Ephesians 5 · Verse 6

Ephesians 5:6

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Ephesians 5:6, King James Version

Ephesians 5:6 in other translations

BSBLet no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
WEBLet no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.
ASVLet no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
YLTLet no one deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the sons of the disobedience,
DARBYLet no one deceive you with vain words, for on account of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
BBEDo 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.
WebsterLet no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

What does Ephesians 5:6 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
6. vain--empty, unreal words, namely, palliations of "uncleanness," Ep 5:3, 4; Is 5:20 (that it is natural to indulge in love), "covetousness" (that it is useful to society that men should pursue gain), and "jesting" (that it is witty and clever, and that God will not so severely punish for such things). because of these things--uncleanness, covetousness, &c. (Ep 5:3-5). cometh--present, not merely "shall come." Is as sure as if already come. children--rather, "sons of disobedience" (Ep 2:2, 3). The children of unbelief in doctrine (De 32:20) are "children of disobedience" in practice, and these again are "children of wrath."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 6. Let no man deceive you. Let no one, by artful plans, persuade you that there will be no danger from practising these vices. We may suppose that they would be under strong temptations to mingle in the gay and festive scenes where these vices were not frowned on, or where they were practised; or that they might be tempted to commit them by some of the plausible arguments which were then used for theft indulgence. Many of their friends may have been in these circles; and they would endeavour to convince them that such were the customs which had been long practised, and that there could be no harm still in theft indulgence. Not a few philosophers endeavoured, as is well known, to defend some of these practices, and even practised them themselves. Rom 1:1 and following. It required, therefore, all the authority of an apostle to convince them, that however plausible were the arguments in defence of them, they certainly exposed those who practised them to the wrath of God.

For because of these things cometh the wrath of God. Rom 1:18; Rom 2:8; Rom 2:9.

Upon the children of disobedience. Mt 1:1; Rom 2:8.

(c) "with vain words" Jer 29:8,9 (1) "disobedience" "unbelief"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 6 Let no man deceive you - Suffer no man to persuade you that any of these things are innocent, or that they are unavoidable frailties of human nature; they are all sins and abominations in the sight of God; those who practice them are children of disobedience; and on account of such practices the wrath of God - Divine punishment, must come upon them.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 5:3-14

Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and 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. Our cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places that hope…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 5:3-14 →

Ephesians 5:6 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΜηδεὶςMēdeisNo oneG3367
ὑμᾶςhumasyouG4771
ἀπατάτωapatatōshould deceiveG538
κενοῖςkenoiswith emptyG2756
λόγοις·logoiswords;G3056
διὰdiabecause ofG1223
ταῦταtautathese thingsG3778
γὰρgarforG1063
ἔρχεταιerchetaicomesG2064
ἡhētheG3588
ὀργὴorgēwrathG3709
τοῦtou<the>G3588
θεοῦtheouof GodG2316
ἐπὶepiuponG1909
τοὺςtoustheG3588
υἱοὺςhuioussonsG5207
τῆςtēs<the>G3588
ἀπειθείας.apeitheiasof disobedience.G543

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 5:6

  • Romans 1:18

    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

  • Colossians 2:8

    Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

  • Matthew 24:4

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

    And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

  • Colossians 3:6

    For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

  • Mark 13:5

    And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

  • Galatians 6:7-8

    Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

  • Matthew 24:24

    For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

  • Jeremiah 29:8-9

    For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord.

  • Ephesians 2:2-3

    Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

  • Ezekiel 13:10-16

    Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith ye have daubed it? Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
no.
Jer 29:8,9,31; Eze 13:10-16; Mic 3:5; Mt 24:4,24; Mr 13:5,22
Ga 6:7,8; Col 2:4,8,18; 2Th 2:3,10-12; 1Jo 4:1
vain.
2Ki 18:20; Jer 23:14-16
cometh.
Nu 32:13,14; Jos 22:17,18; Ps 78:31; Ro 1:18; Col 3:6
children.
2:2,3
disobedience. or, unbelief.
Heb 3:19; 1Pe 2:8; *Gr:

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Ephesians 5:5

    For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

  • Ephesians 5:6

    Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

  • Ephesians 5:7

    Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Read all of Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5:6 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Nadie os engañe con palabras vanas; porque por estas cosas viene la ira de Dios sobre los hijos de desobediencia.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Que personne ne vous séduise par de vaines paroles; car, à cause de ces choses, la colère de Dieu vient sur les fils de la désobéissance.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Niemand verführe euch mit eitlen Worten, denn dieser Dinge wegen kommt der Zorn Gottes über die Söhne des Ungehorsams.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Nemo vos seducat inanibus verbis: propter hæc enim venit ira Dei in filios diffidentiæ.