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4 Ways Corrupt Speech Is More Than 4-Letter Words

• Kathy Howard Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer
• Published Mar 30, 2020

Years ago, when our young family lived in Wyoming, my parents regularly came all the way from Louisiana to visit us. Just before one such visit, we purchased a dining table and chairs for a long-empty breakfast area. I couldn’t wait to show off the new furniture.

The first time we gathered around the table, Mom pulled out her chair and sat. As she scooted forward, a leg of the chair caught in the groove between two tiles. The leg snapped off, the chair tilted, and my mother hit the floor.

My immediate reaction was not gracious or helpful.

“Oh, no! You broke my chair!” is what came out of my mouth. Not, “Are you all right?” or “Let me help you!”

My mother looked so hurt. Not physically; the tumble wasn’t bad. But I terribly hurt her feelings. My quick words revealed what was in my heart—I cared far too much about material things. My first thought had been for the chair, not my mother.

And my thoughtless words wounded her.

The apostle Paul knew our words have incredible power. What comes out of our mouths can either build others up or tear them down. In his letter to the Christians in Ephesus, he tells them (and us, today) exactly what effect our speech should, and should not, have on others.

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.  – Ephesians 4:29 , KJV

Corrupt speech is far more than curse words. Corrupt speech is graceless speech. Corrupt speech tears down, deflates.

What Does 'Gracious' Speech Sound Like?

Gracious words are not always “easy” or “nice.” Sometimes it’s hard to say the gracious thing. Too often we avoid saying hard things in an effort to be nice. We don’t want to hurt their feelings or strain our relationship with them.

But unfortunately, just “nice” words are not always the kindest thing to say. “Nice” won’t encourage them to move forward in their relationship with Jesus. The overall goal of gracious speech is that it helps the hearer to be all Christ wants them to be. (See “10 Ways to Foster Gracious Speech.”)

Visualize the Effect of Your Words

Picture your spouse, your child, a coworker, or friend as a fully-inflated beach ball. Every corrupt word you shoot their way leaves a hole. Air begins to escape. Can you see them deflate? Any words not wholesome or beneficial tear others down emotionally and spiritually. Little by little the air goes out. Sadly, I’ve seen my own words have that effect on other people.

Now picture that limp, floppy beach ball. What happens when you blow air into it? It fills and lifts until it’s fully the object it was intended to be. That’s exactly how gracious words affect another person.

Like air blown into a deflated beach ball, good, gracious, and edifying words will encourage and build up an individual, helping them to reach their full potential in Christ.

Pursuing gracious speech is far more comprehensive that eliminating all the four-letter words from our vocabulary. Since grace should characterize all our communication, let’s take a closer look at four insights about corrupt speech in our lives:

1. Corrupt Speech Is Worthless

Have you ever paid for and gone through an online course that didn’t help you at all? Or maybe you’ve been stuck listening to a long, boring lecture on a topic in which you had absolutely no interest? You probably felt like you wasted a big chunk of your time on something completely worthless.

Corrupt speech is like this: it provides no value to the hearer. It’s unimportant fluff and unproductive filler.

2. Corrupt Speech Is Selfish

Too often we put ourselves first, even with our words. We speak to meet our own needs rather than seeking to meet the need of the hearer. Things we say reactively or out of intense emotion can often be corrupt.

Speaking without first taking the time to think is selfish. This impulsive speech, often characterized by qualities like anger or sarcasm, is driven by what we think will make us feel better in that moment.

Sadly, this selfish speech only soothes us temporarily. And it often inflicts lasting harm on the hearer.

3. Corrupt Speech Is Cancerous

Corrupt speech is not only rotten, it also spreads rottenness. Like a fast-spreading malignancy, wholesome speech moves through families, churches, and communities wreaking havoc along the way.

Gossip is one example. If we share a juicy “ prayer request” with a friend, she will tell two friends, and then they tell more. The object of the gossip is torn apart and broken down in the minds of the hearers.

Each one is not only tempted to gossip themselves, but their thoughts are taken captive and turned away from what is good and honorable.

4. Corrupt Speech Is Destructive

Like a tornado tearing through the heart of a city, corrupt speech tears down and destroys. It has the power to uproot another’s faith. To chip away at their trust and dependence on God. To make them question God’s love.

Any words that point the hearer away from Christ or hinders their spiritual growth are destructive. In contrast, gracious speech will always point the hearer to God, always urge them to trust God, always encourage them to follow Jesus.

Even when we long for our words to give grace to others, sometimes things break down between our desire and the words that flow out of our mouths. Sadly, our words will betray us, revealing the junk we have hidden in our hearts. Things like insecurity, hurt, unresolved anger, selfishness, and pride produce words that wound, tear down, and corrupt.

God will hold us accountable for every word we speak ( Matthew 12:36 ), so let’s constantly check our hearts for sinful attitudes and motivations ( Matthew 12:34-36 ). Let’s ask God to heal old hurts, to soothe our anger, and humble our pride. Then let’s refuse to use “corrupt” speech and commit to using gracious words that build up and encourage.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/g-stockstudio

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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. — Ephesians 4:29

Some of the “dirtiest talk” I’ve ever heard used to happen almost every week at the end of our living room couch as I was growing up. About once a week, a certain member of our church would drop by to visit with my parents. She was the church gossip, and she always came loaded with the “latest scoop” on people’s personal matters that were absolutely none of her business to know or to discuss. Although my parents loved her, I can still see my dad rolling his eyes when he realized it was her ringing the doorbell of our house. She’d plop down on the end of the couch and within seconds, the verbal garbage would begin to flow about everyone and everything — absolutely no one’s personal business was off-limits! If a person attended our church, then like it or not, that person was a potential victim of this woman’s tongue.

This woman’s fairly regular visits to our house represented some of the ugliest moments of socializing I’ve ever witnessed in my life. Outright cursing would have been totally inappropriate for any believer, much less for a leading church member. Yet what this woman did in our living room almost every week was as distasteful to God as cursing — if not more so .

*[If you started reading this from your email, begin reading here.]

Talking badly about others behind their backs, such as the outpouring of gossip that proceeded from this woman’s mouth, is a type of nasty conversation too often tolerated in the Church. The apostle Paul called this kind of talk “corrupt communication” — and he strictly forbade it when he said to let no talk of this type proceed out of our mouths!

In the Greek text, the word “corrupt” is the sapros , a word that depicts something that is putrid or r otten. The word “putrid” describes meat that has gone so bad that it emits a foul smell. The decomposing meat reeks of a noxious and rancid smell that nearly makes a person sick to his stomach. The word “rotten” describes fruit that is spoiled, decayed, and sickening to the taste. It can also be described as putrid. Either way, whether meat or fruit, if something is putrid, it is disgusting to taste or smell. So when the Holy Spirit inspired the apostle Paul to use the word sapros to describe “corrupt communication,” he was describing communication that is really nasty .

The word “communication” is the Greek word logos , which simply means words . But when it is used in conjunction with the word “corrupt,” the Greek phrase describes words or forms of communication that are putrid or disgusting to the recipient . As far as God is concerned, this type of communication r eeks . And those who consume this type of talk find it to be so putrid that it sickens them, just as spoiled meat would do. And just as a rotten apple must be removed from a bucket of apples or it will eventually spread and ruin the entire batch of good apples, this is how ruinous “corrupt communication” can be to those who listen to it, as far as God is concerned. Everything about corrupt communication has a putrefying effect on others.

Paul says instead of spreading corrupt communication to others, we must learn to speak that which is “edifying” to hearers ( se e Ephesians 4:29). The word “edifying” is the Greek word oikodomeo and, as used here, means to buil d others up . These words never result in tearing someone down, but rather cause others to be left in an imp r o v e d state after we are done talking to or about them.

Have you ever known a person who always had something good to say about someone else? Doesn’t that person leave a sweet taste in your mouth? You feel good about the time you spend with such a positive, sweet-speaking individual. In fact, you feel challenged to rise higher and be better every time you leave that person’s presence! What a difference that experience is from an encounter with a person who tears others down and leaves a bitter taste people’s mouths!

The Holy Spirit is urging us to become a wellspring of good words when we talk to and about others. Rather than have the putrefying effect that a gossiper has on his or her listeners, we must determine that our words build others up and leave them in a much-improved state of being! That is the Holy Spirit’s message in Ephesians 4:29.

The woman I told you about earlier was someone who never missed church and served faithfully, but she had never learned to control her tongue. Had she really understood the stench her words were releasing into the atmosphere and into the ears of her listeners, I’m sure she would have asked the Holy Spirit to help her change.

I believe that today the Holy Spirit is speaking to you about your tongue and your words. Ask yourself this: Does God commend me for leaving others in better shape because of my words, or is He saying that I need to get a grip on my tongue and stop talking in a way that puts others down and harms their reputations? Only you know the answer to these questions!

Why don’t you make the determined decision that from this day forward, when you leave a room or a conversation, you leave it with the sweet fragrance of Jesus lingering behind you? Let people remember you for the kind words you left behind. You can be known as one who leaves a sweet taste in people’s mouth every time you leave a conversation or walk out of a room!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

F athe r , I ask You to forgive me for allowing myself to get involved in conversations that were unfruitful and hurtful to those who were listening. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Gossip is a form of putrid communication that defiles both the speaker and the hearer. I realize that I have been guilty of gossiping and discussing things that are none of my business, and I sincerely repent for these actions. I ask You to set a guard over my mouth so I no longer do this. I want to be only a river of life to others who are near me. Let my words be of benefit to others to build them up so that after I leave them, they are in better shape than they were before they talked to me.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

I confess that my mouth speaks good things about others. I do not gossip about others, nor do I tear others down with my words. The Holy Spirit is inside me, and I do not grieve Him by foul talk. I yield to the Spirit, and as a result, I speak words that minister grace to those who hear me. After spending time conversing with people, I leave a sweet taste in their mouths and they are blessed by the fellowship they shared with me.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

• Have you ever known someone whose mouth was like an open sewer because that person’s conversation was so often full of gossip about others? What kind of effect did his or her “gossipy” attitude have on you and others?
• If you find yourself in a situation where a gossip is spewing out putrid information about others, what is your responsibility? Should you simply be silent and let it go on uninterrupted, or would the Holy Spirit want you to take some other action?
• Are you guilty of speaking about matters that are none of your business and that don’t edify those who are listening? If you’ve been guilty of gossiping and disseminating information about others that is none of your business, what is the Holy Spirit expecting you to do about it?
• Can you think of a person whose words always build you up and leave you glad that you had the opportunity to talk to him or her? Who is that person?

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Ephesians 4:29 Commentary

Ephesians 4 Resources

EPHESIANS - CHRIST AND THE CHURCH Click chart to enlarge Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Click chart by Charles Swindoll -Note "EMPHASIS" -- Ephesians 1-3 = Doctrinal: vertical relationship with God Ephesians 4-6 = Practical: horizontal relationship with others

Ephesians 4:29 Let no * unwholesome word proceed from your mouth , but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear . ( NASB: Lockman )

Greek : pas logo s sapro s ek tou stomato s humon me ekporeuestho, ( 3SPMM ) alla ei ti s aga thon pro s oikodomen tes chreias, hina d o ( 3SAAS ) charin toi s akouousin. ( PAPMPD ) BGT πᾶς λόγος σαπρὸς ἐκ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν μὴ ἐκπορευέσθω, ἀλλὰ εἴ τις ἀγαθὸς πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τῆς χρείας, ἵνα δῷ χάριν τοῖς ἀκούουσιν. Amplified : Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. ( Amplified Bible - Lockman ) Barclay  Do not allow any foul word to issue from your mouth; but let your words be good, designed for necessary edification, that they may bring benefit to those who hear them. BBE Let no evil talk come out of your mouth, but only what is good for giving necessary teaching, and for grace to those who give ear. CSB No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. ESV Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. GWN Don't say anything that would hurt another person. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you. Gundry  No unwholesome word [statement] is to be coming out of your mouth; rather, if [there’s] any good [word] having the effect of a needed building up, [that word is to be coming out of your mouth] in order that it may give grace to those hearing [it]. Hoehner  “Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouths, but whatever is beneficial for the building up of that which is lacking, in order that it might give grace to those who hear KJV 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. NKJ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. NET 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. NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. NRS Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. NAB No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. NJB No foul word should ever cross your lips; let your words be for the improvement of others, as occasion offers, and do good to your listeners; NLT Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. NLT : Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. ( NLT - Tyndale House ) Phillips : Let there be no more foul language, but good words instead - words suitable for the occasion, which God can use to help other people. ( Phillips: Touchstone ) Wuest : Every word that is rotten and unfit for use, out of your mouth let it not be proceeding, but whatever is good, suitable for edification with respect to the need, in order that it may impart grace to the hearers.  ( Eerdmans Publishing  - used  by permission ) Young's Literal : Let no unwholesome words ever pass your lips, but let all your words be good for benefiting others according to the need of the moment, so that they may be a means of blessing to the hearers.

