Matthew Henry Commentary Ephesians 5:3-14

"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them; For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of. But all things when they are reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light. Wherefore [he] saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee." — Ephesians 5:3-14 (ASV)

Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against blatant acts of sin, but also against things that some may treat lightly. But these things are so far from being beneficial that they pollute and poison those who hear them. Our cheerfulness should express itself, as is fitting for Christians, in ways that contribute to God's glory.

A covetous man makes a god of his money; he places that hope, confidence, and delight in worldly goods which should be in God alone. Those who indulge in either the lusts of the flesh or the love of the world do not belong to the kingdom of grace, nor will they come to the kingdom of glory. When the vilest transgressors repent and believe the gospel, they become children of obedience, from whom God's wrath is turned away.

Dare we treat lightly that which brings down the wrath of God? Sinners, like people in the dark, are going they know not where, and doing they know not what. But the grace of God worked a mighty change in the souls of many. Walk as children of light, possessing knowledge and holiness.

These works of darkness are unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast of; for they end in the destruction of the unrepentant sinner. There are many ways of abetting, or taking part in the sins of others: by commendation, counsel, consent, or concealment. And if we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their punishments.

If we do not reprove the sins of others, we have fellowship with them. A good person will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked people are not ashamed to do. We must not only recognize and know that sin is sin, and to some extent shameful, but also see it as a breach of God's holy law. Following the example of prophets and apostles, we should call on those asleep and dead in sin to awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.