Ephesians 5:4
New International Version
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

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

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.

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

Berean Literal Bible
and filthiness, and foolish talking, or crude joking, which are not fitting, but rather thanksgiving.

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

New King James Version
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, 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.

NASB 1995
and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

NASB 1977
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.

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].

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

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

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

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Neither abusive language, neither worthless words, nor of disgrace, nor of nonsense- these things that are unnecessary, but in place of these, thanksgiving.

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

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

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It's not right that dirty stories, foolish talk, or obscene jokes should be mentioned among you either. Instead, give thanks [to God].

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.

International Standard Version
Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving.

Literal Standard Version
also filthiness, and foolish talking, or jesting—the things not fit—but rather thanksgiving;

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

New American Bible
no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving.

NET Bible
Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting--all of which are out of character--but rather thanksgiving.

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

New Heart English Bible
nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; 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.

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

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

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

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Imitators of God
3But 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. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. 5For 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.…

Cross References
Proverbs 26:19
so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Romans 1:28
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

Ephesians 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.

Ephesians 5:20
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Philemon 1:8
So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper,


Treasury of Scripture

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

filthiness.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

convenient.

Romans 1:28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

Philemon 1:8
Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

but.

Ephesians 5:19,20
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; …

Ephesians 1:16
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

Psalm 33:1
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

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Alike Appropriate Avoid Behaviour Coarse Convenient Filthiness Fit Fitting Foolish Instead Jesting Low Praise Rather Right Shameful Silly Sport Talk Talking Thanks Thanksgiving Words
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Ephesians 5
1. After general exhortations to love;
3. to flee sexual immorality;
4. and all uncleanness;
7. not to converse with the wicked;
15. to walk carefully;
18. and to be filled with the Spirit;
22. he descends to the particular duties, how wives ought to obey their husbands;
25. and husbands ought to love their wives,
32. even as Christ does his church.














(4) Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting.--The word "filthiness" (unlike the "filthy communication" of the parallel passage in Colossians 3:8) is in itself a general word. But the connection with the words following, and the distinction from those going before, appear to show that St. Paul here uses it for "filthy talking." He is passing from impurity of the inward soul to impurity in outward expression. Of such foul speaking he appears to distinguish two forms. There is, first of all, "foolish talking," or the talk of "the fool," in the worst sense in which that word is used in Scripture (Matthew 5:22; Matthew 23:17), as implying something worse than mere emptiness or blindness--describing the condition of the soul which has "lost its savour" (Matthew 5:13), i.e., has ceased to distinguish what is right or wrong, wise or foolish, noble or base. There is then "jesting," i.e., properly, the more polished "versatility," which will find occasion for wit or levity in anything, however sacred, fearing nothing so much as to be dull, and mistaking all seriousness and reserve for dulness. It is notable that in classical Greek the word is sometimes used in a good sense, as a mean between "churlishness" and "obsequiousness," but yet hovers on the border of that condemnation which Christian gravity here pronounces unhesitatingly. The former kind of foul talking is coarse and brutal; the latter refined and deadly. Of both kinds Greek and Roman literature furnish specimens only too many and too striking.

Which are not convenient.--That is, "which are out of character" in a Christian--a milder repetition (perhaps suggested by the ambiguous meaning of "jesting" noted above) of the indignant declaration in Ephesians 5:3, that it "becomes not saints that these foul things should be even named among them." They pollute the Christian mind and tongue even in condemning them. . . .

Verse 4. - And filthiness; αἰσχρότης, implying that such things are disgraceful, ugly, revolting, the opposite of καλός, fair, comely, attractive. And foolish talking or jesting, which are not becoming. This would be well understood in sensual, frivolous Ephesus; a light, bantering, jesting kind of talk, seasoned with double entendres and obscene allusions, very pernicious in its moral effect. There is no reason to suppose that the apostle meant to condemn all play of humor, which is a Divine gift, and which in moderation has its own useful place as a means of refreshing and invigorating the spirit; it was the jesting associated with ribaldry that drew his reproof. But rather giving of thanks. Αὐχαριστία is somewhat similar in sound to εὐτραπελία, jesting: the reason for putting the one in opposition to the other is not very apparent; the meaning seems to be that, in place of giving vent to lively feelings in frivolous talk and jesting, it is better for Christians to do so by pouring out their hearts in thanksgivings to God for all his goodness.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Nor should there be]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

obscenity,
αἰσχρότης (aischrotēs)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 151: Obscenity, indecency, baseness. From aischros; shamefulness, i.e. Obscenity.

foolish talk,
μωρολογία (mōrologia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3473: Foolish talking. From a compound of moros and lego; silly talk, i.e. Buffoonery.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

crude joking,
εὐτραπελία (eutrapelia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2160: Low jesting, ribaldry. From a compound of eu and a derivative of the base of trope; witticism, i.e. ribaldry.

which
(ha)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

are out of character,
ἀνῆκεν (anēken)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 433: Is due, becoming, suitable, proper. From ana and heko; to attain to, i.e. be proper.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

rather
μᾶλλον (mallon)
Adverb
Strong's 3123: More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.

thanksgiving.
εὐχαριστία (eucharistia)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2169: Thankfulness, gratitude; giving of thanks, thanksgiving. From eucharistos; gratitude; actively, grateful language.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 5:4 Nor filthiness nor foolish talking nor jesting (Ephes. Eph. Ep)
Ephesians 5:3
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