The verse “wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” in Ephesians 5:14 holds great significance for Christians. This powerful call from God urges us to awaken from spiritual slumber, repent from sin, and walk in the light of Christ.
1. The Context of Ephesians 5:14
To properly understand this verse, we first need to examine the broader context of Ephesians 5. The chapter opens with an exhortation to “be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2). Believers are called to renounce sexual immorality, impurity, and greed (v. 3-5). We ought not partner with those who live in open rebellion against God (v. 6-7). For “at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (v.8).
Paul then urges Christians to “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (v.11). Rather than living foolishly like the surrounding pagan culture, believers must be wise and understand God’s will (v.15-17). We should not get drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit (v.18). As those filled with the Spirit, Christians ought to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to the Lord (v.19). Paul summarizes his instruction in 5:21, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
It is in this context that Paul quotes an early Christian saying or hymn in 5:14 – “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” As part of his ethical instruction to the Ephesians, Paul calls them to spiritual wakefulness using this rousing metaphor.
2. It is a Call to Awaken from Spiritual Slumber
“Wake up, sleeper” is a call to rouse ourselves from spiritual sleep and lethargy. Sleep is used metaphorically in Scripture to describe spiritual apathy, insensitivity, and even death. Paul urges the Romans, “it is full time now for you to wake up from sleep” (Romans 13:11). To the Thessalonians he writes, “let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6). Jesus rebuked his drowsy disciples, saying “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
As Christians, we must be alert and self-controlled, mindful of spiritual dangers and temptations around us. Peter warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Do not be deceived or lulled into a false sense of complacency. We must actively engage in the spiritual battle, resisting Satan and fighting sin. The sleeper described in Ephesians 5:14 is unaware, inactive, and vulnerable.
3. It is a Warning Against Spiritual Apathy and Sin
“Wake up, sleeper” warns against drifting into spiritual apathy marked by disobedience and sin. In the preceding verses, Paul confronts sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, idolatry, crude joking, and drunkenness (Ephesians 5:3-4). Such behaviors characterize those alienated from God, dwelling in darkness. Paul categorically states, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them” (Ephesians 5:6-7).
But the Ephesians were formerly in this state as “sons of disobedience.” “At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (v.8). Don’t fall back into dark patterns of sin! Awaken from your stupor and walk wisely as children of light (v.15). By quoting this early saying, Paul alerts Christians to the dangers of spiritual slumber and sinful living.
4. It is a Call to Repent and Pursue Holiness
This rousing wake-up call urges Christians to repent from sinful ways and actively pursue holiness. Paul says we must “no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds” (Ephesians 4:17). Instead, “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Repentance means decisively turning away from sin. And it is intricately linked with faith in Christ. “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” (Ephesians 5:14). We must renounce spiritual apathy and death to walk in newness of life as children of light (Romans 6:4-14).
5. It Includes a Call to Faith in Christ
“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” This rousing call is centered on the person of Jesus Christ. We awake from slumber to behold the light of Christ. Through repentance and faith, the brilliance of His glory floods our darkened hearts. Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). The apostle John writes, “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
To “arise from the dead” is a call to saving faith in Christ, who alone gives eternal life. As Paul proclaimed, “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:34). Let us awake to behold the glory of Christ, being cleansed from all unrighteousness by His blood!
6. It Connotes Rising with Christ to New Life
“Wake up, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” This call echoes Jesus’ resurrection from the grave. On the third day, Christ decisively broke the bonds of death. And all who trust in Him are raised with Christ to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4-5). Paul prays that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened “to know the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand” (Ephesians 1:19-20).
The passage also alludes to baptism, which signifies burial and resurrection with Christ (Romans 6:3-4). Going down into the water represents our old self being crucified and put to death. Coming up pictures new life and regeneration through faith in the risen Savior. Through spiritual rebirth, Christians experience resurrection power and share in His conquest over sin and death!
7. It Is a Call to Live in Light of Eternity
“Wake up, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” This passage reminds us to number our days and live wisely in light of eternity (Psalm 90:12). We only have so long on this earth to fulfil God’s purposes and mission. Paul urged the Romans, “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11-12).
We must redeem the time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). Don’t waste your life on sin and frivolity. Things like greed, sexual immorality, impurity, silly banter, and constant intoxication must be renounced. Rather, understand God’s will and walk in the Spirit, bearing gospel fruit in season. On judgment day, each believer must give an account for how they spent their allotted time on earth (2 Corinthians 5:10). So awake and walk in wisdom!
