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

9for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – 10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13But all things being exposed by the light are made evident.

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 be partakers with them,
• Genesis 49:5Simeon and Levi are brothers, weapons of violence are their knives!
• Psalms 1:1How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers!
• Psalms 26:4I do not associate with deceitful men, or consort with those who are dishonest.
• Psalms 94:20Cruel rulers are not your allies, those who make oppressive laws.
• Proverbs 4:14Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of those who are evil.
• Proverbs 9:6Abandon your foolish ways so that you may live, and proceed in the way of understanding.”
• Jeremiah 15:17I did not spend my time in the company of other people, laughing and having a good time. I stayed to myself because I felt obligated to you and because I was filled with anger at what they had done.
• Romans 16:17Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them!
• 1 Corinthians 5:9I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people.
• 1 Corinthians 10:20No, I mean that what the pagans sacrifice is to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.
• 2 Corinthians 6:14Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6But we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who lives an undisciplined life and not according to the tradition they received from us.
• 1 Timothy 6:5and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit.
• 2 Timothy 3:5They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.
• 2 John 1:10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house and do not 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