Ephesians 5:4 – Giving of Thanks

Ephesians 5:4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 

On the heels of the dark triad of fornication, uncleanness, and covetousness, Paul now lists three more things that are not fitting to be part of a saint’s life. These three are translated in the KJV as filthiness, foolish talking, and jesting. As we did previously with the dark triad, let’s look at each of these in turn.

1. Filthiness. A word that is only found in this passage, it is the noun form for the word which is translated as ‘ashamed’. It comes from the idea of something being below one’s station – to be disgraced. It’s from this idea that the word appears to be understood as filthiness. It’s been on the ground. Just as with uncleanliness mentioned in the verse prior, this covers a great deal, for consider a piece of food which was fit to eat, but once it has been dropped on the ground, it may now be considered ‘filthy’, that is, unfit to eat. It’s the idea that there are things in life that can be good and fitting in one context, but taken somewhere else, they now become filthy – they are no longer fit.
   
   As the next two things mentioned are to do with words and speaking, it would appear that Paul is referencing words in particular. Such a description then is very fitting, for a word in itself is not bad, but the place, time, and manner that it is used can turn it into something shameful and dishonorable. To use language in a manner and context that is below the station of a saint, that is, one set apart to the service of God, is something shameful. It should not be done. In the broadest sense, we now are left to ponder and answer for ourselves, how should one that is set apart to God conduct themselves? What language is fitting? What language, or better yet, use of language is beneath a saint?
   
2. Foolish talking. Once again, this word is found only in this passage, finding it’s meaning from two Greek words, one meaning a fool and the other, sayings. It’s the language of a fool. The words of a fool. More specifically, things that a fool would say. In more plain language – what the idiot says. There is a ready example in Psalms 14:1, where the fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’. In this reference, it’s spoken in the heart, but such words also manifest themselves as words too. When a person literally speaks out the foolish that many act out in denying God’s existence, then they are engaging in ‘foolish talking’. It’s a dangerous place to be.
   In the same chapter of Ephesians in verses 15 and 17, Paul commands the church to NOT be fools. If saints are not to be fools, is it hardly a surprise that the saint should not speak like a fool?
   
3. Jesting. Once again . . . you guessed it. This word is only found here. It’s perhaps the most curious of the lot, for it means literally, ‘well-turned’. The idea appears to possible be something like: don’t speak words you don’t mean. This comes from the idea that one can speak something, but then turn on it – that is, to speak well, but then not follow through – not mean it.
   It would not fit for this to simply be a reference to humor. Not even to mockery, for we see Elijah making a mockery of the prophets of Baal.
   There is sufficient evidence elsewhere in Scripture that keeping one’s word and speaking with clear intentions is God’s will for us. In James 5:12, we find the apostle directing us to use clear language, no swearing by or oaths, but to be able to take one at his word. (no turning). This statement is an echo of Jesus teaching in Matthew 5:33-37.
   It is readily compared to when someone says something, then says, ‘Don’t look so horrified, I’m only joking’. However, I think that where Paul was aiming at was a far more serious element of speaking without following through – to turn well.

These three categories of speech which are unfitting for the saint are contrasted in Titus 2:8 where Paul says ‘In all things show thyself an example . . . of sound speech’. The word for ‘sound’ meaning healthy, whole. We can then reason, that if any of these three categories of speech start to appear in our lives, there is something unhealthy in us, for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34)

The meaning of all three of these terms can be further understood when we see what it’s contrasted with: being thankful. What do you replace dishonorable language with? Thankfulness. What do you replace foolish talk with? Thankfulness. What do you replace jesting with? Thankfulness.
In here, we see three categories/descriptors of language we shouldn’t be seeing in a saint, and one descriptor of language we should be seeing in a saint. There are don’ts and there are do’s.

It’s a terrific example of teaching – what not to do, and what to do instead.

Considering how broad these three descriptors are, what’s the best way to navigate such a minefield? Paul gives the answer a bit further down when he instructs the church to ‘be filled with the Spirit’. One of the main roles of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life is to be a guide. You want to navigate how to speak in a manner that is correct for a saint? Be filled with the Spirit!

In closing, let’s quickly note ‘convenient’. The word used here means ‘to have arrived at’. Paul is speaking of a final product that God wants to see in His children. The word conveys the ending of a journey, as a child grows into an adult, so to does God want us to grow spiritually from babies into adults. That growth is not measured by years in God, but rather, character and actions. It’s the high calling in Christ that we are to aim at and strive for – to be holy as He is holy.

So let us persevere to be holy.