Ephesians 5:11

unfruitful "For the end of these things is death" (Romans 6:21). The metaphor of fruit, which we have just had (Ephesians 5:9), is almost always used in connexions of good. See a close parallel, Galatians 5:19; Galatians 5:22, "the worksof the flesh"; "the fruitof the Spirit."

darkness Lit., the darkness, which you have left; from whose "authority" you have been "rescued" (Colossians 1:13). The metaphor here (on which see on Ephesians 4:18) suggests rather the secrecy and shame of sin than its blindness.

rather Rather even, R. V., and so better; "rather, go the lengthof positive reproof."

reprove The verb, in classical prose, has always an argumentative reference; it is, to question, confute, disprove. And though in some N. T. passages this reference is not necessary to the sense, it is always admissible, and lies, as it were, behind the meaning of mere blameor censure. So here, the Christian is not merely to denounce evil, but by holy word and life to evinceits misery and fallacy, to convictit (R. V. margin) of its true nature.