Ephesians 5:12

Ephesians 5:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
• New International Version (NIV)It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

Context of Ephesians 5:12

10trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]. 11Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret. 13But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light [of God’s precepts], for it is light that makes everything visible. 14For this reason He says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine [as dawn] upon you and give you light.”

Ephesians 5:12 word by word

τὰ γὰρ κρυφῇ γινόμενα ὑπ᾽ αὐτῶν αἰσχρόν ἐστιν καὶ λέγειν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• it isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• a shameαἰσχρόςaischros · shamefulG150
• evenκαίkai · andG2532
• to speakλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• ofὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259
• those things whichὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• are doneγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• of themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• in secretκρυφῇkruphē · in secretG2931

Cross-references for Ephesians 5:12

• Ephesians 5:3But sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith].
• Romans 1:24Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their own hearts to [sexual] impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin],
• 1 Peter 4:3For the time already past is [more than] enough for doing what the [unsaved] Gentiles like to do—living [unrestrained as you have done] in a course of [shameless] sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.
• 2 Samuel 12:12Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight.’ ”
• Proverbs 9:17“Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden]; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
• Ecclesiastes 12:14For God will bring every act to judgment, every hidden and secret thing, whether it is good or evil.
• Jeremiah 23:24“Can anyone hide himself in secret places So that I cannot see him?” says the Lord. “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
• Luke 12:1In the meantime, after so many thousands of the people had gathered that they were stepping on one another, Jesus began speaking first of all to His disciples, “Be continually on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees [that is, their pervasive, corrupting influence and teaching], which is hypocrisy [producing self-righteousness].
• Romans 2:16on that day when, as my gospel proclaims, God will judge the secrets [all the hidden thoughts and concealed sins] of men through Christ Jesus.
• Revelation 20:12And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged according to what they had done as written in the books [that is, everything done while on earth].

Commentaries on Ephesians 5:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12For 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. How the discovery of these depths of Satan was made, and the whole proceedings in that case, may be seen in Livy, Hist. lib. xxxix. cap. 8-19, where the reader will see the force…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12For it is a shame even to speak … - ; compare notes, Romans 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3-14Verses 3-14 Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Our cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places that hope, confidence, and delight, in…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-20Paul gives believers specific guidelines for living a new life in Christ.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. 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 Ep 5:3) in detail the works of darkness, whereas he describes definitely (Ep 5:9) "the fruit of the light" [Bengel]. "Speak of," I think, is used here as "speaking of without reproving," in contrast to "even reprove them." Thus the "for" expresses this, Reprove them, for to speak of them without reproving…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 5:12

• Adultery
• Gentiles
• Sin
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Arise
• Awake
• Dear
• Fellowship
• Flesh
• Fruit
• Light
• Melody
• Redeem
• Reverence

Commentaries on Ephesians 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings