Ephesians 4:27

KJV

Neither give place to the devil.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither {G3383} give {G1325} place {G5117} to the devil {G1228}.

Complete Jewish Bible

otherwise you leave room for the Adversary.

Berean Standard Bible

and do not give the devil a foothold.

American Standard Version

neither give place to the devil.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 4:27 delivers a potent and concise imperative within Paul's practical ethical instructions to believers, urging them to live in such a manner that they deny Satan any opportunity, advantage, or foothold in their lives. This command serves as a critical warning, highlighting how unrighteous actions and unresolved sin can create vulnerabilities that the spiritual adversary is eager to exploit, thereby disrupting the unity and purity of the Christian community and individual spiritual well-being.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within a larger section of Ephesians (chapters 4-6) where Paul transitions from doctrinal exposition (chapters 1-3) to practical Christian living. Specifically, it follows a series of exhortations for believers to "put off the old man" and "put on the new man" ([Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22-24 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting Off the Old, Putting On the New")). The immediate preceding verse, [Ephesians 4:26](/ephesians/4-26 "Ephesians 4:26 - Dealing with Anger Righteously"), directly addresses anger, warning believers to "be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." By immediately following this with "Neither give place to the devil," Paul strongly implies that unrighteous anger, or any prolonged unconfessed sin, creates an opening for demonic influence. The subsequent verses continue with specific ethical commands against lying ([Ephesians 4:25](/ephesians/4-25 "Ephesians 4:25 - Speaking Truth")), stealing ([Ephesians 4:28](/ephesians/4-28 "Ephesians 4:28 - Working Honestly")), and corrupt communication ([Ephesians 4:29](/ephesians/4-29 "Ephesians 4:29 - Edifying Speech")), all of which, if indulged, could be seen as "giving place" to the enemy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian communities, including the church in Ephesus, existed within a Greco-Roman world steeped in various pagan beliefs, mystery religions, and widespread occult practices. While Paul's primary concern here is not a direct confrontation with pagan deities, the concept of spiritual forces, both good and evil, was a familiar one. Believers were converting from diverse backgrounds, bringing with them old habits and worldviews. Paul's instruction aims to establish a clear ethical framework consistent with their new identity in Christ, distinguishing them from the surrounding culture. The idea of "place" or "opportunity" would resonate in a society where strategic advantage in battle or legal disputes was highly valued. Furthermore, the early church faced internal challenges, such as disunity and moral failings, which the devil could exploit. Paul's warning is thus a call to maintain internal purity and strength against both external pressures and internal vulnerabilities.
* **Key Themes:** Ephesians 4:27 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Ephesians. It underscores the theme of **Spiritual Warfare**, reminding believers that their struggle is not merely against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - The True Nature of Our Struggle")). It emphasizes **Personal Responsibility** in maintaining spiritual integrity, highlighting that believers' choices directly impact their vulnerability to demonic influence. The verse also implicitly touches on **Holiness and Purity**, as the "place" given to the devil is often created by unrighteousness or unconfessed sin. Finally, it reinforces the importance of **Unity in the Body of Christ**, as the devil's primary aim is often to sow discord and division among believers, which is facilitated when individuals give him an opening through their actions or attitudes, particularly those related to anger and unforgiveness, as seen in the broader context of [Ephesians 4](/ephesians/4 "Ephesians 4 - Unity in the Body of Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **give (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** From G1325, this verb means "to give" in a very wide application, encompassing bestowing, committing, delivering, granting, or offering. In this context, combined with "place," it signifies granting an opportunity, providing an opening, or yielding ground. It implies an active, though perhaps unwitting, allowance or concession.
* **place (Greek, _tópos'_):** From G5117, this noun denotes a spot, location, room, or space. Figuratively, as used here, it refers to a condition, an opportunity, or a foothold. To "give place" (δίδωμι τόπον) is an idiom meaning to provide an advantage, an opening, or a strategic position for someone. In the military sense, it's like yielding a strategic point to an enemy.
* **devil (Greek, _diábolos'_):** From G1228, this word translates to "traducer," "false accuser," or "slanderer." It is a specific reference to Satan, the arch-enemy of God and humanity. The term itself highlights his primary modus operandi: to accuse, to slander, and to divide. Therefore, giving him "place" means allowing him to gain an advantage through our sin, which he then uses to accuse us before God or to tempt us further into sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither give place":** This is a strong, definitive prohibition. The Greek particle "mḗte" (G3383) reinforces the negative command, meaning "neither" or "nor," often used in a continued negation. It instructs believers to actively refrain from providing any opportunity or advantage. The verb "give" (dídōmi) combined with the noun "place" (tópos) forms an idiomatic expression, "to give room" or "to grant opportunity." This implies that believers have agency and responsibility in preventing the enemy's influence; they are not passive victims.
* **"to the devil":** This specifies the recipient of the "place" or opportunity. The term "devil" (diábolos) identifies Satan, the spiritual adversary. The implication is that if believers do not actively resist sin and pursue righteousness, they inadvertently create an opening for Satan to work his schemes, sow discord, tempt them, or accuse them. The warning is against providing any strategic advantage to this malevolent spiritual entity.

