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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Context of Ephesians 5:11

9Light produces everything that is good, that has God’s approval, and that is true. 10Determine which things please the Lord. Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. 12It is shameful to talk about what some people do in secret. 13Light exposes the true character of everything

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 5:7Don’t be partners with them.
• Genesis 49:5“Simeon and Levi are brothers. Their swords are weapons of violence.
• Psalms 1:1Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers.
• Psalms 26:4I did not sit with liars, and I will not be found among hypocrites.
• Psalms 94:20Are wicked rulers who use the law to do unlawful things able to be your partners?
• Proverbs 4:14Do not stray onto the path of wicked people. Do not walk in the way of evil people.
• Proverbs 9:6Stop being gullible and live. Start traveling the road to understanding.”
• Jeremiah 15:17I didn’t keep company with those who laugh and have fun. I sat alone because your hand was on me. You filled me with outrage.
• Romans 16:17Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those people who create divisions and who make others fall away ⌞from the Christian faith⌟ by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have learned. Stay away from them.
• 1 Corinthians 5:9In my letter to you I told you not to associate with people who continue to commit sexual sins.
• 1 Corinthians 10:20Hardly! What I am saying is that these sacrifices which people make are made to demons and not to God. I don’t want you to be partners with demons.
• 2 Corinthians 6:14Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness?
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6Brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we order you not to associate with any believer who doesn’t live a disciplined life and doesn’t follow the tradition you received from us.
• 1 Timothy 6:5and conflict between people whose corrupt minds have been robbed of the truth. They think that a godly life is a way to make a profit.
• 2 Timothy 3:5They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people.
• 2 John 1:10If anyone comes to you and doesn’t bring these teachings, don’t take him into your home or even greet him.

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