Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:12

What does Ephesians 5:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:12 means

Paul stresses the moral gravity of hidden sin: what is done “in secret” by the disobedient is “a shame even to speak of.” He discourages prurient curiosity and gossip about evil. The point is not to sensationalize sin but to confront it with light (v. 11). Christians should avoid dwelling on sordid details; naming sin generally and clearly is sufficient when the goal is repentance and restoration. This verse teaches reverent restraint in how we address wrongdoing. Holy modesty about evil aligns with purity of heart and guards the community from normalizing or glamorizing the very deeds that grieve God and harm souls.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the things which are done by them in secret it is shame even to put into words.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for the things in secret done by them it is a shame even to speak of,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the things that are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for the things that are done by them in secret it is shameful even to say.

Context

Paul has just called believers to reprove dark works (v. 11). Verse 12 balances that charge with a caution: do not revel in describing secret sins. Next, verse 13 will clarify that when such deeds are reproved, they are exposed by the light, becoming visible and, in a sense, transformed. Then verse 14 will use a wake-up summons to call sleepers into Christ’s light. The flow helps readers see that exposure aims at healing, not voyeurism; the church must be both courageous and careful in how it addresses evil.

v.11and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;

v.12This passage

v.13But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Peter 4:3

    For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:

  • Proverbs 9:17

    Stolen waters are sweet, And breadeatenin secret is pleasant.

  • Ephesians 5:3

    But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;

  • Romans 1:24

    Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves:

  • Luke 12:1

    In the mean time, when the many thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

  • Jeremiah 23:24

    Can any hide himself in secret places so that I shall not see him? saith Jehovah. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith Jehovah.

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