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
That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, …
Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their …
For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou …
For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him …
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of …
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if …
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s …