Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 5:6

"Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience." — Ephesians 5:6 (ASV)

There were those then as there are now who protest that Christian standards are too demanding and that people must be allowed to live as they like (1 Corinthians 15:32). In the name of a spurious freedom, they attempt to bring converts into bondage to sin once again. The Ephesians must not to fooled by such futile arguments (4:17). They are promoted by the arch-deceiver himself (2:2). Paul’s indictment includes all the propagandists of permissiveness.

It is on account of “such things”—the sins mentioned above rather than the deceptive teaching that encourages them—that divine retribution is already on its way. It will keep on coming till in the end it deals with the offenders.