Ephesians 5:13-14

5:13

But – contrast to secret

everything – no exceptions

exposed – revealed, cf. above

by the light – truth, openness, transparency; comes looking for, searching out and exposing the secrets. Light is the active agent in this construction. We do not bring the secrets to the light, but the light exposes them.

becomes – changes status

visible – seen, obvious, openly known

5:14

for – because, reason

it is light – sunbeams, candles, lamps, light bulbs, head lamps, lasers, spotlights; this phrase uses a truism to make a good point about openness and transparency in our relationships with God and people

that makes … visible – causes/enables to be seen. Dirt, dust and cobwebs hide until a light shines on them

everything – strong enough light, shining in enough areas of my life, will expose, bring into the open, all the secrets I protect.

This is why – explanatory reason

it is said – citing another source. NLT footnote suggests, “This quotation may be a portion of an early church liturgy. It also appears to be loosely based on Isaiah 26:19 and 60:1.”

“Wake up – become aware, pay attention, come out of dreamland regain consciousness

O sleeper – life goes on while I remain unaware. If I remain asleep when it is time to awaken, that is called sloth.

rise – come up, stir, revitalize

from the dead – insensate. The dead people are those who are beyond hope. This calls me to leave the hopeless crowd. While God initiates my redemption, clearly I have a role, a part, in the events, by the choices I make. I can choose to remain asleep, opt to remain with the hopeless who are insensitive to God’s call. Or I can awaken and rise.

and – in response to my awakening and rising…

Christ – the Promised, Anointed One

will shine – cause His light to focus…

on you – on me. The light of Christ will reveal—and by extension remove and cleanse—the dust and cobwebs I try to hide.