LET NO UNWHOLESOME WORD PROCEED FROM YOUR MOUTH: pas logos sapros ek tou stomatos humon me ekporeuestho, (3SPMM) :

• Let no unwholesome word - Ep 5:3,4; Ps 5:9; 52:2; 73:7-9; Mt 12:34-37; Ro 3:13,14; 1Co 15:32,33; Col 3:8,9; 4:6; Jas 3:2-8; 2Pe 2:18; Jude 1:13-16; Re 13:5,6
• Ephesians 4 Resources  - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries
• Ephesians 4:17-32 Solving Conflicts  - Steven Cole
• Ephesians 4:28-32  - Wayne Barber
• Ephesians 4:28-29: A Brand New Way of Life - 4  - Wayne Barber
• Ephesians 4:17-5:14 Study Guide (see dropdown menu)  - John MacArthur

Related Passages:

Proverbs 10:19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Romans 3:13 “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,” “THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;  Ephesians 5:3-4 +  (INCLUDES FOUL LANGUAGE) But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named ( present imperative  see  our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey ) among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Colossians 4:5,6 + In a parallel passage Paul writes "Conduct ( present imperative  see  our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey ) yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of (redeeming = exagorazo ) the opportunity ( kairos = a defined period of time which when it is past is gone forever). Let your speech always be with grace (winsomeness, a quality that adds delight or pleasure, graciousness, attractiveness, charm, kindness, helpfulness), as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. James 3:2-8 +   For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

WATCH OUT FOR STINKING WORDS!

Halitosis is the condition of chronic bad breath. That's obviously off putting for most people. But Paul describes a worse "smell" coming from an open mouth that releases stinking, rotten words! This is the frequent practice of the man living with the old garment of Adam (Eph 4:17-19, Eph 5:3-4). While not all unregenerate men will speak as if they lived in a sewer, all unsaved men are depraved and have the potential to stoop to that level if sufficiently provoked. Of course, sadly believers can also let fly with some inflaming invectives , vicious vituperations , but, praise God, because of the new garment of Christ, and by His Spirit, such rotten garments can be flung far away from us! Remember that God's commandments always include God's enablements! 

Steven Cole  adds "Try as we may, we all have erred with our tongues! Jas 3:2 + says, “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” While we may never achieve perfect control over our tongues, I’m convinced that if husbands and wives would consistently apply Ephesians 4:29, we would rarely see divorce. If parents practiced this verse toward their children, we would see few children from Christian homes rebel against their parents. If we applied it towards one another in the church, we would see few churches split over personality conflicts or minor doctrinal issues. In short, Ephesians 4:29 is a verse that would bring radical change in all of our relationships if we would apply it conscientiously. ( Transformed Talk )

And so Paul issues a command to all followers of Christ -  Let no unwholesome ( sapros )  word  ( logos )   proceed ( ekporeuomai ) from your mouth  ( stoma )   ("ever pass your lips")   - The Greek order is "every word corrupt (WHICH MAKES THIS PAUL'S EMPHASIS), out of your mouth let it not proceed." So first the negative command ( present imperative with a negative ), one that can only be kept by  depending on the Holy Spirit to obey .  Born again believers need to reflect their new nature and reclaim the original virtue God intended for speech between men and God and men (especially husbands and wives! fathers and children!) Above all live in God's Word and you will always have a word from God. Your "spiritual blood" will be "Bibline" as Spurgeon said of Bunyan and his writings...remember what comes out is related to what goes in -- G.I.G.O. ~ garbage in, garbage out OR "God's word IN, God's word OUT". Paul presents a picture of the repugnant (and non-edifying) nature of our "old garment" of rotten speech, which like rotten fruit or fish (now that's a smell you really want to avoid), will not nourish anyone. Instead the rotten fare contaminates, sickens, smells foul and creates an unpleasant atmosphere for all who come near. Using this vivid metaphor Paul commands believers to put off speech like one would toss out rotten fruit or fish!

Corrupt speech comes from a corrupt heart, and pure speech comes from a pure heart. --  KJV Bible Commentary

The English dictionary defines unwholesome as that which is detrimental to physical health, mental health or moral well-being. Can you see how potentially destructive our "rotten speech" can be on those who are on the "receiving end?" It is not a stretch to say that our rotten speech can be deleterious to the recipient's health or physical or moral well-being! If that does not grab your attention, you are not paying attention! Loose words flying out of our mouth can be be like cannon balls wreaking havoc and causing destruction when they land on the intended target. This is serious business and requires a serious solution. The only way we can control our restless tongue is by surrendering it to power of the Spirit and letting Him enable us to control it. Stated another way, we are 100% dependent on Him and at the same time 100% responsible to act even though we can do so only by His power. His provision. My responsibility! It is not "let go and let God!" That's bad theology (unsound doctrine) but more like "let God and let's go," the latter phrase more accurately depicting the "100/100" (His provision/My responsibility) principle. As an aside you may ask "How can I be continually filled with the Spirit?" Good question and the short answer is you can be filled with the Word of God, reading it, submitting to it, yielding to it, and as you do so you are in effect yielding to the control (filling) of the Holy Spirit! Make sense? For a more in depth explanation of the critical relationship between the indwelling Holy Spirit and the indwelling Holy Word see this chart and the related explanation .

From the context of Eph 4:29, a sapros  word is any word that is not good for edifying where that edification is needed. In that sense a " sapros word" is an unprofitable word (cf "idle gossip" - it seldom stays "idle"!). Our words do not have to be dirty to be worthless! Rotten or corrupt speech can even contaminate the thoughts of others, which is surely one reason Paul says "and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." (Eph 5:4 + )

Most of a man’s sins are in his words. -- Thomas Manton

Peter O'Brien - What is prohibited, then, is harmful speech of any kind (cf. Col. 3:8; Eph. 5:4), whether it be abusive language, vulgar speech, or slander and contemptuous talk. Lips given to this kind of utterance not only defile the speaker (Matt. 15:11) but are also destructive of communal life. Our Lord had already warned that people would have to render account on the final day for every careless word they speak (Matt. 12:36). (See The Letter to the Ephesians )

Words are like bullets—once fired, we cannot take them back! -- Anonymous

John MacArthur  on no unwholesome word  - Corrupt speech generally means conversation that is filthy and suggestive; this would include off-color jokes, profanity, and dirty stories. But here it probably has the wider sense of any form of conversation that is frivolous, empty, idle, and worthless. Paul deals with obscene and vile language in Eph 5:4; here he is telling us to abandon profitless speech and substitute constructive conversation. ( Quoted by Gregory Brown )

John Piper - The image in Paul's mind is probably one of rottenness and decay, something that is spoiled. This kind of rotten language must be taken off like the old garment. It is part of the old self of Ep 4:22 that needs to be stripped away when a person becomes a Christian. The garment of a rotten mouth must be taken off and thrown into the fire, just like the Ephesians had burned their old books on magic in Acts 19:19 + ....The end the battle for purity in the mouth is fought in the heart , because "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Mt 12:34 + ) If you don't like what comes out of your mouth, listen carefully this morning, because the apostle Paul is at pains in this text to clean up your mouth from the inside out . ( Make Your Mouth a Means of Grace )

William MacDonald writes that Paul is commanding us to "abandon profitless speech and substitute constructive conversation. The Christian’s speech should be: Edifying . It should result in building up the hearers. Appropriate . It should be suitable to the occasion. Gracious . It should impart grace to the hearers. ( Believer's Bible Commentary )

The fastest horse cannot catch a word spoken in anger. -- Chinese Proverb

Maxie D Dunnam - There may be such a thing as " small talk ," but even small talk is powerful in the result it may have in some lives. Persons who are hurting, crying out for hope, famishing for some word of affirmation and encouragement, may go from us still crying in their pain and starving in their hunger because we have given them “small talk” when we could have imparted grace by our words. Talk is not cheap; words are powerful. (See The Preacher's Commentary )

Sam Gordon - A person who engages in this is like the fabled slave who took poison into her system a little at a time, and then more and more, until at last her whole being was so full of poison that her very breath would wither the flowers.

Warren Wiersbe - We expect a change in speech when a person becomes a Christian. It is interesting to trace the word mouth through Romans and see how Christ makes a difference in a man’s speech. The sinner’s mouth is “full of cursing and bitterness” (Ro 3:14 + ); but when he trusts Christ, he gladly confesses with his mouth “Jesus Christ is Lord” (Ro 10:9-10 + ). As a condemned sinner, his mouth is stopped before the throne of God (Ro 3:19 + ); but as a believer, his mouth is opened to praise God (Ro 15:6 + ). Change the heart and you change the speech. Paul certainly knew the difference, for when he was an unsaved rabbi, he was “breathing threats and murder” (Acts 9:1 + ). But when he trusted Christ, a change took place: “Behold, he is praying” (Acts 9:11 + ). From “ preying ” to “ praying ” in one step of faith! (See  The Wiersbe Bible Commentary )

As noted above Paul uses the present imperative with a negative saying in essence "Stop letting these rotten words project, fly out of your mouth" (or do not let this practice begin!) Note the associated admonition in the next verse to not grieve the Holy Spirit. Clearly grieving the Spirit is related to rotten language ejecting from our mouths and ultimately reflecting what is in our hearts (see Lu 6:45 + , Mt 12:34-35 + ) because the mouth and heart are connected.

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.  -- Psalm 141:3 = A good prayer

Unwholesome ( 4550 ) ( sapros from sepo = cause to decay, to putrefy, to rot away, be corrupted) describes that which is rotten, putrefying, corrupt, disgusting, perishing, rank, foul, putrid, worthless (e.g., in Mt 7:17,18 = a tree that produces no good fruit, in Mt 13:48 = fish). In secular writings sapros was used to describe spoiled fish, rotten grapes on the ground, crumbling stones. The basic meaning relates to the process of decay. Sapros is used of things unusable, unfit, bad. It describes that which is harmful due to the fact that it is corrupt and corrupting or defiling.  Charles Hodge says sapros ." literally means “ putrid ,” (in an advanced state of decomposition and having a foul odor) and then figuratively “offensive and injurious.” ( Ephesians 4 Commentary )

THOUGHT - MAY I SUGGEST A LITTLE EXERCISE? Our English word saprophyte is derived from sapros and describes an organism, especially a fungus or bacterium, that grows on and derives its nourishment from dead or decaying organic matter (a picture of something decomposing). Now as apply this thought to our speech it presents a pretty sad picture of "saprophytic speech!" We use mouth wash so our breath will smell good (not rotten). We need to daily wash our hearts with the Holy Word and the Holy Spirit as "preventive maintenance" against "foul smelling" words coming out of our mouth without any warning! If God's Word is already in our heart (from morning devotionals or frequent memorization and meditation ), the chances of wholesome words proceeding from our mouth are greatly increased! So if you have never done so, you might consider memorizing Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 4:30 (grieving the Spirit - "short circuiting" your Power Source) and Ephesians 5:18 + (Your "Everyready Energizer," the Spirit). Write them on a card. Memorize them. Chew on them during the day, asking the Spirit to illuminate the meaning and to apply them to your heart and mind, trusting Him over time to transform your mind, renew your thinking patterns, so that you may prove (by your practice) what is the will of God which is good and acceptable and perfect and which when practiced is pleasing to Him. All that begins with a decision of your will to memorize and internalize the eternal Word! Don't delay. Do it today. The words that come from your lips will "smell" much sweeter. God's Word is your guarantee and warranty that you will not be disappointed. One caution! Do not expect instant results. Practice, practice, practice. Over time God's Word and God's Spirit will bear a bountiful harvest.

Sapros - 8x in 6v - Matt 7:17, 18; 12:33; 13:48; Luke 6:43; Eph 4:29

Matthew 7:17 + "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad ( sapros ) tree bears bad (poneros) fruit. 18 ( note ) "A good tree cannot produce bad ( poneros ) fruit, nor can a bad (sapros) tree produce good fruit.

Matthew 12:33 + "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad ; for the tree is known by its fruit.

Matthew 13:48 + and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away.

Luke 6:43 + "For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Graham in the Exegetical Summary of Ephesians - Paul is condemning any use of the faculty of speech that is morally unhealthy [Candlish, Lloyd-Jones], that suggests impure thoughts [Calvin, Candlish, Lloyd-Jones], light views of sin, irreverence towards God, or trifles with serious things [Candlish]. Profanity and obscenity, as well as careless or light speech, profane religious and sacred concepts which results in a nullification of sacred ideas conveyed by language, which is man’s most powerful weapon for influencing the thoughts and lives of his fellows [WBC]. (Graham, G.. An Exegetical Summary of Ephesians. Dallas, TX: SIL International)

John Eadie - The general meaning of sapros is foul, rotten, useless, though sometimes, from the idea of decay—old, obsolete, ugly, or worthless. In Mt. 7:17, 18, 12:33, and in Lk 6:43, the epithet characterizes trees and their fruit, and in the Vulgate is rendered simply malus . In Matt. 13:48, it is applied to fishes. In all these places the contrasted adjective is agathos . Locke in his paraphrase has, “no misbecoming word.”...It signifies what is noxious, offensive, or useless, and refers to language which, so far from yielding “grace” or benefit, has a tendency to corrupt the hearer. 1Co 15:33; Col 4:6- note ...May there not be reference to sins already condemned? All falsehoods and equivocations; all spiteful epithets and vituperation; all envious and vengeful detraction; all phrases which form a cover for fraud and chicanery—are filthy speech, and with such language a Christian's mouth ought never to be defiled. ( Ephesians 4 Commentary )

TDNT - Relating to the process of decay, sepo means “to cause to decay,” or, in the passive, “to decay,” “to rot,” and figuratively “to perish.” Sapros means “rotting,” either literally or figuratively, and the sense of “unpleasant” (even to the ears) is also possible. A person is sapros when old, and the same applies to food and drink, which may be better when sapros (e.g., ripe cheese). In general, what is sapros is “unserviceable‘’ rather than “offensive,” but the word may also mean “harmful” or “notorious” (someone’s name). ( Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans )

Word ( 3056 ) ( logos ) means something said and in context refers to a saying, speech, or utterance.

Mouth ( 4750 ) ( stoma ) mouth or opening, chiefly as an instrument of speech. It has been well said that nothing is so opened more by mistake than the mouth!

