Ephesians 5:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Let {G538} no man {G3367} deceive {G538} you {G5209} with vain {G2756} words {G3056}: for {G1063} because {G1223} of these things {G5023} cometh {G2064} the wrath {G3709} of God {G2316} upon {G1909} the children {G5207} of disobedience {G543}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let no one deceive you with empty talk; for it is because of these things that God’s judgment is coming on those who disobey him.

Berean Standard Bible

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 5:6 serves as a profound warning against spiritual deception, urging believers to reject any persuasive arguments that minimize the gravity of sin or deny its inevitable consequences. Paul emphatically declares that "vain words"—empty justifications or rationalizations for ungodly living—are dangerous, for they lead to the righteous "wrath of God" descending upon those whose lives are characterized by persistent "disobedience" and rebellion against divine truth. This verse underscores the immutable holiness of God and the serious implications of moral compromise within the Christian community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 5:6 is strategically placed within Paul's broader exhortation for believers to live out their new identity in Christ. Chapters 1-3 establish the theological foundation of God's grace and the believer's spiritual blessings in Christ, while chapters 4-6 transition to practical implications for daily conduct. Specifically, chapter 5 opens with a call to imitate God and walk in love ([Ephesians 5:1-2](/ephesians/5-1-2 "Ephesians 5:1-2 - Imitating God and Walking in Love")), then directly lists specific behaviors—sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and crude joking—as utterly incompatible with the life of saints ([Ephesians 5:3-4](/ephesians/5-3-4 "Ephesians 5:3-4 - Behaviors Unsuitable for Saints")). Verse 5 reinforces that those who practice such things have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Verse 6 then functions as a crucial warning against anyone who would attempt to rationalize or excuse these very sins, serving as a bridge to the subsequent call to "walk as children of light" in [Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "Ephesians 5:8 - Walking as Children of Light").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Ephesus was a bustling metropolitan center in the Roman province of Asia, renowned for its temple of Artemis (Diana), one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This environment was a melting pot of diverse religious cults, philosophical schools, and moral laxity. Many pagan practices involved sexual immorality and idolatry, which were often intertwined with religious rituals. Furthermore, early forms of Gnosticism or proto-Gnostic ideas were emerging, which sometimes taught that physical actions were irrelevant to spiritual purity, leading to antinomianism (a rejection of moral laws). Paul's warning against "vain words" likely addresses both the pervasive influence of the surrounding pagan culture that normalized such behaviors and any internal tendencies within the church to compromise with these worldly standards or to embrace erroneous teachings that downplayed the seriousness of sin.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ephesians and Paul's theology. It highlights the theme of **Christian Distinctiveness and Holiness**, emphasizing that believers are called to a different standard of life than the world around them, reflecting God's holy character. It underscores the **Seriousness of Sin and its Consequences**, asserting that God's moral law is not arbitrary but carries divine judgment for those who persistently reject it. The phrase "children of disobedience" reinforces the theme of **Spiritual Identity**, contrasting those who are defined by their rebellion against God with those who are "children of light" ([Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "Ephesians 5:8 - Walking as Children of Light")) and "children of God" ([Ephesians 1:5](/ephesians/1-5 "Ephesians 1:5 - Adoption as Sons")). Finally, it speaks to the vital importance of **Spiritual Discernment**, urging believers to recognize and resist deceptive teachings that undermine biblical truth and moral purity, a theme also evident in Paul's warnings in [Colossians 2:8](/colossians/2-8 "Colossians 2:8 - Warning Against Philosophy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Deceive (Greek, _apatáō'_):** This verb signifies to cheat, delude, or beguile. It implies a subtle, persuasive trickery that leads someone astray from truth or right conduct. It's not about overt coercion but a cunning influence that causes one to believe a falsehood or to act contrary to their true allegiance. The warning is against being subtly misled into thinking that sinful behaviors are acceptable or without consequence.
* **Vain (Greek, _kenós'_):** Meaning "empty" or "hollow," this adjective describes something that lacks substance, truth, or moral weight. When applied to "words," it refers to arguments, justifications, or rationalizations that are devoid of divine truth, offering no genuine basis for excusing sin. These are not merely meaningless words, but dangerously empty ones that promise liberty while leading to bondage.
* **Disobedience (Greek, _apeítheia'_):** This noun denotes disbelief, obstinate rebellion, or an unwillingness to be persuaded. It's more than a simple failure to obey; it implies an active, persistent refusal to submit to authority or truth, particularly God's. The "children of disobedience" are those whose character and way of life are defined by this rebellious posture towards God's commands and revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let no man deceive you with vain words":** This is a strong imperative, a direct command to the Ephesian believers (and by extension, all Christians) to be vigilant and not allow themselves to be misled. The deception comes through "vain words," which are empty, hollow arguments or smooth talk that attempts to rationalize sin, minimize its severity, or deny its consequences. These words might suggest that certain behaviors are harmless, culturally acceptable, or that God's grace negates the need for moral strictness.
* **"for because of these things":** The conjunction "for" (Greek, _gár_) introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding warning. "These things" refers directly back to the list of immoral and ungodly behaviors enumerated in the preceding verses (sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, jesting, as mentioned in [Ephesians 5:3-5](/ephesians/5-3-5 "Ephesians 5:3-5 - Forbidden Behaviors and Consequences")). It establishes a clear causal link: the practice of these sins is the direct reason for what follows.
* **"cometh the wrath of God":** This phrase declares the inevitable consequence. "The wrath of God" (Greek, _orgḗ theós_) is not a capricious outburst of divine temper, but God's settled, righteous indignation and just judgment against sin and unrighteousness. It is an active, holy response to rebellion against His character and commands, demonstrating His absolute intolerance for evil. The verb "cometh" (Greek, _érchomai_) implies a present and ongoing reality, as well as a future certainty.
* **"upon the children of disobedience":** This identifies the recipients of God's wrath. "Children of disobedience" (Greek, _huiós apeítheia_) is a Semitic idiom, meaning those whose very nature or defining characteristic is disobedience. It describes individuals whose lives are marked by a persistent pattern of unbelief and rebellion against God's will, contrasting sharply with those who are children of God by faith.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in Ephesians 5:6 to convey his urgent warning. The most prominent is the **Imperative** mood ("Let no man deceive you"), which conveys a direct command and underscores the critical importance of spiritual vigilance. This is followed by a clear statement of **Cause and Effect**: the "vain words" and the "things" (sins) they rationalize are the cause, and "the wrath of God" is the inevitable effect. This logical progression reinforces the seriousness of moral compromise. Furthermore, the phrase "children of disobedience" is a powerful example of **Metonymy** (or a Semitic idiom akin to it), where "children of" signifies a defining characteristic or inherent nature, rather than literal offspring. It vividly portrays those who are fundamentally characterized by their rebellion against God, creating a stark contrast with the "children of light" mentioned later in the chapter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 5:6 articulates a fundamental theological truth: God's holiness demands a response to sin. The "wrath of God" is not an arbitrary act of vengeance, but the necessary manifestation of His righteous character against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. This verse reminds us that while God is love and rich in mercy, He is also perfectly just, and His justice requires that sin be judged. To deny this truth, or to be deceived by "vain words" that minimize sin, is to misunderstand the very nature of God and the gravity of human rebellion. This concept of divine wrath is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, serving both as a warning to the unrepentant and a profound backdrop for understanding the magnitude of God's grace in salvation.

* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed Against Ungodliness")
* [Colossians 3:5-6](/colossians/3-5-6 "Colossians 3:5-6 - Putting to Death Earthly Members and the Wrath of God")
* [John 3:36](/john/3-36 "John 3:36 - The Wrath of God Abides on the Disobedient")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 5:6 calls believers to cultivate a robust spiritual discernment in a world brimming with "vain words." In our contemporary context, these "vain words" can manifest as cultural narratives that normalize sin, philosophical arguments that deny moral absolutes, or even subtle theological distortions that cheapen grace by separating it from holiness. To avoid deception, we must constantly measure all teachings and cultural influences against the unchanging standard of God's Word. This verse compels us to take sin seriously, not as a minor transgression, but as an affront to a holy God that incurs His righteous wrath. For the believer, this truth should not evoke fear of condemnation (for we are in Christ), but a profound motivation to pursue holiness, to live authentically as "children of light," and to resist any temptation to compromise with the world's standards. Our lives should be characterized by obedience and truth, demonstrating the transforming power of the Gospel.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do "vain words" manifest in our culture or even within Christian circles today, attempting to normalize or minimize sin?**
* **How can believers cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize and resist deceptive arguments?**
* **What does it practically mean to live as a "child of light" in contrast to a "child of disobedience" in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**What are "vain words" as mentioned in Ephesians 5:6?**

Answer: "Vain words" (Greek: _kenois logois_) refer to empty, hollow, or baseless arguments that lack truth, substance, or moral weight. In the context of [Ephesians 5:3-5](/ephesians/5-3-5 "Ephesians 5:3-5 - Forbidden Behaviors and Consequences"), these are typically rationalizations, excuses, or persuasive but false teachings that attempt to minimize the seriousness of sinful behaviors (like sexual immorality, impurity, or covetousness) or to deny the consequences of such actions. They are deceptive because they promise freedom or acceptance but lead to divine judgment.

**What does "the wrath of God" signify in this verse?**

Answer: "The wrath of God" (Greek: _orgē tou theou_) is God's righteous, holy indignation and just judgment against sin and unrighteousness. It is not an impulsive human anger, but a settled, active opposition of God's perfect character to all that is evil and rebellious against His will. This wrath is revealed against all ungodliness, as seen in [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Revealed"), and it is a consistent biblical theme that underscores God's absolute holiness and justice.

**Who are "the children of disobedience"?**

Answer: "The children of disobedience" (Greek: _hoi huioi tēs apeitheias_) is a Semitic idiom used to describe those whose very nature or defining characteristic is disobedience, unbelief, or persistent rebellion against God's truth and commands. It signifies a life pattern of resistance to God's will, rather than an isolated act of sin. These are individuals who refuse to be persuaded by God's truth and whose lives are marked by a rejection of divine authority, in contrast to those who are "children of God" by faith in Christ [John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Becoming Children of God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 5:6, with its stark warning against deception and the wrath of God, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of truth, the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), who exposes the emptiness of "vain words" and the deceptive nature of sin. In His perfect life, Christ demonstrated absolute obedience to God, contrasting sharply with the "children of disobedience." Crucially, Jesus bore the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin on the cross ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Saved from Wrath Through Christ")), becoming the propitiation for our sins ([1 John 2:2](/1_john/2-2 "1 John 2:2 - Christ, the Propitiation for Our Sins")). Through faith in Him, those who were once "children of disobedience" are transformed into "children of light" ([Ephesians 5:8](/ephesians/5-8 "Ephesians 5:8 - Walking as Children of Light")) and "children of God" ([Galatians 3:26](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Children of God Through Faith")), delivered from the coming wrath and empowered by the Spirit to walk in newness of life, reflecting His holiness and truth.

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

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;

Matthew 24:4

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

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.

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

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Thessalonians 2:12

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: