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

In verse 4, Paul continues his list of things which should not be present in a Christian’s life. Here he mentions filthiness. Another word would be baseness. The Greek word is derived from words that mean shameful or disgraceful. It refers to anything, either words or deeds, that deviates from purity.

Next comes foolish talk. The Greek word here actually has the word moron in it. It is moronic speech. Speech that is foolish. Often we speak foolishness when trying to be cool or funny. We need to be careful about such talk.

The next one is crude joking. Some versions say coarse jesting. Obviously we want to stay away from filthy or dirty talking, but some of what is referred to here is just empty jesting. Sometimes we want to be cute or funny and so we make off-handed comments that are not particularly uplifting, and, which sometimes can cause embarrassment or discomfort.

According to this passage, these things are out of place. They are never appropriate. But remember, we are not only to take off, but to put on. So instead of these kinds of talk, there should be the giving of thanks. In other places in the Bible we are told that our speech should only be for edifying, building up of another person.

This section should really challenge us to think before we speak to make sure what we are going to say is fitting, proper, and helpful.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 9:39 AM April 14, 2021.