Ephesians 5 · Verse 13

Ephesians 5:13

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
Ephesians 5:13, King James Version

Ephesians 5:13 in other translations

BSBBut everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself.
WEBBut all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.
ASVBut all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light.
YLTand all the things reproved by the light are manifested, for everything that is manifested is light;
DARBYBut all things having their true character exposed by the light are made manifest; for that which makes everything manifest is light.
BBEBut all things, when their true quality is seen, are made clear by the light: because everything which is made clear is light.
WebsterBut all things that are reproved, are made manifest by the light: for whatever doth make manifest is light.

What does Ephesians 5:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. that are reproved--rather, "when they are reproved," namely, by you (Ep 5:11). whatsoever doth make manifest--rather, "everything that is (that is, suffers itself to be) made manifest (or 'shone upon,' namely, by your 'reproving,' Ep 5:11) is (thenceforth no longer 'darkness,' Ep 5:8, but) light." The devil and the wicked will not suffer themselves to be made manifest by the light, but love darkness, though outwardly the light shines round them. Therefore, "light" has no transforming effect on them, so that they do not become light (Joh 3:19, 20). But, says the apostle, you being now light yourselves (Ep 5:8), by bringing to light through reproof those who are in darkness, will convert them to light. Your consistent lives and faithful reproofs will be your "armor of light" (Ro 13:12) in making an inroad on the kingdom of darkness.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 13. But all things that are reproved. Marg., discovered. The word here used properly means proved, demonstrated, reproved, or convicted, Jn 16:8; but it seems here to be used in the sense of disclosed, or discovered. The sense is, that its true nature is demonstrated; that is, it is made known.

Are made manifest by the light. The sense is, "Light is the means of seeing what things are. We discern their form, nature, appearance by it. So it is with the gospel---the light of the world. It enables us to see the true nature of actions. They are done in darkness, and are like objects in the dark. Their form and nature cannot then be known; but, when the light shines, we see what they are." Comp. Jn 3:20, Jn 3:21.

For whatsoever doth make manifest is light. "Anything which will show the real form and nature of an object deserves to be called light." Of the truth of this no one can doubt. The meaning in this connexion is, that that system which discloses the true nature of what is done by the heathen deserves to be considered as light; and that the gospel, which does this, should be regarded as a system of light and truth. It discloses the odiousness and vileness, and it stands thus in strong contrast with all the false and abominable systems which have upheld or produced those vices.

(1) "reproved" "discovered" (c) "by the light" Jn 3:20,21

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 But all things that are reproved - Dr. Macknight paraphrases this verse as follows: "Now all these reprovable actions, ελεγχομενα, which are practised in celebrating these mysteries, are made manifest as sinful by the Gospel; and, seeing every thing which discovers the true nature of actions is light, the Gospel, which discovers the evil nature of the actions performed in these mysteries, is light." The apostle speaks against these mysteries as he speaks against fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness; but by no means either borrows expression or similitude from them to illustrate Divine truths; for, as it would be a shame even to speak of those things, surely it would be an abomination to allude to them in the illustration of the doctrines of the Gospel.

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 5:13 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.

τὰta<the>G3588
δὲdeButG1161
πάνταpantaeverythingG3956
ἐλεγχόμεναelegchomenabeing exposedG1651
ὑπὸhupobyG5259
τοῦtoutheG3588
φωτὸςphōtoslightG5457
φανεροῦται·phaneroutaiis made visible;G5319

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

Cross references for Ephesians 5:13

  • John 3:20-21

    For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:5

    Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

  • Hosea 2:10

    And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of mine hand.

  • Hosea 7:1

    When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.

  • Micah 7:9

    I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.

  • Lamentations 2:14

    Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
reproved. or, discovered.
La 2:14; Ho 2:10; 7:1
for.
Mic 7:9; Joh 3:20,21; 1Co 4:5; Heb 1:13

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

Context

  • Ephesians 5:12

    For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

  • Ephesians 5:13

    But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

  • Ephesians 5:14

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

Read all of Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Mas todas las cosas cuando son redargüidas, son manifestadas por la luz; porque lo que manifiesta todo, la luz es.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais toutes choses, étant reprises par la lumière, sont manifestées; car ce qui manifeste tout, c’est la lumière;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Alles aber, was bloßgestellt wird, wird durch das Licht offenbar gemacht; denn das Licht ist es, welches alles offenbar macht.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Omnia autem, quæ arguuntur, a lumine manifestantur: omne enim, quod manifestatur, lumen est.