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Ephesians 5:9

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 5:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “(for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

(for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
Ephesians 5:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
7Be not ye therefore partakers with them;
8For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light
9(for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;
11and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;
12for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For the fruit of the Spirit, &c.] Either of the spirit of man, as renewed, or rather of the Spirit of God; the allusion is to fruits of trees: the believer is a tree of righteousness; Christ is his root; the Spirit is the sap, which supports and nourishes; and good works, under the influence of his grace, are the fruit: the Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, read “the fruit of light”; which agrees with the preceding words: and the genuine fruit of internal grace, or light, [is] in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth; the fruit of “goodness”, lies in sympathizing with persons in distress; in assisting such according to the abilities…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“fruit of the Spirit--taken by transcribers from Gal 5:22. The true reading is that of the oldest manuscripts, "The fruit of THE LIGHT"; in contrast with "the unfruitful works of darkness" (Eph 5:11). This verse is parenthetic. Walk as children of light, that is, in all good works and words, "FOR the fruit of the light is [borne] in [ALFORD; but BENGEL, 'consists in'] all goodness [opposed to 'malice,' Eph 4:31], righteousness [opposed to 'covetousness,' Eph 5:3] and truth [opposed to 'lying,' Eph 4:25]."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For the fruit of the Spirit - That is, since the Holy Spirit through the gospel produces goodness, righteousness, and truth, see that you exhibit these in your lives, and thus show that you are the children of light. On the fruits of the Spirit, see the notes on Galatians 5:22-23. Is in all goodness - Is seen in producing all kinds of goodness. He who is not good is not a Christian. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The fruit of the light - Opposite to " the unfruitful works of darkness," Eph 4:11. Is in - That is, consists in. Goodness and righteousness and truth - Opposite to the sins spoken of, Eph 4:25,&c. Ephesians 5:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:9 God’s people are to do what is good and right and true, in harmony with God’s light (cp. Rom 12:2; some early manuscripts read Spirit instead of light; cp. Eph 4:22-24; Matt 7:16-20; Gal 5:22-23).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the fruit: Gal 5:22, Gal 5:23 goodness: Psa 16:2, Psa 16:3; Rom 2:4, Rom 15:14; Pe1 2:25; Jo3 1:11 righteousness: Phi 1:11; Ti1 6:11; Heb 1:8, Heb 11:33; Pe1 2:24; Jo1 2:29, Jo1 3:9, Jo1 3:10 truth: Eph 4:15, Eph 4:25, Eph 6:14; Joh 1:47 Ephesians 5:10”
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Related study paths

Read Ephesians 5 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification