Ephesians 5:4

Amplified Bible

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].

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Also, there must be no evil talk among you. Don't say things that are foolish or filthy. These are not for you. But you should be giving thanks to God.

Revised Standard Version
Let there be no filthiness, nor silly talk, nor levity, which are not fitting; but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
nether filthynes nether folishe talkyng nether gestinge which are not comly: but rather gevynge of thankes

Hebrew Names Version
nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.

New American Standard Bible
and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

New Century Version
Also, there must be no evil talk among you, and you must not speak foolishly or tell evil jokes. These things are not right for you. Instead, you should be giving thanks to God.

Update Bible Version
nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.

Webster's Bible Translation
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

English Standard Version
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

World English Bible
nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Neither obscenity, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not convenient, but rather thanksgiving.

Weymouth's New Testament
Avoid shameful and foolish talk and low jesting--they are all alike discreditable--and in place of these give thanks.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
ethir filthe, or foli speche, or harlatrye, that perteyneth not to profit, but more doyng of thankyngis.

English Revised Version
nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.

Berean Standard Bible
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.

Contemporary English Version
Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are.

American Standard Version
nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.

Bible in Basic English
And let there be no low behaviour, or foolish talk, or words said in sport, which are not right, but in place of them the giving of praise.

Complete Jewish Bible
Also out of place are obscenity and stupid talk or coarse language; instead, you should be giving thanks.

Darby Translation
and filthiness and foolish talking, or jesting, which are not convenient; but rather thanksgiving.

International Standard Version
Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving.Matthew 12:35; Romans 1:28; Ephesians 4:29;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
neither filthiness, nor words of folly, or of jeering, or fables, which are not necessary, but, instead of these, thanksgiving.

Murdock Translation
Neither obscenities, nor words of folly, or of division, or of scurrility, which are not useful; but instead of these, thanksgiving.

King James Version (1611)
Neither filthinesse, nor foolish talking, nor iesting, which are not conuenient: but rather giuing of thankes.

New Living Translation
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.

New Life Bible
Do not be guilty of telling bad stories and of foolish talk. These things are not for you to do. Instead, you are to give thanks for what God has done for you.

New Revised Standard
Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Neither filthinesse, neither foolish talking, neither iesting, which are things not comely, but rather giuing of thankes.

George Lamsa Translation
Neither cursing, nor foolish words, nor insults, nor words of flattery, none of which are necessary: but instead of these, let thanks be offered.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And shamelessness and foolish talking, or jesting, - which things are beneath you, - but, rather, giving of thanks;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Or obscenity or foolish talking or scurrility, which is to no purpose: but rather giving of thanks.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Neither fylthynesse, neither foolyshe talkyng, neither iestyng, which are not comely: but rather, geuyng of thankes.

Good News Translation
Nor is it fitting for you to use language which is obscene, profane, or vulgar. Rather you should give thanks to God.

Christian Standard Bible®
Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.

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

Lexham English Bible
and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which are not proper), but rather thanksgiving.

Literal Translation
also baseness, and foolish talking, or joking (the things not becoming), but rather thanksgiving.

Young's Literal Translation
also filthiness, and foolish talking, or jesting, -- the things not fit -- but rather thanksgiving;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
nether fylthines, ner folish talkynge, ner ieastynge (which are not comly) but rather geuynge of thakes.

Mace New Testament (1729)
nor buffoonry, which they call pleasantry, but is indecent: be you rather exercised in social virtue.

New English Translation
Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting—all of which are out of character—but rather thanksgiving.

New King James Version
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Dirty stories, foolish talk, and crude jokes are not the ways of God or you. If you're wondering what to do then, learn to just be thankful.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Legacy Standard Bible
nor filthiness and foolish talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Contextual Overview

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]. ⁴Let 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]. ⁷So do not participate or even associate with them [in the rebelliousness of sin]. ⁸For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] ⁹(for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]. ¹¹Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; ¹²for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

filthiness: Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 12:23, Proverbs 15:2, Ecclesiastes 10:13, Matthew 12:34-37, Mark 7:22, Colossians 3:8, James 3:4-8, 2 Peter 2:7, 2 Peter 2:18, Jude 1:10, Jude 1:13

convenient: Romans 1:28, Philemon 1:8

but: Ephesians 5:19, Ephesians 5:20, Ephesians 1:16, Psalms 33:1, Psalms 92:1, Psalms 107:21, Psalms 107:22, Daniel 6:10, John 6:23, 2 Corinthians 1:11, 2 Corinthians 9:15, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 3:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Hebrews 13:15

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 18:22 - ready Proverbs 23:16 - thy Proverbs 26:19 - and Luke 6:25 - laugh Luke 6:45 - good man 1 Corinthians 6:9 - fornicators Colossians 1:12 - Giving James 1:21 - filthiness James 1:26 - bridleth James 3:6 - a world

Cross-References

Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them [granting them certain authority] and said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subjugate it [putting it under your power]; and rule over (dominate) the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves upon the earth."

Genesis 5:1
This is the book (the written record, the history) of the generations of [the descendants of] Adam. When God created man, He made him in the likeness of God [not physical, but a spiritual personality and moral likeness].

Genesis 5:3
When Adam had lived a hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.

Genesis 5:7
Seth lived eight hundred and seven years after the birth of Enosh, and he had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:10
Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years after the birth of Kenan and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:13
Kenan lived eight hundred and forty years after the birth of Mahalalel and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:19
Jared lived eight hundred years after the birth of Enoch and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:22
Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:26
Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years after the birth of Lamech and had other sons and daughters.

Genesis 5:30
Lamech lived five hundred and ninety-five years after the birth of Noah and had other sons and daughters.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting,.... The former of these may include all filthy gestures and behaviour, every indecent habit and attire, and all actions which have a tendency to excite lust; and also all impure words, these discover an impure heart, and are the means of corrupting men's minds and manners; filthy speaking, is a verbal commission of the things that are spoken of; and it may include all impure songs and books, and the reading or hearing of them; this is what the Jews call נבול פה, "filthiness of the mouth", obscene words; which they say they do not use on feast days, as the Gentiles do i: "foolish talking" does not so much design every imprudent thing that is said, as that which is wicked, corrupt, unsavoury, light, vain, idle, and unprofitable; and takes in all fabulous stories, and mimicking of fools in words and gestures: and "jesting", when it is with wantonness, and excites unto it, and is inconsistent with truth, and when the Scriptures are abused by it, and not our neighbour's edification, but hurt, is promoted by it, ought not to be used:

which are not convenient; are disagreeable to the will of God, and unsuitable to the characters of the saints, and are very unbecoming them to practise:

but rather giving of thanks; instead of these, as the Syriac version renders it; it is much more suitable and becoming to give thanks to God for temporal and spiritual mercies, and to speak those things which are grateful to good men; this is to use the tongue to much better purpose, than in an obscene, foolish, or jocose way: one of Stephens's copies read, "but only of giving of thanks".

i Jarchi in Psal. lxxv. 3. Vid. Vajikra Rabba, sect. 24. fol. 165. 3.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Neither filthiness - That is, obscene, or indecent conversation. Literally, that which is shameful, or deformed - αἰσχρότης aischrotēs. The word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament.

Nor foolish talking - This word - μωρολογία 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 meaning is, that Christians should aim to have their conversation sensible, serious, sincere - remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, “that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment;” Matthew 12:36.

Nor jesting - εὐτραπελία eutrapelia. This word occurs also nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means, that which is “well-turned” εὐ eu - well, and τρεπω trepō - to turn); and then that which is sportive, refined, courteous; and then “urbanity, humor, wit; and then jesting, levity” - which is evidently the meaning here. The apostle would not forbid courteousness, or refinement of manners (compare 1 Peter 3:8), and the reference, therefore, must be to that which is light and trifling in conversation; to that which is known among us as jesting. It may be observed:

(1) That “courteousness” is not forbidden in the Scriptures, but is positively required; 1 Peter 3:8.

(2) “Cheerfulness” is not forbidden - for if anything can make cheerful, it is the hope of heaven.

(3) “Pleasantry” cannot be forbidden. I mean that quiet and gentle humor that arises from good-nature, and that makes one good-natured in spite of himself.

Such are many of the poems of Cowper, and many of the essays of Addison in the “Spectator” - a benevolent humor which disposes us to smile, but not to be malignant; to be good-natured, but not to inspire levity. But levity and jesting, though often manifested by ministers and other Christians, are as inconsistent with true dignity as with the gospel. Where were they seen in the conversation of the Redeemer? Where in the writings of Paul?

Which are not convenient - That is, which are not fit or proper; which do not become the character of Christians; notes, Romans 1:28. Christians should be grave and serious - though cheerful and pleasant. They should feel that they have great interests at stake, and that the world has too. They are redeemed - not to make sport; purchased with precious blood - for other purposes than to make people laugh. They are soon to be in heaven - and a man who has any impressive sense of that will habitually feel that he has much else to do than to make people laugh. The true course of life is midway between moroseness and levity; sourness and lightness; harshness and jesting. Be benevolent, kind, cheerful, bland, courteous, but serious. Be solemn, thoughtful, deeply impressed with the presence of God and with eternal things, but pleasant, affable, and benignant. Think not a smile sinful; but think not levity and jesting harmless.

But rather giving of thanks - Thanks to God, or praises are more becoming Christians than jesting. The idea here seems to be, that such employment would be far more appropriate to the character of Christians, than idle, trifling, and indelicate conversation. Instead, therefore, of meeting together for low wit and jesting; for singing songs, and for the common discourse which often attends such “gatherings” of friends, Paul would have them come together for the purpose of praising God, and engaging in his service. Human beings are social in their nature; and it they do not assemble for good purposes, they will for bad ones. It is much more appropriate to the character of Christians to come together to sing praises to God, than to sing songs; to pray than to jest; to converse of the things of redemption than to tell anecdotes, and to devote the time to a contemplation of the world to come, than to trifles and nonsense.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Ephesians 5:4. Neither filthiness — αισχροτης. Any thing base or vile in words or acts.

Foolish talking — μωρολογια. Scurrility, buffoonery, ridicule, or what tends to expose another to contempt.

Nor jesting — ευτραπελια. Artfully turned discourses or words, from ευ, well or easily, and τρεπω, 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 jests, puns, witty sayings, and mountebank repartees of all kinds.

Which are not convenient — ουκ ανηκοντα. They do not come up to the proper standard; they are utterly improper in themselves, and highly unbecoming in those who profess Christianity.

But rather giving of thanks. — ευχαριστια. Decent and edifying discourse or thanksgiving to God. Prayer or praise is the most suitable language for man; and he who is of a trifling, light disposition, is ill fitted for either. How can a man, who has been talking foolishly or jestingly in company, go in private to magnify God for the use of his tongue which he has abused, or his rational faculties which he has degraded?