SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:12
Porque torpe cosa es aun hablar de lo que estos hacen en oculto.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:12
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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things , &c.] 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-14 - Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded an detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Ou cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may ten to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places tha hope, confidence, and delight, in worldly good, which should be in God only. Those who allow themselves, either in the lusts of the flesh or the love of the world, belong not to the kingdom of grace, nor shal they come to the kingdom of glory. When the vilest transgressors repen and believe the gospel, they become children of obedience, from who God's wrath is turned away. Dare we make light of that which bring down the wrath of God? Sinners, like men in the dark, are going the know not whither, and doing they know not what. But the grace of God wrought a mighty change in the souls of many. Walk as children of light, as having knowledge and holiness. These works of darkness ar unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast; for they end in the destruction of the impenitent sinner. There are many ways of abetting or taking part in the sins of others; by commendation, counsel consent, or concealment. And if we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their plagues. If we do not reprove the sins of others, we have fellowship with them. A good man will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked men are not ashamed to do. We must have no only a sight and a knowledge that sin is sin, and in some measur shameful, but see it as a breach of God's holy law. After the exampl of prophets and apostles, we should call on those asleep and dead i sin, to awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.
Greek Textus Receptus
τα 3588 T-APN δε 1161 CONJ παντα 3956 A-APN ελεγχομενα 1651 5746 V-PPP-NPN υπο 5259 PREP του 3588 T-GSN φωτος 5457 N-GSN φανερουται 5319 5743 V-PPI-3S παν 3956 A-NSN γαρ 1063 CONJ το 3588 T-NSN φανερουμενον 5319 5746 V-PPP-NSN φως 5457 N-NSN εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:12 {In secret} (krufei). Old adverb, only here in N.T. Sin loves the dark. {Even to speak of} (kai legein). And yet one must sometimes speak out, turn on the light, even if to do so is disgraceful (aiscron, like #1Co 11:6).
