Ephesians 5:14

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Wherefore {G1352} he saith {G3004}, Awake thou {G1453} that sleepest {G2518}, and {G2532} arise {G450} from {G1537} the dead {G3498}, and {G2532} Christ {G5547} shall give {G2017} thee {G4671} light {G2017}.

since anything revealed is a light. This is why it says,

“Get up, sleeper! Arise from the dead,
and the Messiah will shine on you!”

So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.

Ephesians 5:14 presents a powerful call to spiritual awakening and transformation, urging believers to shake off spiritual slumber and embrace the life and illumination offered by Christ. This verse serves as a climactic summary of Paul's preceding exhortations regarding living a life of light in contrast to the darkness of the world.

Context

This verse follows a vivid contrast drawn by the Apostle Paul between the former life of sin and darkness and the new life in Christ. In Ephesians 5:8, Paul states, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." He then warns against the unfruitful works of darkness, such as immorality, impurity, and covetousness, emphasizing that these things belong to those who are "children of disobedience" (Ephesians 5:6). The call to "awake" and "arise" is therefore a direct application of this truth: having been enlightened by Christ, believers are to live accordingly, exposing the deeds of darkness rather than participating in them.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Awakening and Transformation: The primary message is a call to awaken from spiritual apathy, ignorance, or even a state likened to spiritual death. It's an invitation to a radical change in perspective and lifestyle, moving from slumber to vigilance, from darkness to light. This transformation is not merely behavioral but deeply spiritual, affecting one's innermost being.
  • Light vs. Darkness: This verse strongly reiterates the pervasive theme in Ephesians 5 of light conquering darkness. The "sleep" and "death" represent a state of being without Christ's truth and life, while "light" signifies divine knowledge, purity, and the very presence of God. Living in the light means living in truth and righteousness.
  • Christ as the Source of Illumination: The promise, "Christ shall give thee light," highlights that spiritual understanding, guidance, and true life originate solely from Jesus. He is the ultimate source of revelation and the one who dispels spiritual blindness, offering clarity and purpose to those who respond to His call. This echoes the concept of Jesus being the light of the world.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "awake" is egeiro (ἐγείρω), which means to rouse, awaken, or raise up. It's often used in the New Testament for physical waking, but also significantly for resurrection from the dead. The phrase "arise from the dead" uses anistemi ek ton nekron (ἀνάστηθι ἐκ τῶν νεκρῶν), literally "stand up from the dead ones." This strong imagery underscores the profound spiritual change required, moving from a state of spiritual lifelessness to vibrant life in Christ. While the exact Old Testament quote isn't found, many scholars see parallels with passages like Isaiah 60:1, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee."

Practical Application

Ephesians 5:14 serves as a timeless challenge for believers today. It calls us to:

  • Examine Our Spiritual State: Are we truly awake and engaged in our faith, or have we succumbed to spiritual complacency, apathy, or worldliness?
  • Embrace Christ's Light: Actively seek to live in the truth and purity that Christ provides. This involves walking in obedience to His Word and allowing His Spirit to guide our decisions and actions. As Paul also admonishes in Romans 13:11, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."
  • Live as Witnesses: Our transformed lives, marked by light and righteousness, should expose the darkness around us and draw others to the illuminating power of Christ.
This verse is a powerful reminder that the Christian life is one of dynamic, active engagement with God's truth, empowered by Christ Himself.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 60:1

    ¶ Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

  • Romans 13:11

    ¶ And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.

  • Romans 13:12

    The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

  • Isaiah 26:19

    Thy dead [men] shall live, [together with] my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew [is as] the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:6

    ¶ Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.

  • Isaiah 52:1

    ¶ Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:6

    For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

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