Let...proceed ( 1607 ) ( ekporeuomai from ek = out + poreúomai = go) means to depart, be discharged, proceed out of, project, come forth, come out of, go forth. This is a very picturesque verb, giving the sense that once the word (with the thought) has taken wing from our tongues, we cannot capture it. It's too late. We need to shut the cage door before the word flies out like a deadly projectile!

Someone once said (but I'm not sure how scientific it is) that 90% of the friction of daily life is caused by the wrong tone of voice.

Someone else has written "Of all deeds, words are the most revealing, the most instantly available, the most freighted with personal significance."

BUT ONLY SUCH A WORD AS IS GOOD FOR EDIFICATION ACCORDING TO THE NEED OF THE MOMENT : alla ei tis agathon pros oikodomen tes chreias :

• but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment,   Dt 6:6, 7, 8, 9; Ps 37:30,31; 45:2; 71:17,18,24; 78:4,5; Pr 10:31,32; 12:13; 15:2, 3, 4,7,23; 16:21; 25:11,12; Is 50:4; Mal 3:16, 17, 18; Lk 4:22; 1Co 14:19; Col 3:16,17; 4:6; 1Th 5:11
• for edification   Ep 4:12,16

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit (either "rotten" or "good"! Comment - Take your choice. Your "harvest" will depend on which seed you sow with your speech! Choose wisely. Redeem every moment, every word, every conversation. 

Proverbs 12:18  There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. 

Proverbs 15:23 (RIGHT WORDS AT RIGHT TIME) A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word! 

Proverbs 16:24   Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 

Proverbs 17:27  He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. 

Proverbs 25:11  Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances. 

Proverbs 25:12  Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to a listening ear. 

Proverbs 27:6  Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. 

Ecclesiastes 10:12  Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him;

SEEK TO SPEAK SALUTARY SAYINGS

Salutary  (interesting etymology = from Latin salutaris = wholesome, from salus = safety! WHOLESOME WORDS ARE "SAFE" WORDS!) means designed to effect an improvement, healthful, remedial, favorable to health, wholesome, promoting or intended to promote health, promoting or conducive to some beneficial purpose; wholesome.

But only such a word as is good ( agathos )  for edification ( oikodome )  according to the need ( chreia )  of the moment - But ( alla ) highlights a dramatic contrasting thought. The words that should proceed from my mouth should edify, build up, encourage, not tear down, not discourage, not denigrate, not disparage, not destroy! According to the need - ESV = "as fits the occasion."

Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them! -- Anonymous

THOUGHT - The section continues Paul's practical application of laying aside the old garment of the old self (unwholesome speech) and (by contrast) putting on the new garment of the new self (gracious, edifying speech that is sensitive to the needs of others, not focused solely on self - cf Php 2:3, 4 + ). This is simply another way of saying that now we as believers are to let Jesus live His supernatural life through us (think "rivers of living water" Jn 7:38 + , or "Christ, your life" = Col 3:4 + , cp Gal 2:20 + , Jn 20:31, 2Co 4:10, 11, 1Jn 4:9 + , 1Jn 5:11, 12 + , 2Ti 1:1 + - Our new life is not only " with " Christ, it " is " Christ!). Remember that we cannot imitate Jesus (by simply relying on our natural strength), but we can daily (Ro 12:1 + ) and moment by moment present ourselves to Him, surrendering our whole being to Him as living sacrifices and allowing Him live His life in and through us (Gal 5:16 + ). (See fuller discussion of this vitally important truth The Holy Spirit-Walking Like Jesus Walked! ). This is simply another description of the our new life of progressive sanctification , of learning to walk in holiness, of daily becoming more like Jesus. As we practice (which we will need to do the remainder of our short stay on earth) these things (Php 4:9 + ), we will be taking off the old garment of self and putting on the new garment of Christ and as we do the God of peace will be with us.

To make Paul's point more emphatic, observe how our Lord defines "careless words" declaring "And I say to you, that every careless ( argos from a = negative + ergon = work -- literally "not working words"!) word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment." (Mt 12:36 + ) According to 2Cor 5:10 + we each will be repaid for our edifying words but not for our careless (in 2Co 5:10 bad =  phaulos ) words. Lord, so teach us to number our days that we learn more and more how to speak Your words. Set a guard O Lord over our mouth. Keep watch over the door of our lips. (cf Ps 141:3 + )

Spurgeon -  What sweet talking there would be if we all spoke in this way, to “minister grace unto the hearers”! Ah! then, my dear friends, it would not matter how much we talked, if every word was salted with salt. I have heard unthinking people say, “Well, if it is in your heart, you may as well speak it; it is better out than in.” I do not agree with them! If you had a barrel of whiskey in your house, that would certainly be a bad thing to be in your possession; but it would not do any hurt so long as you kept it unopened, so that nobody could get at it, for the mischief arises when people begin to drink it. Undoubtedly, it is an evil thing for you to have anything that is corrupt in your heart, but it will not be mischievous to other people until it begins to come out; so, “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth".

One of the first things that happens when a man is really filled with the Spirit is not that he speaks with tongues, but that he learns to hold the one tongue he already has. -- J. Sidlow Baxter

A T Robertson -  “For the build-up of the need,” “for supplying help when there is need.” Let no other words come out.

Richard Hooker -  There will come a time when three words, uttered with charity and meekness, shall receive a far more blessed reward than three thousand volumes written with disdainful sharpness of wit.

Charles Hodge -  the edification which necessity calls for or which is suited to the occasion. ( Ephesians 4 Commentary )

Martyn Lloyd-Jones on " need " - ‘ As fits the occasion ’ means that I must consider the people to whom I am speaking; I must make an assessment of them, and my speech and conversation must be appropriate for them. But many Christian people do not do this; what they do is to deliver a sermon; they address an individual as if he or she were a public meeting; they sermonise; they give a little address or sermonette; they make very good statements about the gospel and the way of salvation, but sometimes it is not at all appropriate and does not fit the occasion. They act in this way because they are thinking about themselves only, and are not estimating the other. They say to themselves, Now that I am a Christian and must engage in good and godly conversation, I must always be giving my testimony or preaching the gospel or getting in a little word somewhere or other. No, says the Apostle, that is a wrong approach. If you approach it in that way, you are more concerned about yourself and about doing your duty than you are about manifesting the true Christian attitude in this matter. The Christian’s word of edification should always fit the occasion! So we are not to repeat phrases in parrot fashion and feel that we have done well and performed our duty. Not at all! Instead, we are to discover, first of all, what is the exact position of other people. My business is to speak to them in such a way as to help them exactly where they are; ‘cast not your pearls before swine’, says our Lord. Do not hurl chunks, as it were, of good red meat at a babe who can only take milk! These are the Scriptural terms, are they not? ‘I could not speak unto you’, says Paul to the Corinthians, ‘as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes.’ ‘I have fed you with milk and not with meat.’ The fact was that they ‘were not yet able to bear it’! ( Mp3 of sermon on Eph 4:29 - How to Communicate with our Fellows )

As noted in the next verse (Ephesians 4:30) one of the ways that we may grieve the Holy Spirit is by frivolous, worthless, rotten conversation. Life is too short and valuable to be wasted. It needs to be spent in giving out edifying words and living out edifying works. (Ep 5:16 + , Col 4:5, 6 + ). 

John Eadie agrees adding that - The precious hour should never be polluted with corrupt speech, nor should it be wasted in idle and frivolous dialogue. We are not indeed to “give that which is holy to dogs”—a due and delicate appreciation of time and circumstance must govern the tongue. Conversation should always exercise a salutary influence, regulated by the special need. Words so spoken may fall like winged seeds upon a neglected soil, and there may be future germination and fruit. ( Ephesians 4 Commentary )

Barclay - As James Moffatt's translation has it, Eliphaz the Temanite paid Job a tremendous compliment. 'Your words', he said, 'have kept men on their feet' (Job 4:4). Such are the words that every Christian ought to speak. ( Ephesians 4 Commentary )

Sam Gordon -  We are to be like Alexander Whyte, of whom it was said: ‘All of his geese became swans.’ I believe that holds true in every situation—it ranges from the factory floor, to the office telephone, it stretches from the kitchen sink through to the dinner table, it goes from the email that we send to where we sit in church on a Sunday—it is our talk!

ILLUSTRATION OF EDIFYING WORDS - John Bunyan, one of the greatest Christians who ever lived, who wrote Pilgrim's Progress, was converted by listening to the conversation of several women. I wonder if someone were to eavesdrop on your conversation, would they be saved, as a result? Would they hear words of grace falling from your lips? 

Winston Churchill once said that "During a long life I have had to eat my own words many times and I have found it a very nourishing diet."

Careless Word - In 1980, Lee Atwater, a political campaign manager, inflicted terrible pain with his words. His staff learned that an opposing congressional candidate from South Carolina had once experienced severe depression and undergone electric shock therapy. When Atwater released the information to the press, it humiliated the candidate and cast doubt on his ability. In anguish, the man questioned Atwater's campaign ethics. Atwater responded by saying that he had no intention of responding to a man "hooked up to a jumper cable." Ten years later, Atwater was afflicted with an incurable brain tumor. He was confined to bed, attached to machines and tubes and wires. Before he died, he wrote the candidate a letter and asked to be forgiven (Ep 4:32- note ) He saw how cruel and heartless his words had been.

(THOUGHT - I t strikes me that so many [too many] people wait until they are about to die to seek forgiveness for wrongs they have carried around their entire life and which have "gnawed" away at their conscience and their very soul. Dear reader I must ask you - Is their someone from whom you need to seek forgiveness? Or is there someone to whom you need to grant forgiveness, "canceling their debt" against you and thereby releasing yourself from the unyielding prison of resentment and bitterness, feelings that you have willfully chosen to keep "bottled" up inside your heart and mind for days, months or perhaps even years? If the Spirit prompts you, I pray you do not delay, for your sake and the sake of His Name. Amen.)

Our words can be just as devastating. And it seem as that it's our children or family or fellow believers whom we hurt the most. As believers in Christ, we have an obligation before God to evaluate the impact of our words. Idle, angry, hateful words can inflict great harm, for which we will be held accountable (Mt 12:36, 37).

Ask God for help. Before hurtful words come pouring out of your mouth, think first—then leave them unsaid. —D C Egner ( Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved )

Use words of kindness, filled with love, That heal and nourish life Instead of hurling angry words That wound and stir up strife. —Sper Think before you act. Think twice before you speak.

Good ( 18 ) ( agathos ) means suitable, rather serviceable, profitable, benefiting others, whereas the related word kalos means constitutionally good, but not necessarily benefiting others. Agathos words would include those adapted to instruct, counsel, and comfort. These words are based on one's assessment of the hearer's need and are spoken accordingly so as to meet that need, building them up rather than tearing them down.

THOUGHT- How do we cultivate a heart yields the fruit of beneficial, gracious, edifying speech? It is interesting that the first "fruit" (or effect) Paul mentions in his command to be filled the Spirit has to do with the words that proceed from our mouth !

And do not get drunk ( present imperative - With the negative = a command calling for them to cease this activity) with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled ( present imperative = Command to allow [ passive voice = effect exerted from extrinsic Source, but we must still choose to yield to Him] one's self to be filled not with a " liquid " but with the " life " of the Spirit of Christ, and to do so as one's continual practice [and it does take "practice" surrendering - He will give us manifold opportunities to practice!]) with the Spirit, (And what is the first "fruit" of His supernatural life flowing through us?) speaking to one another (!) (Ep 5:18 + , Ep 5:19a + )

We see a similar pattern in the parallel passage in Colossians (which helps us understand what being filled with the Spirit entails - fill yourself with His Word, respond to the revelation, and His Spirit will revive your spirit, cp Ps 119:25 + )...

Let the word of Christ richly dwell ( present imperative = let the Word continually "take up residence" within the "temple of God" [you, your body, 1Co 6:19 + ], making itself at home in your mind and heart, and being manifested in an obedient walk and edifying talk) within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another (Col 3:16 + ) (Teaching implies that we are speaking as does admonishing).

Edification ( 3619 ) ( oikodome  from oikos = dwelling, house + doma = building or demo = to build) is literally the building of a house and came to refer to any building process. Oikodome can refer to the actual process of building or construction. Another literal meaning is as a reference to a building or edifice which is the result of a construction process (Mt 24:1, Mk 13:1, 2 are the only literal uses of oikodome in the NT). (See sermon by Alexander Maclaren entitled " Edification ")

Paul uses oikodome 4x (out of a total of 18 uses in NT) in Ephesians (so clearly it is a key word for the unity of the Body of Christ)...

Ephesians 2:21 (THE HOLY SPIRIT "SUPERVISES" THE FITTING TOGETHER AND THE GROWTH INTO A HOLY TEMPLE)  in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, Ephesians 4:12  (SPIRIT FILLED MEN SPEAK THE WORD OF TRUTH) for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Ephesians 4:16 (AGAIN WE SEE THE SPIRIT WORKING IN THE WHOLE BODY) from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself (BASED UPON THE WORK OF THE SPIRIT IN FITTING AND HOLDING THE BODY TOGETHER, THE BODY IN DEPENDENCE ON THE SAME SPIRIT IS ABLE TO BUILD ITSELF UP) in love (WHICH ALSO IS FRUIT THAT BLOOMS WHEN THE SPIRIT IS WORKING)..

Most of the NT uses of oikodome are metaphorical or figurative , obviously an architectural metaphor. As used here in Eph 2:21, oikodome refers to the church as the building for God's indwelling (cp 1Co 3:9). Figuratively the idea is the process of edification or building up spiritually or spiritual strengthening.

Figuratively, as used in this verse, oikodome refers to the process in which one speaks words that build up, instruct or improve spiritually.

Note that Webster says that " edify " is from Latin word meaning to erect a house. Believers are to speak good to others to instruct, improve, inform, enlighten and uplift them, especially in the moral and ethical sphere. Sapros words have the opposite effect.

Other figurative meanings include our physical bodies (2Co 5:1), as a reference to the process of spiritual growth, edification or building up (some contexts speak primarily to the individual, some to the corporate body of Christ) (Ro 14:19, 15:2, 1Co 3:9, 14:3, 5, 12, 26, 2Co 10:8),

Vine summarizes the word group of oikodome (noun) and oikodomeo (verb) noting that these is used...

both in a literal sense , Mt 7:24; Lk 4:29, and in a figurative, Ac 20:32; Ga 2:18. The corresponding noun, oikodome , building, edification, is used in a similar way, literally, Matthew 24:1 (noun - oikodome ), figuratively , Ro 14:19 (noun - oikodome ).

The word expresses the strengthening effect of teaching , 1Co 14:3 (noun - oikodome), and example, 1Co 10:23, upon oneself and upon others, 1Co 14:4, whether for good, 2Co 10:8, or for evil, 1Co 8:10, “emboldened.” From the familiar spectacle of building operations it transfers to the spiritual realm the idea of assured progress as the result of patient labor. The word is used of national life, Mt 21:42, and of church life, Ac 9:31, as well as of the individual, Ro 15:2 (noun - oikodome). It is used of the “Church which is His Body” in Mt 16:18; Ep 4:12 (noun - oikodome), cp. 1Pe 2:5, and of the local church in 1Co 3:9; 14:5, 12; Ep 2:21 (noun - oikodome). Once it describes the resurrection body, 2Co 5:1. God is said to be the Builder, in 1Co 3:9 (noun - oikodome); Christ in Mt 16:18; Paul in Ro 15:20, cp. 1Co 3:10; 2Co 10:8; 13:10 (both use the noun - oikodome); the “gifts” of the ascended Lord are the builders in Ep 4:12 (noun - oikodome), cp. 1Co 14:12; individual believers, here; and in Ep 4:16 (noun - oikodome) the church is said to build itself up in love. Building up is effected by: (1) love, 1Co 8:1, cp. Ep 4:16 (noun - oikodome): (2) prophesying, 1Co 14:3, 4 (noun in 14:3 oikodome) (3) exhortation, 1Th 5:11, cp. He 10:25. ( Vine, W. Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson )

Need of the moment ( 5532 ) ( chreia  from chréos = debt) refers to that which is needed or is a necessity. Note that  chreia  is also used in the previous passage (Eph 4:28) calling for saints to meet others material needs, and in Eph 4:29 to meet their spiritual needs - the " holistic " effect of Spirit enabled putting on of the new garment of Christ (Gal 3:27 + ). 

SO THAT IT WILL GIVE GRACE TO THOSE WHO HEAR: hina do (3SAAS) charin tois akouousin. (PAPMPD) :

• so that it will give grace to those who hear.  Matthew 5:16; 1 Pe 2:12; 3:1

Proverbs 12:18NKJV There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health [Hebrew for health or healing = marpe and in the Lxx translated with the verb iaomai = literally speaks of deliverance from physical diseases or afflictions, figuratively of deliverance from sin and its evil consequences, to make whole, to renew. In passive sense = to be restored, to recover.)

Comment (NET Note on Pr 12:18NET) - Healing words are the opposite of the cutting, irresponsible words. What the wise say is faithful and true, gentle and kind, uplifting and encouraging; so their words bring healing.

AS A SPIRIT FILLED BELIEVER BE A GRACE GIVER!

So that it will give grace ( charis ) to those who hear - Purposeful speech should be what we always strive for as believers. And so Paul begins with a so that  ( hina  - see  terms of purpose ) which expresses the purpose of wholesome, good, edifying words. Will give is a verb that means to give something usually implying what is given has value, as is true in this context. Speech in the well dressed garment of Christ should be edifying (building up not tearing down), appropriate (suited to the occasion) and gracious (imparting grace to the hearer's ear and heart).

Gregory Brown - “ Grace ” means “unmerited favor.” This means that it doesn’t matter how mean or undeserving a person is; our words should bless him. Christ teaches that even our enemies should be blessed by our speech. In fact, we are called to bless those who curse us and pray for them (Luke 6:28 + ).

The dying words of one ancient saint were, " Grace is the only thing that can make us like God. I might be dragged through heaven, earth, and hell and I would still be the same sinful, polluted wretch unless God Himself should cleanse me by His grace ." And I would add the only way we can speak gracious words is by continually basking in the glow of and continual reliance upon God's transforming grace dispensed by His Spirit of grace (Heb 10:29 + ).

R Kent Hughes - We are to converse in such a way that our words become a vehicle and demonstration of the grace of God. We are to be like Alexander Whyte, of whom it was said, “All of his geese became swans.” We should speak constructive talk , talk that builds others up . As Eliphaz said of Job, “Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees” (Job 4:4). (See  Ephesians: The Mystery of the Body of Christ )

Steven Cole notes that "If you are at odds with anyone, perhaps because he or she has wronged you, you’ll be inclined to think, “ But this person doesn’t deserve words that build him up! He deserves to be put down !” But, grace is undeserved favor! Grace extends to others what God has extended to you. It also extends to others what you need in return from others, because you often fall short or fail them . So, although it may be true that the other person does not deserve kind words that build him up, give him such words anyway (Enabled by the Spirit Who gives you the Desire and the Power! Php 2:13)! ( Transformed Talk )

Augustine in recognition of the principle that speech must give grace, hung this motto on his dining room wall "He who speaks evil of an absent man or woman is not welcome at this table."

Gregory Brown   How can a believer be more effective at speaking godly words instead of ungodly words?

1. Our words must be both filled with and guided by Scripture.

Scripture is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17). If our speech is going to be helpful, we must know and use Scripture.

2. Our words must be guided by the Holy Spirit.

We should pray over our words. We should ask the Lord what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. In Ephesians 6:19, Paul said, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” Lord, give us the words that will honor you and bless your people.

Wayne Barber explains our Brand New Way of Life in the context of " Rotten Speech " writing...

Ephesians 4:29 , we become a person who builds up rather than tears down. This is so explicit I don’t even have to say a lot about it. Let me just read it. "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth." That is interesting. He has talked about what we say twice. Once not lying, but now this is any general speech that comes out of our mouth. It changes gear a little bit. The word "unwholesome" there is the word sapros. It means rotten, something that is rotten, something that decays. A principle comes to my mind. If you take a barrel of good apples and put one bad apple in that barrel, do you think the good apples are going to crowd out the bad apple and therefore all the apples are going to become good? No, it works exactly the opposite. One rotten, putrid apple will begin to contaminate every single good apple that is in that barrel. That is the way our speech is . The word "rotten" is that which decays, that which putrefies. The way you talk to people is incredibly different when you have the new garment on compared to when you have the old garment on. Paul goes on to explain "but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear."

In other words, this is so relative that you can’t really apply it in an adequate way. It fits whatever situation you are in. The Holy Spirit will give you words that can build up. That doesn’t mean that you are never to confront. That doesn’t mean you don’t address problems, but it does mean that whatever you do, you do it with an attitude of building up and not tearing down.

SEVERAL THINGS YOU CAN DO TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

When he says, "Do not grieve," the word " grieve ," lupeo , is a love word. In other words, there are several things you can do with the Holy Spirit. I want you to know that the Holy Spirit is not an "it." He is not the force as Star Wars tells us. He is a person who lives within us. He is the person, the Spirit of Christ who lives within us, the third person of the trinity. 1) He can be resisted. Acts 7:51 talks about the religious Jew where it says "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting ( present tense = their habitual practice; Greek = antipipto = literally to fall against, to rush upon in a hostile manner, to resist by force) the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.

He can be resisted by the lost (unbelievers, unregenerate) 2) He can be quenched by the church.

In 1Th 5:19 (note) he Paul instructs us " Do not quench the Spirit." ( present imperative + negative = stop doing this! Or don't begin doing this!)

Quench is plural indicating Paul is addressing the entire church. You can put the fire out. You can quench the Holy Spirit. 3) He can be grieved.

Here in Ep 4:30 (note) the individual believer can grieve the Holy Spirit and so Paul says, " Do not grieve ( present imperative + negative = stop doing this! Or don't begin doing this!) the Holy Spirit of God." Well, what does it mean? Well, in context, it means don’t become a taker or you have just grieved the Spirit of God who is a giver. Don’t let any unwholesome word proceed out of your mouth, or you have just grieved the Spirit of God who is the builder of the church. Don’t grieve the Spirit of God. Do you ever grieve somebody you love? There have been times that I have said things that have pierced my wife’s heart, not really knowing how much damage it could actually do. This was true especially years ago when I was just learning how to walk and live the Christian life. It’s not as much now, thank God, as it was then. But when you grieve somebody you love and you can’t take back what you have said and you know now how they feel, that is exactly what happens to the Holy Spirit every time we refuse to put on the new garment of Jesus Christ. It grieves Him. It distresses Him. The word means to distress someone. Paul says, "do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."

That refers to the day Jesus comes for the church. He is there in your life for a reason and He wants to control your life. I think Ep 4:27 (note) and Ep 4:30 parallel each other. In other words, I think he brings both spirits into play, the Holy Spirit and the unholy spirit who is just an angel, certainly not equal to God. Which one are you going to please?

If I grieve the Holy Spirit, I have just given the unholy spirit an opportunity. If I bless and please the Holy Spirit, then I have just frustrated the unholy spirit.

I’ve got a choice to make. The devil is not somebody we reckon with, folks. He can only be in one place at a time. He is not omnipresent. His system is in this world. He is wherever God is working in such a way that he had to get his attention to stop it. I pray that some day we will be the kind of church that would attract that kind of attention. Folks, let me tell you something. His spirit is in this world. The mark he left on humanity is our flesh. When he gets us to put on the old garment, he doesn’t have to get in us. That old garment does the damage. We have given him an opportunity, and he takes it from there in the downward spiral of self. Well, maybe you feel convicted. I am. Do you know what you do when you realize you’ve sinned? Let me tell you what to do. There is such grace in this. Come right back to where you departed. You confess , which means you agree with God, "God, I have missed the mark. I am doing more damage to the body of Christ than I am building it up and God, I want to stop it."

Secondly, you repent . Now the forgiveness will be there when you confess. You can appropriate that at that point. Now you must repent. If you’ve done wrong, if you have been wearing the wrong garment this past week, if you’ve offended other people and you know by what you have said that you have hurt them, first of all confess it and make sure you make it right with them and then repent of it. A young fellow was in the house with his dad and his family. It was warm inside. Outside it was below zero, the wind blowing, snow stacking up. It was awful outside. Inside it was a warm house, insulated, fire in the fireplace. You can just get the picture. A ball game on television. Carpet on the floor. You could smell the bread cooking in the kitchen. Supper was about ready. It was just where you want to be. The boy was sitting there enjoying it, and the father looked over at him and said, "Hey listen, son, put another log on the fire."

The son jumped up and said, "I am 18 years old and I’m sick and tired of being told what to do when I am in this house. I am leaving, and you can have it. You do it yourself. If you want a log on the fire, put it on yourself."

He went upstairs, got a duffle bag, put his clothes in it and walked out of that house. He walked about a block. The wind was picking up. The chill factor now below zero. The wind was burning his face it was blowing so hard. He was cold and thinking to himself, "You know, I was just inside that house and it was warm. I was about ready to eat, and it was wonderful fellowship. This is sort of stupid."

He finally decides to go back. So he walks back to the house kind of sheepishly and knocked on the door. The father opened the door and said, "Hey, son. Good to see you. Been gone 30 minutes. I thought you were leaving for a while. Good to see you. Come on in. Take your stuff upstairs, unpack and come on down and watch the ball game with me."

He went downstairs and sat in the chair. Boy, he was glad to be home! This is where he belongs. While he was sitting there, the father looked over at him and said, "Oh, by the way, put another log on the fire."

Folks, you can confess until you fall over in the floor and you will never have that new garment on until you put another log on the fire and go back and repent of what you didn’t do before. If you are not going to obey, forget what you’ve heard. You are going to wear that old garment and you are going to be miserable. We will have to put a tag on you because Paul says mark those who cause division. The people who cause division are people who won’t wear the new garment. People who wear the new garment preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. ( Ephesians 4:22-27: A Brand New Way of Life - 3 )

Grace ( 5485 ) ( charis ) in context is quality that adds delight or pleasure or a winning quality or attractiveness that invites a favorable reaction (graciousness, attractiveness, charm, winsomeness). In short, our gracious words spoken to others can be used by God's Spirit to transform trial into triumph and sorrow into joy. God of course is the ultimate source of all grace (God of all grace 1Pe 5:10- note ) but Paul is implying that we as His ambassadors, can function as channels of His grace even in our everyday conversation. To repeat an aphorism may God give us grace givers the desire and power to think before we act and to think twice before we speak!

Hear ( 191 ) ( akouo ) means to hear with attention, with the ear of the mind or effectually so as to respond appropriately to what has been spoken or taught.

Steve Farrar, Finishing Strong - It was Ring Lardner who said, “The family you come from is not as important as the family you are going to have.” He’s right. The truth is, I can’t do anything about the home which I was born into. In my case, it was a good one. But now that I’m the dad, it’s on my shoulders to make a good home. What’s going to be the atmosphere of my home? More than anything else, it will be my words that spell the difference between construction and destruction. What kind of words will echo off the walls of my home and sink into the souls of those impressionable folks under my roof? Unjust words like, “You’ll never amount to anything.” Unjust statements like, “Here, give me the wrench! You look so darned awkward with that thing.”

A Few Speech quotes - 

• Actions don’t always speak louder than words—your tongue can undo everything you do. Anon.
• His heart cannot be pure whose tongue is not clean. Anon.
• In company, guard your tongue—in solitude, your thoughts. Anon.
• Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them! Anon.
• No physician can heal the wounds inflicted by the tongue. Anon.
• Nothing is so opened more by mistake than the mouth. Anon.
• One thing you can give and still keep is your word. Anon.
• The Christian should learn two things about his tongue: how to hold it and how to use it. Anon.
• The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet high. Anon.
• There are two sciences which every person ought to learn: the science of speech and the more difficult one of silence. Anon.
• What is in the well of your heart will show up in the bucket of your speech. Anon.
• When you speak, remember God is one of your listeners. Anon.
• Words are leaves—deeds are fruit. Anon.
• It is a sad fact that the tongues of professing Christians are often all too busy doing the devil’s work. Donald Grey Barnhouse
• Gentle words fall lightly, but they have great weight. Derick Bingham
• A sanctified heart is better than a silver tongue. Thomas Brooks
• Of all the members in the body, there is none so serviceable to Satan as the tongue. Thomas Brooks
• The vice of the tongue spreads and prevails over every part of life. It is as active and potent for evil in old age as ever it was in the days of our youth. John Calvin

Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra , Montclair State University, East Rutherford, NJ, said the following to the class of ‘96 upon their graduation: "I am happy to speak my words at the university graduation. A lot of people have been quoting me ever since I came to play for the Yankees in 1946. But, as I once said, I really didn’t say everything I said. So now it’s my turn. I want to give some of my famous advice to the graduates. First, never give up because it ain’t over ‘til it’s over. Second, during the years ahead, when you come to the fork in the road, take it. Third, don’t always follow the crowd, because nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded. Fourth, stay alert. You can observe a lot by watching. Fifth, and last, remember that whatever you do in life, 90% of it is half mental. In closing, I want to quote myself again: Thank you, Montclair State University, for making this day necessary.-- USA Today, 5-24-96, p. 15A.

Illustration -To appreciate the power of the tongue, we need only picture the people of Great Britain in the early days of World War II, gathered in their living rooms listening to Prime Minister Winston Churchill deliver one of the most stirring speeches of the war: “ The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us.... Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say: ‘This was their finest hour .’” The heroism so evident in Britain’s battle against Nazi Germany may have lain dormant in the British people had not Churchill’s words helped galvanize their will. Our words have the ability to “edify” others.

Illustration  - A catering manager was discussing a baby-christening party with a young couple. She told the mother of the baby, “You look like you’ve lost most of your pregnancy weight.” “Thanks,” came the clenched-teeth reply. “We adopted” (Reader's Digest [June, 2005], p. 67). File that away in your memory as what never to say! (Steve Cole - see full sermon  below )

Illustration - Alan Redpath wrote, “I once formed a mutual encouragement fellowship at a time of stress in one of my pastorates. The members subscribed to a simple formula applied before speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial.

T —Is it true? H —Is it helpful? I —Is it inspiring? N —Is it necessary? K —Is it kind?

When I look at those suggestions, I find that I might not have quite as many things to say.

A young lady once said to John Wesley “I think I know what my talent is. It’s to speak my mind.” Wesley quipped “I don’t think God would mind if you bury that talent.”

Weighty Words - Experts tell us that people often hide what they are trying to say behind a wall of words. This is a kind of double talk in which their words do not coincide with their feelings. Gerald Nierenberg, a New York lawyer, wrote a book about this problem called Meta-Talk: Guide to Hidden Meanings in Conversation. In it he gives 350 examples of verbal distortion. Another communications consultant says many people are afraid that honesty in speech will cost them friendships, love, or respect. So they either keep their lips zippered or say something other than what they mean. Additional factors that may impede straight talk are shyness, lack of self-worth, fear of displaying ignorance, fear of criticism, and fear of hurting someone's feelings.

Christians are not immune to this problem. Trying to be both loving and truthful is often extremely difficult. The Bible, however, provides a balanced and optimistic approach to this dilemma. Being honest with people may hurt, but if we speak kindly and with compassion we give them the support they need to face reality. —M. R. De Haan II ( Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved )

GENTLE WORDS FALL LIGHTLY, BUT THEY HAVE GREAT WEIGHT.

Well Chosen Words - Marion F. Ash and an elderly gentleman were painting a farmhouse on a hot summer day They had just refreshed themselves with a cold drink of water and were returning to their ladders when a small boy with only one arm came riding toward them on his bike. He stopped and said, "I live down the road a ways. Ma sent me to see if you needed some drinking water. If you do, I can go back and fetch it in a glass canning jar." Mr. Ash was about to decline the offer, but his older companion said, "You sure came in the nick of time, Sonny. A good drink of water would do wonders for both of us." The youngster grinned and called out, "I'll be right back. I bet you think you're lucky that I came along!" The elderly man replied, "You can say that again! Now our worries are over. We've got another man on the job." Commenting on this incident, Mr. Ash wrote, "With a few well-chosen words my friend had transformed a young, handicapped lad into a confident human being."

The world needs people who affirm the worth of others by acts of kindness and words of encouragement. This poor old world needs the wealth of positive attitudes and hopeful persuasion. —H. V Lugt ( Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved )

KIND WORDS ARE MUSIC TO A HURTING HEART

Small Thing, Big Impact - Are most people truth-tellers? Can what they say be taken at face value? Or are they like the ancient Cretans, whose reputation was that they were "always liars"? (Titus 1:12 + ).

Lies, of course, are communicated by the tongue. That small part of the human body can make a powerful impact. It can ruin a reputation. It can destroy a friendship. It can cause lasting heartache.

On the other hand, the tongue can give comfort and hope in time of bereavement. It can shine the light of saving truth into the mind of someone wandering in spiritual darkness. It can praise and glorify God.

We shouldn't be surprised, then, that Scripture repeatedly urges us to exercise great wisdom and care in how we use this small part of the body. Pr 18:21 is not exaggerating when it warns us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue." David was not indulging in pointless poetry when he denounced "men . . . whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword" (Psalm 57:4). And the apostle James said that the tongue can be as destructive as a fire (Jas 3:1-12).

By the Holy Spirit's power, may we use our tongues to bless our hearers, build up one another, and glorify our Creator in prayer and praise. — Vernon C Grounds ( Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved )

Lord, set a watch upon my lips, My tongue control today; Help me evaluate each thought And guard each word I say. —Hess

The tongue is a small organ that creates either discord or harmony.

One of the greatest honors ever offered to me came during one of life's saddest times.

I was heartbroken last year when my good friend and co-worker Kurt De Haan died suddenly while out on his regular lunchtime run. Kurt was managing editor of Our Daily Bread from 1989 until the time of his death. Losing him was a huge blow to each of us at RBC Ministries, but his wife Mary and their four children were suffering the worst pain.

A couple of days before the funeral, I got a call from Mary, who asked if I would share a eulogy of Kurt. I was overwhelmed with this bittersweet privilege.

As I reflected on Kurt's life, one trait continued to surface. It was a remarkable characteristic, and it was something that I focused on in my eulogy. In the 22 years I had known him, worked with him, and talked with him, I never once heard Kurt say a negative word about any other person.

What a remarkable legacy of a true Christian heart! Kurt lived up to the standard of Ephesians 4:29, 30, 31, 32. He sought to build up others, showing kindness and tenderheartedness instead of bitterness and malice.

Will others be able to say the same about us?—Dave Branon ( Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved )

Instead of hurling angry words That wound and stir up strife, Use words of kindness, filled with love, That heal and nourish life. —Sper

A kind word is the oil that takes the friction out of life.

The Power of Words - One major area of breakdown in marriages and families today is communication. The apostle Paul used the word corrupt to describe speech that has the power to tear people down, adults and children alike (Eph. 4:29). He also stated that good communication is "necessary edification," for it has the power to build people up.

Here are examples of corrupt communication we often aim at our children: "Can't you do anything right?" "What's wrong with you?" "You'll never learn." "You're always breaking something." "Oh, let me do it." The list is endless. But so are examples of edifying communication. A list called "99 Ways To Say 'Very Good'" offers these encouraging words: "That's it!" "You're really working hard today." "I'm very proud of you." "Now you've figured it out." "You are very good at that." "That's the way!" "Now that's what I call a fine job." "Good thinking."

Paul said that when we edify others through our speech, we impart grace, or spiritual benefit, to their lives (v.29). Let's examine our speech habits for careless words, and then resolve to build up every person we meet, especially children. Remember, people need encouragers more than they need critics. Which one are you? — Joanie Yoder ( Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved )

Button up your lip securely 'Gainst the words that bring a tear, But be swift with words of comfort, Words of praise, and words of cheer. --Loucks

A word of encouragement can make the difference between giving up and going on.

Clean Up the Environment - What a frustrating problem pollution is! Everybody suffers from it, yet everybody contributes to it.

Pollution takes many forms, but one type is often overlooked. Charles Swindoll calls it "verbal pollution," passed around by grumblers, complainers, and criticizers. "The poison of pessimism," Swindoll writes, "creates an atmosphere of wholesale negativism where nothing but the bad side of everything is emphasized."

A group of Christian friends became concerned about this form of pollution and their personal part in it. So they made a pact to avoid critical words for a whole week. They were surprised to find how little they spoke! As they continued the experiment, they actually had to relearn conversation skills.

In Ephesians 4, Paul called believers to that sort of decisive action. He said we are to "put off" the old self and its conduct that grieves the Holy Spirit (vv.22,30) and "put on" the new self that builds up others (v.24). As we rely on the help of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16), we can make those changes in our conduct, our thinking, and our speaking.

If we want to be rid of verbal pollution, we must choose to change and ask for God's help. It's a great way to start cleaning up our spiritual environment. — Joanie Yoder ( Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved )

What! Never speak one evil word, Or rash, or idle, or unkind! O how shall I, most gracious Lord, This mark of true perfection find? --Wesley

Help stamp out pollution--clean up your speech!

Transformed Talk Ephesians 4:29 Steven Cole

A catering manager was discussing a baby-christening party with a young couple. She told the mother of the baby, “You look like you’ve lost most of your pregnancy weight.” “Thanks,” came the clenched-teeth reply. “We adopted” (Reader's Digest [June, 2005], p. 67). File that away in your memory as what never to say!

Try as we may, we al have erred with our tongues! James 3:2 says, “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” While we may never achieve perfect control over our tongues, I’m convinced that if husbands and wives would consistently apply Ephesians 4:29, we would rarely see divorce. If parents practiced this verse toward their children, we would see few children from Christian homes rebel against their parents. If we applied it towards one another in the church, we would see few churches split over personality conflicts or minor doctrinal issues. In short, Ephesians 4:29 is a verse that would bring radical change in all of our relationships if we would apply it conscientiously:

“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

As we’ve seen (Eph 4:22-24), Paul has taught us that believers will put off the old way of life, be renewed in their minds, and put on the new way of life, which is consistent with being a new creature in Christ. Then he goes from preaching to meddling by getting very specific: Put off falsehood and speak truth (Eph 4:25). Put on righteous anger, being careful not to let it spill over into sinful anger, which would give Satan a foothold in your life (Eph 4:26-27). Stop stealing and instead, work hard and give to those in need (Eph 4:28). Now, he says that Christians must transform their talk.

Transformed talk is implicit in truthful speech, in righteous anger, and in not stealing, since stealing usually involves lying. Paul will also deal with our speech in Eph 4:31 (bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander) and in Eph 5:3-4 (impure speech, coarse jokes). So our talk is a major area where the gospel will make a huge difference. Just as you can often tell where someone is from by his accent, so people should be able to tell that you’re a Christian by your transformed talk. Paul is saying that…

Rather than using your words to tear down others, use them to build up others.

We will follow Paul’s outline by first looking at the problem and then at the solution .

1. The problem: We can use our words to tear down others.

I do not advise it, but if you turn on any TV show on any night of the week, you will not have to watch very long before you hear examples of speech that tears down others. Most of the “humor” on TV sitcoms comes from husbands and wives, parents and children, or coworkers putting each other down! But, that is a characteristic of the old life, not of our new life in Christ. If you want God to transform your speech in line with our text, you should not be watching, much less laughing at, shows where the “humor” comes from the people putting each other down.

A. To get rid of unwholesome speech, you must identify it.

The Greek word translated “unwholesome” means rotten, useless, or unprofitable. It is used (Matt. 7:17-18) to refer to rotten fruit . It is also used of rotten fish (Matt. 13:48). John Piper observes that such rotten speech, like rotten fruit and rotten fish, will not nourish anyone. It contaminates. It will make you sick. And, it smells bad and creates an unpleasant atmosphere for anyone who gets near it. So Paul tells us to get rid of it like rotten fruit or fish.

B. Some examples of rotten speech:

We could probably come up with more, but here are twelve examples of rotten speech:

(1) Name-calling, put-downs, & trading insult for insult.

Often this is done for so-called “humor,” but it does not honor God or build up others. 1 Peter 3:9 says that we should not return insult for insult, but give a blessing instead.

(2) Inaccurate labeling.

This is not usually as caustic as name-calling, but it still tends to tear down others by lumping them with a negative group. Labels may be useful in identifying where a person is at on an issue, but they become harmful when we use them too quickly to write off someone because of some association. So be careful!

(3) Sarcasm, ridicule, mockery.

Godly people in the Bible occasionally use sarcasm, ridicule, and mockery against those who are leading people astray. Elijah, for example, mocked the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:27). Jesus ridiculed the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and legalism (Matt. 23). But my experience is that using sarcasm is like righteous anger. It must be carefully controlled or it spills over into sin. I would advise you never to use sarcasm or ridicule as a couple toward each other or with your children. Never mock something that a person cannot change, such as a physical feature or a family background issue.

(4) Blaming, exaggerated attacks.

Blaming others came in with the fall, and it is a major element in ungodly speech. Often it is coupled with exaggeration, such as, “you always,” or “you never.”

(5) Griping, complaining.

Those in the world gripe and complain about everything, as you know if you have served in the military. But Christians are to do all things without grumbling or complaining (Phil. 2:14), be-cause all complaints are ultimately directed at God, who sovereignly ordains our circumstances. Rather than griping about the difficult people in your life, thank God for them (1Th. 5:18).

(6) Destructive criticism.

If your words are not aimed at helping or healing, but only at venting your spleen, you are sinning. Proverbs 12:18 says, “There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

(7) Angry words, including threats and revenge.

Such words are only trying to dominate or control the other person through fear and intimidation. Parents, of course, some-times must warn a child of impending consequences if his behavior doesn’t change. But it should be done calmly with careful thought, not in the heat of anger. The aim should be to help your child grow in godliness, not to get revenge or to intimidate.

(8) Arguments where you seek to win so as to maintain power.

As husbands and wives, when you disagree about something, your aim should never be to win the argument, but rather to pro-mote godliness in your marriage. You’ve got to judge your pride and allow Jesus Christ truly to be Lord of your tongue.

(9) Deception, lies, and manipulative speech.

We’ve already looked at this (Eph 4:25). Using manipulative speech to get your way is a form of deception.

(10) Gossip and slander.

Often, gossip and slander spread partial truths mixed with falsehood to make the other person look bad. Sometimes gossip and slander may be true, but the one you’re telling has no need to know the information. Sometimes it is done under the cover, “I wanted you to know so you could pray.” Often the one spreading gossip is feeding his pride by being in the know.

(11) Profanity.

We are not to take the Lord’s name in vain. This includes using shortened forms of the Lord’s name, such as (I would not even say it, but I often hear Christians say it), “O Jeez!” The same applies to the frequently used expression, “O my God!”

(12) Filthy talk and coarse jokes.

Paul specifically hits this (Eph 5:3-4). It includes all dirty jokes and using words for sex, which ought to be sacred, as swear words. We could probably come up with more examples of rotten speech, but that list should give you enough to work on!

2. The solution: As new creatures in Christ, use your words to build up others.

Paul says that we should use “only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need [the translators added, of the moment], so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Five things:

A. To build up others, you must be a new creature in Christ.

Unbelievers may learn how to communicate civilly, but Paul is talking here about the transformation that stems from putting on the new man, “which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph 4:24). If you teach an unbeliever how to communicate in a nice way, you’re just putting a tuxedo on a pig. You haven’t changed his nature, which is prone to pride and self-seeking. So his nice speech is really just a tool to get his way or to manipulate people for his own goals. But the Christian uses godly speech to glorify his Savior. It is a completely new motive stemming from the new birth.

B. To build up others with wholesome words, such words must first be in your thoughts.

The deeds of the flesh include (Gal. 5:20-21a) “enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying….” Jesus said (Mt. 15:19), “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” He also said (Matt. 12:34), “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” So evil speech is rooted in an evil heart, which is why genuine conversion is the foundation for transformed talk.

But, I have even found Christians who do not judge their sin on the thought level, and so their evil thoughts escalate into evil words and often into evil actions. For example, a couple is having conflict in their marriage. He digs in his heels, and she clams up in anger. He storms out the door in the morning and throughout the day thinks, “That woman is so difficult to live with!” All day long he runs her down in his thoughts. Meanwhile, she does the same: “That man is so insensitive to my feelings!” She cries her eyes out and maybe calls up her friend and commiserates about how difficult it is to live with such a monster.

It’s a no-brainer: after both of them have spent the day thinking such sinful thoughts about each other, they aren’t going to have a wonderful evening together when he gets home from work! Their mouths will speak out of the sinful overflow of their hearts.

The solution is, judge your evil thoughts! Examine your own sins and shortcomings and ask God and your mate to forgive you. Take the log out of your own eye. Then, thank God throughout the day for your mate and pray for him or her to be a godly person. Think about how you can speak in such a way that will build up your mate. William Penn said, “If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak twice the better for it. Better to say nothing than not to the purpose. And to speak pertinently, consider both what is fit, and when it is fit, to speak” (Leadership [Summer, 1986], p. 75, old English updated)

C. To build up others, use wholesome words.

In Paul’s words, “what is good for edification.” Use words that will help the other person to grow in godliness. You can think of more, but here are nine examples of wholesome words:

(1) Encouragement and praise.

Paul writes (1Th 5:11), “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” Too often, parents only criticize or correct their kids. Instead, catch your kids doing something right and praise them for it! Encourage them in areas where they are doing well. Do the same with your mate.

(2) Appreciation and gratefulness.

This is related to encouragement and praise, and it must come from the heart (not as flattery or manipulation). If you are thinking rightly about your mate or children or co-workers, express it verbally. Tell them how much you appreciate all that they are doing. They won’t know it if you don’t put it into words.

(3) Loving words.

Say often, “I love you.” Say it to your mate, to your children, and to your parents. Someone has said, “If we knew that the world would end in ten minutes, everyone would be on the phone telling someone else, ‘I love you.’”

(4) Patient words.

“Love is patient” (1 Cor. 13:4- note ) ( Ed note : patient = makrothumeo = "long fuse" in present tense  "love is continually, habitually patient!" This is only possible in one who is continually filled with/controlled by the Spirit Eph 5:18 + or as Paul phrases it in Php 2:13 + , energized by the Spirit). This is often expressed not only by words, but also by facial expression and body language. Sometimes you should say, “That’s okay, you’re doing fine.” Impatience communicates pride on your part, because you’re really saying, “If you’d just get it together like me, things would be okay!”

(5) Kind words.

“Love is…kind” (1 Cor 13:4 + ). You should especially be kind when someone has done something dumb or has failed. It is tempting to ridicule the person, but at that moment, godly words of kindness are needed. You can say something like, “You know, I’ve done the same thing many times. It’s okay.”

(6) Gentle words.

The fruit of the Spirit includes gentleness (Gal. 5:23 + )

EDITORIAL COMMENT  - This clearly indicates that we must be surrendered to the Spirit in order for Him to bear His fruit. Stop "trying" and start "dying" to self! But see caveat below). The Greek word does not imply weakness, but rather strength under control. The gentle person is under the control of the Spirit, who is pictured as a gentle dove. Gentleness means thinking about how the other person feels and how your words will make him feel.

ONE CAVEAT REGARDING THE EXHORTATION - "STOP TRYING AND START DYING" - This statement  DOES NOT  mean that we are to " Let God and Let God " which is a false teaching (probably originating from the  Keswick Movement )! And so, as an example, the phrase "stop trying" means stop trying to live the supernatural life in your natural strength, but in dependence on the Spirit. So does this signify you will do nothing? Does this signify you are a "passive participant" in your  progressive sanctification ? Of course not! Paul was very clear that while believers are  totally dependent  on the Spirit of Christ to live a supernatural life, we are also  totally responsible  to work out our salvation -- "So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,  work out  (command in the  present imperative  - but even obeying this necessitates the Spirit's enablement described in the next verse) your salvation with fear and trembling; 13  for (strategic " term of explanation ") it is God who is at work in you, both to will (desire) and to work *power) for His good pleasure. (Php 2:12 + , Php 2:13NLT + ).

(7) Scripture that God has used in your life.

I’m not talking about preaching or using Scripture to berate the other person, but rather, using Scripture as God has taught you. This is probably the most edifying kind of speech, because God’s Word is given to build us up in the faith. You can say, “A verse that God used in my life when I was discouraged was, …”

(8) Words of loving correction, when needed.

Sometimes we must use our words to correct someone who is thinking or acting wrongly. Never just lash out, even if the person is in the wrong. Rather, always pray and think about how to speak in the most effective manner, with the aim of helping the person to grow in Christ. Every pastor and every Christian should know and practice 2 Timothy 2:24-25, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.”

(9) Prayer.

Sometimes, you may not know what to say, but you can always say, “I don’t have the answer to this problem, but God does. Let’s ask for His wisdom and help.”

So, to build up others, you must be a new creature in Christ. You must first have wholesome words in your thoughts, the kinds of words that we have just seen some examples of.

D. To build up others, be sensitive to their needs.

Paul says that you must use words of edification, “according to the need.” This implies that you are sensitive enough to under-stand what the person’s real needs are. If you don’t understand the person’s needs, even well intentioned words can often hurt more than they heal. So, how do you find out the person’s needs?

(1) Learn the person’s needs by listening.

We’ve all had the frustrating experience of trying to talk to someone who wasn’t really listening. Perhaps the person offered a pat solution to your problem, but it was useless advice because you felt that he didn’t really hear what your need was.

You’ve got to listen to discern what the other person’s needs are. This is especially true when the other person is upset with you or criticizes you unfairly. You’ll be tempted to reciprocate by tearing into him. But, whether the other person’s comments are accurate or not, that person has a need and your words can either be like sword thrusts or like a scalpel that brings healing (Pr. 12:18). Coupled with listening well is…

(2) Learn the person’s needs by asking questions.

Proverbs 18:13 states, “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.” To listen well, you’ve got to ask clarifying questions so that you really understand the other person. You can ask, “Are you saying, …” and repeat back what you hear the person saying to find out if you’re hearing correctly.

(3) Learn the person’s needs by picking up non-verbal clues.

This is part of listening well, because much of communication is non-verbal. You can say, “I can see that you’re really upset. I’d like to understand what is wrong and help if I can.” But you won’t build up the other person unless you are sensitive to his needs.

E. To build up others, give them grace.

Paul says, “so that it will give grace to those who hear.” If you are at odds with anyone, perhaps because he or she has wronged you, you’ll be inclined to think, “But this person doesn’t deserve words that build him up! He deserves to be put down!” But, grace is undeserved favor! Grace extends to others what God has extended to you. It also extends to others what you need in return from others, because you often fall short or fail them. So, although it may be true that the other person does not deserve kind words that build him up, give him such words anyway!

When God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus, John (1:14) says, “and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Jesus is full of grace and truth! As those who have put on the new man, created in righteousness and holiness of the truth (Eph. 4:24), we should make sure that our words and actions are full of grace and truth. When Marla and I were raising our children, I used to say to her, “If we have to err in relating to our kids, let’s err on the side of grace, not of being overly strict.” I said that because God saved me by His grace alone, not because of anything I deserved. His grace is the main thing that motivates me to holy living. So use your words to give grace—God’s grace that you have experienced—to others.

There is a story in the Jewish Talmud about a king who sent two jesters on an errand. He instructed them, “Foolish Simon, go and bring me back the best thing in the world. And you, Silly John, go and find for me the worst thing in the world.” Both clowns were back in short order, each carrying a pack-age. Simon bowed low and grinned. “Behold, Sire, the best thing in the world.” His package contained a tongue. John snickered and quickly unwrapped his bundle. “The worst thing in the world, Sire.” Another tongue! (Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7,700 Ilustrations [Assurance Publishers], # 6387, p. 1422.)

An unknown poet wrote (ibid., #6380, p. 1421):

A careless word may kindle strife. A cruel word may wreck a life. A bitter word may hate instill; A brutal word may smite and kill.

A gracious word may smooth the way; A joyous word may light the day. A timely word may lessen stress; A loving word may heal and bless.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Paul says (Eph. 4:29), “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Rather than using words to tear down others, as a new creature in Christ, use your words to build up others.

Application Questions

• How would you counsel a prof essing Christian who admitted that his speech was often unwholesome, but who wanted to change? Where would you start?
• To which form of unwholesome speech are you most inclined? How do you plan to change?
• How can you think wholesome thoughts about a person who is acting in ungodly ways? Is it wrong to tell this person how he makes you feel? How do you confront in love?
• Won’t giving grace to a person just encourage him to sin more? Discuss in light of Romans 6:1-14; 1 Cor. 15:10. (  Transformed Talk Ephesians 4:29) )

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Proverbs 8:13

What does proverbs 8:13 mean.

Ephesians 4:29 King James Version

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.

Colossians 3:8 King James Version

8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

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58 Bible Verses about Corrupt Talk

Proverbs 4:24 esv / 11 helpful votes helpful not helpful.

Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Proverbs 4:23-27 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

Romans 16:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.

Acts 20:31 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

Luke 21:36 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Psalm 141:3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Set a guard, O Lord , over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

Ephesians 1:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Proverbs 17:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 4:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

James 3:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

James 3:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ...

James 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Ephesians 5:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Ephesians 5:1-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Ephesians 1:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 1:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Romans 10:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 8:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

John 21:15-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” ...

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 6:53 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

Luke 10:25-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ...

Luke 6:44-45 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Mark 10:17-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ...

Matthew 15:1-39 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” ...

Matthew 13:1-58 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, ...

Song of Solomon 2:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Proverbs 15:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!

Proverbs 13:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 11:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Proverbs 7:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words. ...

Proverbs 4:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Proverbs 4:20-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. ...

Proverbs 4:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

Proverbs 4:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. ...

Proverbs 4:1-6:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 3:1-35 esv / 2 helpful votes helpful not helpful.

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ...

Psalm 119:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

Psalm 22:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. ...

