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Text -- Ephesians 4:29 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
4:29 You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it may give grace to those who hear.
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Speaking | SPEECH | SALVATION | Righteous | Lies and Deceits | Edification | Conversation | Commandments | BUSYBODY | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College

Other
Evidence

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Eph 4:29 - -- Corrupt ( sapros ). Rotten, putrid, like fruit (Mat 7:17.), fish (Mat 13:48), here the opposite of agathos (good).

Corrupt ( sapros ).

Rotten, putrid, like fruit (Mat 7:17.), fish (Mat 13:48), here the opposite of agathos (good).

Robertson: Eph 4:29 - -- For edifying as the need may be ( pros oikodomēn tēs chreias ). "For the build-up of the need,""for supplying help when there is need."Let no oth...

For edifying as the need may be ( pros oikodomēn tēs chreias ).

"For the build-up of the need,""for supplying help when there is need."Let no other words come out.

Robertson: Eph 4:29 - -- That it may give ( hina dōi ). For this elliptical use of hina see note on Eph 5:33.

That it may give ( hina dōi ).

For this elliptical use of hina see note on Eph 5:33.

Vincent: Eph 4:29 - -- Corrupt ( σαπρὸς ) See on Luk 6:43, and see on Col 4:6.

Corrupt ( σαπρὸς )

See on Luk 6:43, and see on Col 4:6.

Vincent: Eph 4:29 - -- That which is good ( εἴ τις ἀγαθὸς ) Lit., if any is good . Discourse that is good, whatever it be.

That which is good ( εἴ τις ἀγαθὸς )

Lit., if any is good . Discourse that is good, whatever it be.

Vincent: Eph 4:29 - -- To the use of edifying ( πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τῆς χρείας ) Lit., for the building up of the need . Rev., ...

To the use of edifying ( πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τῆς χρείας )

Lit., for the building up of the need . Rev., edifying as the need may be . Compare 1Th 5:11, 1Th 5:14.

Wesley: Eph 4:29 - -- Profitable to the speaker and hearers.

Profitable to the speaker and hearers.

Wesley: Eph 4:29 - -- To forward them in repentance, faith, or holiness.

To forward them in repentance, faith, or holiness.

Wesley: Eph 4:29 - -- Be a means of conveying more grace into their hearts. Hence we learn, what discourse is corrupt, as it were stinking in the nostrils of God; namely, a...

Be a means of conveying more grace into their hearts. Hence we learn, what discourse is corrupt, as it were stinking in the nostrils of God; namely, all that is not profitable, not edifying, not apt to minister grace to the hearers.

JFB: Eph 4:29 - -- Literally, "insipid," without "the salt of grace" (Col 4:6), so worthless and then becoming corrupt: included in "foolish talking" (Eph 5:4). Its oppo...

Literally, "insipid," without "the salt of grace" (Col 4:6), so worthless and then becoming corrupt: included in "foolish talking" (Eph 5:4). Its opposite is "that which is good to edifying."

JFB: Eph 4:29 - -- Language.

Language.

JFB: Eph 4:29 - -- Greek, "whatever is good."

Greek, "whatever is good."

JFB: Eph 4:29 - -- Literally, "for edifying of the need," that is, for edifying where it is needed. Seasonably edifying; according as the occasion and present needs of t...

Literally, "for edifying of the need," that is, for edifying where it is needed. Seasonably edifying; according as the occasion and present needs of the hearers require, now censure, at another time consolation. Even words good in themselves must be introduced seasonably lest by our fault they prove injurious instead of useful. TRENCH explains, Not vague generalities, which would suit a thousand other cases equally well, and probably equally ill: our words should be as nails fastened in a sure place, words suiting the present time and the present person, being "for the edifying of the occasion" (Col 4:6).

JFB: Eph 4:29 - -- Greek, "give." The word spoken "gives grace to the hearers" when God uses it as His instrument for that purpose.

Greek, "give." The word spoken "gives grace to the hearers" when God uses it as His instrument for that purpose.

Clarke: Eph 4:29 - -- Let no corrupt communication - Πας λογος σαπρος . Kypke observes that λογος σαπρος signifies a useless, putrid, unsavory...

Let no corrupt communication - Πας λογος σαπρος . Kypke observes that λογος σαπρος signifies a useless, putrid, unsavory, and obscene word or conversation

1.    Useless, particularly that which has been rendered so by old age and corruption

2.    Putrid, impure; so Aristophanes in Lysistrat., p. 859, calls a bad woman σαπρα : εμοι συ λουτρον, ω σαπρα· Tune, Spurca! balneum mihi parabis ?

3.    Calumnious, or reproachful; whatever has a tendency to injure the name, fame, or interest of another

In short, it appears to mean any word or thing obscene, any thing that injures virtue, countenances vice, or scoffs at religion. In the parallel place, Col 4:6, the apostle exhorts that our speech may be seasoned with salt, to preserve it from putrefaction. See Kypke and Macknight

Clarke: Eph 4:29 - -- But that which is good to the use of edifying - To be good for a thing is a Graecism, as well as an Anglicism, for, to be fit, proper, suitable, etc...

But that which is good to the use of edifying - To be good for a thing is a Graecism, as well as an Anglicism, for, to be fit, proper, suitable, etc.; so Achilles Tatius, lib. iv. p. 231: Αγαθον εις φιλιαν οιδα σε· I know thee to be good (formed) for friendship. And Appian, de Bell. Hisp., p. 439, terms both the Scipios, Ανδρας ες παντα αγαθους γενομενους, men who were good (suitable) for all things. And also Lucian, in Toxari, p. 53: Ου μονον αρα τοξευειν αγαθοι ησαν Σκυθαι· The Scythians were not good (expert) in archery only. See Kypke, from whom I quote

Clarke: Eph 4:29 - -- That it may minister grace - Ἱνα δῳ χαριν . This may be understood thus 1.    Let your conversation be pure, wise, and...

That it may minister grace - Ἱνα δῳ χαριν . This may be understood thus

1.    Let your conversation be pure, wise, and holy, that it may he the means of conveying grace, or Divine influences, to them that hear

2.    Let it be such as to be grateful or acceptable to the hearers. This is the meaning of Ἱνα δῳ χαριν in some of the most correct Greek writers. Never wound modesty, truth, or religion with your discourse; endeavor to edify those with whom you converse; and if possible, speak so as to please them.

Calvin: Eph 4:29 - -- 29.No filthy speech He first forbids believers to use any filthy language, including under this name all those expressions which are wont to be emp...

29.No filthy speech He first forbids believers to use any filthy language, including under this name all those expressions which are wont to be employed for the purpose of inflaming lust. Not satisfied with the removal of the vice, he enjoins them to frame their discourse for edification. In another Epistle he says, “Let your speech be seasoned with salt.” (Col 4:6.) Here a different phrase is employed, if any (speech) be good to the use of edifying, which means simply, if it be useful. The genitive, of use, may no doubt be viewed, according to the Hebrew idiom, as put for an adjective, so that for the edification of use (πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τὢς χρείας) may mean for useful edification; but when I consider how frequently, and in how extensive a meaning, the metaphor of edifying occurs in Paul’s writings, I prefer the former exposition. The edification of use will thus mean the progress of our edification, for to edify is to carry forward. To explain the manner in which this is done, he adds, that it may impart grace to the hearers, meaning by the word grace, comfort, advice, and everything that aids the salvation of the soul.

TSK: Eph 4:29 - -- no : Eph 5:3, Eph 5:4; Psa 5:9, Psa 52:2, Psa 73:7-9; Mat 12:34-37; Rom 3:13, Rom 3:14; 1Co 15:32, 1Co 15:33; Col 3:8, Col 3:9, Col 4:6; Jam 3:2-8; 2P...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Eph 4:29 - -- Let no corrupt communication proceed - see the notes on 1Co 15:33. The word rendered "corrupt"( σαπρὸς sapros ) means bad, decayed,...

Let no corrupt communication proceed - see the notes on 1Co 15:33. The word rendered "corrupt"( σαπρὸς sapros ) means bad, decayed, rotten, and is applied to putrid vegetable or animal substances. Then it is applied to a tree that is of a useless character, that produces no good fruit; Mat 7:17. Then it is used in a moral sense, as our word "corrupt"is, to denote that which is depraved, evil. contaminating, and may denote here anything that is obscene, offensive, or that tends to corrupt others. The importance of this admonition will be appreciated when it is remembered:

\caps1 (1) t\caps0 hat such obscene and filthy conversation prevailed everywhere, and does still among the pagan. So general is this, that at almost every missionary station it has been found that the common conversation is so corrupt and defiling that missionaries have felt it necessary to send their children home to be educated, in order to secure them from the contaminating influence of those around them.

\caps1 (2) t\caps0 hose who have had the misfortune to be familiar with the common conversation of the lower classes in any community, and especially with the conversation of young men, will see the importance of this admonition. Scarcely anything can be conceived more corrupt or corrupting, than that which often prevails among young men - and even young men in the academies and colleges of this land,

\caps1 (3) i\caps0 ts importance will be seen from the "influence"of such corrupt communications. "The passage of an impure thought through the mind leaves pollution behind it;"the expression of such a thought deepens the pollution on the soul, and corrupts others. It is like retaining an offensive carcase above ground, to pollute the air, and to diffuse pestilence and death, which should at once be buried out of sight. A Christian should be pure in his conversation. His Master was pure. His God is pure. The heaven to which he goes is pure. The religion which he professes is pure. Never should he indulge himself in an obscene allusion: never should he retail anecdotes of an obscene character, or smile when they are retailed by others. Never should he indulge in a jest having a double meaning; never should be listen to a song of this character. If those with whom he associates have not sufficient respect for themselves and him to abstain from such corrupt and corrupting allusions, he should at once leave them.

But that which is good to the use of edifying - Margin, to edify profitably."Greek, "to useful edification:"that is, adapted to instruct, counsel, and comfort others; to promote their intelligence anti purity. Speech is an invaluable gift; a blessing of inestimable worth. We may so speak as "always"to do good to others. We may give them some information which they have not; impart some consolation which they need; elicit some truth by friendly discussion which we did not know before, or recall by friendly admonition those who are in danger of going astray. He who talks for the mere sake of talking will say many foolish things; he whose great aim in life is to benefit others, will not be likely to say that which he will have occasion to regret; compare Mat 12:36; Ecc 5:2; Pro 10:19; Jam 1:19.

Poole: Eph 4:29 - -- Let no corrupt communication unprofitable, unsavoury, not seasoned with the salt of prudence, Col 4:6 : see Mar 9:50 . To the use of edifying Gr. t...

Let no corrupt communication unprofitable, unsavoury, not seasoned with the salt of prudence, Col 4:6 : see Mar 9:50 .

To the use of edifying Gr. to the edification of use, by an hypallage, for, to the use of edifying, as our translators render it, implying, that the great use of speech is to edify those with whom we converse. But the same word translated use, signifies likewise profit, and necessity, and, by a Hebraism, this (as the latter substantive) may be instead of an adjective, and the words translated, to useful, or profitable, edifying, or, (according to the marginal reading), to edify profitably, with little difference of sense from the former: or, to necessary edifying; and then it respects the condition and necessities of the hearers, to which our discourse must be suited by way of instruction, reprehension, exhortation, or consolation, as their case requires.

That it may minister grace to the hearers by which some grace may be communicated to or increased in them, by instruction, reprehension, exhortation, &c.

Haydock: Eph 4:29 - -- That it may afford grace to the hearers; i.e. that your speech may contribute to their good and edification. (Witham)

That it may afford grace to the hearers; i.e. that your speech may contribute to their good and edification. (Witham)

Gill: Eph 4:29 - -- Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,.... As unsavoury speech, foolish talking, light and frothy language, that which is filthy, unp...

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,.... As unsavoury speech, foolish talking, light and frothy language, that which is filthy, unprofitable, noxious, and nauseous, and all that is sinful; such as profane oaths, curses, and imprecations, unchaste words, angry ones, proud, haughty, and arrogant expressions, lies, perjury, &c. which may be called corrupt, because such communication springs from a corrupt heart; is an evidence of the corruption of it; the subject matter of it is corrupt; and it conveys corruption to others, it corrupts good manners; and is the cause of men's going down to the pit of corruption: wherefore a restraint should be laid upon the lips of men; men have not a right to say what they please; good men will be cautious what they say, otherwise their religion is in vain; and conscious of their own weakness, they will pray to God to set a watch before their mouth, and to keep the door of their lips, and not suffer anything to come out,

but that which is good for the use of edifying: or "for edification", as the Syriac version renders it; the Arabic version reads, "for the edification of all"; that is, that hear; and the Vulgate Latin version and Claromontane exemplar, "for the edification of faith": for the building up of saints on their most holy faith, and for the encouragement and increase of the grace of faith: in the Greek text it is literally, "for the edification of use"; for useful edification, or what is useful for edification; and is suited to the present want or opportunity, as the word is by some rendered: and that must be "good", which answers such an end; meaning not that the language should be formally and grammatically good, though to speak with propriety is useful and serviceable, and tends the more to instruction and edification; but that which is materially good, or the subject of it is good; that which is true, pure, pleasant, and profitable:

that it may minister grace unto the hearers; may be grateful and acceptable to them, or may minister the grace of God to them; that is, the doctrine of grace, the Gospel of the grace of God; and be a means of conveying the principle of grace into the hearts of the hearers, and of drawing it forth into exercise where it is; and such speech or communication which springs from a gracious heart, and from a principle of grace in the heart, and is upon the subject of the grace of God, is most likely to be thus useful and edifying: agreeably to all this are some sayings of the Jews h,

"says R. Joshua ben Levi, for ever let not a man suffer any thing מגונה, "that is filthy", or unseemly, to proceed out of his mouth; says R. Ishmael, for ever let a man discourse בלשון נקייה, "in a pure language";''

not corrupt.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Eph 4:29 Grk “but if something good for the building up of the need.” The final genitive τῆς χρείας (...

Geneva Bible: Eph 4:29 ( 17 ) Let no ( n ) corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister ( o ) grace u...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Eph 4:1-32 - --1 He exhorts to unity;7 and declares that God therefore gives divers gifts unto men;11 that his church might be edified,16 and grow up in Christ.18 He...

MHCC: Eph 4:29-32 - --Filthy words proceed from corruption in the speaker, and they corrupt the minds and manners of those who hear them: Christians should beware of all su...

Matthew Henry: Eph 4:17-32 - -- The apostle having gone through his exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord, in the foregoing verses, there follows in these an exhortation t...

Barclay: Eph 4:25-32 - --Paul has just been saying that when a man becomes a Christian, he must put off his old life as a man puts off a coat for which he has no further use....

Barclay: Eph 4:25-32 - --(iii) Paul goes on to say that the Christian must never let the sun set upon his wrath. Plutarch tells us that the disciples of Pythagoras had a rule...

Barclay: Eph 4:25-32 - --Paul ends this chapter with a list of things which must go from life. (a) There is bitterness (pikria, 4088). The Greeks defined this word as long-s...

