Bits of Torah Truths – #Torah Concept in the NT: Have no fellowship with works of darkness – Episode 872
Ephesians 5:11
אַל תִּשְׁתַּתְּפוּ בְּמַעֲשֵׂי הַחֹשֶׁךְ, אֲשֶׁר עֲקָרִים הֵם כֻּלָּם, אֶלָּא הוֹכֵחַ תּוֹכִיחוּ אֶת עוֹשֵׂיהֶם.
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Ephesians 5:11
5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; (NASB)
https://www.matsati.com/index.php/category/bits-of-torah-truths/
Paul’s command to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph. 5:11) calls believers to reject participation in any conduct that corrupts holiness. The Torah repeatedly teaches Israel to avoid, expose, and separate from practices that defile, corrupt, or lead away from YHWH.
– Torah parallels –
1. Deuteronomy 7:2–5 – Israel must not make covenants with idolatrous nations nor join in their practices; instead, they must tear down their altars. 2. Deuteronomy 12:29–31 – Israel must not inquire after or imitate the worship practices of the nations, for such works are abominations. 3. Leviticus 18:24–30 – Israel must avoid the defiling practices of the nations, for these deeds bring corruption and judgment. 4. Exodus 23:32–33 – Israel must not allow idolatrous influences to remain, lest they cause the people to sin. 5. Deuteronomy 13:12–18 – Israel must expose and purge idolatrous corruption from within the community. 6. Numbers 16:20–26 – Moses commands the people to separate from Korah’s rebellion so they are not swept away in the sins of others.
– Context Synthesis –
Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 5:11 reflects the Torah’s consistent pattern: Israel must not join themselves to practices that corrupt holiness or lead to idolatry. The Torah repeatedly warns that fellowship with sinful deeds results in shared guilt, communal defilement, and eventual judgment. Paul applies this same covenant logic to the community shaped by Yeshua, urging believers to reject participation in sinful works and instead expose them through righteous living. The Torah’s emphasis on separation from corrupting influences forms the foundation for Paul’s call to moral vigilance and communal purity.
– Core Insight –
The Torah teaches that holiness requires separation from corrupting practices and active resistance to anything that leads away from YHWH. Paul’s command to “have no fellowship with works of darkness” continues this covenant pattern, calling believers to walk in purity, discernment, and the light revealed through Yeshua. This is how Paul taught Torah in the NT; the Torah has not passed away!
Visual Summary of Concepts the Torah in the NT