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Ephesians 4:29–32

29  b Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give c grace to those who hear. 30  And d do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, e by whom you were sealed for the day of f redemption. 31  g Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32  h Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, i forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

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Ephesians 4:29–32 — The New International Version (NIV)

29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

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. 30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — New Living Translation (NLT)

31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

29  Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — New Century Version (NCV)

29  When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. 30  And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Spirit is God’s proof that you belong to him. God gave you the Spirit to show that God will make you free when the final day comes. 31  Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. 32  Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — American Standard Version (ASV)

29  Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. 30  And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. 31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: 32  and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

29  Let no corrupt word go out of your mouth, but if there be any good one for needful edification, that it may give grace to those that hear it . 30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which ye have been sealed for the day of redemption. 31  Let all bitterness, and heat of passion, and wrath, and clamour, and injurious language, be removed from you, with all malice; 32  and be to one another kind, compassionate, forgiving one another, so as God also in Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

31  Get rid of your bitterness, hot tempers, anger, loud quarreling, cursing, and hatred. 32  Be kind to each other, sympathetic, forgiving each other as God has forgiven you through Christ. 

Ephesians 4:29–32 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

29  No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. 30  And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption. 31  All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. 32  And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

29  Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. 30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31  Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32  and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

29  No rotten word must proceed from your mouth, but only something good for the building up of the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear, 30  and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31  All bitterness, and rage, and wrath, and clamor, and abusive speech, must be removed from you, together with all wickedness. 32  Become kind toward one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as also God in Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

31  Get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage. Stop all fighting and lying. Put away every form of hatred. 32  Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done.

Ephesians 4:29–32 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

32  Be kind to one another , tender-hearted , forgiving each other , just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

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Ephesians 4:29.

by Grant | Jan 29, 2016 | Ephesians | 5 comments

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Verse 29 is an admonition against the improper use of speech , the sins of the tongue.

Let no corrupt [ rotten, insipid, putrid ] word proceed out of your mouth,

Rotten communication is the opposite of building others in the faith—edification. Ancient Greek used the word “corrupt” for rotten fruit and other spoiled food. Repulsive language is out of character for a converted person.

Eph 5:4, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking , nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

but what is good [ beneficial ]

Believers are to speak with the idea of benefiting others.

for necessary edification,

This phrase is literally “for the edifying of the need.” Edification should take place where it is needed. Edification is for meeting spiritual needs. At times this may involve censure but other times the consolation of a believer. All speech should be constructive so that it will build rather than break others down.

Pr 15:23, A man has joy by the answer of his mouth , And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!

Pr 25:11, A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.

The controlling standard for what we say to others is whether it is encouraging, uplifting, and instructive.

that it may impart grace to the hearers.

Edification has the purpose of ministering grace to its hearers. Blunt facts often destroy relationships. Our speech should have a grace element; it should bless others.

Lu 4:22, So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”

A foul mouth comes from a foul heart.

APPLICATION:

There is a connection between the mouth and the heart (Mt 12:34). When people become Christians, their speech changes. Fellowship in the body of Christ requires integrity in communication. The central principle is that believers are to build each other in edification.

If we cannot build others, we should keep silent. “Build up or shut up” is the idea. Our words are to benefit others. Profanity, off-color jokes, or other vulgarity is out of character for someone who claims close connection to Jesus the Lord. These words tear down the edification of others. Genuine biblical speech is helpful to others and pleasing to God. Speech that encourages, uplifts, and is constructive is characteristic of those who love the Lord.

There is a stark difference between unwholesome talk and caring talk. Christians use words to build people. This wholesome environment is the new reality of being a Christian.

Wow! So true, God bless you brother

Thank you I learned a lot love you brother. Be blessed.

Kenny, thank you for those encouraging words.

It’s really such an awesome encouragement may the good Lord blessed you and use you more for his glory

Thank you Allen.

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Ephesians 4:29 :: King James Version (KJV)

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The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV) , 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. Within the United Kingdom, the rights to the KJV are vested in the Crown.

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Definition of corrupt

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

intransitive verb

Definition of corrupt  (Entry 2 of 2)

• disintegrate
• perish [ chiefly British ]
• demoralized
• rakehelly
• unwholesome

debase , vitiate , deprave , corrupt , debauch , pervert mean to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character.

debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity.

vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect.

deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences.

corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity.

debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence.

pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal.

vicious , villainous , iniquitous , nefarious , corrupt , degenerate mean highly reprehensible or offensive in character, nature, or conduct.

vicious may directly oppose virtuous in implying moral depravity, or may connote malignancy, cruelty, or destructive violence.

villainous applies to any evil, depraved, or vile conduct or characteristic.

iniquitous implies absence of all signs of justice or fairness.

nefarious suggests flagrant breaching of time-honored laws and traditions of conduct.

corrupt stresses a loss of moral integrity or probity causing betrayal of principle or sworn obligations.

degenerate suggests having sunk to an especially vicious or enervated condition.

Examples of corrupt in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corrupt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English, from Latin corruptus , past participle of corrumpere , from com- + rumpere to break — more at reave

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin corruptus — see corrupt entry 1

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Dictionary Entries Near corrupt

corrugation

corruptedly

Cite this Entry

“Corrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corrupt. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of corrupt.

Kids Definition of corrupt  (Entry 2 of 2)

Middle English corrupten "change from good to bad, corrupt," from Latin corruptus "corrupted," from corrumpere "to corrupt," from cor-, com- "with" and rumpere "to break" — related to abrupt , rupture

Legal Definition

Legal definition of corrupt.

Legal Definition of corrupt  (Entry 2 of 2)

More from Merriam-Webster on corrupt

Nglish: Translation of corrupt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of corrupt for Arabic Speakers

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Speech on Corruption

• Updated on  
• Jun 2, 2023

Corruption is a problem that has hampered the growth of our country in not one but many ways. It is also one of the most common English speech topics for students . The idea behind giving this as a topic in a speech is to enlighten students on our country’s problems and how we can resolve them. Here, in this blog, we give you a sample speech on corruption, which will come in handy for you in the future.

Must Read: Corruption in India Speech

Speaking Task: Speech on Corruption (5 minutes)

Good morning to one and all present here. It is rightly said that your speech only becomes well if your tongue says what your heart feels. So, here I am to talk about the current and worldwide ongoing issue and enlighten all of you with a speech on Corruption! 

Introduction to Corruption

In one aspect or the other, we all have come across the word ‘Corruption.’ According to political ideology’s definition, ‘Corruption is a form of dishonesty or criminal offence undertaken by a person or organization entrusted with a position of authority, to acquire illicit benefit or abuse power for one’s private gain.’ Seems lengthy and confusing, right? Most simply, corruption is dishonest behaviour practised by authorities such as managers or government officials. This is how people with power rule the world, thereby violating certain people’s rights and privileges. 

It is said that time changes everything.  But here it is, this dishonest act and the unsatisfying term haven’t changed for years on end. It is still prevalent. The main reason for corruption in India is the link between bureaucrats, politicians, and criminals.

Gone are the days when bribes were given when things were wrong. Presently, bribes are received to hide the right stuff. May it be a minor issue or a life-threatening one, a younger child or an adult man, a school-going boy to a working person everyone has seen and has fallen prey to corruption. These days, even if a person isn’t qualified enough for a public sector job, he can quickly get it by spending money and giving bribes to higher officials. 

Must Read: Essay on Labour Day

Examples of Corruption

Well, what is a speech on corruption without some examples? So here are some things which you must have experienced at some point in your life. Have you ever applied for your or your child’s admission to a big reputed college? You can observe in a few of those colleges that if you aren’t eligible for admission, then a bribe is the door opener. Sounds pathetic right? But this is the sad truth these days. From getting admission to reputed colleges to being elected with numerous votes, everything unless more minor or more ways is induced with corruption.

But the most significant and worst type of corruption is Political Corruption. In legal terms, Political corruption or Mal Politics uses powers by government officials or their network contacts for illegitimate private gain. This type is the most concerning one as it erodes the fundamental value of the law that governs and regulates society creating a massive mess in the country as a whole.

Now you all might be thinking that this happens only in well-established and sophisticated cities, but that’s not the case. It occurs throughout India. Metropolitan cities, towns, and villages are all part of this evil game, and it is the common man who gets unnecessarily trapped in the dishonest strategies of this game. The heights of corruption have reached such an extent that strict law can also reduce but not abolish this corrupt mindset. 

Causes of Corruption

Any speech on corruption can never be complete without looking at the causes of corruption. We often hear people saying, ‘Everything happens for a reason. This states that Everything happening around us is driven by a strong desire or motivation behind it. In the same way, corruption also has some hidden causes behind it. Enlisted are the causes of corruption:

• Greed of money
• Lack of values and ethics
• Lack of education
• High level of bureaucracy and inefficient administrative structure 
• Political instability
• Gender Inequality 

How to Fight Corruption 

Now, when we have raked up this sensitive topic in my speech on corruption, I must bring to your notice certain measures to reduce this problem. “Every problem has a solution……But it depends whether you want to solve it or not”. It depends on us if we have to stand against this evil act or in support of it. People usually stay silent in such situations, but one must remember that mere silence leads to acceptance. We must unite together and try to reduce corruption. Enlisted are the various ways in which we can reduce corruption to a greater extent.

• People should start reporting cases of corruption without any delay.
• All the government, non-government, public, private, and educational should unite together and stand against corruption.
• The media and advertising sector should educate people against corruption regularly.
• We should provide students with additional courses to build better citizens for tomorrow.

To conclude, corruption is making life worse for the commoner. But, he is the only one who can raise his voice and bring change. We should start from ourselves and change our thinking of ‘Make a Change to that of ‘Be a change. So, let’s come together and stand in favour of the commoner and not corruption. Let’s decide to be loyal and valuable citizens of our country.

Explore: Speech Writing

So, this was our blog on a speech on corruption. We hope this blog helped you to understand corruption and ways to prevent it. For more educational and interesting content, visit us at Leverage Edu . Follow us on Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn .  

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14 comments

It’s really great.

Really very helpful and motivating and I understood this concept very clearly and I can now tell a speech anywhere on this topic ….thank you so much…

Happy to help, Jack!

Very nice work am really motivated to write myself.

Thank you for reading. You can also read: Speech on Indian Culture Importance of Friendship Speech Speech on Exam Stress

Am so happy for your assistance

Hello, We are glad to know that our blogs are able to help you out with your assignments, tasks and other activities. We would be highly obliged if you would have a look on some of our top searches: 1. https://leverageedu.com/blog/speech-writing/ 2. https://leverageedu.com/blog/asl-topics/ 3. https://leverageedu.com/blog/english-speech-topics/ 4. https://leverageedu.com/blog/generation-gap-speech/

it was a very very helpful speech it had all the things needed and made it look powerful and strong thank u so much

We are happy that you found the Speech on Corruption helpful. Here’s a list of other speeches that might help you!

https://leverageedu.com/blog/generation-gap-speech/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/speech-on-child-labour/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/women-empowerment-speech/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/speech-on-save-water/ https://leverageedu.com/blog/speech-on-right-to-education/

Thank you sir/madam for helping me with this speech.😀

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This is amazing, it helped me for our school’s speech Thank you so much for this!!

Hi, Thanks for your valuable feedback!

It was really helpful thanks a lot

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Could a president stage a coup? And 9 more key moments from Trump's Supreme Court immunity hearing

Other topics included potential self-pardons, FDR and more.

As various Supreme Court justices themselves acknowledged during a high-stakes hearing on Thursday , they could reshape the contours of presidential power when they rule on whether Donald Trump is entitled to some amount of immunity from prosecution for alleged acts in the White House as he pushed to overturn his 2020 election loss.

Over nearly three hours on Thursday, with demonstrators gathered outside, the justices grappled with arguments from both Trump's attorney and an attorney for special counsel Jack Smith, who has charged Trump in connection with his effort to stay in office after losing to now-President Joe Biden.

Trump denies all wrongdoing and disputes some of what he is accused of doing while he maintains that other actions were part of his presidential authority.

The oral arguments included several notable and important exchanges. Here are 10 of the key moments.

A decision is expected from the court by the end of June.

Could a president assassinate his rival?

Justices Sonia Sotomayor and then Samuel Alito touched on one of the most provocative hypotheticals raised in Trump's battle for "absolute immunity" from charges over what he claims were official acts: Could a commander in chief order SEAL Team 6 to assassinate a political rival and not face prosecution?

Sotomayor raised it first while questioning Trump attorney John Sauer. She pointed back to an earlier exchange Sauer had in a lower court proceeding.

"I'm going to give you a chance to say ...if you stay by it: The president decides that his rival is a corrupt person and he orders the military, or orders someone, to assassinate him -- is that within his official acts for which he can get immunity?" she asked.

"It would depend on the hypothetical," Sauer answered. "We could see that could well be an official act."

Sotomayor pressed on that point: "Immunity says even if you did it for personal gain, we won't hold you responsible -- what do you -- how could that be?"

Sauer pointed back to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling from the '80s that held a president is immune from civil liability related to this official acts, which Sauer said is a basis for their own argument now about criminal liability.

"That's an extremely strong doctrine in this court's case law in cases like Fitzgerald," he said.

Later, Alito referred back to a president's hypothetical use of the military as elite assassins as he and Sotomayor split on whether "plausibleness" was a useful standard for scrutiny versus "reasonable."

"One might argue that it isn't plausible to order SEAL Team 6 -- and I don't want to slander SEAL Team 6 because they're -- no, seriously -- they're honorable, they're honorable officers and they are bound by the uniform code of military justice not to obey unlawful orders -- [but] I think one could say it's not plausible ... that that action would be legal," Alito said.

To Sauer, he said, "I'm sure you've thought of lots of hypotheticals where a president could say, 'I'm using an official power,' and yet the power uses it in an absolutely outrageous manner."

'What was up with the pardon of President Nixon?'

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson pressed Sauer on his contention that without immunity all future presidents would feel paralyzed to take official acts that could put them in criminal jeopardy.

"I mean, I understood that every president from the beginning of time essentially has understood that there was a threat of prosecution [upon leaving office]," Jackson said.

Sauer responded by quoting Ben Franklin from the constitutional convention, to which Jackson seemed skeptical.

"But since Benjamin Franklin everybody has presidents who have held the office [who knew] that they were taking this office subject to potential criminal prosecution, no?" she said.

She cited one well-known example of a former president who came under legal scrutiny.

"What was up with the pardon for President [Richard] Nixon? ... If everybody thought that presidents couldn't be prosecuted, then what -- what was that about?" she said.

"He was under investigation for both private and public conduct at the time -- official acts and private conduct," Sauer said, going on to indicate that there had long been established an understanding that presidents could be prosecuted for private acts.

"Counsel on that score, there does seem to be some common ground between you, your colleague on the other side, that no man's above the law and that the president can be prosecuted after he leaves office for his private conduct, is that right?" Justice Neil Gorsuch asked.

"We agree with that," Sauer answered.

"And then the question becomes, as we've been exploring here today, a little bit about how to segregate private from official conduct that may or may not enjoy some immunity," Gorsuch said.

That underscored what could emerge as a key part of the court's ultimate decision: how to separate out Trump's conduct that is protected by the presidency, under a ruling of some executive immunity, and what he is accused of doing outside the bounds of his presidential authority that can be prosecuted.

But Trump's attorney concedes some conduct was private

Not long after, Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned Sauer precisely where some of the described conduct falls, between official and private -- protected or unprotected.

"You concede that private acts don't get immunity," she said.

"We do," Sauer said.

Barrett then specifically cited various alleged acts from Trump's push to overturn the 2020 election, as described by prosecutors.

Barrett, quoting from court filings, said, "I want to know if you agree or disagree about the characterization of these acts as private. Petitioner turned to a private attorney who was willing to spread knowingly false claims of election fraud to spearhead his challenges to the election results. Private?"

"We dispute the allegation, but that sounds private to me," Sauer said.

Barrett continued: "Petitioner conspired with another private attorney who caused the filing in court of a verification, signed by petitioner, that contained false allegations to support a challenge. Private?"

"Also sounds private," Sauer said.

"Three private actors, two attorneys, including those mentioned above, and a political consultant, helped to implement a plan to submit fraudulent slates of presidential electors to obstruct the certification proceeding and petitioner and a co-conspirator attorney directed that had effort." Barrett said.

"I believe that's private," Sauer replied.

"Those acts you would not dispute," Barrett said. "Those were private and you wouldn't raise a claim that they were official."

Sauer said back: "As characterized."

'That's like a one-legged stool, right?'

A notable response came shortly after from Chief Justice Roberts when Sauer pushed the justices to remand the case back down to the lower courts to piece through which allegations in the indictment amount to a protected "official act" under the presidency.

"The official stuff has to be expunged completely from the indictment before the case can go forward," Sauer argued.

"That's like a one-legged stool, right?" Roberts said. "I mean, giving somebody money isn't bribery unless you get something in exchange. If what you get in exchange is to become the ambassador to a particular country, that is official, the appointment, it's within the president's prerogatives. The unofficial part is -- 'I'm going to get a million dollars for it.'"

After this exchange, Justice Clarence Thomas raised unprompted whether Trump's legal team was challenging the legality of the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith, a questionable theory previously pushed by right-wing lawyers like former Attorney General Ed Meese.

Sauer said Trump's legal team was making that argument in his separate Florida federal case, in which he is accused of mishandling classified information while out of office, but they weren't doing so directly in this case, to which Thomas did not follow up.

Justice Alito then asked Sauer if all official acts alleged in the Jan. 6 indictment should be excluded from trial, to which Sauer answered they should.

But Justice Sotomayor pressed back on the notion of remanding the case, arguing that even in the instances of acts that could be considered official, they came in the context of Trump pushing forward in his "private" intent of remaining in office.

"I don't think the indictment is charging that the obstruction occurred solely because of conversations with the Justice Department," she said. "They're saying -- you look at all of the private acts and you look in the context of some of the public acts and you can infer the intent, the private intent from them."

Fear of turning Oval Office into 'seat of criminal activity'

In questioning Sauer about why presidents shouldn’t face criminal liability for unlawful actions they take in office, Justice Jackson seemed to warn that, as she sees it, giving presidents absolute immunity could turn the White House into “the seat of criminal activity in this country.”

In response, Sauer insisted that while a president shouldn’t face criminal prosecution, they could face impeachment or other remedies for any unlawful conduct.

The exchange began when Jackson pressed, "If there’s no threat of criminal prosecution, what prevents the president from just doing whatever he wants?"

Sauer pointed to "impeachment, oversight by Congress, public oversight, there’s a long series."

"You seem to be worried about the president being chilled. I think that we would have a really significant opposite problem if the president wasn't chilled," Jackson said.

"If someone with those kinds of powers, the most powerful person in the world, with the greatest amount of authority, could go into office knowing that there would be no potential penalty for committing crimes -- I'm trying to understand what the disincentive is from turning the Oval Office into the seat of criminal activity in this country," Jackson continued.

She asked Sauer, "If the potential for criminal liability is taken off the table, wouldn't there be a significant risk that future presidents would be emboldened to commit crimes with abandon while they're in office?"

But Sauer indicated that such problems hadn't occurred so far.

"I respectfully disagree with that because the regime you described is the regime we operated under for 234 years," he said.

Can a president pardon themselves?

During Sauer's questioning, Gorsuch asked him to explain the Trump team's position on whether a president hypothetically has the power to pardon themselves, which he said could happen if presidents feared that their successors could prosecute them for actions they took while in office.

"I didn't think of that until your honor asked it. That is certainly incentive that might be created," Sauer answered.

"We've never answered whether a president can do that. Happily it's never been presented to us," Gorsuch said in response.

Later in the hearing, Michael Dreeben, arguing for the government, was asked for his view on whether the president has such authority.

"I don't believe the department of justice has taken a position," Dreeben said. The only authority that I'm aware of is a member of the Office of Legal Counsel wrote on a memorandum that there is no self-pardon authority. As far as I know, the department has not addressed it further and the court had not addressed it either."

Will the case be remanded -- delaying it until next year?

Roberts began his line of questioning of Dreeben, in the second half of the haring, by raising concerns about the opinion issued by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in their sweeping rejection of Trump's claims of immunity.

Roberts said the statement that "a former president can be prosecuted for his official acts because the fact of the prosecution means that the former president has allegedly acted in defiance of the laws" concerned him because "as I read it, it says a former president can be prosecuted because he's being prosecuted."

Roberts said such a position could put too much faith in the justice system to act non-politically and out of good faith -- and he asked whether the Supreme Court should send the opinion back down to make clear to the circuit court that that is not the law.

Dreeben responded there are "layered safeguards" that protect against malicious prosecution.

"We are not endorsing a regime that we think would expose former presidents to criminal prosecution in bad faith, for political animus, without adequate evidence, or politically driven prosecution that would violate the Constitution," Dreeben said.

Near the end of the hearing, Barrett also noted that the justices could send the case back to the lower court to decide which of the actions in the indictment against Trump was official -- and therefore not prosecutable -- versus which were done in his private capacity.

Such an outcome could rule out a trial before the end of the year and before the November election.

Dreeben emphasized that the Department of Justice would prefer to tell a jury all of it: "There's an integrated conspiracy here that had different components, as alleged in the indictment. Working with private lawyers to achieve the goals of the fraud and ... the petitioner reaching for his official powers to try to make the conspiracies more likely to succeed.

"We would like to present that as an integrated picture to the jury so that it sees ... [the] gravity of the conduct."

However, Dreeben indicated that even if some of the alleged actions in indictment were deemed official in nature and not subject to prosecution, prosecutors would still want to present some of those actions to the jury to show Trump's state of mind when he engaged in actions deemed private.

Presidents can make mistakes without charges

Dreeben faced questions from Alito on whether or not presidents can make a "mistake" given the many competing pressures they are under in their day to day duties.

"Presidents have to make a lot of tough decisions about enforcing the law and they have to make decisions about questions that are unsettled," Alito said, then asking if a "mistake" makes a commander in chief criminally liable.

"Making a mistake is not what lands you in a criminal prosecution," Dreeben said.

Later he raised some of the specific accusations in the charges against Trump: "It is difficult for me to understand how there could be a serious constitutional question about saying, 'You can't use fraud to defeat the [certification of the winner of the presidential election], you can't obstruct it through deception, you can't deprive millions of voters of their right to have their vote counted for the candidate who they chose.'"

Charging FDR for internment camps?

Much of the justices' questioning of the attorneys on Thursday turned on hypotheticals to probe at the limits of each of their arguments about whether presidents should or should not be immune from prosecution.

Beyond Sotomayor asking about a potential assassination using the military, Justice Elana Kagan asked how immunity would apply if a president ordered soldiers "to stage a coup."

Sauer said in that potential case, it "may well be an official act" that would require impeachment and conviction before he is prosecuted.

He said something similar when Sotomayor asked if Trump's backing of "fraudulent" alternate electors in 2020, to try and overturn the results, as described in the indictment, was also part of his official duties. "Absolutely, your honor," Sauer said.

Alito added his own what-if as he questioned Dreeben, with the government.

"Mr. Sauer and others have identified events in the past where presidents have engaged in conduct that might have been charged as a federal crime, and you say, 'Well, no, that's not really true.' ... So, what about president Franklin D. Roosevelt's decision to inter Japanese Americans during World War II. Couldn't that have been charged under conspiracy against civil rights?" Alito asked.

Dreeben raised a number of concerns with hypothetically trying to bring charges but demurred on a straightforward answer beyond noting the controversy and complexity.

Worry of a vicious cycle of prosecutions -- and what happens next

In line with many of his questions during today's arguments, Justice Brett Kavanaugh focused at one point on what the impact of prosecution could be on the office of the presidency and his worries of what he called a vicious cycle of malicious prosecutions hampering presidents for years and years to come -- in the absence of immunity.

He likened the current moment to a controversial post-Watergate Supreme Court decision involving the powers of independent counsels, in which the late Justice Antonin Scalia penned one of his most famous dissents in defense of the presidency.

"That's the concern going forward is that the system will -- when former presidents are subject to prosecution in the history of Morrison v. Olsen tells us, it's going to cycle back and be used against the current president or the next president or and the next president and after that," Kavanaugh said.

He further claimed in the exchange that while President Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon was "very controversial in the moment" it is "now looked upon as one of the better decisions in presidential history I think by most people."

Notably, however, both Kavanaugh and Gorsuch said their concerns about overreaching prosecutions didn't extend to the facts of the Jan. 6 case against Trump.

Throughout arguments, justices made clear they were looking past the immediate example of Trump to what their decision will mean for the future of the presidency.

"We're writing a rule for the ages," Gorsuch said.

Kavanuagh echoed that: "This case has huge implications for the presidency, for the future of the presidency and for the future of the country, in my view."

And Alito said, "Whatever we decide is going to apply to all future presidents."

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'Europe could die,' France's Macron says as he calls for stronger defense and economic reform

French President Emmanuel Macron appealed on Thursday for stronger, more integrated European defenses and said the continent must not become a vassal of the United States, as he outlined his vision for a more assertive European Union on the global stage.

With just three years left of his second and final term in office, and after losing his parliamentary majority in 2022, Macron, 46, wants to show his critics that he retains the energy and fresh thinking that helped propel him into the presidency in 2017 and that he has not become a lame duck leader.

“There is a risk our Europe could die. We are not equipped to face the risks,” Macron said in his speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris, warning that military, economic and other pressures could weaken and fragment the 27-nation E.U.

Macron said Russia must not be allowed to win in Ukraine , and he called for a boost in Europe’s cybersecurity capacity, closer defense ties with post-Brexit Britain , and the creation of a European academy to train high-ranking military personnel.

“There is no defense without a defense industry ... we’ve had decades of under-investment,” he said, adding that Europeans should give preference to buying European military equipment.

“We must produce more, we must produce faster, and we must produce as Europeans,” Macron said.

Europe “must show that it is never a vassal of the United States and that it also knows how to talk to all the other regions of the world”, he said.

Macron has long called for European “strategic autonomy” involving less reliance on the United States, a stance that has gained greater resonance in the face of former President Donald Trump’s renewed bid for the White House . Trump has often accused Europe of free loading on defense at the United States’ expense.

However, many E.U. officials believe there is currently no credible alternative to the U.S. military umbrella, and some suspect Macron of pushing French industrial interests.

Economic challenges

Macron said Europe also risks falling behind economically in a context where global free-trade rules are being challenged by major competitors, and he said it should aim to become a global leader in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, space, biotechnologies and renewable energy.

The E.U. should agree exemptions to its own competition rules so it can support firms in sectors such as AI and green energy in the face of “oversubsidies” by the United States and China , Macron said.

Europe needs less fragmented markets for energy, telecoms and financial services, and must also cut red tape, he added.

The French leader hopes his speech will have the same impact as a similar address at the Sorbonne he made seven years ago that prefigured some significant E.U. policy shifts.

Since then, much has changed, with major geopolitical challenges including the war in Gaza , Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing China-U.S. tensions.

Thursday’s speech was billed by Macron’s advisers as France’s contribution to the E.U.’s strategic agenda for the next five years. The agenda is due to be decided after the European elections, when E.U. leaders will haggle over the bloc’s top jobs.

Macron has seen his personal popularity tumble, while his centrist Renaissance party is trailing the far-right Rassemblement National (RN) in polls ahead of the June 6-9 European Parliament elections.

Another challenge for Macron is that in the European Parliament, his group, Renew, is now the third-biggest but could fall to fourth place, opinion polls show, which would further limit his influence.