New King James Version
Ephesians 5:4
4neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
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 Living Translation (NLT)Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Context of Ephesians 5:4
2And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Read all of Ephesians 5Ephesians 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 4:29Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
- Proverbs 12:23A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
- Ecclesiastes 10:13The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness.
- Matthew 12:34Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
- Mark 7:22thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
- Colossians 3:8But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
- James 3:4Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
- 2 Peter 2:7and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked
- Jude 1:10But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves.
- Romans 1:28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
- Philemon 1:8Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,
- Ephesians 5:19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
- Ephesians 1:16do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:
- Psalms 33:1Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
- Psalms 92:1It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And 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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries