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 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 the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

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 49:5“Simeon and Levi are brothers; Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.
• Psalms 1:1Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
• Psalms 26:4I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites.
• Psalms 94:20Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, Have fellowship with You?
• Proverbs 4:14Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.
• Proverbs 9:6Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.
• Jeremiah 15:17I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, Nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, For You have filled me with indignation.
• Romans 16:17Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
• 1 Corinthians 5:9I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people.
• 1 Corinthians 10:20Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
• 2 Corinthians 6:14Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
• 1 Timothy 6:5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
• 2 Timothy 3:5having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
• 2 John 1:10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor 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