Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
Wherefore - referring to the whole foregoing argument (Ephesians 5:8; Ephesians 5:11; Ephesians 5:13). Since light (spiritual) dispels the pre-existing darkness, He (God) saith, etc. (cf. Eph. 15:8 .)
Awake. 'Aleph (') A B Delta G, Origen read х egeire (G1453), for egeirai (G1453)] 'Up!' 'Rouse thee!' used in stirring men to activity. A paraphrase of Isaiah 60:1-2. The "Christ" shows that Paul, in quoting the prophecy, views it in its Gospel fulfillment. As Israel is called on to "awake" from its previous "darkness" and 'death' (Isaiah 59:10; Isaiah 60:2), for her Light is come, so the Church, and each individual, are called to awake: believers to "awake" out of sleep; unbelievers to "arise" from the dead (cf. Matthew 25:5; Romans 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:6 with Ephesians 2:1).
Christ - "the true light," "the sun of righteousness."
Give thee light, х epifausei (G2017)] - 'shall shine upon thee' as the sun shines upon those awakened out of sleep, enabling thee, by being "made manifest," to become "light" (Ephesians 5:13); then, being so "enlightened" (Ephesians 1:18) by 'reproving,' to enlighten others.