Our Redemption “in Christ” Detailed to the Ephesians Volume 48

Paul Urges the Ephesian Believers to Prove their Union with Christ by Walking in Light Part 2

Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. KJV

Paul exhorting these Ephesian believers and we true believers today to live in the light of Christ we have been born again into, now warns them/us of the danger of the remaining darkness of sin in the world and also in our “old man” or “old nature” and commands them to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). The English phrase “have no fellowship” is translated by one Greek word sugkoinoneo which means to share in company with, that is, co-participate in: - communicate (have fellowship) with, be partaker of. In other words, Paul is warning them and us to not partner up with darkness seeing that we are now light in the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, our life should be governed or brought into conformity with the light of the Word of God. There should not be any longer a love for the things of darkness in the children of God because that is what those who hate the light do and make their aim and continuous goal as the Apostle John documented these words spoken by our Lord Jesus in his Gospel, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:19-21).

The critical word in this statement from our Lord Jesus Christ is practicing which is translated by the Greek word prasso which is a primary verb; to practice, that is, perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from poieo, which properly refers to a single act). Thus Paul wants these Ephesian believers and we true believers today to understand the definitive difference between light and darkness and those who belong to each group and he warns us to have no participation with those who repeatedly live in darkness as if it were not darkness at all as he admonished the Corinthian believers with these words, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living {and} right standing with God with iniquity {and} lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in {and} with {and} among them and will walk in {and} with {and} among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly {and} treat you with favor, And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Paul contrast darkness as work or toil being that which is barren providing no sustenance for the soul, completely wanting and lacking in anything useful for the one who lives in it being a wasteland that is destitute of all that is beneficial to the soul of man or woman, therefore, Paul says “but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). This English word reprove is translated by the Greek word elegcho meaning to confute, admonish: - convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove. As the Apostle Paul did with Felix as recorded for us by Dr. Luke in Acts with these words, “Some days later Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discussed the subjects of God’s approval, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, ‘That’s enough for now. You can go. When I find time, I’ll send for you again.’” (Acts 24:24-25).

My own Personal Note: “Let us be clear that Paul is admonishing, warning, and even commanding these Ephesian believers and we believers today to avoid, stay clear of, or keep away from the “works” of darkness i.e. sins that are against the “will of God”, but in no way or by no means is Paul telling us to keep away from sinners, for it was for this reason or purpose that our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ came into the world to call sinners to repentance as He declared with these words, “The Pharisees saw this and asked His disciples, ‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ When Jesus heard that, he said, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor; those who are sick do. Learn what this means: I want mercy, not sacrifices. I’ve come to call sinners, not people who think they have God’s approval.’” (Matthew 9:11-13).”

“We have seen in a former sermon that ‘the fruit,’ or outcome, ‘of the Light’ is a comprehensive perfection, consisting in all sorts and degrees of goodness and righteousness and truth. Therefore, the commandment, ‘Walk as children of the light,’ sums up all Christian morality. Is there need, then, for any additional precept? Yes; for Christian people do not live in an empty world. If there were no evil round them, and no proclivity to evil within them, it would be amply sufficient to say to them, ‘Be true to the light which you behold.’ But since both these things are, the commandment of my text is further necessary. We do not work in vacuo, and therefore friction and atmosphere have to be taken account of; and an essential part of ‘walking as children of the light’ is to know how to behave ourselves when confronted with ‘the works of darkness.’ These Ephesian Christians lived in a state of society honeycombed with hideous immorality, the centre of which was the temple, which was their city’s glory and shame. It was all but impossible for them to have nothing to do with the works of evil, unless, indeed, they went out of the world. But the difficulty of obedience does not affect the duty of obedience, nor slacken in the smallest degree the stringency of a command. This obligation lies upon us as fully as it did upon them, and the discharge of it by professing Christians would bring new life to moribund Churches.” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…