proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things,.... This is a reason, why persons should walk as children of light; why they should prove what is acceptable to God; why they should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; why the apostle exhorts to reprove them, and yet does not express what they are; and why they should be reproved...
Proving--construed with "walk" (Eph 5:8; Rom 12:1-2). As we prove a coin by the eye and the ear, and by using it, so by accurate and continued study, and above all by practice and experimental trial, we may prove or test "what is acceptable unto the Lord." This is the office of "light," of which believers are "children," to manifest what each thing is, whether sightly or unsightly.
These vile lusts were rife among pagans and must be cut out by the roots. Do not name them as though they were acceptable; hate them utterly as befit the saints. Guard even against foolish talking and jesting that cheapen what is holy.
AI summary
Commenting on Ephesians 5:3-20