Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 5:4

"nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks." — Ephesians 5:4 (ASV)

Neither filthiness. That is, obscene or indecent conversation. Literally, that which is shameful, or deformed—aischrotes. The word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament.

Nor foolish talking. This word—morologia—does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It means that kind of talk which is insipid, senseless, stupid, foolish; which is not fitted to instruct, edify, or profit—the idle chit-chat which is so common in the world. The meaning is that Christians should aim for their conversation to be sensible, serious, and sincere, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, "that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment," (Matthew 12:36).

Nor jesting. eutrapelia. This word also does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It properly means, that which is well-turned (eu, well, and trepo—to turn); and then that which is sportive, refined, courteous; and then urbanity, humor, wit; and then jesting, levity—which is evidently the meaning here. The apostle would not forbid courteousness or refinement of manners (compare 1 Peter 3:8); and the reference, therefore, must be to that which is light and trifling in conversation, to what is known among us as jesting. It may be observed:

1. That courteousness is not forbidden in the Scriptures, but is positively required (1 Peter 3:8).

2. Cheerfulness is not forbidden—for if anything can make one cheerful, it is the hope of heaven.

3. Pleasantry cannot be forbidden. I mean that quiet and gentle humor that arises from good-nature, and that makes one good-natured in spite of oneself. Such are many of the poems of Cowper, and many of the essays of Addison in the "Spectator"—benevolent humor which disposes us to smile, but not to be malignant; to be good-natured, but not to inspire levity.

But levity and jesting, though often manifested by ministers and other Christians, are as inconsistent with true dignity as with the gospel. Where were they seen in the conversation of the Redeemer? Where in the writings of Paul?

Which are not convenient. That is, which are not fit or proper, which do not become the character of Christians. (See Barnes on Romans 1:28.)

Christians should be grave and serious, though cheerful and pleasant. They should feel that they have great interests at stake, and that the world has too. They are redeemed—not to make sport; purchased with precious blood—for other purposes than to make others laugh.

They are soon to be in heaven—and one who has any impressive sense of that will habitually feel that they have much else to do than to make others laugh. The true course of life is midway between moroseness and levity, sourness and lightness, harshness and jesting.

Be benevolent, kind, cheerful, bland, and courteous, but serious. Be solemn, thoughtful, deeply impressed with the presence of God and with eternal things, but pleasant, affable, and benignant. Think not a smile sinful, but think not levity and jesting harmless.

But rather giving of thanks. Thanks to God, or praises, are more becoming to Christians than jesting. The idea here seems to be that such employment would be far more appropriate to the character of Christians than idle, trifling, and indelicate conversation.

Instead, therefore, of meeting together for low wit and jesting, for singing songs, and for the vulgar discourse that often attends such "gatherings" of friends, Paul would have them come together for the purpose of praising God and engaging in His service.

People are social in their nature; and if they do not assemble for good purposes, they will for bad ones. It is much more appropriate to the character of Christians to come together to sing praises to God rather than to sing songs; to pray rather than to jest; to converse about the things of redemption rather than to tell anecdotes; and to devote time to contemplating the world to come, rather than to trifles and nonsense.