Ephesians 5:4

Ephesians 5:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
• New International Version (NIV)Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
• New King James Version (NKJV)neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Context of Ephesians 5:4

2and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. 3But sexual immorality and all [moral] impurity [indecent, offensive behavior] or greed must not even be hinted at among you, as is proper among saints [for as believers our way of life, whether in public or in private, reflects the validity of our faith]. Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God]. 5For be sure of this: no immoral, impure, or greedy person—for that one is [in effect] an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God [for such a person places a higher value on something other than God]. 6Let no one deceive you with empty arguments [that encourage you to sin], for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience [those who habitually sin].

Ephesians 5:4 word by word

καὶ αἰσχρότης καὶ μωρολογία ἢ εὐτραπελία ἃ οὐκ ἀνῆκεν ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον εὐχαριστία.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Neitherκαίkai · andG2532
• filthinessαἰσχρότηςaischrotēs · obscenityG151
• foolish talkingμωρολογίαmōrologia · foolish talkG3473
• norἤē · orG2228
• jestingεὐτραπελίαeutrapelia · vulgar jestingG2160
• whichὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• areἀνήκωanēkō · be fittingG433
• notοὐou · noG3756
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• ratherμᾶλλονmallon · more: ratherG3123
• giving of thanksεὐχαριστίαeucharistia · thankfulnessG2169

Cross-references for Ephesians 5:4

• Ephesians 4:29Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
• Proverbs 12:23A shrewd man is reluctant to display his knowledge [until the proper time], But the heart of [over-confident] fools proclaims foolishness.
• Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable, But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.
• Ecclesiastes 10:13the beginning of his talking is foolishness and the end of his talk is wicked madness.
• Matthew 12:34You brood of vipers, how can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
• Mark 7:22acts of greed and covetousness, wickedness, deceit, unrestrained conduct, envy and jealousy, slander and profanity, arrogance and self-righteousness and foolishness (poor judgment).
• Colossians 3:8But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth.
• James 3:4And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines.
• 2 Peter 2:7and if He rescued righteous Lot, who was tormented by the immoral conduct of unprincipled and ungodly men
• Jude 1:10But these men sneer at anything which they do not understand; and whatever they do know by [mere] instinct, like unreasoning and irrational beasts—by these things they are destroyed.
• Romans 1:28And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or consider Him worth knowing [as their Creator], God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do things which are improper and repulsive,
• Philemon 1:8Therefore [on the basis of these facts], though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is appropriate,
• Ephesians 5:19Speak to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, [offering praise by] singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
• Ephesians 1:16I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers;
• Psalms 33:1Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous ones; Praise is becoming and appropriate for those who are upright [in heart—those with moral integrity and godly character].
• Psalms 92:1It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, To sing praises to Your name, O Most High,

Commentaries on Ephesians 5:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Neither filthiness - · Any thing base or vile in words or acts. Foolish talking - · Scurrility, buffoonery, ridicule, or what tends to expose another to contempt. Nor jesting - · Artfully turned discourses or words, from , well or easily, and , I turn; words that can be easily turned to other meanings; double entendres; chaste words which, from their connection, and the manner in which they are used, convey an obscene or offensive meaning. It also means…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Neither filthiness - That is, obscene, or indecent conversation. Literally, that which is shameful, or deformed - ̓́ aischrotēsThe word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. Nor foolish talking - This word - ́ mōrologia- does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means that kind of talk which is insipid, senseless, stupid, foolish; which is not suited to instruct, edify, profit - the idle “chitchat” which is so common in the world. The…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3-14Verses 3-14 Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers. Our cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places that hope, confidence, and delight, in…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4God’s people should speak in ways that show they are thankful to God (see 4:29; 5:3, 12).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. filthiness--obscenity in act or gesture. foolish talking--the talk of fools, which is folly and sin together. The Greek of it, and of "filthiness," occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. nor--rather, "or" (compare Ep 5:3). jesting--Greek, "eutrapelia"; found nowhere else in the New Testament: implying strictly that versatility which turns about and adapts itself, without regard to principle, to the shifting circumstances of the moment, and to the…Read the comment

Topics related to Ephesians 5:4

• Commandments
• Jesting
• Speaking
• Thankfulness

In the dictionaries

• Arise
• Awake
• Dear
• Fellowship
• Flesh
• Fruit
• Light
• Melody
• Redeem
• Reverence

Commentaries on Ephesians 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings