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

EPHESIANS 5:11KJV
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Ephesians 5:11 (KJV)

What does Ephesians 5:11 mean?

Ephesians 5:11 tells readers not to participate in actions that are considered morally wrong or spiritually harmful, which are described as "unfruitful works of darkness," but instead to expose or call out such actions. The verse emphasizes separation from wrongdoing and encourages actively bringing such things to light.

Paul is writing to the Christian community in Ephesus, urging them to live differently from the surrounding culture, which often practiced things contrary to their new faith. The verse fits into a larger section where Paul contrasts living in spiritual light with living in darkness, highlighting the need for clear moral boundaries and honest confrontation of harmful behaviors.

The Greek behind Ephesians 5:11

  • "fellowship" (συγκαίνομαι, synkoinō): This word means to share in or participate with. Paul is not just warning against doing wrong things, but also against joining in or being complicit with those who do.
  • "unfruitful" (ἀκαρπος, akarpos): This word means "not producing good results" or "barren." Paul is stressing that these actions lead nowhere good—they have no lasting or positive outcome.
  • "reprove" (ἐλέγχω, elenchō): This word means to expose, bring to light, or correct. The idea is not just to avoid bad actions, but to make them visible so they can be addressed and changed.

Why Ephesians 5:11 matters

  • Ephesians 5:11 clarifies that avoiding wrongdoing is not enough; there is also a responsibility to confront or reveal it, which goes beyond passive avoidance.
  • The verse helps readers see that Christian living, according to Paul, involves both personal integrity and a willingness to address what is harmful in the wider community.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme in Ephesians 5, where Paul describes living as "children of light," making it clear that faith is meant to be visible and transformative, not hidden or private.

Where else these words appear

“have” Greek G4790 · used in 3 verses

  • Philippians 4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
  • Revelation 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

“unfruitful” Greek G175 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
  • 2 Peter 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“reprove” Greek G1651 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
  • John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
  • Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

“darkness” Greek G4655 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • Luke 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
  • Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: