Note 19 at Eph. 5:11: The Greek word that was translated "fellowship" here is SUGKOINONEO. This is a rare Greek word for "fellowship" and was only used three times in the New Testament (here; Phil. 4:14; Rev. 18:4). This is the only time of the three where it was translated "fellowship." The more common Greek word for "fellowship" (KOINONIA) was used 18 times in the New Testament.

The Greek word used in this verse is denoting actually partaking of others' ungodly deeds, as can be seen by the way it was translated in Revelation 18:4. There the Lord told his people to separate themselves from the ungodly religious system lest they become partakers (SUGKOINONEO) of her sins and receive of her plagues.

So, the instruction in this verse is not to shun unbelievers, but rather, not to participate in their ungodly deeds. In fact, it is important to notice that the "works of darkness" are what we are to avoid, not the people who are doing these acts. Of course, there are many arguments for having godly associations (see note 6 at 1 Cor. 15:33, p. 961), but it is not following the example of Christ to totally avoid contact with the lost. We are to reject the sin but not the sinner.

Verses 11-13 give us a simple way of judging whether or not our contact with the lost is in a godly fashion. We are supposed to reprove (see note 20 at this verse) their actions. If we can do that and still maintain relationship, then we are probably relating to them in the proper way. If we are not exposing their deeds to the light, we should question whether the relationship is really God's will. Care has to be taken that we are the one ministering righteousness to them and not the other way around, where they are ministering ungodliness to us.

Note 20 at Eph. 5:11: This English word "reprove" was translated from the Greek word ELEGCHO. It was translated "rebuke" (1 Tim. 5:20), "tell him his fault" (Mt. 18:15), and "convince" (Ti. 1:9). These uses, combined with the following two verses, leave no doubt that this is speaking of shining the light of God's righteousness on the ungodly darkness of the lost. We must take a stand against ungodliness.

Yet there is a right and wrong way of letting our light shine. The Pharisees were hypocritical in their proclamation of what was light. They also missed the issues of the heart and only dealt with the external. They totally omitted love and were self-serving in their rebukes. The truth without love is like a club (see note 29 at Eph. 4:15, p. 1120) and tradition ministered in a judgmental attitude is even worse.