Ephesians 5:6
What does Ephesians 5:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ephesians 5:6 means
Paul anticipates rationalizations that excuse immorality and greed. He calls them “empty words”—arguments with no weight before God. God’s wrath is not a myth or mere metaphor; “because of these things” it comes upon the “sons of disobedience,” those defined by defiance. This warning protects believers from being lulled into compromise by cultural pressure or false teaching. The aim is pastoral: to keep the church awake to reality. Holiness matters because God is holy and just. The gospel announces salvation from wrath through Christ, yet it also insists that the saved turn from the very deeds that incur that wrath, walking in the obedience of faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Do not be turned from the right way by foolish words; for because of these things the punishment of God comes on those who do not put themselves under him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Let no one deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the sons of the disobedience,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let no one deceive you with vain words, for on account of these things the wrath ofGod comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Context
Verse 5 declared that the immoral, impure, and covetous have no inheritance in the kingdom. Now Paul cautions against deceivers who would soften that verdict. He reminds the church that God’s wrath truly comes on disobedience, tying judgment to specific sins mentioned. Next, verse 7 will tell believers not to be “partakers” with such people, and verses 8–14 will contrast darkness and light, urging a lifestyle consistent with their new identity in the Lord. This framing helps readers see that warnings serve the walk in light; they are not meant to paralyze, but to clarify and guard.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 29:31
Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith Jehovah concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie;
- Ephesians 2:2
wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;
- Hebrews 3:19
And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.
- 2 Kings 18:20
Thou sayest (but they are but vain words), There is counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou hast rebelled against me?
- Psalms 78:31
When the anger of God went up against them, And slew of the fattest of them, And smote down the young men of Israel.
- Colossians 2:8
Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:
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