Ephesians 5:12

“For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. “

In the previous verses, Paul has told us what to do when those things we have tested turn out to be works of darkness. He builds on that idea now.

“Those things which are done of them in secret”
Who’s them? The previous verse refers to works of darkness, therefore we concur that ‘them’ is those who commit the works of darkness. In this then, we see the free will/agency of man and the accompanying responsibility for his actions. These works of darkness are theirs. No one else’s. We can then also concur that as such, works of darkness involve the complicity of the individual to be committed.

There is a far bigger concept that Paul has begun to introduce that is about to be exposited on even more in the following verses: light and darkness. To do in secret, that is, to conceal, by nature implies darkness. Darkness to the deeds. In describing the works of evil as works of ‘darkness’, the apostle is contrasting with light.

It is apparent from all the works of darkness that Paul has previously mentioned, that these works happen in broad daylight as well as the night. Therefore, when he is speaking of darkness, it’s clearly metaphysical and not the day and night we experience on earth. It will be in the coming verses that Paul will explain further the contrast of light and darkness, needless to say, these works of darkness are done in secret meaning, they are works that are done in evil and cannot abide being exposed to light (Paul will soon speak as to the identity of the light)

For recap: “Those things (the things Paul has mentioned in verses 3-5) which are done (the active assent of the individual’s will) of them (those who commit such deeds) in secret (a place where truth does not shine, where the light of the glorious gospel of Christ does not reach – spiritual darkness, whether the deeds are done in the day or night)“

“… it is a shame even to speak“

Of those deeds which are done in spiritual darkness, there ought to be shame – embarrassment. Thus is it not fitting for any saint to have such works present in their life, for if it is a shame to even speak about those things, how much more to actually be guilty of committing them?

There is drawn here a fine distinction between reproving of the works of darkness and speaking about the works of darkness. One’s goal is destruction, the other is glorification, even if unintentional. The calling to the Christian is to think on good things. True things. Lovely things. Pure things. (Phil4:8) If to think is called for, then how much more to speak? If that is true, then so should the inverse be true.

This is not to say that the saint should shy away from addressing sin, but that addressing is a rebuking of it, not entertaining it. It’s handling the garbage to throw it out, not to examine it, entertain it, or any other such action.

These deeds are done in secret. Concealed. They are done in darkness. What then is the remedy?

Coming soon in Ephesians 5: Light is the cure.