The Meaning of Ephesians 5:11 Explained

Ephesians 5:11

KJV: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather 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,

ASV: and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Ephesians 5:11 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Children of light should also abstain from joining the sons of disobedience in their deeds but should rather reprove believers who do them because these deeds are unfruitful (cf. Ephesians 5:9). [1] This is Paul"s third command in this section. It is the deeds of unbelievers that Christians must shun, not the unbelievers who do them. We reprove the deeds of believers who practice such evil deeds as we bring the light ( Ephesians 5:9) next to them. This exposes them for what they are.

Context Summary

Ephesians 5:1-12 - Walk As Children Of Light
It is indeed a high calling to imitate God and to walk in love after the measure of Christ; but it will be impossible unless we open our innermost heart to the Holy Spirit. We must not only sacrifice ourselves for others, but there should be a fragrance in all that we do. "An odor of a sweet smell." Note carefully the injunctions of Ephesians 5:3-4, especially as they concern speech. It is by our speech that we betray the true condition of our hearts.
We must be as distinct from the worldly as light is from darkness. There should be no twilight in our testimony for our Lord, though there may be considerable obscurity in our views of truth. Whatever is unfruitful; whatever we should blush to have transcribed and read to the world; whatever would be inconsistent with the strong, clear light of the throne of God and the Lamb, must be avoided. We must walk in the light of the Lord. Then we ourselves shall become luminous, as some diamonds do after being held in sunshine. People who love darkness will avoid and hate us; but their treatment may be only a cause for our own encouragement, as God becomes increasingly precious to us. [source]

Chapter Summary: Ephesians 5

1  After general exhortations to love;
3  to flee sexual immorality;
4  and all uncleanness;
7  not to converse with the wicked;
15  to walk carefully;
18  and to be filled with the Spirit;
22  he descends to the particular duties, how wives ought to obey their husbands;
25  and husbands ought to love their wives,
32  even as Christ does his church

Greek Commentary for Ephesians 5:11

Have no fellowship with [μη συνκοινωνειτε]
No partnership with, present imperative with μη — mē Followed by associative instrumental case εργοις — ergois (works). [source]
Unfruitful [ακαρποις]
Same metaphor of Ephesians 5:9 applied to darkness Reprove (ελεγχετε — elegchete). Convict by turning the light on the darkness. [source]
Reprove [ελεγχετε]
Convict by turning the light on the darkness. [source]
Have - fellowship [συγκοινωνεῖτε]
See on Revelation 18:4; see on Revelation 1:9. [source]
Unfruitful works [ἔργοις τοῖς ἀκάρποις]
Compare fruit, Ephesians 5:9, and Galatians 5:19, Galatians 5:22, works of the flesh, fruit of the Spirit. Works which bring no blessing with them. Compare Romans 6:21; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:21; Galatians 6:8. [source]
Reprove [ελέγχετε]
See on John 3:20. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Ephesians 5:11

