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That the children of light should live in a perfect abhorrence of, and stand at a great distance from, the unfruitful works of darkness.

I. For the object. We have a general and unlimited expression, "The unfruitful works of darkness." But what they are we may collect from the context, "Uncleanness, fornication, evil concupiscence," etc.; and (Romans 13:12, 13) the apostle reckoneth up other things. These and such like heathen practices are such as the apostle intendeth.

1. They are called "works of darkness" for these reasons —

(1) Because they are done by men in their carnal estate, who are destitute of the Spirit of God, and all saving knowledge of His will.

(2) Because they are suggested by the temptations of the devil, who is the prince of darkness, and the ruler of the darkness of this world; and therefore called "his lusts" (John 8:44); "his works" (1 John 3:8).

(3) Because they cannot endure the light, but seek the veil and covert of secrecy.There is a three-fold light.

(1) Natural. They rebel against this light (Job 24:13).

(2) Light spiritual, the light of God's Word: "For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved" (John 3:20).

(3) There is another light, and that may be called practical, or the light of a holy conversation: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

(4) Because these men are condemned to everlasting darkness; for if they live and die in these sins without repentance, they are unavoidably cast into utter darkness, where is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

2. These are said to be unfruitful by a μείωσις, that is, damnable; as Hebrews 13:17, "That is unprofitable for you." The meaning is, hurtful and pernicious; however, the expression is emphatical. These works produce not only no good fruit, but certainly bring forth evil fruit, and prove bitterness in the end. Mere evil, as evil, cannot be the object of choice; there is some fruit or benefit expected in all that we do, but sin will never make good its word to us.

(1) It doth not answer expectation; the sinner looketh for more contentment and satisfaction than he doth enjoy: "And what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?" (Ecclesiastes 5:16). It is a fruitless enterprise; so that very experience is enough to confute it; and that is one reason why objects of sin are loathed when we have our fill of them (2 Samuel 13:15).

(2) It is not valuable; the profit will not counterbalance the loss, nor the pleasure the pain (Matthew 16:25).

II. The acts of our duty about it; and they are two.

1. That we must have no fellowship with them in evil. To understand that, we must consider how many ways we have fellowship with them.

(1) If we do the same things that others do.

(2) If we be accessory to the sins of others, which we may be many ways.

(a) If we counsel, persuade, allure, or entice others to sins. These are Satan's decoys, who being ensnared themselves, draw others into the net.

(b) By commanding that which is evil. This is the sin of those that have power over others; as David commanded Joab to set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire from him, that he may be smitten and die (2 Samuel 11:15).

(c) By consenting, though we be not the principal actors; as Ahab (1 Kings 21:19).

(d) By abetting, aiding, and assisting in the conveyance of the sin; as Jonadab assisted Amnon in getting an occasion to satisfy his lust on his sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13:5).

(e) By applauding, approving, or praising the sin, which is the guise of flatterers (Romans 1:32).

(f) By carelessness to prevent the sin: "I will judge his house forever, for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not" (1 Samuel 3:13). So that a culpable omission may make us accessory to their sin.

2. The other duty is, "But rather reprove them." Now reprove we may by deed or word.

(1) By deed, or the example of a holy life; as "Noah condemned the world" (Hebrews 11:7).

(2) By word, when it may be done with profit; as the apostle saith of the infidel, when he cometh into Christian assemblies, "he is condemned of all, and judged of all" (1 Corinthians 14:24); namely, as he heareth doctrines there contrary to his practice.

III. The reasons of the point.

1. Because there should be a broad and sensible difference between the children of light and the children of darkness.

2. This difference is discovered by those actions that are proper to either state; for actions are agreeable to their principle, and in actions must this difference be expressed, or how is it visible? Both show forth the influence of an unseen power, both the children of God and the children of the devil, the children of light and children of darkness.

3. This distinction is to be kept up on the part of the godly, and so conspicuously held forth, that they may either convince or convert the wicked.

4. The children of God are fitted and prepared for this, to abstain from sin (1 John 3:9).

5. The inconveniencies are great that will follow if God's children should have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; our pretended communion with God will be interrupted (1 John 1:6, 7).To press the two duties in the text.

1. "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness"; that is, do not join or partake in the sins of the carnal world, though they seem to be authorized by vulgar and common practice. To this end remember —

(1) You must not do as others do, but do as God requireth.

(2) Love God, and love His law, and love His people, and the infection is prevented. Love God (Psalm 97:10).

(3) We must eschew all unnecessary and voluntary friendship and familiarity with wicked men (Psalm 26:4; Proverbs 12:11).

(4) Your happiness lieth in communion with God, and this we cannot have if we have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (1 John 1:6, 7).

2. "But rather reprove them," by deed and word.

(1) By deed, spoken of before; as David convinced Saul (1 Samuel 24:17).

(2) By word. It is a duty the world cannot bear, but we must perform it (Proverbs 15:12)

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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

WEB: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them.