Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

EPHESIANS 5:14KJV
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Ephesians 5:14 (KJV)

What does Ephesians 5:14 mean?

Ephesians 5:14 calls out to people who are spiritually unaware or inactive, urging them to wake up and come out of their lifeless state so that Christ can shine on them and give them understanding and guidance. The verse uses the image of waking from sleep and rising from the dead to describe moving from spiritual darkness to light.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Ephesus, encouraging them to live differently from the world around them. He uses this saying—possibly an early Christian hymn or teaching—to stress the need for spiritual alertness and transformation. The verse fits into a larger section where Paul urges believers to live as "children of light," leaving behind old, harmful ways.

The Greek behind Ephesians 5:14

  • ἐγείρου (egeirou, "awake" or "rise up"): This word often means to wake up or to get up from sleep, but it can also mean to rise from the dead. Here, it suggests a call to become spiritually alert and active.
  • καθεύδεις (katheudeis, "sleepest"): This word refers to being asleep, but in this context, it is often understood as being spiritually unaware or indifferent.
  • ἀνάστα (anasta, "arise"): This is a command to stand up or rise, often used in the context of resurrection. It emphasizes a decisive action to leave behind a former state.
  • ἐπιφαύσει (epiphausei, "shall give...light"): This word means to shine upon or illuminate. It highlights the idea that Christ brings understanding, guidance, and new life to those who respond.

Why Ephesians 5:14 matters

  • Ephesians 5:14 clarifies that spiritual "sleep" is not just ignorance but a state that needs to be actively left behind, using strong language of awakening and resurrection.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing that living as "children of light" requires a conscious, personal response to Christ’s call.
  • This verse helps clear up the misunderstanding that spiritual growth happens passively; instead, it calls for an intentional turning toward Christ to receive His light.

Where else these words appear

“sleepest” Greek G2518 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
  • Matthew 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
  • Mark 14:40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again,(for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

“Wherefore” Greek G1352 · used in 52 verses

  • Matthew 27:8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
  • Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
  • Philemon 1:8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

“arise” Greek G450 · used in 111 verses

  • Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
  • Luke 11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
  • Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

“dead” Greek G3498 · used in 123 verses

  • Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
  • Acts 3:15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?