Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 5:13

"But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light." — Ephesians 5:13 (ASV)

Paul appeals to the effect of light in the natural world. It penetrates wherever it shines, so that everything is lit up by it. In the same way, whenever the light of Christ appears, it shows up sin for what it is. Evil can no longer masquerade as anything else. Hidden wickedness thus revealed can no longer be obscured by darkness. It is also possible here to see a reference to the transformation brought about by light, so that the exposure and reproval of sin by the light of Christ lead to salvation, as it did for the Ephesians themselves (v.8).