light
Phos marks both visible illumination and the contrasting sphere of truth, life, and revealed deeds.
Most often, the term marks a sphere set against darkness: people are said to be in it, to come to it, or to be identified with it, while deeds become visible in it. It also denotes visible brightness, whether shining in a cell, seen from heaven, or used for seeing and avoiding a stumble.
Senses in use
-
The sphere contrasted with darkness · dominant
In John 3:19 the nominative singular form occurs in the judgment clause where people prefer darkness because their deeds are evil; John 3:20 and John 3:21 continue with coming to it so that deeds may be exposed or seen. In 1 John 1:7 and 1 John 2:9, dative singular forms occur in clauses about walking or claiming to be in it, set against darkness; in Ephesians 5:13 the APB renders the clause that what is exposed by it becomes visible.
-
Visible illumination or brightness · common
In Acts 12:7 the nominative singular form is the thing that shines in the cell, and in Acts 16:29 the accusative plural form occurs when lights are requested. Acts 22:6 and Acts 26:13 describe a light from heaven shining around travelers, while John 11:9 places it in the clause about seeing the light of this world and not stumbling.
In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB commonly presents the term as “light,” including visible shining, walking in light, and contrast with darkness. Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, its English wording cannot by itself determine the term’s precise contribution in every clause.