Ephesians 5:11

Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Paul writes to the Ephesian church within a passage (5:8–14) that frames believers as "children of light" and contrasts them with those still in darkness. The verse sits between the call to test what pleases the Lord (v. 10) and the remark that secret sins are too shameful to name (v. 12).

The words — sugkoinōneite (συγκοινωνεῖτε) is a strong imperative: not casual association but deep participation or sharing in. Akarpois (ἀκάρποις) marks the works as "unfruitful" — producing nothing, the opposite of the fruit expected of light.

The thread — Romans 13:12 commands believers to "lay aside the deeds of darkness" as day approaches; 1 Timothy 5:20 calls for public rebuke of persistent sin; 2 Thessalonians 3:6 orders separation from the undisciplined. All three echo the same move: active distancing from, and exposure of, dark works.

Why it lands — The verse does not ask the reader to merely avoid darkness but to name it publicly. It turns private awareness into a public act, making silence complicity.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

καὶkaiAnd μὴmēnot συγκοινωνεῖτεsugkoinōneitedo have fellowship with τοῖςtoisthe ἔργοιςergoisworks τοῖςtois<the>ἀκάρποιςakarpoisunfruitful τοῦtou<the>σκότους,skotousof darkness,μᾶλλονmallonrather δὲdehowever καὶkaieven ἐλέγχετε·elegchetedo expose [them];

King James Version

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

Cross-references

Romans 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
1 Timothy 5:20 But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.
2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.
2 John 1:10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
Romans 6:21 What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death.
2 Thessalonians 3:14 Take note of anyone who does not obey the instructions we have given in this letter. Do not associate with him, so that he may be ashamed.
Titus 2:15 Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Revelation 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, My people, so that you will not share in her sins or contract any of her plagues.