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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/49_Eph_05_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ephesians 5:11 - Children of Light" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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instead, expose them. <a href="/esv/ephesians/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. <a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. <a href="/blb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even expose them. <a href="/kjv/ephesians/5.htm">King James Bible</a> And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. <a href="/nkjv/ephesians/5.htm">New King James Version</a> And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. <a href="/nasb_/ephesians/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Do not participate in the useless deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; <a href="/nasb/ephesians/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; <a href="/nasb77/ephesians/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; <a href="/lsb/ephesians/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them. <a href="/amp/ephesians/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; <a href="/csb/ephesians/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. <a href="/hcsb/ephesians/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Don&#8217t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them. <a href="/asv/ephesians/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; <a href="/cev/ephesians/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Don't take part in doing those worthless things that are done in the dark. Instead, show how wrong they are. <a href="/erv/ephesians/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; <a href="/gwt/ephesians/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Have nothing to do with the useless works that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. <a href="/gnt/ephesians/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Have nothing to do with the worthless things that people do, things that belong to the darkness. Instead, bring them out to the light. ( <a href="/isv/ephesians/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. <a href="/msb/ephesians/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. <a href="/net/ephesians/5.htm">NET Bible</a> Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. <a href="/nheb/ephesians/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them. <a href="/wbt/ephesians/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. <a href="/wey/ephesians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Have nothing to do with the barren unprofitable deeds of darkness, but, instead of that, set your faces against them; <a href="/web/ephesians/5.htm">World English Bible</a> Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ephesians/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of the darkness and rather even convict, <a href="/blb/ephesians/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even expose them. <a href="/ylt/ephesians/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of the darkness and rather even convict, <a href="/slt/ephesians/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And participate not with the unfruitful works of darkness, and rather also confute.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ephesians/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. <a href="/cpdv/ephesians/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And so, have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead, refute them. <a href="/nabre/ephesians/5.htm">New American Bible</a> Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, <a href="/nrsvce/ephesians/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ephesians/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Have no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather condemn them. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/ephesians/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> Neither should you fellowship with the Servants of darkness, because they have no fruit in them, but you should rebuke them.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/ephesians/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; <a href="/godbey/ephesians/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather indeed convict them. <a href="/haweis/ephesians/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And have no society with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather rebuke them. <a href="/mace/ephesians/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and be not accomplices in the fruitless practices of vice; on the contrary, condemn them. <a href="/wey/ephesians/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Have nothing to do with the barren unprofitable deeds of darkness, but, instead of that, set your faces against them; <a href="/worrell/ephesians/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them; <a href="/worsley/ephesians/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And have no communion with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. <a href="/parallel/ephesians/5-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AfeSHen3sAQ?start=903" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ephesians/5.htm">Children of Light</a> …10Test and prove what pleases the Lord. 11<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/4790.htm" title="4790: synkoinōneite (V-PMA-2P) -- From sun and koinoneo; to share in company with, i.e. Co-participate in.">Have no fellowship with</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/175.htm" title="175: akarpois (Adj-DNP) -- Unfruitful, barren, profitless. Barren.">fruitless</a> <a href="/greek/2041.htm" title="2041: ergois (N-DNP) -- From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.">deeds</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4655.htm" title="4655: skotous (N-GNS) -- Darkness, either physical or moral. From the base of skia; shadiness, i.e. Obscurity.">of darkness,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3123.htm" title="3123: mallon (Adv) -- More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.">rather</a> <a href="/greek/1651.htm" title="1651: elenchete (V-PMA-2P) -- (a) I reprove, rebuke, discipline, (b) I expose, show to be guilty. Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish.">expose them.</a> 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14-15</a> Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? <a href="/romans/13-12.htm">Romans 13:12</a> The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. <a href="/1_corinthians/5-9.htm">1 Corinthians 5:9-11</a> I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people. / I was not including the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. / But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. <a href="/1_john/1-6.htm">1 John 1:6-7</a> If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. / But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-5.