11. unfruitful works of darkness--Sins are terminated in themselves,
and therefore are called "works," not "fruits"
(Ga 5:19, 22).
Their only fruit is that which is not in a true sense fruit
(De 32:32),
namely, "death"
(Ro 6:21;
Ga 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
Mt 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
(1Co 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."
JFB.
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