What is the meaning of Ephesians 5:11? Have no fellowship Ephesians 5:11 opens with a clear command: “Have no fellowship…” • Fellowship implies shared participation. Paul is saying, “Do not join in, partner with, or lend approval to what follows.” • 2 Corinthians 6:14–17 echoes this: “What fellowship can light have with darkness?” The call is to separation from practices that offend God, not withdrawal from people who need the gospel (see Luke 5:29–32). • 1 John 1:6 reminds us that claiming to walk with God while walking in darkness is a lie. Real fellowship with Christ sets boundaries. with the fruitless deeds “…with the fruitless deeds…” pinpoints the problem: actions that produce nothing good in God’s sight. • Fruitlessness contrasts with the Spirit-produced fruit listed in Galatians 5:22–23. • Romans 6:21 asks, “What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?” Sin never ripens into blessing. • Note Paul says deeds, not merely thoughts. The gospel changes conduct, not just ideas (James 2:17). of darkness The deeds are “of darkness,” rooted in the realm opposed to God. • Darkness in Scripture pictures ignorance of truth (Ephesians 4:18), moral evil (John 3:19), and satanic influence (Acts 26:18). • Romans 13:12 urges believers to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” • By calling them “of darkness,” Paul underlines their incompatibility with those who are now “light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8). but rather expose them Instead of silent avoidance, believers are to “expose them.” • Exposure happens by: – Living transparently holy lives that make sin visible (Philippians 2:15; Matthew 5:14–16). – Speaking truth lovingly when confronted with evil (Proverbs 27:5; 2 Timothy 4:2). • John 3:20-21 shows that light reveals. When our conduct is openly righteous, hidden darkness is unmasked. • This is not harsh condemnation for its own sake, but loving confrontation aimed at repentance (Galatians 6:1). summary Ephesians 5:11 commands believers to break partnership with sin’s empty, shame-filled practices and, by lives and words illuminated by Christ, expose those works for what they are. Refusing fellowship with darkness protects our witness and, through gracious exposure, invites others into the light where fruitful, Spirit-born living begins. |
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