[Ephesians 5] takes up the metaphor of light and darkness to elucidate the moral dilemma of believers. This was a common metaphor in antiquity in moral discourse, especially in religious moral discourse. The most extensive and closest parallel outside of the New Testament is found in the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran. But there is probably no historical connection between Ephesians and Qumran. In any case, the light/darkness motif occurs elsewhere in the New Testament, most notably in the Johannine literature. John uses the light imagery almost identically to Ephesians. The light is God’s light, which shines upon us and enlightens us; and then we, with this new insight, become light to others. Darkness refers to the realm of ignorance, vice, and death. Because Ephesians places high value on knowledge and understanding, while at the same time holding to the necessity of a real presence of Christ in the life of the community, the light metaphor is a natural. It enables the author to combine notions of knowledge, virtue, and the power of God. However, as we will see, the metaphor does not work perfectly.… “once you were darkness, but now in [Christ] you are light,” articulate the moral and spiritual dimensions of the new life. You were darkness, you are light; not—you were once in darkness, but now you are in light. This stark metaphor occurs in the same form in the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the light of the world.” And the admonition to “live as children of light” occurs, somewhat differently, in John. To be children of light, to be light itself, was language familiar to early Christians. The question is, What does it mean in Ephesians? The following verses explain. First, the author points to the moral dimension: “the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true”. The writer is not trying to explain the details of the Christian ethic in these verses, but to evoke images of the Christian moral life in its basic character. There is also a sense here of enlightenment. The gospel is light in that it brings knowledge. Thus the believer should “try to find out what is pleasing to [God]”. The light teaches what is proper behavior, and that behavior in turn is a light to others. The capacity of this light to expose darkness as darkness is introduced as a warning. This warning may represent, in some sense, a vindication for the believers; the evil of nonbelievers will be exposed by the light of judgment. But it seems more to represent a reminder to believers that all deeds of darkness will be exposed. Thus light becomes identified with God’s perfect righteousness. When it shines upon you, it produces righteousness in your life. When you sin, this light of righteousness will expose your deeds as darkness.… Believers who live as children of light become light, for the light of God’s righteousness shines from them.… Ephesians is clear: If you are a child of light, then awaken from darkness and let Christ shine upon you. The christological anchor of all ethics in Ephesians is reiterated here. Truly said, Christ is the real light, even if, in a metaphorical flourish, you who are in Christ are light with [Christ]. --Lewis R. Donelson, Colossians, Ephesians, First and Second Timothy, and Titus, Westminster Bible Companion
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 05:19:50 +0000
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