6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light 9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. Ephesians 5:6-17 (NASB) Read verses 13-17 on the site.
What does it mean to “participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness”? Read the entire passage of Ephesians 5:6-17 (above), and then we will look at the word participate, and at what unfruitful deeds of darkness are.
The word “participate” or “take part in” comes from the Greek word sugkoinoneo (4790), and means have fellowship, to share in company with, to be a partaker of, co-participate in. Are there different levels of participation? Yes, you can actively participate by being a part of the evil deed (Psalm 26:4-5, Proverbs 4:14-16, Jeremiah 15:17, Romans 16:17), or you can passively participate by not stopping the person from doing the evil deed (Numbers 20:1-13, Numbers 20:23-29, Numbers 27:12-14, 1 Corinthians 10:4, Psalm 141:5, Matthew 18:15-17, Luke 17:3-4, Galatians 2:11-14, Titus 3:10-11, James 5:19-20, 1 John 5:16), or by not reporting the evil deed (Leviticus 5:1, Proverbs 29:24).