Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:4

What does Ephesians 5:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:4 means

Holiness reaches the tongue. Paul forbids “filthiness,” “foolish talking,” and “jesting” that trivialize sin or degrade God’s image in people. Speech shapes community; coarse humor can normalize impurity and dull the conscience. The positive alternative is “giving of thanks.” Gratitude reorients the heart from craving to contentment and from mocking to worship. Thanksgiving fills the mouth with what is fitting for saints, honoring the Giver rather than belittling His gifts. This does not ban wholesome joy or wit; it redirects conversation so that levity never becomes lewdness. Words, like deeds, should reflect the new life, building others up and turning attention Godward in humble appreciation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

also filthiness, and foolish talking, or jesting, --the things not fit--but rather thanksgiving;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

Having rejected immorality and greed (v. 3), Paul now addresses the verbal environment that often accompanies them: crude talk and flippant joking. By substituting thanksgiving, he counters the heart-roots of sin—ingratitude and dissatisfaction. The following verses (5–6) will underline the seriousness of these vices by stating their exclusion from the kingdom and warning against deceiving justifications. Then Paul will call believers to separate from and expose darkness (vv. 7–14). Understanding this sequence shows that speech is not peripheral; it is a decisive marker of whether we walk in light or in darkness.

v.3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;

v.4This passage

v.5For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Colossians 3:8

    but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:

  • Psalms 92:1

    It is a good thing to give thanks unto Jehovah, And to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High;

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:18

    in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.

  • 2 Peter 2:18

    For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;

  • Mark 7:22

    covetings, wickednesses, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness:

  • Psalms 107:21

    Oh that men would praise Jehovah for his lovingkindness, And for his wonderful works to the children of men!

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