Ephesians 5 7

Ephesians 5:7 kjv

Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

Ephesians 5:7 nkjv

Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Ephesians 5:7 niv

Therefore do not be partners with them.

Ephesians 5:7 esv

Therefore do not become partners with them;

Ephesians 5:7 nlt

Don't participate in the things these people do.

Ephesians 5 verses

Ephesians 5 7 meaning

Ephesians 5:7 serves as an urgent and direct warning to believers to actively refrain from any participation or partnership in the sinful behaviors and attitudes characteristic of those described as "sons of disobedience" in the preceding verse. It functions as a logical conclusion and an imperative command, stressing that because God's wrath falls upon such practices, Christians must separate themselves from complicity with those who engage in them. The verse calls for a clear and definitive distinction between the life of a believer and the prevailing moral corruption of the world.

Ephesians 5 7 Context

Ephesians 5:7 stands as a critical conclusion to Paul's extensive admonition against immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthy language, foolish talk, and crude joking in verses 3-5. This section builds upon the broader themes introduced earlier in the epistle, especially the call for believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called" (Eph 4:1). The immediate context of verses 3-6 highlights a stark contrast between the previous Gentile way of life and the new life in Christ. Verse 6 warns against deception, stating that "on account of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." Thus, verse 7 logically follows as a strong command: because wrath comes upon those engaged in such behaviors, believers must not align themselves with them.

Historically and culturally, the Ephesian church existed in a highly syncretistic and morally permissive environment. The city was a center for pagan worship, most notably the cult of Artemis (Diana), which often involved temple prostitution, mystery rites, and elaborate festivals that could easily blur moral lines. Public and private life often featured sexual immorality, excessive drinking, and vulgar entertainment. Paul's audience was constantly exposed to and pressured by these cultural norms. His warning against being "partakers with them" directly confronts the subtle and overt influences of this pagan society, urging believers to maintain their distinctive identity as "children of light" (Eph 5:8).

Ephesians 5 7 Word analysis

• Be not ye: (Greek: Μὴ γίνεσθε, Mē ginesthe)

  • Mē (Μὴ): A strong negative particle, used with the present imperative verb, indicating a prohibition against continuing an action that might already be underway, or a firm command not to start such an action. It carries an emphasis on total abstention.
  • Ginesthe (γίνεσθε): The present imperative, second person plural of ginomai (γίνομαι), meaning "to become," "to be," "to exist." The imperative makes it a direct, authoritative command. The "ye" is implied by the plural verb ending, referring specifically to the Ephesian believers. This isn't a passive observation, but an active, willed non-participation.

• therefore: (Greek: οὖν, oun)

  • A significant conjunction that signals a logical inference or conclusion drawn from what has just been stated. In this context, it explicitly links the prohibition in verse 7 to the warnings and descriptions of "empty words" and "the wrath of God" falling upon "the sons of disobedience" in verse 6. Because God judges those deeds, Christians therefore must not share in them.

• partakers: (Greek: συμμέτοχοι, symmetochoi)

  • A compound word formed from syn (σύν, "with, together") and metochos (μέτοχος, "sharer, participant, partner").
  • This word emphasizes not just passive association but active sharing, joint participation, and even partnership or complicity. It signifies shared involvement and, consequently, shared responsibility or fate. It's stronger than merely being present; it implies engaging in the same activities, embracing the same mindset, or even assenting to them. The word conveys a depth of shared connection.

• with them: (Greek: αὐτῶν, autōn)

  • The genitive plural pronoun "them" explicitly refers back to "the sons of disobedience" (hoi huioi tēs apeitheias) mentioned in Ephesians 5:6. This immediately clarifies who the believers are not to be partakers with: those whose lives are characterized by immorality, impurity, covetousness, and the deceitful words that minimize these sins.

• Be not ye therefore partakers with them: This phrase powerfully connects the Christian's identity and future hope with the imperative to shun ungodly behavior and association. The ethical imperative stems directly from theological truths (God's judgment on sin). It calls for a fundamental break from former pagan ways, demanding a lifestyle distinctly separate from the world's sinful patterns. The believers are called to embody a radical distinction, aligning themselves wholly with God rather than with the deeds or fate of those opposed to Him.

Ephesians 5 7 Bonus section

The strong prohibition in Ephesians 5:7 echoes Old Testament calls for Israel to be a distinct people, separate from the surrounding pagan nations and their detestable practices (e.g., Lev 20:23). This principle of holiness and separation is consistently maintained and re-applied in the New Testament to the Church. The negative implication of symmetochoi here contrasts with positive uses of metochos or symmetochos elsewhere, such as being "partakers of Christ" (Heb 3:14), "partakers of the Holy Spirit" (Heb 6:4), or "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Pet 1:4). Paul here in Ephesians 5:7 specifically warns against being "partakers" in something unholy. This verse emphasizes that our alliances—who we choose to associate with and whose behaviors we emulate or tolerate—are indicators of our ultimate allegiance and identity. It is a fundamental warning against syncretism and compromise that would dilute the distinct witness of Christ's followers.

Ephesians 5 7 Commentary

Ephesians 5:7 stands as a decisive call to separation and purity for believers. Coming after a severe indictment of pagan immorality and the declaration of divine wrath upon those who practice it, this verse leaves no room for ambiguity: Christians are to actively dissociate themselves from the sinful lifestyles and worldviews described. The term "partakers" is crucial, implying not just proximity, but a shared involvement, a moral and spiritual complicity that must be rigorously avoided. It challenges believers to guard their thoughts, words, and actions, ensuring they do not, even subtly, participate in behaviors or attitudes that are an affront to God. This command flows from their new identity as "children of light" (Eph 5:8) and emphasizes that spiritual enlightenment must translate into ethical conduct. It's a foundational principle for discerning Christian engagement with the world – we are in the world, but not of it, and certainly not with its ungodly ways.

Examples for practical usage:

• Refraining from joining in gossip or slander, even among friends.
• Avoiding entertainment or media that glorifies or normalizes sin warned against in Eph 5:3-5.
• Consciously choosing not to participate in dishonest practices or morally compromising schemes in professional settings.
• Speaking out against or separating from conversations that include crude humor, foolish talk, or sexually explicit content.