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Selected Verse: Ephesians 5:12 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Eph 5:12 |
Strong Concordance |
For [1063] it is [2076] a shame [149] even [2532] to speak [3004] of those things [2931] which are done [1096] of [5259] them [846] in secret [2931]. |
| |
King James |
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
| 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 Eph 5:3) in detail the works of darkness, whereas he describes definitely (Eph 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 them, is a shame (Eph 5:3). Thus "works of darkness" answers to "things done in secret." |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
For it is a shame even to speak ... - ; compare notes, Rom 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 is done by multitudes in Christian lands, who are not worshippers of idols. Their deeds cannot be described in the circles of the refined and the delicate; they cannot be told in the presence of mothers and sisters. Is there not emphasis here in the words "even to speak of these things!" If the apostle would not allow them to name those things, or to "speak" of them, is it wise or safe for Christians now to be familiar with the accounts of those practices of pollution, and for ministers to portray them in the pulpit, and for the friends of "moral reform" to describe them before the world? The very "naming" of those abominations often produces improper associations in the mind; the description creates polluting images before the imagination; the exhibition of pictures, even for the purpose of condemning them, defiles the soul. There are some vices which, from the corruptions of the human heart, cannot be safely described, and it is to be feared that, under the plea of faithfulness, many have done evil by exciting improper feelings, where they should have only alluded to the crime, and then spoken in thunder. Paul did not "describe" these vices, he denounced them; he did not dwell upon them long enough for the imagination to find employment, and to corrupt the soul. He mentioned the vice - and then he mentioned the wrath of God; he alluded to the sin, and then he spoke of the exclusion from heaven; compare notes on Co1 6:18.
Which are done of them in secret - Many have supposed that there is an allusion here to the "mysteries" which were celebrated in Greece, usually at night, and far from the public eye. Many of these were indeed impure and abominable, but there is no necessity for supposing that there is such an allusion here. The reference may be to the vices which were secretly practiced then as now; the abominations which flee from the eye of day, and which are performed far from the public gaze. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| In secret - As flying the light. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| For 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 of what the apostle says here: It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret; the abominations being of the most stupendous kind, and of the deepest dye. |
3 But [2532] fornication [4202], and [1161] all [3956] uncleanness [167], or [2228] covetousness [4124], let it [3687] not be once [3366] named [3687] among [1722] you [5213], as [2531] becometh [4241] saints [40];
9 (For [1063] the fruit [2590] of the Spirit [4151] is in [1722] all [3956] goodness [19] and [2532] righteousness [1343] and [2532] truth [225];)
3 But [2532] fornication [4202], and [1161] all [3956] uncleanness [167], or [2228] covetousness [4124], let it [3687] not be once [3366] named [3687] among [1722] you [5213], as [2531] becometh [4241] saints [40];
18 Flee [5343] fornication [4202]. Every [3956] sin [265] that [3739] [1437] a man [444] doeth [4160] is [2076] without [1622] the body [4983]; but [1161] he that committeth fornication [4203] sinneth [264] against [1519] his own [2398] body [4983].
24 Wherefore [1352] God [2316] also [2532] gave [3860] them [846] up [3860] to [1519] uncleanness [167] through [1722] the lusts [1939] of their own [846] hearts [2588], to dishonour [818] their own [846] bodies [4983] between [1722] themselves [1438]:
25 Who [3748] changed [3337] the truth [225] of God [2316] into [1722] a lie [5579], and [2532] worshipped [4573] and [2532] served [3000] the creature [2937] more than [3844] the Creator [2936], who [3739] is [2076] blessed [2128] for [1519] ever [165]. Amen [281].
26 For [1223] this [5124] cause God [2316] gave [3860] them [846] up [3860] unto [1519] vile [819] affections [3806]: for [1063] even [5037] their [846] women [2338] did change [3337] the natural [5446] use [5540] into [1519] that which is against [3844] nature [5449]:
27 And [5037] likewise [3668] also [2532] the men [730], leaving [863] the natural [5446] use [5540] of the woman [2338], burned [1572] in [1722] their [846] lust [3715] one toward another [1519] [240]; men [730] with [1722] men [730] working [2716] that which is unseemly [808], and [2532] receiving [618] in [1722] themselves [1438] that recompence [489] of their [846] error [4106] which [3739] was meet [1163].
28 And [2532] even as [2531] they did [1381] not [3756] like [1381] to retain [2192] God [2316] in [1722] their knowledge [1922], God [2316] gave [3860] them [846] over [3860] to [1519] a reprobate [96] mind [3563], to do [4160] those things which are [2520] not [3361] convenient [2520];
29 Being filled with [4137] all [3956] unrighteousness [93], fornication [4202], wickedness [4189], covetousness [4124], maliciousness [2549]; full [3324] of envy [5355], murder [5408], debate [2054], deceit [1388], malignity [2550]; whisperers [5588],
30 Backbiters [2637], haters of God [2319], despiteful [5197], proud [5244], boasters [213], inventors [2182] of evil things [2556], disobedient [545] to parents [1118],
31 Without understanding [801], covenantbreakers [802], without natural affection [794], implacable [786], unmerciful [415]:
32 Who [3748] knowing [1921] the judgment [1345] of God [2316], that [3754] they which commit [4238] such things [5108] are [1526] worthy [514] of death [2288], not [3756] only [3440] do [4160] the same [846], but [235] [2532] have pleasure [4909] in them that do [4238] them.