8. It Calls Us to Shine as Lights in Darkness
This rousing wake-up call also reminds believers that we are now “light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8). Therefore, awake and renounce the fruitless works of darkness! Instead, shine brightly so that others may see your good deeds and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). Part of waking up means boldly exposing wickedness rather than hiding in shame (Ephesians 5:11). The call also implies we should reflect Christ’s light to those still in darkness.
Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). And His true disciples now radiate the brilliant light of the gospel to others (Matthew 5:14-16). As we walk in obedience, the word of Christ richly dwells within us, “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). This includes singing spiritual songs and giving thanks to God (Ephesians 5:19-20). Awake Christian, and let your light shine!
9. It Connotes the Imminent Return of Christ
“Wake up, O sleeper” points to the imminent return of Jesus Christ. Paul says believers must understand “the will of the Lord” because “the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16-17). He warned the Romans, “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11-12).
The imagery indicates we are in the nighttime of human history awaiting the dawn. But daylight is approaching as we move nearer to Christ’s glorious second coming! Peter also used sleep imagery and the cover of night to describe these last days (1 Peter 4:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11). The hour is late, so wakeup and walk properly in holiness. Marvel not that darkness still covers the earth, for the Sun of Righteousness shall soon arise with healing in His wings (Malachi 4:2).
10. It Points to the Need for Continual Spiritual Nourishment and Vigilance
“Wake up, sleeper” is a call for continual spiritual nourishment and vigilance. Believers must constantly feed on God’s Word and walk in the Spirit to avoid stumbling back into dark patterns of living. We all struggle with the pull of our flesh and the influence of the fallen world. It’s easy to grow distracted, disillusioned, and weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9). The enemy actively seeks to deceive Christ’s followers through temptation and accusation.
We must cling tightly to the Savior, holding fast what we have attained (Philippians 3:12-16). Putting sin to death and pursuing holiness require great spiritual discipline over the long haul. Times of ease and prosperity often breed complacency. But seasons of hardship and persecution quickly expose spiritualsleepiness. Either way, believers must stay alert! Don’t become ignorant of Satan’s schemes through inattention to God’s Word, neglect of prayer, and drifting from Christian fellowship. Feed diligently on Scripture and walk in the fear of the Lord!
11. It Is a Call to Spiritual Vicilance in Anticipation of Christ’s Return
The exhortation to “Wake up, sleeper” rings loudly in this age as we await Christ’s return. No one knows the day or hour when Jesus will come back (Matthew 24:36). He warned about the strong temptation to spiritual slumber in the last days: “But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know” (Matthew 24:48-50).
Jesus then declares, “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (Matthew 24:45-46). Are you ready and expectantly waiting for Christ’s return? Or have you fallen into self-indulgence and sinful patterns assuming He is delayed? Take heed, lest you be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness when the Master suddenly arrives (Luke 21:34-36). The cry goes out: “Wake up, O sleeper, the Lord is coming soon!”
12. It Points to Christ as the True Light Dispelling Darkness
This early Christian saying ends with the promise, “and Christ will shine on you.” Christ is the true Light that enlightens everyone coming into the world (John 1:9). Jesus said plainly, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). When we awake from spiritual slumber, it is Jesus Christ who fills our hearts with light.
The apostle John beautifully describes, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7).
Christ alone dispels the darkness and washes us clean through faith in His shed blood. So awake sleeper, turn from sin, and behold the glory of Jesus Christ! His brilliant light leads us along the path of life (Psalm 16:11). We no longer stumble in darkness but walk in the light of God’s glorious gospel.
13. It Summons Us to Throw Off Spiritual Sleep and Live Fully Awake for Christ
In conclusion, “wake up, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you” is a summons to throw off spiritual sleep and live fully awake for Jesus Christ. This powerful wake-up call reminds believers not to drift into patterns of sin and complacency. Instead, we must actively pursue holiness, wisdom, and gospel mission while we still have breath.
Christ’s return is imminent, and we will give an account for how we spend our time. So walk wisely, filled with the Holy Spirit, alert to spiritual dangers all around. Shine as light in the midst of crooked and twisted generation! (Philippians 2:15). Proclaim the excellencies of Christ who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Determine to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Fix your eyes on the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2).
Finally, let this wake-up call rouse you to throw off dead works and sin which easily entangle us all (Hebrews 12:1). Hear the voice of your Shepherd calling, “Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your beautiful garments, O holy city” (Isaiah 52:1).Be strengthened to walk worthily in holiness and wisdom until the blessed day of Christ’s glorious return. Maranatha! “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).