Constable: Eph 4:1--6:21 - --III. THE CHRISTIAN'S CONDUCT 4:1--6:20 Practical application (chs. 4-6) now follows doctrinal instruction (chs. ...

Constable: Eph 4:1--6:10 - --A. Spiritual walk 4:1-6:9 Paul had explained the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in the church and...

Constable: Eph 4:17-32 - --2. Walking in holiness 4:17-32 In the first part of this chapter Paul stressed the importance of...

Constable: Eph 4:20-32 - --The new man 4:20-32 Paul turned from how not to walk to the positive responsibility Christians have to live in holiness. 4:20 In contrast to unsaved G...

College: Eph 4:1-32 - --EPHESIANS 4 II. DUTIES: THE CHRISTIAN'S RESPONSE TO SALVATION (4:1-6:24) A. THE CHRISTIAN IN CHURCH LIFE (4:1-16) 1. Unity in the Body (4:1-6) 1 ...

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Commentary -- Other

Evidence: Eph 4:29 If you wouldn’t say it in prayer, don’t say it at all.

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Ephesians (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Ephesians From Rome a.d. 63 By Way of Introduction There are some problems of a special nature that confront us about the so-...

JFB: Ephesians (Book Introduction) THE headings (Eph 1:1, and Eph 3:1, show that this Epistle claims to be that of Paul. This claim is confirmed by the testimonies of IRENÆUS, [Against...

JFB: Ephesians (Outline) INSCRIPTION: ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH IN THE FATHER'S ETERNAL COUNSEL, AND THE SON'S BLOODSHEDDING: THE SEALING OF IT BY THE SPIRIT. THANKSGIVING AND PRA...

TSK: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Eph 4:1, He exhorts to unity; Eph 4:7, and declares that God therefore gives divers gifts unto men; Eph 4:11, that his church might be ed...

Poole: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 4

MHCC: Ephesians (Book Introduction) This epistle was written when St. Paul was a prisoner at Rome. The design appears to be to strengthen the Ephesians in the faith of Christ, and to giv...

MHCC: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) (Eph 4:1-6) Exhortations to mutual forbearance and union. (Eph 4:7-16) To a due use of spiritual gifts and graces. (Eph 4:17-24) To purity and holin...

Matthew Henry: Ephesians (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians Some think that this epistle to the Ephesians was a circular l...

Matthew Henry: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) We have gone through the former part of this epistle, which consists of several important doctrinal truths, contained in the three preceding chapte...

Barclay: Ephesians (Book Introduction) A GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS OF PAUL The Letters Of Paul There is no more interesting body of documents in the New Testament than the letter...

Barclay: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) Ephesians 4 Introduction (Eph_4:1-10) With this chapter the second part of the letter begins. In Eph 1-3 Paul has dealt with the great and eternal ...

Constable: Ephesians (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background Almost all Christians believed in the Pauline autho...

Constable: Ephesians (Outline) Outline I. Salutation 1:1-2 II. The Christian's calling 1:3-3:21 A. Indi...

Constable: Ephesians Ephesians Bibliography Abbot, T. K. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles to the Ephesians and t...

Haydock: Ephesians (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE EPHESIANS. INTRODUCTION. Ephesus was a famous city, the metropolis of Asia Minor, upon the Ægean...

Gill: Ephesians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS The city of Ephesus is, by Pliny a, called the other light of Asia; Miletus was one, and Ephesus the other: it was the me...

Gill: Ephesians 4 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO EPHESIANS 4 The apostle having in the three former chapters treated of the doctrines of grace, and explained and established them, ...

College: Ephesians (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION We are saved by grace through faith! We do not earn our salvation - it is the gift of God. This is the shocking good news of Ephesians. ...

College: Ephesians (Outline) OUTLINE I. DOCTRINE: God's Plan for Salvation - Eph 1:1-3:21 A. God's Blessings - 1:1-23 1. Salutation - 1:1-2 2. Present Blessings in Ch...

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