Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 5:12

"for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of." — Ephesians 5:12 (ASV)

Paul reiterates the insistence of v.3 that the abominable things pagan profligates do under cover of secrecy must not be breathed among Christians. Sometimes sin can be publicized by a reaction against it. What has been done in the dark is best kept dark. Paul goes so far as to say that the shamefulness of these ugly vices may rub off on Christians if they are continually talking about them, even if it is to disapprove of them.