Ephesians 5:11

Ephesians 5:11 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
• New International Version (NIV)Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.

Context of Ephesians 5:11

9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,

Ephesians 5:11 word by word

καὶ μὴ συγκοινωνεῖτε τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς ἀκάρποις τοῦ σκότους, μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ ἐλέγχετε·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• haveσυγκοινωνέωsugkoinōneō · to share withG4790
• noμήmē · notG3361
• with the unfruitfulἄκαρποςakarpos · unfruitfulG175
• worksἔργονergon · workG2041
• of darknessσκότοςskotos · darknessG4655
• butδέde · thenG1161
• ratherμᾶλλονmallon · more: ratherG3123
• reproveἐλέγχωelegchō · to rebukeG1651

Cross-references for Ephesians 5:11

• Ephesians 5:7Therefore do not become partners with them;
• Genesis 49:5"Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords.
• Psalms 1:1Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
• Psalms 26:4I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.
• Psalms 94:20Can wicked rulers be allied with you, those who frame injustice by statute?
• Proverbs 4:14Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil.
• Proverbs 9:6Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight."
• Jeremiah 15:17I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation.
• Romans 16:17I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
• 1 Corinthians 5:9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—
• 1 Corinthians 10:20No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.
• 2 Corinthians 6:14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
• 1 Timothy 6:5and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
• 2 Timothy 3:5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
• 2 John 1:10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,

Commentaries on Ephesians 5:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Have no fellowship - Have no religious connection whatever with heathens or their worship. Unfruitful works of darkness - Probably alluding to the mysteries among the heathens, and the different lustrations and rites through which the initiated went in the caves and dark recesses where these mysteries were celebrated; all which he denominates works of darkness, because they were destitute of true wisdom; and unfruitful works, because they were of no use…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11And have no fellowship - See the sentiment here expressed fully explained in the notes on 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. The unfruitful works - The deeds of darkness that produce no “benefit” to the body or the soul. The word “unfruitful” is used here in contrast with the “fruit of the Spirit,” Ephesians 5:9. But rather reprove them - By your life, your conversation, and all your influence. This is the business of Christians. Their lives should be a standing…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3-14Verses 3-14 Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Our cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places that hope, confidence, and delight, in…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11but rather expose them: This does not mean to accuse or condemn people with words (see 1 Corinthians 5:9–13). Instead, it means to show what is wrong by living in a way that reflects God’s light (see John 3:20–21; Romans 13:12; 1 Peter 2:9),Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. unfruitful works of darkness--Sins are terminated in themselves, and therefore are called "works," not "fruits" (Ga 5:19, 22). Their only fruit is that which is not in a true sense fruit (De 32:32), namely, "death" (Ro 6:21; Ga 6:8). Plants cannot bear "fruit" in the absence of light. Sin is "darkness," and its parent is the prince of darkness (Ep 6:12). Graces, on the other hand, as flourishing in "the light," are reproductive, and abound in fruits…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 5:11

• Adultery
• Commandments
• Communion
• Darkness
• Fellowship
• Holiness
• Reproof
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Arise
• Awake
• Darkness
• Dear
• Fellowship
• Flesh
• Fruit
• Light
• Melody
• Redeem

Commentaries on Ephesians 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings