SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:11
Y no tengis comunin con las obras infructuosas de las tinieblas; sino antes bien impugnadlas.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Ephesians 5:11
Verse 11. 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 aporrhta musthria, 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 Acts xix. 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 elegcw, which we generally render to convince or reprove.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness , &c.] It is not said with the workers of darkness, or with the men of the world, who are in darkness, and are darkness itself; to have fellowship with them in a civil way, or to dwell among them, is not prohibited; it is allowed of, and countenanced by the greatest examples; and especially it is lawful and right, when there is any prospect of doing good to the souls of men; and even when natural right, relation, and necessity require it; and indeed, the contrary is impracticable: conversation with them in things sinful and superstitious should be abstained from; and when it tends to draw off the soul from Christ and his interest, and is infectious; and when weak ones are offended, and sinners are hereby hardened and confirmed in sin; and the name of God is blasphemed, and the Gospel is evil spoken of: but fellowship is not to be maintained with the works of darkness; which are sins, so called, because they are opposite to light; to the light of nature, to the light of the divine word, both law and Gospel, to the light of grace, to God the fountain of light, and to Christ the light of the world; and because the source and spring of them are the original darkness of the mind, and Satan the prince of darkness; and because they are generally committed in the dark; and because the effect and consequence of them is utter darkness, and blackness of darkness: and these are unfruitful; they are of no profit and advantage, they bring forth no fruit, unless it be guilt, fear, shame, corruption, and death; wherefore no fellowship should be had with them, by committing the same, by assisting in them, by consenting to them, by approving of them, by receiving any worldly advantage from them, and by winking and conniving at them: it is contrary to the character of saints to have fellowship with such, as the apostle says, ( 2 Corinthians 6:14), where he gives the mystical explanation of the law, in ( Deuteronomy 22:10); agreeably to which, and to the passage here, is the sense of a Jewish commentators who upon it observes, that that law intimates that a righteous man, Ptty al , should have no fellowship with a wicked man; this is to be unequally yoked, signified by the ox and the ass ploughing together: but rather reprove [them] ; both by words and by deeds, by an agreeable life and conversation, which last seems to be the design of the apostle here; because it is not a brother, but such who are in darkness, and live in works of darkness; yea, not sinners, but sins are to be reproved, which can be done no other way; nor are all saints proper to reprove verbally, nor are they qualified for it; but all should, and may by facts; and the light discovers darkness, by its own splendour; and this appears from the apostle's reasoning in the next words.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-14 - Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded an detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Ou cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may ten to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places tha hope, confidence, and delight, in worldly good, which should be in God only. Those who allow themselves, either in the lusts of the flesh or the love of the world, belong not to the kingdom of grace, nor shal they come to the kingdom of glory. When the vilest transgressors repen and believe the gospel, they become children of obedience, from who God's wrath is turned away. Dare we make light of that which bring down the wrath of God? Sinners, like men in the dark, are going the know not whither, and doing they know not what. But the grace of God wrought a mighty change in the souls of many. Walk as children of light, as having knowledge and holiness. These works of darkness ar unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast; for they end in the destruction of the impenitent sinner. There are many ways of abetting or taking part in the sins of others; by commendation, counsel consent, or concealment. And if we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their plagues. If we do not reprove the sins of others, we have fellowship with them. A good man will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked men are not ashamed to do. We must have no only a sight and a knowledge that sin is sin, and in some measur shameful, but see it as a breach of God's holy law. After the exampl of prophets and apostles, we should call on those asleep and dead i sin, to awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 μη 3361 συγκοινωνειτε 4790 5720 τοις 3588 εργοις 2041 τοις 3588 ακαρποις 175 του 3588 σκοτους 4655 μαλλον 3123 δε 1161 και 2532 ελεγχετε 1651 5720
Vincent's NT Word Studies
11. Have - fellowship (sugkoinwneite). See on Apoc. xviii. 4; i. 9. Unfruitful works (ergoiv toiv akarpoiv). Compare fruit, ver. 9, and Gal. v. 19, 22, works of the flesh, fruit of the Spirit. Works which bring no blessing with them. Compare Rom. vi. 21; viii. 13; Gal. v. 21; vi. 8.
Reprove (elegcete). See on John iii. 20.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:11 {Have no fellowship with} (me sunkoinwneite). No partnership with, present imperative with me. Followed by associative instrumental case ergois (works). {Unfruitful} (akarpois). Same metaphor of verse #9 applied to darkness (skotos). {Reprove} (elegcete). Convict by turning the light on the darkness.
