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Eph_5:8. Reason assigned for the exhortation just given: For your former state of darkness (with which those vices were in keeping) is past; now, on the other hand, ye are Christianly enlightened; as befits such, let your walk be.
ἦτε ] prefixed with significant stress, has the force of a ground assigned as praeterite, just as at Rom_6:17. Rückert incorrectly holds that Paul has omitted μέν , which is at variance with good composition. The non-use of μέν has its logical ground, and that in the fact, that the clause is not conceived in relation to that which thereupon confronts it by δέ Just so in classical writers, where μέν seems to be wanting. See Krüger, Anab. iii. 4. 41; Bornemann, ad Cyrop. iii. 2. 12, Goth.; Klotz, ad Devar. p. 356 f.; Ellendt, Lex. Soph. I. p. 388.
σκότος ] Abstractum pro concreto, to make the designation the stronger (Kühner, II. p. 25 f.): dark, by which the opposite of the possession of divine truth is denoted.
νῦν δὲ κ . τ . λ .] now on the other hand, since your conversion, how entirely different is it with you, how entirely different must your walk be! Light in the Lord are ye, i.e. furnished with divine truth in your fellowship with Christ, in whom, as the source and giver of light (Eph_5:14), ye live and move. Comp. Eph_1:18.
ὡς τέκνα φωτός ] as children of light, i.e. as enlightened ones. Comp. 1Th_5:5; Luk_16:8; Joh_12:36. As such they are now to show themselves in their walk. Without οὖν the exhortation comes in with the greater energy. Comp. Stallbaum, ad Plat. Gorg. p. 510 C; Dissen, ad Pind. Exc. II. p. 276.