8 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. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”
Commentary
Vs. 8 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light."
In strengthening his exhortation for us all to be imitators of God as His dear children; and thus not to walk in the sins, and specifically the sexual sins, of those who do not know, nor obey God (Eph. 5:3-7). The Apostle Paul now says that though we were once darkness, (that is in realm of sin and Satan and death, and thus living under the dominion and influence of the same (consider Col. 1:13; 1 John 5:19 etc.), yet now we are light in the Lord (1 Thess 5:5), therefore the Apostle Paul commands us all to walk as children of light (also see Rom 13:12-14).
Vs. 9 "for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth"
Notice that the fruit of the Spirit is not found in ecstatic utterances, nor is not found in the mere ceremonial observances of religious ordinances, but it is found in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Now goodness is doing good towards others, (which is in the heart of God, and thus at the heart of Gospel, and in the heart of everyone who believes In Christ), and it is found in all charity, and all generosity, in all kindness, and all mercy, and it is found in all agape love. And thus it is to be manifested through us who believe by all kinds of gracious acts and merciful deeds. For it is the Spirit Himself who gives us the desire to want to do good, while enabling us all to do so. Therefore let us all be about doing the good that God commands, and that we all want to do.
Now righteousness is the morally righteous Character of God, revealed in His Word, and manifested through His Person in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus we are commanded to walk in the same righteousness; both doing and pursuing the same; because God's Character and Nature is Righteousness, and thus the fruit of the Holy Spirit is found in all righteousness as well. And so in this world where righteousness is so lacking, and where it does exist it has become so twisted and perverse that celebrating, and or fiercely defending homosexual and "transgender" perversion is now a measure of their "righteousness," (and thus they are paving the way for the anti-Christ's arrival by their trying to normalize and validate the same), let us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus who want to obey the truth, be walking in all righteousness, because doing so not only has many positive effects on us, sanctifying us, but also walking in righteousness will have many positive effects on those around us when we do so in a spirit of grace and truth (consider Prov. 10:2, 24, 25, 27; 11:4, 19, 21, 31, 11:28; 12:3, 21; 13:21; 14:32; 15:6, 9, 29; 16:31; 20:7; 21:23; 29:6; John 1:17 etc.). For walking in righteousness is very revealing of the Son of God Himself, who knew no sin, and yet He suffered Crucifixion death in our place for all our sins, so that His Righteousness can now be imputed to anyone who repents and believes in Him (2 Cor 5:21). Therefore in a world that is so quickly degenerating, and by doing so, fulfilling the Word of God as transgressors reach their fullness, we all need to be walking in all righteousness, as we await Christ's return, extending God's grace to those who have not yet believed nor received Christ through it, so that God might redeem and transform their persons, hearts, and minds as well, when they repent and believe in the Gospel. Therefore we need truth, unchanging and irrefutable Biblical truth, for that alone is our only trustworthy guide into all goodness, righteousness, and truth; and thus it is only God's Word that sanctifies us (John 17:17). And so Biblical truth not only refreshes ones soul, but it also keeps us and cleanses us from all of the corrupting and degenerating lies of Satan that are in this world, which just keep lowering the bar till nothing is of limits. And so walking in the truth is not only foundational to knowing God (Jer. 9:6), but it is also the only way to keep Satan (the father of lies) at bay, for when one lives or practices a lie, (which is at the heart of all sins, and those who seek to justify the same) one only opens a door in their life to him (consider John 8:44; 1 Tim 4:1-5; 1 John 2:24).
Vs. 10 "finding out what is acceptable to the Lord."
That's our responsibility, both individually and collectively, but the emphasis here is on us as individual believers to all find out what is acceptable to the Lord. Now this we can do by our own ongoing study of, and abiding in of Christ's Word, trusting the Holy Spirit to enlighten and teach us from it. Thus the Apostle Paul's exhortation here is that we both individually and collectively be about finding out and doing what is acceptable to the Lord which is revealed to us all in His Word.
