Ephesians 5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's warning against being deceived by 'empty words' (kenois logois) connects directly to the preceding catalogue of vices (5:3-5) and the claim that immoral people have no inheritance in the kingdom. The 'wrath of God' (orge theou) that comes upon the 'sons of disobedience' is not a future possibility only but a present reality breaking into history, as in Romans 1:18. The verse functions as an ethical boundary marker for a community surrounded by Greco-Roman culture that normalized the behaviors Paul prohibits. By calling such rationalizations 'empty words,' Paul diagnoses their spiritual danger: they sever the moral nerve between behavior and its ultimate accountability before God.
Other Translations
Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience.
Let no one deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the sons of the disobedience,
Do not be turned from the right way by foolish words; for because of these things the punishment of God comes on those who do not put themselves under him.
Cross References
And the Lord’s anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all …
And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers’ stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce …
Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we are not cleansed until this day, although there …
But that ye must turn away this day from following the Lord? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to …
Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost …
The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of …
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they …
Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make …
For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be …
For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord.