Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Ephesians 4:25

"Wherefore, putting away falsehood, speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another." — Ephesians 4:25 (ASV)

The first item included in the putting off of the “old self” (v.22) is “falsehood” (cf. Colossians 3:8–9). This is not lying in the abstract but “the lying”— falsehood in all its forms as over against “the truth that is in Jesus” (v.21) and “true righteousness and holiness” (v.24). All that belongs to “deceitful scheming” (v.14) and “deceitful desires” (v.22) must be left behind, for it has no place in the community of Christ. Because our Lord is himself the truth , his body must reflect the truth. Because each member belongs to the rest, the fellowship of the church must be marked by a refreshing openness; any kind of deception is a sin against the Spirit. The reference to the “body” makes it clear that fellow Christians are in view but, of course, the injunction has a universal application.