But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself.
Parallel translations
- WEB But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.
- KJV But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
- NKJV But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.
- NASB But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
- NLT But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When exposed to the light, hidden things are revealed for what they are. Light has the power to unmask and transform darkness.
Overview
Paul explains how reproof works: the light exposes hidden deeds, making their true nature visible. 'Everything that reveals is light,' so the believer's holy life and witness function as light that uncovers sin. This exposure can be the first step toward repentance and change, as the next verse suggests.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- John 3:20–21Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
- 1 Cor 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
- Hos 2:10And then I will expose her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and no one will deliver her out of My hands.
- Hos 7:1When I heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim will be exposed, as well as the crimes of Samaria. For they practice deceit and thieves break in; bandits raid in the streets.
- Mic 7:9Because I have sinned against Him, I must endure the rage of the LORD, until He argues my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me into the light; I will see His righteousness.
- Lam 2:14The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading.
- Heb 1:13Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Every spiritual blessing is 'in Christ,' the head over all things for the church, in whom Jew and Gentile are made one new man by his blood.
How Ephesians 5:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.