Vs. 11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Having fellowship with anyone who is practicing the unfruitful works of darkness is not just good Godly counsel (Prov 1:10-19; 12:26), but it is clearly commanded of us (see 1 Cor. 5:11-13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). And so whether these unfruitful works of darkness are being done by professing believers in the church, or by outright unbelievers in the world, no believer should have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; because our loyalty is to Christ Himself, not to friends, not to family, and not even to professing believers when these are knowingly walking contrary to Him. And so the Apostle Paul commands that we to have no have fellowship with them; and thus in any way validate what they are doing or pursuing; but rather we are to expose them, that is call sin what is, (consider 1 Tim 5:19-20), because loyalty to Christ demands both censure and exposure of them by us who believe, so that the unfruitful works of darkness do not take root amongst us as well.
Vs. 12 "For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret."
If what is known is bad, then what is not known is very likely much worse. Therefore the Apostle Paul wants us all to steer clear of all the unfruitful works of darkness, and will not even speak of the things done by them, so as not too pollute the minds of those believers who are seeking to sanctify their persons and lives, nor forward the wicked works of darkness, by making an open gossip and scandal of the wicked works of darkness done by them. For these kinds of these can be dealt with personally, judiciously, and divisively without dragging everybody into them, or down with them, Therefore we are to meditate on what is good and not on what is evil (consider Phil 4:8-9).
Vs. 13-14 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
The power of God's Word to illuminate all that is light and all that is not is self-evident. The same thing then applies to a Christian whose life is being lived in a Godly and grace filled manner. Therefore the Apostle Paul does not want to forward the wicked works of darkness by openly speaking of them, rather Paul only wants to speak of those things that are made manifest by light, because whatever makes manifest is light; that is whatever makes manifest the true Nature of God Himself in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ is light (whether God's Word or our lives being lived in a Godly and grace filled manner). And so rather than see people continue on in their sins and ignorance, or worse complacency, the Word of God says to one and to all:
For God has commanded everyone to repent and believe in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ, because it is Christ Himself who is not only the light of the world (John 8:12), but He has been appointed by God Himself to be the Judge of us all (Psalm 96:13; Mat 25:31-46; Luke 3:17; Acts 10:42; 17:31; 2 Cor 5:10; 2 Tim 4:1 etc.). Therefore He will render to each one of us according to our deeds, 7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, (Rom 2:6-7). And so the exhortation is for us all to wake up and to be reconciled to God while we can, because God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might be the righteousness of God by our faith in Him (2 Cor. 5:21 paraphrase). Therefore through Christ God will not only forgive and cleanse you of all your sins and transgressions, but He will also transform your person and bring you too Spirit life, the moment you repent and believe in Him (Eph. 1:13-14), therefore be reconciled to God today!
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
In strengthening his exhortation for us all to be imitators of God as His dear children; and thus not to walk in the sins, and specifically the sexual sins, of those who do not know, nor obey God (Eph. 5:3-7). The Apostle Paul now says that though we were once darkness, (that is in realm of sin and Satan and death, and thus living under the dominion and influence of the same (consider Col. 1:13; 1 John 5:19 etc.), yet now we are light in the Lord (1 Thess 5:5), therefore the Apostle Paul commands us all to walk as children of light (also see Rom 13:12-14).
Vs. 9 "for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth"
Notice that the fruit of the Spirit is not found in ecstatic utterances, nor is not found in the mere ceremonial observances of religious ordinances, but it is found in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Now goodness is doing good towards others, (which is in the heart of God, and thus at the heart of Gospel, and in the heart of everyone who believes In Christ), and it is found in all charity, and all generosity, in all kindness, and all mercy, and it is found in all agape love. And thus it is to be manifested through us who believe by all kinds of gracious acts and merciful deeds. For it is the Spirit Himself who gives us the desire to want to do good, while enabling us all to do so. Therefore let us all be about doing the good that God commands, and that we all want to do.
