The works of darkness and sin are fruitless, because they bring nothing other than death and shame. Therefore, one must not participate in such works, but on the contrary, expose them, that is, admonish those who do such things. But how is it said in another place: "do not judge"? This is said instead of: "do not condemn." Exposing is one thing and judging is another: the first serves for correction, while the second serves for ridicule and punishment. And moreover, "do not judge" speaks of the most insignificant sins. For this reason he also adds: "Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye?" (Matt. 7:3). Paul also hints at certain indecent deeds that had found their place in Ephesus.
Eph. 5:13. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light,
Having said that you are the light, and that light exposes what is hidden in darkness, he adds: therefore, if you are virtuous, the wicked will not be able to hide. For just as a thief would not enter in the light of a lamp, so by the light of your virtue they too will be caught, especially if they are exposed by your instructive words.
Eph. 5:13. For everything that is made manifest is light.
As a wound, when closed, does not admit any healing, so also sin. But when it is exposed, it becomes light — not the sin itself, but the one who commits it. For when, having been subjected to reproof, he brings repentance and receives forgiveness, will not the darkness depart from him? Or he is saying that your life, when it is open, is light, because no one hides his blameless faith and activity. But what is secret is hidden precisely because it is worthy of darkness; and this is what must be brought out into the open and reproved.
Eph. 5:14. Therefore it says: "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light."
He calls the person living in sins sleeping and dead. For he is both foul-smelling, like a dead man, and inactive, like one sleeping, and he dreams and imagines phantoms. But when someone awakens from sin, then Christ illumines him, that is, shines upon him, just as the sun does for those who have awakened from sleep. But as long as he remains in sins, he hates the light and does not come to it. And He says this not only concerning unbelievers, but also concerning believers. You can also find a distinction between the sleeping and the dead. Many who do evil but do not approve of what is done could be called sleeping. They are easily awakened. And to them the expression "arise" applies. But others, who both do evil and justify it, could be called dead, since it is harder to call them back to good. Nevertheless, the word calls out to them as well, that they should arise, for one must not despair concerning the possibility of a change of nature.
Eph. 5:15. Therefore, watch how you walk carefully, not as unwise, but as wise,
Again he warns against bitterness and anger, as if saying to them: you are sheep in the midst of wolves, many bear malice against you, even your own household members; see to it that you give no one an occasion for enmity; apart from the faith, let no one accuse you of anything else, but show respect and every obedience where there is no harm to the faith, and be as doves. For wisdom or prudence consists in keeping oneself pure and not taking revenge on anyone.
Eph. 5:16. Redeeming the time,
He does not teach us craftiness, but since, he says, the time is not yours and you are sojourners, strangers, and outsiders, do not seek honor and glory, nor vengeance, but endure all things and by this redeem the time; give up everything, whatever may be demanded of you. Just as a rich man, seeing those attacking him with the intent to take his life, gives up everything and saves himself, so you too give up everything in order to save what is most important, that is, the faith.
Eph. 5:16. because the days are evil.
He does not censure the essence of days, for the essence of a day is light, of course, and hours, and what is evil in them? But he seems to censure the days for what is done in them. Just as we also commonly say: I had a bad day, of course on account of what happened during it, and what comes from evil people, not from God. Thus, the days are called evil because of the predominance of the rule of evil people.
Eph. 5:17. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of God is.
Since, he says, in the present days wicked people prevail, you, as wise ones, should take care not to give them any occasion against yourselves: for in this consists the will of God, to keep yourselves pure, with the preservation of faith as well.
Eph. 5:18. And do not be drunk with wine,
And further he restrains anger, because excess in wine also makes people wrathful and insolent. And that he censures excess is clear, for he did not say "do not drink," but "do not get drunk." But drunkenness comes from excess, since the moderate use of wine provides both health (as the apostle himself says in the epistle to Timothy – 1 Tim. 5:23) and gladness, as David testifies (Ps. 104:15). And Scripture moreover says (Prov. 31:6): "Give wine to those who are bitter of soul," that is, merriment to those who are in sorrow. For it softens grief and distress. Therefore God also made our bodies moderate, so that they would be content with little and would aspire to the other life.
Eph. 5:18. from which comes debauchery (ἀσωτία);
That is, immoderate consumption. For drunkenness does not bring health, but destroys not only the body, but also the soul. This is what ἀσωτία means – the squandering of health. Or the word ἀσωτία, in its common usage, denotes here fleshly intemperance. For from drunkenness comes debauchery.
Eph. 5:18. But be filled with the Spirit,
Eph. 5:19. edifying yourselves with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord,
Do you want to be merry, he says? Avoid filling yourself with wine, and fill yourself with the Holy Spirit. And you will achieve this if you learn psalmody. For those who sing psalms are filled with the Holy Spirit, just as those who sing satanic songs are filled with an unclean spirit. To sing psalms in the heart means to sing with understanding and without distraction. For he sings psalms in the heart who attends to what he sings. And notice, after he has cleansed the soul from bitterness and other passions, then he urges us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit will not simply come, but will fill our hearts. And with such a light existing within us, every other virtue will also be easy and readily accomplished.
Eph. 5:20. giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
"Always": not only in peace, but also in sorrow, and not only for what is good, but also for what is grievous, for what we know, and for what we do not know. For all things serve for our benefit, even though we do not realize it. And one must give thanks to the Father in the "name of our Lord Jesus Christ," that is, invoking the name of the Lord Jesus, and turning to Him as the mediator both of the benefit and of the thanksgiving itself.
Eph. 5:21. submitting to one another in the fear of God.