Luke 3:19 Reproved [ελεγχομενος]
Present passive participle of ελεγχω — elegchō an old verb meaning in Homer to treat with contempt, then to convict (Matthew 18:15), to expose (Ephesians 5:11), to reprove as here. The substantive ελεγχος — elegchos means proof (Hebrews 11:1) and ελεγμος — elegmos censure (2 Timothy 3:16). Josephus (Ant. XVIII. V.4) shows how repulsive this marriage was to Jewish feeling. Evil things Incorporated into the relative sentence. The word is from πονοσ πονεω — ponosclass="normal greek">οπταλμος πονηρος — poneō toil, work, and gives the active side of evil, possibly with the notion of work itself as evil or at least an annoyance. The “evil eye” In Matthew 6:23 it is a diseased eye. So Satan is “the evil one” (Matthew 5:37; Matthew 6:13, etc.). It is a very common adjective in the N.T. as in the older Greek. [source]
John 3:20 Lest his works should be reproved [ἵνα μὴ ἐλεγχθῇ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ]
Rather, in order that his works may not be reproved. Ελέγχω , rendered reprove, has several phases of meaning. In earlier classical Greek it signifies to disgrace or put to shame. Thus Ulysses, having succeeded in the trial of the bow, says to Telemachus, “the stranger who sits in thy halls disgraces ( ἐλέγχει ) thee not” (“Odyssey, xxi., 424). Then, to cross-examine or question, for the purpose of convincing, convicting, or refuting; to censure, accuse. So Herodotus: “In his reply Alexander became confused, and diverged from the truth, whereon the slaves interposed, confuted his statements ( ἤλεγχον , cross-questioned and caught him in falsehood), and told the whole history of the crime” (i., 115). The messenger in the “Antigone” of Sophocles, describing the consternation of the watchmen at finding Polynices' body buried, says: “Evil words were bandied among them, guard accusing ( ἐλέγχων ) guard” (260). Of arguments, to bring to the proof; prove; prove by a chain of reasoning. It occurs in Pindar in the general sense of to conquer or surpass. “Having descended into the naked race they surpassed ( ἤλεγξαν ) the Grecian band in speed (“Pythia,” xi., 75). In the New Testament it is found in the sense of reprove (Luke 3:19; 1 Timothy 5:20, etc.). Convince of crime or fault (1 Corinthians 14:24; James 2:9). To bring to light or expose by conviction (James 5:20; Ephesians 5:11, Ephesians 5:13; John 8:46; see on that passage). So of the exposure of false teachers, and their refutation (Titus 1:9, Titus 1:13; Titus 2:15). To test and expose with a view to correction, and so, nearly equivalent to chasten (Hebrews 12:5). The different meanings unite in the word convict. Conviction is the result of examination, testing, argument. The test exposes and demonstrates the error, and refutes it, thus convincing, convicting, and rebuking the subject of it. This conviction issues in chastening, by which the error is corrected and the erring one purified. If the conviction is rejected, it carries with it condemnation and punishment. The man is thus convicted of sin, of right, and of judgment (John 16:8). In this passage the evil-doer is represented as avoiding the light which tests, that light which is the offspring of love (Revelation 3:19) and the consequent exposure of his error. Compare Ephesians 5:13; John 1:9-11. This idea of loving darkness rather than light is graphically treated in Job href="/desk/?q=job+24:13-17&sr=1">Job 24:13-17. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Ephesians 5:13 That are reproved [ἐλεγχόμενα]
Lit., being reproved. Rev., when they are reproved. Reproved is to be taken in the same literal sense as in Ephesians 5:11, and not metaphorically in the sense of being demonstrated by light, or brought to light, which is almost synonymous with are made manifest. [source]
1 Timothy 5:22 Neither be partaker of other men's sins [μηδὲ κοινώνει ἁμαρτίαις ἀλλοτρίαις]
Letter, make common cause with. See on communicating, Romans 12:13. Comp. Romans 15:27; 1 Peter 4:13; Ephesians 5:11. By a too hasty and inconsiderate restoration, he would condone the sins of the offenders, and would thus make common cause with them. [source]
2 Timothy 4:2 Reprove [ἔλεγξον]
Rather, convict of their errors. See on 1 Timothy 5:20and John 3:20. In Paul, 1 Corinthians 14:24; Ephesians 5:11, Ephesians 5:13. Comp. ἐλεγμόν conviction 2 Timothy 3:16. [source]
2 Timothy 4:2 Be instant in season, out of season [επιστητι ευκαιρως ακαιρως]
Second aorist (ingressive) active imperative of επιστημι — ephistēmi (intransitive use), “take a stand,” “stand upon it or up to it,” “carry on,” “stick to it.” The Vulgate has “insta.” The two adverbs are like a proverb or a play (pun) on the word καιρος — kairos There are all sorts of seasons Reprove (ελεγχον — elegxon). First aorist active imperative of ελεγχω — elegchō “Bring to proof.” Ephesians 5:11. Rebuke First aorist active imperative of επιτιμαω — epitimaō to give honour (or blame) to, to chide. Common in the Gospels (Luke 17:3). Exhort (παρακαλεσον — parakaleson). First aorist active imperative of παρακαλεω — parakaleō common Pauline word. [source]
2 Timothy 4:2 Reprove [ελεγχον]
First aorist active imperative of ελεγχω — elegchō “Bring to proof.” Ephesians 5:11. [source]
Titus 3:14 Let learn [μαντανετωσαν]
Present active imperative, keep on learning how. To maintain See Titus 3:8. For necessary uses (εις αναγκαιας χρειας — eis anagkaias chreias). “For necessary wants.” No idlers wanted. See 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10. -DIVIDER-
Unfruitful (ακαρποι — akarpoi). See note on 1 Corinthians 14:14; Ephesians 5:11. [source]

Titus 3:14 To maintain [προστασται]
See Titus 3:8. For necessary uses (εις αναγκαιας χρειας — eis anagkaias chreias). “For necessary wants.” No idlers wanted. See 1 Thessalonians 4:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10. -DIVIDER-
Unfruitful (ακαρποι — akarpoi). See note on 1 Corinthians 14:14; Ephesians 5:11. [source]

Titus 3:14 Unfruitful [ἄκαρποι]
Only here in Pastorals. In Paul, 1 Corinthians 14:14; Ephesians 5:11. Not only in supplying the needs, but in cultivating Christian graces in themselves by acts of Christian service. [source]
Revelation 18:4 Have fellowship with [συγκοινωνήσητε]
This compound verb is not of frequent occurrence in the New Testament. It is found only in Ephesians 5:11, Philemon 4:14, and here. On the kindred noun συγκοινωνὸς companionsee on Revelation 1:9. [source]
Revelation 18:4 Come forth, my people, out of her [εχελτατε ο λαος μου εχ αυτης]
Second aorist (urgency) active imperative See also the call of Abram (Genesis 12:1). the rescue of Lot (Genesis 19:12.). In the N.T. see Mark 13:4; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 5:11. ινα μη — Hosea laos is vocative with the form of the nominative. [source]

What do the individual words in Ephesians 5:11 mean?

And not have fellowship with the works - unfruitful - of darkness rather however even expose [them]
Καὶ μὴ συνκοινωνεῖτε τοῖς ἔργοις τοῖς ἀκάρποις τοῦ σκότους μᾶλλον δὲ καὶ ἐλέγχετε

συνκοινωνεῖτε  have  fellowship  with 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: συγκοινωνέω  
Sense: to become a partaker together with others, or to have fellowship with a thing.
ἔργοις  works 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔργον  
Sense: business, employment, that which any one is occupied.
τοῖς  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀκάρποις  unfruitful 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ἄκαρπος  
Sense: metaph.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
σκότους  of  darkness 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: σκότος  
Sense: darkness.
μᾶλλον  rather 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μᾶλλον  
Sense: more, to a greater degree, rather.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
καὶ  even 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἐλέγχετε  expose  [them] 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἐλέγχω  
Sense: to convict, refute, confute.