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Selected Verse: Ephesians 5:11 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Eph 5:11 |
King James |
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
unfruitful works of darkness--Sins are terminated in themselves, and therefore are called "works," not "fruits" (Gal 5:19, Gal 5:22). Their only fruit is that which is not in a true sense fruit (Deu 32:32), namely, "death" (Rom 6:21; Gal 6:8). Plants cannot bear "fruit" in the absence of light. Sin is "darkness," and its parent is the prince of darkness (Eph 6:12). Graces, on the other hand, as flourishing in "the light," are reproductive, and abound in fruits; which, as harmoniously combining in one whole, are termed (in the singular) "the FRUIT of the Spirit" (Eph 5:9).
rather, &c.--Translate as Greek, "rather even reprove them" (compare Mat 5:14-16). Not only "have no fellowship, but even reprove them," namely, in words, and in your deeds, which, shining with "the light," virtually reprove all that is contrary to light (Eph 5:13; Joh 3:19-21). "Have no fellowship," does not imply that we can avoid all intercourse (Co1 5:10), but "avoid such fellowship as will defile yourselves"; just as light, though it touch filth, is not soiled by it; nay, as light detects it, so, "even reprove sin." |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
And have no fellowship - See the sentiment here expressed fully explained in the notes on Co2 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," Eph 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 ever ready to express their disapprobation of its wickedness in every form. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Have - fellowship (συγκοινωνεῖτε)
See on Rev 18:4; see on Rev 1:9.
Unfruitful works (ἔργοις τοῖς ἀκάρποις)
Compare fruit, Eph 5:9, and Gal 5:19, Gal 5:22, works of the flesh, fruit of the Spirit. Works which bring no blessing with them. Compare Rom 6:21; Rom 8:13; Gal 5:21; Gal 6:8.
Reprove (ελέγχετε)
See on Joh 3:20. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Reprove them - To avoid them is not enough. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Have no fellowship - Have no religious connection whatever with heathens or their worship.
Unfruitful works of darkness - Probably alluding to the mysteries among the heathens, and the different lustrations and rites through which the initiated went in the caves and dark recesses where these mysteries were celebrated; all which he denominates works of darkness, because they were destitute of true wisdom; and unfruitful works, because they were of no use to mankind; the initiated being obliged, on pain of death, to keep secret what they had seen, heard, and done: hence they were called απορῥητα μυστηρια, unspeakable mysteries - things that were not to be divulged. That the apostle may refer to magic and incantations is also probable, for to these the Ephesians were greatly addicted. See the proofs in the notes on Act 19:19.
Rather reprove them - Bear a testimony against them; convince them that they are wrong; confute them in their vain reasons; reprove them for their vices, which are flagrant, while pretending to superior illumination. All these meanings has the Greek word ελεγχω, which we generally render to convince or reprove. |
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
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.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.