Eph 5:6-8 | JFB | STEP | 6. vain-- empty, unreal words, namely, palliations of "uncleanness," , ; (that it is natural to indulge in love), "covetousness" (that it is useful to society that men should pursue gain), and "jesting" (that it is witty and clever, and that God will not so severely punish for such things). because of these things-- uncleanness, covetousness, &c. ( ). cometh-- present, not merely "shall come." Is as sure as if already come. children-- rather, "sons of disobedience" ( , ). The children of unbelief in doctrine ( ) are "children of disobedience" in practice, and these again are "children of wrath."

‏ Ephesians 5:6-8

6. vain--empty, unreal words, namely, palliations of "uncleanness," Ep 5:3, 4; Is 5:20 (that it is natural to indulge in love), "covetousness" (that it is useful to society that men should pursue gain), and "jesting" (that it is witty and clever, and that God will not so severely punish for such things).

because of these things--uncleanness, covetousness, &c. (Ep 5:3-5).

cometh--present, not merely "shall come." Is as sure as if already come.

children--rather, "sons of disobedience" (Ep 2:2, 3). The children of unbelief in doctrine (De 32:20) are "children of disobedience" in practice, and these again are "children of wrath."

7. Here fellowship with wicked workers is forbidden; in Ep 5:11, with their wicked works.

8. 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" (Ro 2:19).

light--not merely "enlightened"; but light enlightening others (Ep 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.