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:5-6</a> For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. / So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. <a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. <a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-21</a> And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. / But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.” <a href="/colossians/1-13.htm">Colossians 1:13</a> He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, <a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a> Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. <a href="/2_timothy/3-5.htm">2 Timothy 3:5</a> having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a> The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. <a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14-16</a> You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. / Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. / In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a> No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too. <a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a> Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter. <a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">Proverbs 4:14-15</a> Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. / Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.no.<a href="/ephesians/5-7.htm">Ephesians 5:7</a> Be not ye therefore partakers with them.<a href="/genesis/49-5.htm">Genesis 49:5-7</a> Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations… <a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Psalm 1:1,2</a> Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful… unfruitful.<a href="/proverbs/1-31.htm">Proverbs 1:31</a> Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.<a href="/isaiah/3-10.htm">Isaiah 3:10,11</a> Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings… <a href="/romans/6-21.htm">Romans 6:21</a> What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.works.<a href="/ephesians/4-22.htm">Ephesians 4:22</a> That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;<a href="/job/24-13.htm">Job 24:13-17</a> They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof… <a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-21</a> And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil… but.<a href="/genesis/20-16.htm">Genesis 20:16</a> And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.<a href="/leviticus/19-17.htm">Leviticus 19:17</a> Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.<a href="/psalms/141-5.htm">Psalm 141:5</a> Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Barren</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-21.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/galatians/2-1.htm">Company</a> <a href="/john/16-8.htm">Convict</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-8.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-30.htm">Expose</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-18.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-9.htm">Fellowship</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-9.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-6.htm">Fruitless</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-4.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-7.htm">Part</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-18.htm">Participate</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-24.htm">Quality</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-4.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/john/16-8.htm">Reprove</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-9.htm">True.</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-14.htm">Unfruitful</a> <a href="/romans/3-12.htm">Unprofitable</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-12.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Barren</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-13.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-17.htm">Company</a> <a href="/titus/1-9.htm">Convict</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Dark</a> <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/colossians/1-21.htm">Deeds</a> <a href="/numbers/25-4.htm">Expose</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-10.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/philippians/1-5.htm">Fellowship</a> <a href="/philippians/1-11.htm">Fruit</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-6.htm">Fruitless</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">Instead</a> <a href="/philippians/1-7.htm">Part</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-22.htm">Participate</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-13.htm">Quality</a> <a href="/philippians/1-12.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-20.htm">Reprove</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-13.htm">True.</a> <a href="/titus/3-14.htm">Unfruitful</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-14.htm">Unprofitable</a> <a href="/philippians/2-13.htm">Works</a><div class="vheading2">Ephesians 5</div>1. <a href="/ephesians/5-1.htm">After general exhortations to love;</a> 3. <a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">to flee sexual immorality;</a> 4. <a href="/ephesians/5-4.htm">and all uncleanness;</a> 7. <a href="/ephesians/5-7.htm">not to converse with the wicked;</a> 15. <a href="/ephesians/5-15.htm">to walk carefully;</a> 18. <a href="/ephesians/5-18.htm">and to be filled with the Spirit;</a> 22. <a href="/ephesians/5-22.htm">he descends to the particular duties, how wives ought to obey their husbands;</a> 25. <a href="/ephesians/5-25.htm">and husbands ought to love their wives,</a> 32. <a href="/ephesians/5-32.htm">even as Christ does his church.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The term "fellowship" implies a close association or partnership, suggesting that Christians should not participate in or endorse actions that are morally or spiritually corrupt. The "deeds of darkness" refer to sinful acts that are often done in secret or are hidden from the light of God's truth. In biblical context, darkness symbolizes evil, ignorance, and separation from God (<a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-20</a>). The call to avoid these deeds aligns with the broader biblical theme of holiness and sanctification, as seen in <a href="/1_peter/1-15.htm">1 Peter 1:15-16</a>, where believers are urged to be holy in all their conduct.but rather expose them Instead of participating in sinful acts, Christians are encouraged to bring them to light. The act of exposing implies revealing the true nature of these deeds, which can involve both personal repentance and communal accountability. This aligns with the biblical principle of light overcoming darkness, as seen in <a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a>. The call to expose is not merely about condemnation but about leading others to repentance and transformation. This echoes the prophetic role of the church to be a light to the nations (<a href="/isaiah/42-6.htm">Isaiah 42:6</a>), reflecting the light of Christ (<a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14-16</a>). The exposure of sin is intended to bring about conviction and ultimately redemption, following the example of Jesus, who confronted sin with truth and grace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings. 2. <a href="/topical/e/ephesus.htm">Ephesus</a> A major city in Asia Minor, Ephesus was a center of commerce and pagan worship, which presented challenges for the early Christians living there. 