Ephesians 5:8

“For ye were sometimes darkness, &c.] Not only dark, but darkness itself; exceeding blind, dark, and ignorant, respecting spiritual things; so the Gentiles were wont to be called by the Jews, Æçwh, “darkness” f58 itself; of this darkness, (see Gill on “<490418>Ephesians 4:18”). But now [are ye] light in the Lord; either in, or by the Lord Jesus Christ, the light of men, from whom all spiritual light comes; or by the Lord the Spirit, by whom the eyes of their understandings were enlightened, to see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, in heart and life; the insufficiency of their own righteousness and moral virtues, to justify them before God; and the true and right way of righteousness, life and…”

“sometimes--"once." The emphasis is on "were." Ye ought to have no fellowship with sin, which is darkness, for your state as darkness is now PAST. Stronger than "in darkness" (Rom 2:19). light--not merely "enlightened"; but light enlightening others (Eph 5:13). in--in union with the Lord, who is THE LIGHT. children of light--not merely "of the light"; just as "children of disobedience" is used on the opposite side; those whose distinguishing characteristic is light. PLINY, a heathen writing to Trajan, bears unwilling testimony to the extraordinary purity of Christians' lives, contrasted with the people around them.”

“For ye were sometimes darkness - see the Ephesians 2:11-12 notes; 1 Corinthians 6:11 note. The meaning here is, that they were themselves formerly sunk in the same ignorance, and practiced the same abominations. But now are ye light in the Lord - Light is the emblem of happiness, knowledge, holiness. The meaning is, that they had been enlightened by the Lord to see the evil of these practices, and that they ought, therefore, to forsake them. Walk as children of light - see the notes on Matthew 1:1, on the use of the word “son,” or “children.” The meaning here is, that they should live as became those who had been enlightened to see the evil of sin, and the beauty of virtue and religion;…”

“Ye were once darkness - Total blindness and ignorance. Walk as children of light - Suitably to your present knowledge. Ephesians 5:9”

“5:8 Darkness is ignorance of God and his ways and being dominated by sin (see 4:18). • Light from the Lord is Christ’s good news (see John 8:12). As people of light, believers live in fellowship with God, in whom there is no darkness (see 1 Jn 1:5-7; 5:9; cp. Matt 5:14-16; John 8:12; 12:35-36, 46; Rom 13:12; 2 Cor 6:14; 1 Thes 5:4-8; 1 Pet 2:9).”

“ye were: Eph 2:11, Eph 2:12, Eph 4:18, Eph 6:12; Psa 74:20; Isa 9:2, Isa 42:16, Isa 60:2; Jer 13:16; Mat 4:16; Luk 1:79; Act 17:30, Act 26:18; Rom 1:21, Rom 2:19; Co2 6:14; Col 1:13; Tit 3:3; Pe1 2:9; Jo1 2:8 but: Isa 42:6, Isa 42:7, Isa 49:6, Isa 49:9, Isa 60:1, Isa 60:3, Isa 60:19, Isa 60:20; Joh 1:4, Joh 1:5, Joh 1:9, Joh 8:12, Joh 12:46; Co1 1:30; Co2 3:18, Co2 4:6; Th1 5:4-8; Jo1 2:9-11 walk: Eph 5:2; Isa 2:5; Luk 16:8; Joh 12:36; Gal 5:25; Pe1 2:9-11; Jo1 1:7 Ephesians 5:9”