Ephesians 5:4

Ephesians 5:4

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

a. NLT: Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

b. NIV: Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

c. YLT: also filthiness, and foolish talking, or jesting, -- the things not fit -- but rather thanksgiving;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].

e. Worrell Translation: Nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not becoming, but rather thanksgiving.

f. Wuest Translation: And obscenity and foolish talking or ribaldry, which things have not been seemly or fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

1. “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting…”

a. Neither [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also 

a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. filthiness [Strong: aischrotes ahee-skhrot'-ace from 150; shamefulness, i.e. obscenity:--filthiness.] [Vine: Broadly speaking, aischrotes signifies "whatever is disgraceful;" rhuparia, "that which is characterized by moral impurity;" molusmos, "that which is defiling by soiling the clean;" aselgeia, "that which ]is an insolent disregard of decency."]

c. nor [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

d. foolish talking [Strong: 3473 morologia mo-rol-og-ee'-ah from a compound of 3474 and 3004; silly talk, i.e. buffoonery:--foolish talking.] [Vine: from moros, "foolish, dull, stupid," and lego, is used in Ephesians 5:4; it denotes more than mere idle "talk." Trench describes it as "that 'talk of fools' which is foolishness and sin together".]

e. nor [Strong: 2228 e ay a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles.]

f. jesting [Strong: 2160 eutrapelia yoo-trap-el-ee'-ah from a compound of 2095 and a derivative of the base of 5157 (meaning well-turned, i.e. ready at repartee, jocose); witticism, i.e. (in a vulgar sense) ribaldry:--jesting.] [Zodhiates: The turning of one’s speech for the purpose of exciting mirth or laughter. Since however, such persons can easily manipulate circumstances, they are apt to deteriorate into mischief.”]

1). The foolish talking and jesting must be taken in context with all the sins in the above list. It would be foolish talking and jesting about fornication, uncleanness, covetousness and filtiness.

2. “…which are not convenient…”

a. which [Strong: 3588 * ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

b. are…convenient  [Strong: 433 aneko an-ay'-ko from 303 and 2240; to attain to, i.e. (figuratively) be proper:--convenient, be fit.] [Thayer: to have come up to, arrived at, to reach to, to pertain to what is due, duty, as was fitting.]

c. not [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

1). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 10/11/11: “It seems surprising that "foolish talking" and "jesting" would be condemned as things that should "not be once named among you". Yet here it is, and commentators usually assume that the foolish talking and jesting so condemned really only apply to filthy talking and filthy jesting. After all, the popularity of many Christian speakers today seems to be measured by the amount of jokes and witticisms they inject into their messages. This is a sensitive subject, and each Christian should conscientiously decide for himself what God is saying here, through Paul. In any case, it seems significant that the only reference in the Bible to "jesting" is a warning against it. It is also significant that one can never find this element in the sermons of Christ or the letters of Paul or anywhere in the Bible. The Bible writers seem to have believed that sin and salvation were such sober, serious issues that there was nothing there to joke about. We read several times of Jesus weeping, but never of Him laughing. The Scriptures often refer to "rejoicing," but never to "having fun."

Furthermore, Jesus warned that "every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" Matthew 12:36, and Paul exhorted us to "let your speech be always with grace" Colossians 4:6. Our text says that foolish talking and jesting are "not convenient" for a Christian.”

2). Institute Of Creation Research Daily Devotional 8/16/2013 In the book of Ephesians are included several guidelines for the Christian's speech—how we should talk and what we should talk about. These are not easy rules to follow, but are necessary if we would please our Savior and be effective in our Christian lives and witness. As our text indicates, vulgar talk, idle chatter, and coarse jesting should "not be once named among you, as becometh saints" (5:3). "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (4:29). The same applies to bitter, angry, malicious speech. "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice" (4:31). And certainly our communications should be true and trustworthy. "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor" (4:25). Thus, our words should not be crude or obscene, idle or foolish, bitter or angry, false or malicious. Instead, they should be good words, true words, gracious words, intended to edify—that is, build up—our hearers in their own Christian lives. Further, if we would win others to Christ, we must always be "speaking the truth in love" (4:15). What we say to them must be fully in accord with both biblical truth and genuine Christian love. Finally, we should "be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:18-20). Gracious, edifying words can only come from a thankful heart. HMM