Ephesians 5:8
New International Version
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

New Living Translation
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!

English Standard Version
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Berean Standard Bible
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

Berean Literal Bible
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light--

King James Bible
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

New King James Version
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

New American Standard Bible
for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

NASB 1995
for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light

NASB 1977
for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

Legacy Standard Bible
for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

Amplified Bible
For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light]

Christian Standard Bible
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light —

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light—

American Standard Version
for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light

Contemporary English Version
You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light

English Revised Version
For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Once you lived in the dark, but now the Lord has filled you with light. Live as children who have light.

Good News Translation
You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light,

International Standard Version
For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,

Majority Standard Bible
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

NET Bible
for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light--

New Heart English Bible
For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

Webster's Bible Translation
For ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light;

Weymouth New Testament
There was a time when you were nothing but darkness. Now, as Christians, you are Light itself.

World English Bible
For you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for you were once darkness, and now light in the LORD; walk as children of light,

Berean Literal Bible
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light--

Young's Literal Translation
for ye were once darkness, and now light in the Lord; as children of light walk ye,

Smith's Literal Translation
For ye were then darkness, and now light in the Lord: walk ye as children of light:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For you were heretofore darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk then as children of the light.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For you were darkness, in times past, but now you are light, in the Lord. So then, walk as sons of the light.

New American Bible
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,

New Revised Standard Version
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For previously you were ignorant, but now you have been enlightened by our LORD, and should live therefore like children of light.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in our Lord, therefore so walk as children of Light.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For you were formerly darkness; but now you are light in the Lord: walk as children of light;

Godbey New Testament
For at one time ye were darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk about as children of the light,

Haweis New Testament
For ye were formerly darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light;

Mace New Testament
you were heretofore altogether in the dark, but now being enlightned by the Lord, behave as children of light:

Weymouth New Testament
There was a time when you were nothing but darkness. Now, as Christians, you are Light itself.

Worrell New Testament
for ye were once darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of light

Worsley New Testament
For ye were heretofore darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Children of Light
7Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, 9for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.…

Cross References
John 8:12
Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

1 John 1:5-7
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. / If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Colossians 1:13
He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

1 Thessalonians 5:5
For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

John 12:35-36
Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. / While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” After Jesus had spoken these things, He went away and was hidden from them.

Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’

Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Proverbs 4:18-19
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. / But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.

1 John 2:8-11
Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment, which is true in Him and also in you. For the darkness is fading and the true light is already shining. / If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness. / Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

ye were.

Ephesians 2:11,12
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; …

Ephesians 4:18
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

but.

Isaiah 42:6,7
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; …

Isaiah 49:6,9
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth…

Isaiah 60:1,3,19,20
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee…

walk.

Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Isaiah 2:5
O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Luke 16:8
And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.

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Behaviour Children Christians Dark Darkness Formerly Itself Light Once Sometime Sometimes Time Walk
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Behaviour Children Christians Dark Darkness Formerly Itself Light Once Sometime Sometimes Time Walk
Ephesians 5
1. After general exhortations to love;
3. to flee sexual immorality;
4. and all uncleanness;
7. not to converse with the wicked;
15. to walk carefully;
18. and to be filled with the Spirit;
22. he descends to the particular duties, how wives ought to obey their husbands;
25. and husbands ought to love their wives,
32. even as Christ does his church.














For you were once darkness
This phrase begins with a stark reminder of the believers' past state. The Greek word for "darkness" is "σκότος" (skotos), which signifies not just the absence of light but a state of moral and spiritual blindness. Historically, darkness is often associated with ignorance and evil, a condition that separated humanity from God. In the context of Ephesians, Paul is addressing Gentile converts who were once entrenched in pagan practices and devoid of the knowledge of God. This phrase serves as a humbling reminder of the transformation that has occurred through Christ.

but now you are light in the Lord
The contrast between "darkness" and "light" is profound. The Greek word for "light" is "φῶς" (phos), which represents truth, purity, and divine revelation. "In the Lord" indicates that this transformation is not of their own doing but is a result of their union with Christ. Historically, light has been a symbol of God's presence and guidance, as seen in the pillar of fire that led the Israelites. This phrase reassures believers of their new identity and the divine nature they now partake in through their relationship with Jesus.

Walk as children of light
The imperative "walk" (Greek: "περιπατέω," peripateo) suggests a continuous, habitual lifestyle. It is not merely about belief but about living out one's faith in daily actions. "Children of light" implies a familial relationship with God, who is the source of all light. In the scriptural context, this call to "walk" is an exhortation to live in a manner that reflects their new identity, characterized by righteousness, truth, and holiness. This phrase encourages believers to actively embody the virtues and values of the Kingdom of God in their everyday lives, serving as beacons of hope and truth in a world still shrouded in darkness.

(8) Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord.--This expression is unique, and far more emphatic than the more common phrases of "being," or "walking," "in darkness" and "in light." (See Romans 2:9; Colossians 1:2; 1Thessalonians 5:4; 1John 1:6-7; 1John 2:9-10.) For here the outward element of light or darkness is said to pervade the inner nature of the soul. (1) Christ is the "true Light," the "Sun of Righteousness" (John 1:4-9; John 3:19; John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:46). His servants are sometimes mere secondary lights (or "candles") (Luke 11:33-34; Luke 11:36; John 5:35; 2Peter 1:19), kindled from His rays; sometimes, like the moon or planets, they are said, as reflecting His light, or as having His light in them (John 12:35), to be actually "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14), which, however, shines as a mere reflected light, so that "men glorify" not it, but "the Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). They thus become light, but only "in the Lord:" that is, as being made one with Him. (2) So, on the other hand, they who walk in darkness are said to be themselves darkness--new sources, so to speak, of the darkness which hates and quenches light, both to themselves and to others. "The light" which is in them "becomes darkness;" "and how great is that darkness!" (Matthew 6:23.) As there is a natural delight in giving light, so the reprobate state is distinguished by a horrible pleasure in spreading the cloud of delusion, sin, or unbelief, by which to hide God from man. . . . Verse 8. - For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Another expressive "but." To make the contrast more emphatic, it is not said, "ye were in darkness, but are now in light;" but, "ye were darkness itself, and are now light itself," and this last is explained by the usual formula, "in the Lord." There was a celebrated Ephesian philosopher, Alexander, who was called "The Light;" but not from that source had the light come. The idea of light-giving is also involved in their being light. "Arise, shine, for thy light is come." Walk as children of light. Another expressive image, denoting close connection with light, as if they were actually born of it; hence their lives should be full of it. The figure connecting darkness with sin and light with purity, common to all languages, underlies the exhortation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

you were
Ἦτε (Ēte)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

once
ποτε (pote)
Particle
Strong's 4218: At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever.

darkness,
σκότος (skotos)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4655: Darkness, either physical or moral. From the base of skia; shadiness, i.e. Obscurity.

but
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

now
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

[you are] light
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] Lord.
Κυρίῳ (Kyriō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.

Walk
περιπατεῖτε (peripateite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4043: From peri and pateo; to tread all around, i.e. Walk at large; figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow.

as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

children
τέκνα (tekna)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

of light,
φωτὸς (phōtos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness (Ephes. Eph. Ep)
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