New English Translation
Ephesians 5:12
12For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention.
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 what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. 14For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says: “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!”
Read all of Ephesians 5Ephesians 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 among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.
- Romans 1:24Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves.
- 1 Peter 4:3For the time that has passed was sufficient for you to do what the non-Christians desire. You lived then in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking bouts, and wanton idolatries.
- 2 Samuel 12:12Although you have acted in secret, I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight.’”
- Proverbs 9:17“Stolen waters are sweet, and food obtained in secret is pleasant!”
- Ecclesiastes 12:14For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
- Jeremiah 23:24“Do you really think anyone can hide himself where I cannot see him?” the Lord asks. “Do you not know that I am everywhere?” the Lord asks.
- Luke 12:1Meanwhile, when many thousands of the crowd had gathered so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
- Romans 2:16on the day when God will judge the secrets of human hearts, according to my gospel through Christ Jesus.
- Revelation 20:12And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened – the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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