“For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”
My Notes
What Does Ephesians 5:12 Mean?
"It is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret." Paul draws a boundary around speech: some behaviors are so shameful that describing them gives them more attention than they deserve. The instruction isn't ignorance — it's discretion. You don't need to catalog every form of darkness to recognize that darkness exists.
The word "shame" (aischron) means disgraceful, indecent — the kind of thing that produces a blush. Paul's instruction is about the effect of detailed speech about sin: naming certain behaviors in detail can normalize them, desensitize the hearer, or provide a template for imitation. Some darkness is best left undescribed.
The phrase "done in secret" identifies the category: these are hidden behaviors, things people do when nobody watches. Paul says the secrecy is itself an indicator of shame. If they do it in secret, they already know it's wrong. And your speaking about it in detail doesn't expose them — it gives their secret behavior an audience it didn't have.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What darkness are you giving too much detailed attention to?
- 2.How does detailed speech about sin sometimes normalize rather than condemn it?
- 3.What's the difference between appropriate awareness and inappropriate fascination with evil?
- 4.How does walking in light expose darkness more effectively than describing darkness does?
Devotional
Some things are too shameful to describe in detail. Paul doesn't say 'don't know about sin.' He says: don't give detailed airtime to the darkness. Some behaviors are best left unnamed because naming them in detail gives them more power, not less.
This is practical wisdom about speech and attention: what you talk about, you give energy to. Detailed descriptions of hidden sins can produce fascination rather than revulsion. The catalog of darkness that's supposed to warn can end up advertising. Paul says: don't be the advertisement.
The secrecy detail matters: these are things done in secret because even the people doing them know they're shameful. The hiding is the confession. If they weren't ashamed, they wouldn't hide. Your job isn't to bring the secret behavior into the light through detailed description. Your job is to walk in the light (verse 8) and let the light itself expose the darkness (verse 13).
This challenges a culture obsessed with exposing every form of evil in graphic detail — whether through news, entertainment, or even well-meaning church sermons that describe sin more vividly than they describe holiness. Paul's instruction says: some discretion is appropriate. Not every secret sin needs a spotlight. Some things are best left in the shame where they belong.
What darkness are you giving too much airtime? What secret sins are you describing in detail when you should be walking in light instead?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Wherefore he saith,.... Either the man that is light in the Lord, who reproves the unfruitful works of darkness; or else…
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…
For it is a shame even to speak - This no doubt refers to the Eleusinian and Bacchanalian mysteries, which were…
These verses contain a caution against all manner of uncleanness, with proper remedies and arguments proposed: some…
even to speak See above on "not once named", Eph 5:12. Perhaps the suggestion here is that the "reproof" of Eph 5:11 was…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture