Ephesians 5:12 kjv
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
Ephesians 5:12 nkjv
For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
Ephesians 5:12 niv
It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
Ephesians 5:12 esv
For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
Ephesians 5:12 nlt
It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.
Ephesians 5 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ephesians 5:11 | have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. | Direct command, consequence |
| John 3:19-21 | And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their works were evil. | Nature of evil works |
| Romans 1:28-32 | And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice... | Characteristics of dark deeds |
| 1 Corinthians 5:1 | It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. | Example of shameful acts |
| Galatians 5:19-21 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. | Manifestations of darkness |
| Titus 1:15-16 | To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. | Purity vs. Defilement |
| Hebrews 12:1 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us | Endurance against sin |
| 1 Peter 4:3 | For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: | Past life in darkness |
| 2 Corinthians 6:14 | Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? | Separation from darkness |
| Proverbs 26:28 | A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. | Deceptive words lead to ruin |
| Psalm 50:20 | You give loose rein to your mouth, and your tongue frames deceits. | Tongue framing deceits |
| Ephesians 4:29 | Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. | Speech that builds up |
| Colossians 3:5-7 | Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. | Actions to put to death |
| Romans 6:12 | Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. | Sin reigning in the body |
| Philippians 2:15 | that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, | Shining as lights |
| Revelation 18:4 | Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.” | Coming out of corrupt cities |
| Jude 1:6 | And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day, | Angels who left their dwelling |
| Romans 13:12-13 | The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. | Casting off works of darkness |
| John 8:12 | Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” | Jesus as the light |
| 2 Corinthians 5:10 | For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. | Judgment seat of Christ |
Ephesians 5 verses
Ephesians 5 12 Meaning
The verse states that it is shameful even to speak of the secret actions performed by those who live in darkness. This implies that such deeds are intrinsically wrong and hidden because they cannot endure the light of exposure.
Ephesians 5 12 Context
This verse is found within Ephesians chapter 5, where Paul is outlining how believers should live as children of light, distinct from the world. The preceding verses (Ephesians 5:3-11) warn against sexual immorality, impurity, and greed, urging believers not to participate in the "unfruitful works of darkness." Instead, they are to expose these works and walk in the light. Ephesians 5:12 directly follows these exhortations by commenting on the nature of these dark deeds and their practitioners, explaining why they are shameful and hidden. The broader context is the call to live a life transformed by Christ, reflecting His light in all actions and speech.
Ephesians 5 12 Word Analysis
- γάρ (gar): "for", a connective particle indicating reason or explanation. It links this verse to the preceding exhortation.
- γάρ connects to the preceding verse's instruction to "expose them." It explains why exposure is necessary and what characterizes these deeds.
- γὰρ (gar): Indicates that the verse that follows explains the preceding command or statement. Here, it explains why fellowship with darkness is avoided and why these works should be exposed.
- ἐστὶν (estin): "it is," third-person singular present indicative of εἰμί (eimi), "to be."
- αἰσχρὸν (aischron): "shameful," "indecent," "disgraceful." This adjective describes the nature of the actions performed in secret. The root "aisch-" relates to that which is ugly, morally base, or offensive. It signifies that these deeds evoke a sense of shame and are inherently wrong. This term suggests not just public disgrace but a deep-seated moral corruption that is repugnant.
- αἰσχρὸν (aischron) implies that the deeds are inherently indecent and worthy of shame, not merely due to societal disapproval, but due to their inherent corruption.
- λαλεῖσθαι (laleisthai): "to speak," passive infinitive of λαλέω (laleō), "to speak" or "to talk." This word emphasizes the act of verbal communication about something. Here, it’s passive, meaning "to be spoken."
- λαλεῖσθαι (laleisthai) focuses on the speech act itself, the very topic of discussion, being shameful. It's not just doing them, but even naming them.
- ἐν (en): "in," a preposition indicating location or circumstance.
- τῇ (tē): Definite article, feminine, dative singular, "the."
- κρυπτῇ (kryptē): "hidden," "secret," dative feminine singular of κρυπτός (kryptos), derived from κρύπτω (krypthō), "to hide." This word modifies "things" (implicitly understood from context, i.e., actions), highlighting the secret or concealed nature of these deeds.
- κρυπτῇ (kryptē): This term emphasizes the secrecy of the actions, which are not done openly. It speaks to the deliberate concealment required for such deeds to continue.
- Things that are shameful to even be spoken of. This is because they cannot endure exposure to the light.
- Things spoken of implies that even the mention or discussion of these deeds is indecent, underscoring their morally corrupt nature.
Group Analysis:
- αἰσχρὸν λαλεῖσθαι (aischron laleisthai): "shameful to be spoken." This is a strong condemnation, indicating that the very topic of these deeds is so morally reprehensible that it ought not even to be brought into the open conversation among believers. The shame is not in the potential of exposure itself, but in the inherent vile character of the acts.
Ephesians 5 12 Bonus Section
The phrase "it is shameful even to speak of" highlights a characteristic of sin: it operates in darkness precisely because it cannot endure the light of truth, exposure, and holiness. The Greek word aischron denotes a profound sense of shame and disgrace, not merely social awkwardness. This suggests that these actions are not just disapproved of, but are intrinsically repugnant to moral purity and divine light. This principle aligns with how things that are truly beautiful and good are usually revealed, while things that are corrupt and harmful are concealed.
Ephesians 5 12 Commentary
This verse underscores the inherent immorality of the works of darkness. Their shamefulness is so profound that even uttering their names is considered indecent among those who walk in the light. This reflects the reality that evil actions cannot withstand the scrutiny of truth and purity. When exposed, they reveal their repulsive nature. The passage calls believers to a life of transparency and purity, separating them from the hidden, corrupt practices of the world.