“Whatever is shameful to do you must not consider it honorable even to mention.” (Isocrates §15b)

“Eph. 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (English Standard Version)

One of the greatest wrongs we can commit is take anything or anyone out of context. Since I believe that the Bible is God’s written Word, I think that taking the Scriptures out of context is an especially serious matter.

I sometimes hear Ephesians 5:11 quoted in order to justify Christians speaking out concerning the evils we perceive in our own society or in the societies of other nations and people groups. If we only had this verse all by itself, that might be a good understanding of it. But this verse is not alone, and the other verses that surround it suggest that using this verse to justify speaking harshly to or about other groups is nearly the opposite of what this verse means. (Of course, we are never speaking harshly, are we? No, we are “just speaking the truth in love.” But then again, it might be wise to ask ourselves if that is what we are really doing.)

We exercise our “righteous” responsibility to call out evil in others toward all kinds of people: those who believe abortion is/is not a choice, those who believe that ownership of guns is an absolute right/those who don’t, and Republicans/Democrats, to name a few.

While it may indeed be important to speak up concerning evil, that is not the thrust of Ephesians 5:11. How do I know this? Context! I had a professor at Hebrew Union College many years, Dr. Isaac Jerusalmi, who used to say quite often “Context is everything!” Sometimes, he would just say or write on the board, “C.I.E.”

What is context? It can be looked at in many ways, but in this post, I am just looking at the literary context. In other words, I am examining the words surrounding Ephesians 5:11. Here are the verses that surround verse 11. I have italicized the words that I believe call into question the aforementioned interpretation of verse 11.

“Eph. 5:1 ¶ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Eph. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Eph. 5:3 ¶ But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Eph. 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Eph. 5:5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Eph. 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Eph. 5:7 Therefore do not become partners with them;

Eph. 5:8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Eph. 5:9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),

Eph. 5:10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Eph. 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Eph. 5:12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

Eph. 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,

Eph. 5:14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

             “Awake, O sleeper,

                        and arise from the dead,

             and Christ will shine on you.”

Eph. 5:15 ¶ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,

Eph. 5:16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

Did you notice that verse 11 is followed by verse 12? I don’t mean to insult your intelligence. It is an important question. Why? It is important because verse 12 says that it is a shame for us even to speak of the evil things that others do. So, to use verse 11 to justify us “calling out” evil in others is almost the opposite of what verse 11 actually means.

“Well,” you may ask, “if we aren’t supposed to speak about the evils in our society, how on earth can we expose them?” That is a good question, and the answer is given in the context. We are to be the light and walk in the light because light is what exposes what is dark and evil. Living a light-filled life in our thoughts, words, deeds, and our very being is the best way to expose darkness.

Now, there are indeed biblical verses and stories that suggest that there is a time to speak up and speak out about the evil around us. “Proverbs 31:8-9 comes to mind:

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (NIV)

And speaking up for ourselves is also important at times. However, simply fulminating about things in our society—as many Christians of all stripes are prone to do these days—is itself simply another form of evil. If we want to counter the darkness of evil, we need to be the light, as Jesus himself is The light.