#### Literary Devices
Ephesians 4:27 primarily employs **Metaphor** and **Personification**. The phrase "give place" is a **Metaphorical** or idiomatic expression, likening the act of providing an opportunity for the devil to giving physical space or strategic ground to an enemy in battle. It's not about literal physical space but about spiritual vulnerability and advantage. The devil is **Personified** as an active, strategic adversary who seeks and exploits opportunities. This personification emphasizes the reality of spiritual warfare and the active role of evil forces. The verse also functions as an **Imperative**, a direct command, underscoring the urgency and importance of the instruction for Christian conduct.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 4:27 is a foundational text concerning spiritual warfare and personal responsibility in the Christian life. It teaches that our actions, particularly our failure to deal with sin promptly and righteously, can open doors for demonic influence. This is not to say that every sin is a direct invitation for demonic possession, but rather that unconfessed sin, prolonged anger, bitterness, or other unrighteous behaviors create a spiritual environment conducive to the devil's schemes of temptation, accusation, and division. The verse underscores the active nature of the spiritual battle and the believer's role in resisting the enemy by maintaining a life of holiness and obedience. It connects the internal state of the believer (e.g., managing anger) with external spiritual realities, emphasizing that personal ethics have cosmic implications.

* [James 4:7](/james/4-7 "Resist the Devil")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "Be Sober and Vigilant")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Do Not Avenge Yourselves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
To "give place to the devil" is to yield ground in the spiritual battle, to provide an opening or opportunity for the enemy to sow discord, tempt us, or gain an advantage in our lives or communities. This often happens subtly, through unaddressed sin, unconfessed bitterness, unresolved conflict, or persistent negative thought patterns. Paul's command calls us to a vigilant and proactive spiritual posture, where we are quick to repent, quick to forgive, and committed to living in alignment with our new identity in Christ. It means actively closing doors that our sinful nature or past habits might open, ensuring that our lives are fortresses of righteousness rather than vulnerable points for the enemy's attack. By walking in love, truth, and forgiveness, we effectively deny the devil the "place" he seeks, thereby protecting our spiritual well-being and contributing to the health of the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be inadvertently "giving place to the devil" through unaddressed sin or unresolved issues?**
* **How does my response to anger, unforgiveness, or bitterness either open or close doors to spiritual attack?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to "take back" any ground I might have yielded to the enemy, aligning my life more fully with God's will?**

### FAQ

**What does "give place to the devil" specifically mean in a practical sense?**

Answer: In a practical sense, "giving place to the devil" means creating an opportunity or opening for Satan to influence your thoughts, actions, or circumstances. This is often done through unaddressed sin, unconfessed bitterness, prolonged anger, unforgiveness, or by entertaining thoughts that are contrary to God's truth. For example, if you allow anger to fester and lead to resentment, you're giving the devil a "foothold" to sow discord, tempt you to gossip, or even lead to greater sin. It's about recognizing that our spiritual adversary is always looking for weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and our unrighteous choices can inadvertently provide them. This concept is closely tied to the idea of spiritual warfare, where believers are called to stand firm against the devil's schemes, as described in [Ephesians 6:11](/ephesians/6-11 "Ephesians 6:11 - The Whole Armor of God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Ephesians 4:27 is a direct command to believers, its ultimate fulfillment and the power to obey it are found in Christ. Jesus Himself perfectly demonstrated what it means to "give no place to the devil." In His wilderness temptation, He resisted every overture of Satan, countering temptation with the Word of God and never yielding an inch of spiritual ground ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")). His life was one of complete obedience to the Father, leaving no "place" for the accuser to gain advantage. Furthermore, through His death and resurrection, Christ disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). As believers, we are united with Christ, and it is His victory that empowers us to resist the devil. We are called to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" ([Romans 13:14](/romans/13-14 "Romans 13:14 - Clothe Yourselves with Christ")), which means living in His righteousness and drawing on His strength. Our ability to deny the devil any foothold comes not from our own willpower, but from the indwelling Holy Spirit and our reliance on the finished work of Christ, who has already conquered the one who seeks to accuse and destroy ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Christ's Victory Over the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5:8

¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Ephesians 6:16

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

2 Corinthians 2:10

To whom ye forgive any thing, I [forgive] also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave [it], for your sakes [forgave I it] in the person of Christ;

2 Corinthians 2:11

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Acts 5:3

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?