Ephesians 5:4
2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.
3 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.
- KJV
- Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
- WEB
- nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks.
- ASV
- nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks.
- DARBY
- and filthiness and foolish talking, or jesting, which are not convenient; but rather thanksgiving.
- BLB
- and shamefulness, and foolish talk, or crude joking, which are not fitting, but rather thanksgiving.
- ÅB
- heller ikke skamløs ferd og dårlig snakk eller lettferdig tale, som alt sammen er utilbørlig, men heller takksigelse.
- OTB
- heller ikke skal det være noen obskønitet, tåpelig prat, eller grov spøk, som er upassende, men heller takksigelse.
- B1930
- heller ikke skamløs ferd og dårlig snakk eller lettferdig tale, som alt sammen er utilbørlig, men heller takksigelse.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Read in contextEphesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
Read in context1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Read in contextProverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
Read in contextJames 3:4–8
Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined.
Read in contextMatthew 12:34–37
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 10:13
The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Read in contextColossians 3:15–17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.
Read in context