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

10Determine which things please the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. It is shameful to talk about what some people do in secret. 13Light exposes the true character of everything 14because light makes everything easy to see. That’s why it says: “Wake up, sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

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 5:3Don’t let sexual sin, perversion of any kind, or greed even be mentioned among you. This is not appropriate behavior for God’s holy people.
• Romans 1:24For this reason God allowed their lusts to control them. As a result, they dishonor their bodies by sexual perversion with each other.
• 1 Peter 4:3You spent enough time in the past doing what unbelievers like to do. You were promiscuous, had sinful desires, got drunk, went to wild parties, and took part in the forbidden worship of false gods.
• 2 Samuel 12:12You did this secretly, but I will make this happen in broad daylight in front of all Israel.”
• Proverbs 9:17“Stolen waters are sweet, and food eaten in secret is tasty.”
• Ecclesiastes 12:14God will certainly judge everything that is done. This includes every secret thing, whether it is good or bad.
• Jeremiah 23:24“No one can hide so that I can’t see him,” declares the Lord. “I fill heaven and earth!” declares the Lord.
• Luke 12:1Meanwhile, thousands of people had gathered. They were so crowded that they stepped on each other. Jesus spoke to his disciples and said, “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. I’m talking about their hypocrisy.
• Romans 2:16This happens as they face the day when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge people’s secret thoughts. He will use the Good News that I am spreading to make that judgment.
• Revelation 20:12I saw the dead, both important and unimportant people, standing in front of the throne. Books were opened, including the Book of Life. The dead were judged on the basis of what they had done, as recorded in the books.

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