Ephesians 5:12

Amplified Bible

for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Actually, it is shameful to even talk about the things those people do in secret.

Revised Standard Version
For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret;

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For it is shame even to name those thinges which are done of them in secrete:

Hebrew Names Version
For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.

New American Standard Bible
for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

New Century Version
It is shameful even to talk about what those people do in secret.

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

Webster's Bible Translation
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

English Standard Version
For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

World English Bible
For the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
For it is a shame even to speak the things which are done by them in secret.

Weymouth's New Testament
for the things which are done by these people in secret it is disgraceful even to speak of.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For what thingis ben don of hem in priuy, it is foule, yhe, to speke.

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

Berean Standard Bible
For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

Contemporary English Version
It is disgusting even to talk about what is done in the dark.

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

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

Complete Jewish Bible
for it is shameful even to speak of the things these people do in secret.

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

International Standard Version
For it is shameful even to mention what is done by peoplethem">[fn] in secret.Romans 1:24,26; Ephesians 1:3;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
For that which in secrecy they do it is execrable even to mention.

Murdock Translation
For the things they do in secret, it is nauseous even to mention.

King James Version (1611)
For it is a shame euen to speake of those things which are done of them in secret.

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

New Life Bible
It is a shame even to talk about these things done in secret.

New Revised Standard
For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly;

Geneva Bible (1587)
For it is shame euen to speake of the things which are done of them in secret.

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

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, of the secret things which are brought to pass by them, it is, shameful, even to speak!

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

Bishop's Bible (1568)
For it is shame euen to name those thynges whiche are done of them in secrete.

Good News Translation
(It is really too shameful even to talk about the things they do in secret.)

Christian Standard Bible®
For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret.

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

Lexham English Bible
For it is shameful even to speak about the things being done by them in secret,

Literal Translation
For it is shameful even to speak of the things being done by them in secret.

Young's Literal Translation
for the things in secret done by them it is a shame even to speak of,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For it is shame euen to name those thinges, which are done of them in secrete.

Mace New Testament (1729)
for it is a shame even to mention what they practise in secret.

New English Translation
For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention.

New King James Version
For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

Simplified Cowboy Version
I don't even want to mention the things ungodly men do in secret.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

Legacy Standard Bible
For it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

Contextual Overview

³But sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith]. ⁴Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God]. ⁵For be sure of this: no immoral, impure, or greedy person—for that one is [in effect] an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God]. ⁶Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin]. ⁷So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin]. ⁸For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] ⁹(for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]. ¹¹Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; ¹²for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

it: Ephesians 5:3, Romans 1:24-27, 1 Peter 4:3

in: 2 Samuel 12:12, Proverbs 9:17, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Jeremiah 23:24, Luke 12:1, Luke 12:2, Romans 2:16, Revelation 20:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:23 - lest we Genesis 39:11 - none of the men Exodus 23:13 - make no mention Leviticus 3:7 - offer it Psalms 53:1 - have done Ezekiel 8:12 - ancients Matthew 18:17 - a heathen Luke 7:14 - Young Luke 15:15 - to feed John 3:20 - reproved John 18:18 - Peter Romans 1:26 - vile 1 Corinthians 14:35 - a shame 2 Corinthians 4:2 - dishonesty

Cross-References

Luke 3:37
the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan,

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For it is a shame even to speak of those things,.... This is a reason, why persons should walk as children of light; why they should prove what is acceptable to God; why they should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; why the apostle exhorts to reprove them, and yet does not express what they are; and why they should be reproved rather by deeds than by words: and he tacitly intimates, that if it is a shame to speak of those sins

which are done of them in secret, it is much more shameful to commit them; the persons the apostle refers to, are the unconverted Gentiles in general; such who have no inheritance in the kingdom of God, who deceive men with vain words, who are children of disobedience, who are in darkness, and destitute of the Spirit; and it may be that respect may be had to the followers of Simon Magus, the Gnostics, and such like impure professors, by whom the vilest things were done in secret; for sins, works of darkness, will not bear the light; there is a consciousness in men of the evil of sin, unless past feeling, and therefore they do not care that others should know their crimes; and besides, there is an imaginary pleasure in committing sin secretly; but then though these things are secret to men, they are not to God; nor will they always remain secrets, they will be brought to light, and therefore no fellowship should be had with them; and especially when they are of such a scandalous nature, that it is a shame to mention the very names of them.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For 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 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 1 Corinthians 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 12. 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.