Ephesians 5:6

6 No man deceive you by vain words; for why for these things the wrath of God came upon the sons of unbelief.

Ephesians 5:6 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 5:6

Let no man deceive you with vain words
With vain philosophy, vain babblings, with foolish and filthy talking; suggesting that these were not sinful the apostle had condemned; or that they were small sins, the frailties of human life; and that God would take no notice of them, and they might continue in them with impunity: such deceivers there were, doctrinal and practical ones, who lay in wait to deceive men with such vain pretences; and there was danger of being carried away with their error; for the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and is easily taken in such snares: wherefore the apostle cautions against such deceptions, adding,

for because of these things;
fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting:

the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience;
in temporal judgments, and in eternal ruin; there have been instances of it; it is usually the case, and always if grace prevents not; this wrath comes down from above, and sometimes suddenly, with great force and power, like a mighty flood; and there is no standing up under it, and against it; and though it falls upon the children of disobedience, such as are disobedient both to law and Gospel, are unbelievers in Christ, and not persuadable by his ministers, are stubborn, obstinate, and rebellious; yet it shows how much these things are displeasing to God, and resented by him, and therefore should be avoided by his people; and the consideration of their not being appointed to this wrath, though deserving of it as others, and of their deliverance from it by Christ, should engage them the more to abstain from these sins.

Ephesians 5:6 In-Context

4 either filth, or folly speech, or buffoonery [or harlotry], that pertaineth not to profit, but more rather doing of thankings [but more doing of thankings].
5 For know ye this, and understand, that each lecher, or unclean man, or covetous [man], that serveth to maumets [+Forsooth this thing know ye, understanding that each fornicator, or unclean man, or avarice man, that is serving of idols, or maumets], hath not heritage in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 No man deceive you by vain words; for why for these things the wrath of God came upon the sons of unbelief.
7 Therefore do not ye be made partners of them.
8 For ye were sometime darknesses, but now ye be light in the Lord. Walk ye as the sons of light [Walk as the sons of light].
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.