Ephesians 5:12
in Ephesians 5For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of.
KJV
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
⋯
This verse in Ephesians 5
Commentary
15 notes on this verseFor it is a shame even to speak - This no doubt refers to the Eleusinian and Bacchanalian mysteries, which were performed in the night and darkness, and were known to be so impure and abominable, especially the latter, that the Roman senate banished them both from Rome and Italy.
This site's exposition
the fruitless deeds of darkness
on Ephesians 5:11-13
Expose translates elencho, to expose and convict. So the command goes beyond having no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness to bringing them into the light.
This site's exposition
what the disobedient do in secret
Clarke connects the secret deeds with the night rites of the Eleusinian and Bacchanalian mysteries, which the Roman senate banished from Italy. Jamieson, Fausset and Brown note the contrast of method. Paul describes the fruit of the light in detail and leaves the works of darkness undescribed.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers4 voices
If it is shameful even to speak of these things in secret, it is fairly plain that these people were doing wicked things, things too depraved even to talk about.
He had said, "ye are light." Now the light reproves by exposing the things which take place in the darkness. So that if ye, says he, are virtuous, and conspicuous, the wicked will be unable to lie hidden. For just as when a candle is set, all are brought to light, and the thief cannot enter; so if your light shine, the wicked being discovered shall be caught. So then it is our duty to expose them. How then does our Lord say, "Judge not, that ye be not judged"? (Matt. vii. 1, 3.) Paul did not say "judge," he said "reprove," that is, correct. And the words, "Judge not, that ye be not judged," He spoke with reference to very small errors. Indeed, He added, "Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" But what Paul is saying is of this sort. As a wound, so long as it is imbedded and concealed outwardly, and runs beneath the surface, receives no attention, so also sin, as long as it is concealed, being as it were in darkness, is daringly committed in full security; but as soon as "it is made manifest," becomes "light"; not indeed the sin itself, (for how could that be?) but the sinner. For when he has been brought out to light, when he has been admonished, when he has repented, when he has obtained pardon, hast thou not cleared away all his darkness? Hast thou not then healed his wound? Hast thou not called his unfruitfulness into fruit? Either this is his meaning, or else what I said above, that your life "being manifest, is light." For no one hides an irreproachable life; whereas things which are hidden, are hidden by darkness covering them.
But what do we understand "the sense of the flesh" and "the life of the flesh" (to mean), except whatever "it shames (one) to pronounce? " for the other (works) of the flesh even an apostle would have named.
"For," he says, "the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of: but all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light." What is it he means to say here? He means this. That some sins in this world are done in secret, and some also openly; but in the other it shall not be so. Now there is no one who is not conscious to himself of some sin. This is why he says, "But all the things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light." What then? Is this again, it will be said, meant concerning idolatry? It is not; the argument is about our life and our sins. "For everything that is made manifest," says he, "is light."
The Medieval Church1 voice
But how is it said in another place: "do not judge"? This is said instead of: "do not condemn." Exposing is one thing and judging is another: the first serves for correction, while the second serves for ridicule and punishment. And moreover, "do not judge" …
7 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church1 voice
The Apostle explained his warnings above (5:9), and now he gives the reasons for them. He had given two warnings: the first was that they should not associate in the works of darkness, the second that they should reprove sinners. Thus he asserts: I said …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
For it is a shame even to speak of those things,....
They are so filthy and abominable that it is a shame to mention them, except in a way of reproof, much more must it be a shame to have any fellowship with them. The things which are done of them in secret.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
The Greek order is, "For the things done in secret by them, it is a shame even to speak of." The "for" gives his reason for "not naming" (compare Eph 5:3) in detail the works of darkness, whereas he describes definitely (Eph 5:9) "the fruit of the light" [BENGEL].
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
For it is a shame even to speak ... - ; compare notes, Rom 1:24-32. It is still a shame to speak of the practices of the pagan. Missionaries tell us that they “cannot” describe the images on the car of Juggernaut, or tell us what is done in the idol temples. All over the world the same thing is true. The cheek of modesty and virtue would be suffused with shame at the very mention of what is done by the worshippers of idols; and the same is true of what is done by multitudes in Christian lands, who are not worshippers of idols. Their deeds cannot be described in the circles of the refined and the delicate; they cannot be told in the presence of mothers and sisters. Is there not emphasis here in the words “even to speak of these things!” If the apostle would not allow them to name those things, or to “speak” of them, is it wise or safe for Christians now to be familiar with the accounts of those practices of pollution, and for ministers to portray them in the pulpit, and for the friends of “moral reform” to describe them before the world? The very “naming” of those abominations often produces improper associations in the mind; the description creates polluting images before the imagination; the exhibition of pictures, even for the purpose of condemning them, defiles the soul. There are some vices which, from the corruptions of the human heart, cannot be safely described, and it is to be feared that, under the plea of faithfulness, many have done evil by exciting improper feelings, where they should have only alluded to the crime, and then spoken in thunder. Paul did not “describe” these vices, he denounced them; he did not dwell upon them long enough for the imagination to find employment, and to corrupt the soul. […]
Modern Voices2 voices
A commentator
GK ChestertonOn Political Secrecy (All Things Considered) · Written before 1936.
proposed
In short, the thing we have is the real and perhaps rare political phenomenon of an occult government. We have an exoteric and an esoteric doctrine. England is really ruled by priestcraft, but not by priests. We have in this country all that has ever …
A commentator
GK ChestertonAll Things Considered, Limericks and Counsels of Perfection (1908) (1908)
proposed
The common weakness of Nature and the sins that flesh is heir to we can leave people to find in newspapers. Men can safely see in the papers what they have already seen in the streets. They may safely find in their journals what they …
The words behind it
10 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| τὰ | ta | the [things] | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| κρυφῇ | kruphea | in secret | G2931 → | |
| γινόμενα | ginomena | being done | G1096 → | 667 times |
| ὑπ᾽ | hup᾽ | by | G5259 → | 219 times |
| αὐτῶν | auton | them | G846 → | 5565 times |
| αἰσχρόν | aischron | shameful | G150 → | |
| ἐστιν | estin | it is | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| καὶ | kai | even | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| λέγειν. | legein | to mention. | G3004 → | 1325 times |
τὰthe [things]
taG3588 →19766 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
κρυφῇin secret
krupheaG2931 →
γινόμεναbeing done
ginomenaG1096 →667 times
ὑπ᾽by
hup᾽G5259 →219 times
αὐτῶνthem
autonG846 →5565 times
αἰσχρόνshameful
aischronG150 →
ἐστινit is
estinG1510 →2333 times
καὶeven
kaiG2532 →9120 times
λέγειν.to mention.
legeinG3004 →1325 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Ecclesiastes 12:14For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
it leads to
- 1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each…
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
- Romans 2:16
on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
- Matthew 12:36
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5
Through
Ephesians 5:3But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.
it leads to
- Colossians 3:5
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
- Ephesians 5:5
For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
- Colossians 3:5
Through
Romans 2:16on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.
it leads to
- Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Ecclesiastes 12:14
Through
Jeremiah 23:24“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.
it leads to
- Proverbs 15:3
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
- Proverbs 15:3
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies16
About Ephesians
This page draws on 12 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Gaius Marius Victorinus, EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS 2.5.12; GK Chesterton, On Political Secrecy (All Things Considered); GK Chesterton, All Things Considered, Limericks and Counsels of Perfection (1908); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on Ephesians 18; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Tertullian, On Modesty; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Ephesians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Ephesians.