Ephesians 5 · Verse 11

Ephesians 5:11

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

Ephesians 5:11, King James Version

Ephesians 5:11 in other translations

BSB	Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
WEB	Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them.
ASV	and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;
YLT	and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of the darkness and rather even convict,
DARBY	and do not have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather also reprove them,
BBE	And have no company with the works of the dark, which give no fruit, but make their true quality clear;
Webster	And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

What does Ephesians 5:11 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

11. 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; which, as harmoniously combining in one whole, are termed (in the singular) "the FRUIT of the Spirit" (Ep 5:9). rather, &c.--Translate as Greek, "rather even reprove them" (compare Mt 5:14-16). Not only "have no fellowship, but even reprove them," namely, in words, and in your deeds, which, shining with "the light," virtually reprove all that is contrary to light (Ep 5:13; Joh 3:19-21). "Have no fellowship," does not imply that we can avoid all intercourse (1Co 5:10), but "avoid such fellowship as will defile yourselves"; just as light, though it touch filth, is not soiled by it; nay, as light detects it, so, "even reprove sin."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 11. And have no fellowship. See the sentiment here expressed fully explained 2Cor 6:14 and following.

The unfruitful works. The deeds of darkness that produce no benefit to the body or the soul. The word unfruitful is here used in contrast with the "fruit of the Spirit," Eph 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 rebuke of a sinful world, and they should be ever ready to express their disapprobation of its wickedness in every form.

(a) "with the unfruitful works" 1Cor 5:9,11 (b) "reprove them" 1Timm 5:20

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 11 Have 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 to mankind; the initiated being obliged, on pain of death, to keep secret what they had seen, heard, and done: hence they were called απορῥητα μυστηρια, unspeakable mysteries - things that were not to be divulged. That the apostle may refer to magic and incantations is also probable, for to these the Ephesians were greatly addicted. See the proofs in the notes on Act 19:19. Rather reprove them - Bear a testimony against them; convince them that they are wrong; confute them in their vain reasons; reprove them for their vices, which are flagrant, while pretending to superior illumination. All these meanings has the Greek word ελεγχω, which we generally render to convince or reprove.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Ephesians 5:3-14

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…

Read the full comment on Ephesians 5:3-14 →

Ephesians 5:11 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532

μὴmēnotG3361

συγκοινωνεῖτεsugkoinōneitedo have fellowship withG4790

τοῖςtoistheG3588

ἔργοιςergoisworksG2041

τοῖςtois<the>G3588

ἀκάρποιςakarpoisunfruitfulG175

τοῦtou<the>G3588

σκότους,skotousof darkness,G4655

μᾶλλονmallonratherG3123

δὲdehoweverG1161

καὶkaievenG2532

ἐλέγχετε·elegchetedo expose [them];G1651

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Ephesians 5:11

Romans 13:12
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
1 Timothy 5:20
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
2 Thessalonians 3:6
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
2 John 1:10-11
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Romans 16:17
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Romans 6:21
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Titus 2:15
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
Revelation 18:4
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Psalms 1:1-2
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. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
2 Thessalonians 3:14
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
Galatians 6:8
For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

no.
7; Ge 49:5-7; Ps 1:1,2; 26:4,5; 94:20,21; Pr 4:14,15; 9:6; Jer 15:17
Ro 16:17; 1Co 5:9-11; 10:20,21; 2Co 6:14-18; 2Th 3:6,14; 1Ti 6:5
2Ti 3:5; 2Jo 1:10,11; Re 18:4
unfruitful.
Pr 1:31; Isa 3:10,11; Ro 6:21; Ga 6:8
works.
4:22; Job 24:13-17; Joh 3:19-21; Ro 1:22-32; 13:12; 1Th 5:7
but.
Ge 20:16; Le 19:17; Ps 141:5; Pr 9:7,8; 13:18; 15:12; 19:25; 25:12
Pr 29:1; Isa 29:21; Mt 18:15; Lu 3:19; 1Ti 5:20; 2Ti 4:2; Tit 2:15

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Ephesians 5:10
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Ephesians 5:12
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Read all of Ephesians 5

Ephesians 5:11 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y no comuniquéis con las obras infructuosas de las tinieblas; sino antes bien redargüidlas.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et n’ayez rien de commun avec les œuvres infructueuses des ténèbres, mais plutôt reprenez-les aussi;
German Elberfelder 1871	Und habet nicht Gemeinschaft mit den unfruchtbaren Werken der Finsternis, vielmehr aber strafet sie auch;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	et nolite communicare operibus infructuosis tenebrarum, magis autem redarguite.