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Ephesians 5:4

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Ephesians 5:4

Verse 4 of 33

Scripture focus

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 5:4 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Ephesians 5:4

Theological / Devotional

Filthiness. Gr. aischrotes, “revolting, shameful conduct,” probably including filthy, obscene speech. The word does not occur elsewhere in the NT.

Foolish talking. Insipid, stupid talking, without edification or profit. Every idle word is to be brought into judgment (Matt. 12:36), and foolish speech involves more than mere emptiness.

Jesting. Gr. eutrapelia, from two roots meaning “well” and “to turn”; hence, “wittiness,” but here used in the low sense of buffoonery, ribaldry, or levity. The apostle is not speaking against the play of innocent humor, but against jesting that is coarse and low.

Not convenient. That is, not fitting or becoming.

Giving of thanks. The spirit of gratitude and cheerfulness is the best antidote to the unbecoming spirit of levity (cf. James 5:13).

By SdaBc