Ephesians 5 · Verse 10

Ephesians 5:10

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Ephesians 5:10, King James Version

Ephesians 5:10 in other translations

BSBTest and prove what pleases the Lord.
WEBproving what is well pleasing to the Lord.
ASVproving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;
YLTproving what is well-pleasing to the Lord,
DARBYproving what is agreeable to the Lord;
BBETesting by experience what is well-pleasing to the Lord;
WebsterProving what is acceptable to the Lord.

What does Ephesians 5:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
10. Proving--construed with "walk" (Ep 5:8; Ro 12:1, 2). As we prove a coin by the eye and the ear, and by using it, so by accurate and continued study, and above all by practice and experimental trial, we may prove or test "what is acceptable unto the Lord." This is the office of "light," of which believers are "children," to manifest what each thing is, whether sightly or unsightly.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. That is, "Walk as children of light, Eph 5:8, thus showing what is acceptable to the Lord." Rosenmuller supposes that the participle is used here instead of the imperative. The meaning is, that by so living you will make a fair trial of what is acceptable to the Lord. The result on your happiness, in this life and the next, will be such as to show that such a course is pleasing in his sight. Dr. Chandler, however, renders it as meaning that by this course they would show that they discerned and approved of what was acceptable to the Lord. Rom 12:2, where a similar form of expression occurs.

(h) "what is acceptable" Rom 12:2

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 10 Proving what is acceptable - By walking in the light - under the influence of the Divine Spirit, according to the dictates of the Gospel, ye shall be able to try, and bring to full proof, that by which God is best pleased. Ye shall be able to please him well in all things.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 5:3-14

Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Our cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places that hope…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 5:3-14 →

Ephesians 5:10 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

δοκιμάζοντεςdokimazontesdiscerningG1381
τίtiwhatG5101
ἐστινestinisG1510
εὐάρεστονeuarestonwell-pleasingG2101
τῷtōto theG3588
κυρίῳ.kuriōLord.G2962

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 5:10

  • Romans 12:1-2

    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. 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 2:5

    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 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 Thessalonians 5:21

    Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

  • Proverbs 21:3

    To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

  • Romans 14:18

    For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

  • 1 Timothy 2:3

    For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

  • Philippians 1:10

    That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

  • Jeremiah 6:20

    To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

  • 1 Timothy 5:4

    But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Proving.
1Sa 17:39; Ro 12:1,2; Php 1:10; 1Th 5:21
acceptable.
Ps 19:14; Pr 21:3; Isa 58:5; Jer 6:20; Ro 14:18; Php 4:18; 1Ti 2:3
1Ti 5:4; Heb 12:28; 1Pe 2:5,20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 5:9

    (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

  • Ephesians 5:10

    Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

  • Ephesians 5:11

    And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Read all of Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5:10 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Aprobando lo que es agradable al Señor.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		éprouvant ce qui est agréable au Seigneur.
German
Elberfelder 1871		indem ihr prüfet, was dem Herrn wohlgefällig ist.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		probantes quid sit beneplacitum Deo: