Bible Strands
Ephesians 5:6
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Ephesian believers mid-warning (vv. 5–7), between the statement that the immoral and greedy have no inheritance in God's kingdom and the command "do not be partakers with them."
The words — Κενός (kenos), "empty," is the adjective form of the root behind kenosis (Phil 2:7); here it modifies λόγος, making the deception specifically hollow rather than merely false.
The thread — The "no one deceive you" formula recurs in Matthew 24:4 and Colossians 2:8 (empty deception); the wrath-of-God language parallels Romans 1:18.
Why it lands — The verse demands that a reader test any speech that softens the boundary in v. 5 or invites participation in v. 7, and reject it as empty before it takes hold.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Cross-references
- Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
- Matthew 24:4 Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you.
- Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.
- 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- Colossians 3:6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10 and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
- Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
- Mark 13:5 Jesus began by telling them, “See to it that no one deceives you.
- Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
- Jeremiah 29:8 For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Do not be deceived by the prophets and diviners among you, and do not listen to the dreams you elicit from them.