} what {G5101} is {G2076} acceptable {G2101} unto the Lord {G2962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

try to determine what will please the Lord.

Berean Standard Bible

Test and prove what pleases the Lord.

American Standard Version

proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 5:10 calls believers to actively discern and demonstrate what is pleasing to the Lord, serving as a practical outworking of their new identity as "children of light." This verse emphasizes a deliberate and ongoing process of testing and approving actions, attitudes, and choices against God's revealed will, ensuring that their lives reflect the goodness, righteousness, and truth that characterize His nature.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 5:10 is an immediate and direct continuation of Paul's exhortation for believers to live in a manner consistent with their transformed identity in Christ. In [Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "Ephesians 5:8 - From Darkness to Light"), Paul declares that those who were once "darkness" are now "light in the Lord," and therefore they are commanded to "walk as children of light." This new identity is not merely a status but demands a corresponding lifestyle. [Ephesians 5:9](/ephesians/5-9 "Ephesians 5:9 - The Fruit of Light") then specifies the "fruit of the Spirit" (or "fruit of the light," as some manuscripts read) as "all goodness and righteousness and truth." Against this backdrop, [Ephesians 5:10](/ephesians/5-10 "Ephesians 5:10 - Discerning God's Will") serves as the practical imperative: this fruit-bearing life inherently involves "proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." It links the internal transformation to external, discernible conduct, moving from identity to character to action.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Ephesus was a major Roman provincial capital, a bustling port, and a center of diverse religious practices, including the widespread worship of Artemis (Diana). Pagan cults often involved immoral practices, idolatry, and a worldview fundamentally opposed to Christian ethics. Paul's letter to the Ephesians, written from prison, addresses a church composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers, emphasizing their unity in Christ and calling them to live distinctively in a morally corrupt society. The call to "prove what is acceptable unto the Lord" stood in stark contrast to the surrounding culture, which often operated on principles of self-gratification, ritualistic appeasement of gods, or adherence to societal norms rather than divine truth. Believers were to be counter-cultural, demonstrating a new way of life rooted in God's character, not the world's standards.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Ephesians and Paul's broader theology. First, it underscores the theme of **Discernment**, urging believers to actively evaluate their choices and actions against God's standards, rather than passively conforming to the world. This active process of testing is crucial for spiritual maturity. Second, the concept of **Pleasing God** is central; the ultimate aim of the Christian life is not self-fulfillment but bringing delight and honor to the Lord. This theme permeates Paul's writings, emphasizing that genuine faith expresses itself in obedience and a desire to glorify God. Finally, [Ephesians 5:10](/ephesians/5-10 "Ephesians 5:10 - Discerning God's Will") reinforces the theme of **Ethical and Moral Conduct**, demonstrating that salvation leads to a transformed life of goodness, righteousness, and truth, as previously mentioned in [Ephesians 5:9](/ephesians/5-9 "Ephesians 5:9 - The Fruit of Light"). This verse serves as a bridge between the theological truths of identity in Christ and the practical demands of Christian living.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Proving (Greek, _dokimázō'_):** From G1381, this word means "to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve." It implies a thorough examination, like assaying metal to determine its purity or authenticity. It is not merely a casual observation but an active, discerning process of evaluation that leads to a positive judgment or approval. For believers, it means actively scrutinizing their actions, motives, and choices to ensure they align with God's will and character.
* **Acceptable (Greek, _euárestos'_):** From G2101, this term means "fully agreeable" or "well-pleasing." It conveys more than mere tolerance or grudging acceptance; it signifies something that brings genuine delight and approval. When something is "acceptable" to the Lord, it means it is in perfect harmony with His nature, His desires, and His revealed will, bringing Him satisfaction.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** From G2962, this word signifies "supreme in authority," a "controller," or "Master." In the New Testament, it is frequently used to refer to Jesus Christ, acknowledging His divine sovereignty and authority. Here, it underscores that the standard for what is "acceptable" comes from the ultimate authority, God Himself, to whom believers owe their allegiance and obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Proving":** This participle, `dokimázō`, indicates an ongoing, active process. It's not a one-time event but a continuous endeavor for the believer to test, examine, and discern. It implies a critical assessment of one's life, decisions, and spiritual trajectory. The goal of this testing is not to find fault but to arrive at an affirmation of what is true and good.
* **"what is acceptable":** This phrase refers to the object of the "proving." It is not a vague or subjective standard but a specific quality or characteristic that aligns with God's nature and will. The term "acceptable" (`euárestos`) emphasizes that God's approval is not a matter of indifference but of genuine pleasure and delight in what is righteous and true. It suggests a standard of excellence and conformity to divine character.
* **"unto the Lord":** This specifies the ultimate authority and recipient of this acceptability. Our actions are not merely to be acceptable to ourselves, to others, or to societal norms, but specifically to the sovereign Lord. This highlights the vertical dimension of Christian living, where our primary audience and judge is God Himself. It underscores the spiritual nature of our conduct and its direct bearing on our relationship with Him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Imperative Mood** implicitly, as it functions as a command or strong exhortation following the explicit command to "walk as children of light" in [Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "Ephesians 5:8 - From Darkness to Light"). The participle "proving" carries the force of a continuous obligation. There is also an element of **Ethical Exhortation**, as Paul is urging believers toward a specific moral and spiritual conduct that aligns with their new identity. Furthermore, in the broader context of [Ephesians 5:8-9](/ephesians/5-8-9 "Ephesians 5:8-9 - Walking as Children of Light"), there is a powerful **Metaphor** of light and darkness, where "proving what is acceptable unto the Lord" is the practical manifestation of walking in the light, contrasting sharply with the fruitless deeds of darkness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 5:10 powerfully articulates the Christian responsibility to live a life of active discernment, aligning every aspect of their existence with God's will. This pursuit is not a legalistic burden but a joyful response to the transformative grace received in Christ. It echoes the Old Testament call to holiness and separation, now empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The concept of "pleasing God" is a foundational theological truth, indicating that human flourishing is found in harmonious relationship with the Creator, expressed through obedience and worship. This verse reminds believers that their lives are a continuous offering, to be tested and refined until they reflect the character of the One they serve.