3. <a href="/topical/e/early_christian_church.htm">Early Christian Church</a> The community of believers in Ephesus who were recipients of Paul's letter, facing pressures from both pagan practices and internal moral challenges.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/avoidance_of_sinful_practices.htm">Avoidance of Sinful Practices</a> Christians are called to separate themselves from sinful behaviors and influences that are contrary to God's will. <a href="/topical/a/active_exposure_of_darkness.htm">Active Exposure of Darkness</a> Believers should not only avoid participating in sinful deeds but also actively expose and confront them, promoting truth and righteousness. <a href="/topical/l/living_as_children_of_light.htm">Living as Children of Light</a> As followers of Christ, we are to live in a way that reflects His light, demonstrating integrity and moral clarity in a world often characterized by moral ambiguity. <a href="/topical/c/community_accountability.htm">Community Accountability</a> The church community plays a vital role in holding each other accountable, encouraging one another to live according to God's standards. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_and_wisdom.htm">Discernment and Wisdom</a> Christians must exercise discernment and wisdom in identifying what constitutes "deeds of darkness" and how best to address them in a loving and effective manner.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ephesians_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 5</a> <a href="/q/how_to_expose_dark_deeds.htm">How can we reveal the works of darkness?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_unfruitful_dark_works.htm">What are the unfruitful works of darkness?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_garima_gospels.htm">How can we reveal the works of darkness?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_horror_films.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian horror movies?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.--To "have no fellowship" with such works is not to refuse to take part in them (for this surely might be taken for granted), but to keep no terms with them, to have no sympathy or indulgence or excuse for them. So the word is used, in <a href="/philippians/4-14.htm" title="Notwithstanding you have well done, that you did communicate with my affliction.">Philippians 4:14</a>, of "communicating with my affliction;" and in <a href="/revelation/18-4.htm" title="And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.">Revelation 18:4</a>, of "being partakers with the sins" of Babylon. It is through such weak or cowardly indulgence, more than the actual love of evil, that sin is suffered to prevail. Hence St. Paul adds, "rather reprove them." Our Lord Himself has declared in all such cases, "He that is not with Me is against Me."The unfruitful works of darkness.--St. Paul has a similar antithesis in the Epistle to the Romans (<a href="/context/romans/6-19.htm" title="I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity to iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness to holiness.">Romans 6:19-22</a>). They who are in sin "yield their members servants to iniquity unto iniquity." Iniquity has no result but iniquity; and hence he goes on to ask, "What fruit had ye then in those things of which ye are now ashamed?" This weary fruitlessness is at once the sign and the penalty of sin, so that men have fancied it to be one chief element of the suffering of the lost. But they who are in Christ "yield their members servants to righteousness unto holiness." "They have," he says, "their fruit unto holiness" now, and "in the end the everlasting life," which is everlasting holiness. Similarly, in <a href="/context/galatians/5-20.htm" title="Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, jealousies, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,">Galatians 5:20-22</a>, we have "the works of the flesh," but "the fruit of the Spirit." Rarely, indeed, does Scripture speak of "evil fruit" (<a href="/matthew/7-17.htm" title="Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.">Matthew 7:17</a>; <a href="/matthew/12-33.htm" title="Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.">Matthew 12:33</a>). Generally, "to be unfruitful" is an all-sufficient condemnation. "Every branch that beareth not fruit he taketh away" (<a href="/john/15-2.htm" title="Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.">John 15:2</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ephesians/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 11. - And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. The point of this exhortation is in the adjective "unfruitful." The works of darkness are unfruitful; they produce no goodness, give rise to no satisfaction, to no moral results that are "a joy forever;" or, if fruit they have, it is shame, remorse, despair. Contrast this with the renovating, satisfying, joy-producing, fruits of righteousness. But rather even reprove them. Do not be content with a passive attitude towards them, but take the aggressive and expose their wickedness, whether in public or in the domestic circle. A testimony has to be lifted up against ways that are so shameful and that bring down the wrath of God. <a href="/commentaries/ephesians/5-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Have no fellowship with συνκοινωνεῖτε (synkoinōneite) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4790.htm">Strong's 4790: </a> From sun and koinoneo; to share in company with, i.e. Co-participate in. the τοῖς (tois) Article - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. fruitless ἀκάρποις (akarpois) Adjective - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_175.htm">Strong's 175: </a> Unfruitful, barren, profitless. Barren. deeds ἔργοις (ergois) Noun - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2041.htm">Strong's 2041: </a> From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act. of darkness, σκότους (skotous) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4655.htm">Strong's 4655: </a> Darkness, either physical or moral. From the base of skia; shadiness, i.e. Obscurity. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. rather μᾶλλον (mallon) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3123.htm">Strong's 3123: </a> More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather. expose [them]. ἐλέγχετε (elenchete) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1651.htm">Strong's 1651: </a> (a) I reprove, rebuke, discipline, (b) I expose, show to be guilty. Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">NT Letters: Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works (Ephes. Eph. Ep) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ephesians/5-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ephesians 5:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ephesians 5:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ephesians/5-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ephesians 5:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ephesians 5:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>