Ephesians 5:11 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:11-13

Separation and rebuke the true attitude toward works of darkness. The apostle thus describes the duty of Christians in reference to evil works. I. THE CHARACTER OF THESE WORKS . "Unfruitful works of darkness." They spring out of darkness, they delight in darkness, they lead to darkness eternal. They are not naturally unfruitful, for they are fearfully prolific of result, but, in the light of God they are fruitless, because most unlike to the fruits of light, which are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ephesians 5:11-14

(1) Two worlds of one race. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." The text may be regarded as a portraiture of two distinct worlds of men on this... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 5:11

And 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 rebuke of a sinful world, and they should be... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ephesians 5:11-12

Ephesians 5:11-12 . And have no fellowship No society, no participation with wicked men in the unfruitful works of darkness Works which bring no advantage, but mischief, (Romans 6:23,) and called works of darkness, because they usually proceed from ignorance, Acts 3:17; are contrary to the light of the word, John 3:20; are usually committed in the dark, 1 Thessalonians 5:7; and bring those who live and die in the commission of them to utter and eternal darkness, Matthew 25:30; but... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:1-20

More about the new standards (5:1-20)Just as children follow the example of their parents, so Christians must follow the example of their heavenly Father. Their love, then, will not be mere words, but will show itself by self-sacrifice, just as Christ’s love did (5:1-2).Converted pagans had a special problem in that many of the sinful practices they once engaged in were still widespread in the society in which they lived. One way to overcome the temptation to such practices was not even to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ephesians 5:11

have . . . fellowship = have partnership. Greek. sunkoinoneo. Only here; Philippians 1:4 , Philippians 1:14 .Revelation 18:4 . unfruitful works . Compare dead works, Hebrews 6:1 ; wicked works, Co Ephesians 1:1 , Ephesians 1:21 ; all works of the darkness, Romans 13:12 . Consequently, the works of the devil, 1 John 3:8 . Compare John 8:44 , and contrast Ephesians 2:10 . darkness = the darkness. reprove = convict. See Luke 3:19 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Ephesians 5:11

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them.Reprove ... This word means "expose," and probably should be so translated. There can be no neutrality between the sons of light and the sons of darkness. As Hendriksen said:Sin must be exposed. One is not being nice to a wicked man by endeavoring to make him feel what a fine fellow he is. The cancerous tumor of sin must be removed. It is not really an act of love to smooth things over, as if the terrible... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ephesians 5:11

Ephesians 5:11. With the unfruitful works of darkness,— It is well known that the word ακαρπος in Greek, and the word inutilis in Latin, are sometimes used to express not only unprofitable, but mischievous things; and this is undoubtedly the meaning of the word here. See Romans 1:28. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ephesians 5:11

11. unfruitful works of darkness—Sins are terminated in themselves, and therefore are called "works," not "fruits" (Galatians 5:19; Galatians 5:22). Their only fruit is that which is not in a true sense fruit (Galatians 5:22- :), namely, "death" (Romans 6:21; Galatians 6:8). Plants cannot bear "fruit" in the absence of light. Sin is "darkness," and its parent is the prince of darkness (Galatians 6:8- :). Graces, on the other hand, as flourishing in "the light," are reproductive, and abound in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ephesians 5:7-14

4. Walking in light 5:7-14The resumptive inferential particle translated "Therefore" marks the beginning of a new paragraph in Paul’s thought (cf. Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 4:17; Ephesians 5:1; Ephesians 5:15). He related three commands concerning walking (living) in the light in these verses and added reasons and explanations to motivate and to assist his readers. read more