Ephesians 5:11
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
Study Note
Study Note
The dual command — 'have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them' — creates a tension that the verse refuses to resolve: separation from darkness is joined immediately to engagement with it through the act of reproof (elenchete). The word 'unfruitful' (akarpa) evaluates evil deeds not merely as transgression but as failure of purpose — darkness produces nothing of lasting value, which is why exposure (v. 13: 'everything exposed by the light becomes visible') is its undoing. The following verses (12–14) develop a complex light-exposure theology that includes a possible baptismal hymn fragment ('awake, O sleeper, rise from the dead'), embedding ethical exhortation within liturgical and eschatological context. The verse has been used both for Christian cultural withdrawal and for prophetic engagement, since both impulses are present in its grammar.
Other Translations
and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;
and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of the darkness and rather even convict,
And have no company with the works of the dark, which give no fruit, but make their true quality clear;
Cross References
And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to …
Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.
Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in …
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer …
They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths …
For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the …
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, …
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.