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 Living Translation (NLT)It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.

Context of Ephesians 5:12

10finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will 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 fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
• Romans 1:24Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
• 1 Peter 4:3For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
• 2 Samuel 12:12For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’ ”
• Proverbs 9:17“Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
• Ecclesiastes 12:14For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
• Jeremiah 23:24Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
• Luke 12:1In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
• Romans 2:16in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
• Revelation 20:12And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written 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