* [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind")
* [Colossians 1:10](/colossians/1-10 "Colossians 1:10 - Walking Worthy of the Lord")
* [1 Thessalonians 4:1](/1_thessalonians/4-1 "1 Thessalonians 4:1 - Living to Please God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
"Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord" is an ongoing, vital discipline for every believer. It means moving beyond passive acceptance of cultural norms or even religious traditions, and actively seeking God's heart and mind in every decision, big or small. This involves deep engagement with Scripture, allowing the Word to illuminate our paths and challenge our assumptions. It requires a humble posture of prayer, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance to discern His perfect will. It also necessitates honest self-examination, asking if our motives, words, and actions truly honor God and reflect the fruit of His Spirit. This is not about earning salvation, but about living out the reality of our salvation, demonstrating to a watching world the transformative power of Christ and the beauty of a life lived for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I currently struggling to discern God's will, and how can I more actively "prove" what is acceptable to Him?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to more intentionally seek God's approval in my daily decisions, rather than relying on my own understanding or the world's standards?**
* **How does my desire to please the Lord motivate my actions and choices, and what might hinder this motivation?**

### FAQ
**What does "proving" mean in the context of Ephesians 5:10?**

Answer: In Ephesians 5:10, "proving" (from the Greek `dokimázō`) means much more than simply demonstrating or showing. It signifies an active, deliberate process of testing, examining, and scrutinizing something to determine its authenticity, purity, or worthiness, with the ultimate goal of approving it. It's like a goldsmith testing gold to ensure it's pure, or a craftsman testing a tool to ensure it's fit for purpose. For believers, it means actively evaluating our thoughts, words, actions, and motives against God's revealed will and character, as found in [His Word](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed"), to ensure they are truly "acceptable" or "well-pleasing" to Him. It's a continuous, discerning process of living out our faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 5:10 finds its ultimate fulfillment and empowerment in Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of one who always did "what is acceptable unto the Lord." From His baptism, where the Father declared, "[This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - The Father's Affirmation of Jesus")," to His life of perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death, Jesus consistently lived to please the Father. He Himself declared, "[I always do what pleases him](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")." As believers, we are called to imitate Christ, not by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, uniting us to Him. Our ability to "prove what is acceptable unto the Lord" flows directly from our union with Christ, who is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom and Righteousness")). He not only sets the standard but also enables us to meet it, transforming us into His likeness so that our lives, too, may become a fragrant offering, "well-pleasing to God" ([Philippians 4:18](/philippians/4-18 "Philippians 4:18 - A Fragrant Offering to God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 12:1

¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Hebrews 12:28

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

1 Peter 2:20

For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God.

1 Peter 2:5

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.