Now righteousness is the morally righteous Character of God, revealed in His Word, and manifested through His Person in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus we are commanded to walk in the same righteousness; both doing and pursuing the same; because God's Character and Nature is Righteousness, and thus the fruit of the Holy Spirit is found in all righteousness as well. And so in this world where righteousness is so lacking, and where it does exist it has become so twisted and perverse that celebrating, and or fiercely defending homosexual and "transgender" perversion is now a measure of their "righteousness," (and thus they are paving the way for the anti-Christ's arrival by their trying to normalize and validate the same), let us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thus who want to obey the truth, be walking in all righteousness, because doing so not only has many positive effects on us, sanctifying us, but also walking in righteousness will have many positive effects on those around us when we do so in a spirit of grace and truth (consider Prov. 10:2, 24, 25, 27; 11:4, 19, 21, 31, 11:28; 12:3, 21; 13:21; 14:32; 15:6, 9, 29; 16:31; 20:7; 21:23; 29:6; John 1:17 etc.). For walking in righteousness is very revealing of the Son of God Himself, who knew no sin, and yet He suffered Crucifixion death in our place for all our sins, so that His Righteousness can now be imputed to anyone who repents and believes in Him (2 Cor 5:21). Therefore in a world that is so quickly degenerating, and by doing so, fulfilling the Word of God as transgressors reach their fullness, we all need to be walking in all righteousness, as we await Christ's return, extending God's grace to those who have not yet believed nor received Christ through it, so that God might redeem and transform their persons, hearts, and minds as well, when they repent and believe in the Gospel. Therefore we need truth, unchanging and irrefutable Biblical truth, for that alone is our only trustworthy guide into all goodness, righteousness, and truth; and thus it is only God's Word that sanctifies us (John 17:17). And so Biblical truth not only refreshes ones soul, but it also keeps us and cleanses us from all of the corrupting and degenerating lies of Satan that are in this world, which just keep lowering the bar till nothing is of limits. And so walking in the truth is not only foundational to knowing God (Jer. 9:6), but it is also the only way to keep Satan (the father of lies) at bay, for when one lives or practices a lie, (which is at the heart of all sins, and those who seek to justify the same) one only opens a door in their life to him (consider John 8:44; 1 Tim 4:1-5; 1 John 2:24).
Vs. 10 "finding out what is acceptable to the Lord."
That's our responsibility, both individually and collectively, but the emphasis here is on us as individual believers to all find out what is acceptable to the Lord. Now this we can do by our own ongoing study of, and abiding in of Christ's Word, trusting the Holy Spirit to enlighten and teach us from it. Thus the Apostle Paul's exhortation here is that we both individually and collectively be about finding out and doing what is acceptable to the Lord which is revealed to us all in His Word.
Vs. 11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Having fellowship with anyone who is practicing the unfruitful works of darkness is not just good Godly counsel (Prov 1:10-19; 12:26), but it is clearly commanded of us (see 1 Cor. 5:11-13; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1). And so whether these unfruitful works of darkness are being done by professing believers in the church, or by outright unbelievers in the world, no believer should have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; because our loyalty is to Christ Himself, not to friends, not to family, and not even to professing believers when these are knowingly walking contrary to Him. And so the Apostle Paul commands that we to have no have fellowship with them; and thus in any way validate what they are doing or pursuing; but rather we are to expose them, that is call sin what is, (consider 1 Tim 5:19-20), because loyalty to Christ demands both censure and exposure of them by us who believe, so that the unfruitful works of darkness do not take root amongst us as well.
Vs. 12 "For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret."
If what is known is bad, then what is not known is very likely much worse. Therefore the Apostle Paul wants us all to steer clear of all the unfruitful works of darkness, and will not even speak of the things done by them, so as not too pollute the minds of those believers who are seeking to sanctify their persons and lives, nor forward the wicked works of darkness, by making an open gossip and scandal of the wicked works of darkness done by them. For these kinds of these can be dealt with personally, judiciously, and divisively without dragging everybody into them, or down with them, Therefore we are to meditate on what is good and not on what is evil (consider Phil 4:8-9).
Vs. 13-14 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:
“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
The power of God's Word to illuminate all that is light and all that is not is self-evident. The same thing then applies to a Christian whose life is being lived in a Godly and grace filled manner. Therefore the Apostle Paul does not want to forward the wicked works of darkness by openly speaking of them, rather Paul only wants to speak of those things that are made manifest by light, because whatever makes manifest is light; that is whatever makes manifest the true Nature of God Himself in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ is light (whether God's Word or our lives being lived in a Godly and grace filled manner). And so rather than see people continue on in their sins and ignorance, or worse complacency, the Word of God says to one and to all:
“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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