What does it mean that the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience (Ephesians 5:6)?

Ephesians 5:6 issues a stern warning to believers. Paul says, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (ESV). The phrase sons of disobedience also appears in Ephesians 2:2. In both instances, the term describes people who live in habitual and unrepentant sin. As a result, they prove themselves to be children of the devil rather than children of God.

Apart from Christ, we are naturally “sons of disobedience” and “children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” (Ephesians 2:2–3, ESV). We were destined for eternal damnation, “but God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4–5, ESV). Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Now, we are no longer sons of disobedience but have become children of God (John 1:12; Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:26).

In Colossians 3:5–6, Paul reminds believers that those who perpetrate evil—the sons of disobedience—will face God’s judgment: “Put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience” (NKJV).

In the Bible, to be a “son of” something is to bear the characteristics or traits of that thing. So, to be a “son of disobedience” is to be characterized by rebellion and disobedience. Similar biblical phrases are sons of wickedness (2 Samuel 7:10, NKJV) and offspring of evildoers (Isaiah 1:4, NASB). Sons of disobedience are wicked people marked by their persistent defiance to God’s holy and righteous standard.

Paul contrasts “sons of disobedience” in Ephesians 5:6 (ESV) with “children of light” in Ephesians 5:7 (ESV). The sons of disobedience give themselves over to “sexual immorality, . . . impurity, . . . greed . . . obscenity, foolish talk [and] coarse joking” (Ephesians 5:3–4). They are in “darkness” (Ephesians 5:7) because of their sinful, unrepentant lives and have “no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5, ESV).

Genuine believers, on the other hand, are “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Paul says, “At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)” (Ephesians 5:8–9, ESV). The sons of disobedience produce fruit that leads to eternal damnation, but children of light produce fruit that leads to eternal life: “What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life” (Romans 6:21–22). As children of light, we ought to lead holy lives centered on the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).

As obedient children of God, believers ought to lead holy lives. In doing so, they prove themselves to be true disciples. Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32, ESV).