Sermon:  Brash
by Chris Cumming

Back in 2020, between the months of February and August, we engaged in a 14-sermon series I labeled, “The Salvation Series.”  The 5^th sermon in this series is, “Mortification” (SPS: Mortify sin).  The 6^th sermon in this series is, Asseverate (SPS: Better your state).  In both, I quoted a verse from Ephesians 5.  This verse captured my mind and followed me around until I could put this sermon together.  Before I read this specific verse, let me put it in context to see what Paul is talking about.

Ephesians 4:29-32
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.  (last verse of chapter 4)

Now continuing right into chapter 5:

Ephesians 5:1-6

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 

The verse I gave in those two sermons was verse 4.  Just what do these verses and words mean?

Questions: (the number of questions should indicate to you the depth of this subject)
1] what is corrupt communication (verse 29)?
2] what does it mean to “grieve not the Holy Spirit of God?” How does one grieve the Holy Spirit (verse 30)?  What words or acts might result in this happening?  Is grieving the Holy Spirit the same as “quenching the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)?
3] what does it mean to “walk in love” (verse 2)?  Does walking in love have anything to do with holiness?  What is the main definition of the biblical word, “holy?”
4] what does “filthiness” mean here (verse 4)?
5] what is foolish talking (verse 4)?
6] what is jesting (verse 4)?
7] why would these three elements not be convenient (verse 4)?
8] do these admonitions against foolish talking and jesting call for a total removal of humor, friendly banter, joke-telling and wittiness from our lives and conduct?
9] what elements in your life are sacred and holy things?
10] what is the opposite of “corrupt communication?”

Today, we will discuss the answers to these questions as I encourage all of us to utter good communication.

Utter good communication. (understand this good communication encompasses thoughts, utterances and deeds. Also know that as much as 80% of this communication will be between you and yourself.

To understand this subject, we have to discuss biblical and dictionary meanings of words and phrases we see in these scriptures from Ephesians.

Let us go back to Ephesians 4.

Ephesians 4:29-32
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. 

Verse 29: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth"

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

Colossians 4:6 
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 

Verse 30: "Grieve not the holy Spirit of God."

Paul is stating that words and actions that are not edifying grieve the Holy Spirit that is in us. Negative words and actions hurt or negatively affect other people.  Even worse is the fact they hurt the firstfruit author of those words or actions.  The next two verses give us both the things that grieve the Holy Spirit and those that edify it and those around us.

Verse 31: things that grief the Holy Spirit
1] bitterness
2] wrath
3] anger
4] clamour (vehement expressions, outrage)

God says to put these away with all malice.  In other words, having a fervent and diligent desire to inflict destruction on the things in this verse 31 list.

Verse 32: Things that edify you and others
1] kindness.
2] kindness to others and self.
3] tenderheartedness.
4] tenderheartedness to others and self.
5] forgiveness.
6] forgiveness of others and self.

All this is overview prior to Ephesians 5.

As a sidebar here, I want to give clarity between the acts of grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit:

Ephesians 5:1-6
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 
5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 

Neither filthiness - That is, obscene, or indecent conversation. Literally, that which is shameful, or deformed - αἰσχρότης aischrotēs. The word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. ~Barnes Notes

Nor foolish talking - This word - μωρολογία mōrologia - does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means that kind of talk which is insipid, senseless, stupid, foolish; which is not suited to instruct, edify, profit - the idle “chitchat” which is so common in the world. The meaning is, that Christians should aim to have their conversation sensible, serious, sincere - remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, “that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment;” Matthew12:36. ~Barnes Notes

Nor jesting - Ευτραπελια· Artfully turned discourses or words, from ευ, well or easily, and τρεπω, I turn; words that can be easily turned to other meanings; double entendres; chaste words which, from their connection, and the manner in which they are used, convey an obscene or offensive meaning. It also means jests, puns, witty sayings, and mountebank (negative--quackery) repartees (witty reply) of all kinds. ~Adam Clarke

Note:  The last sentence of this commentary is speaking of negative/hurtful jests, puns and witty sayings that convey obscene or offensive meaning, as stated in the commentary.

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

(2) “Cheerfulness” is not forbidden - for if anything can make cheerful, it is the hope of [the Kingdom].

(3) “Pleasantry” cannot be forbidden. I mean that quiet and gentle humor that arises from good-nature, and that makes one good-natured in spite of himself.

Such are many of the poems of Cowper, and many of the essays of Addison in the “Spectator” - a benevolent humor which disposes us to smile, but not to be malignant; to be good-natured, but not to inspire levity. But levity and jesting, though often manifested by ministers and other Christians, are as inconsistent with true dignity as with the gospel. Where were they seen in the conversation of the Redeemer? Where in the writings of Paul? ~Barnes Notes

I looked up, "Levity" in my dictionary:

Levity: lightness of mind, character, or behavior; lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestness.

Which are not convenient - That is, which are not fit or proper; which do not become the character of Christians; notes, Romans 1:28. Christians should be grave and serious - though cheerful and pleasant. They should feel that they have great interests at stake, and that the world has too. They are redeemed - not to make sport; purchased with precious blood - for other purposes than to make people laugh. They are soon to be in [in the Kingdom] - and a man who has any impressive sense of that will habitually feel that he has much else to do than to make people laugh. The true course of life is midway between moroseness and levity; sourness and lightness; harshness and jesting. Be benevolent, kind, cheerful, bland, courteous, but serious. Be solemn, thoughtful, deeply impressed with the presence of God and with eternal things, but pleasant, affable, and benignant. Think not a smile sinful; but think not levity and jesting harmless. ~Barnes Notes [emphasis mine]

But rather giving of thanks - Thanks to God, or praises are more becoming Christians than jesting. The idea here seems to be, that such employment would be far more appropriate to the character of Christians, than idle, trifling, and indelicate conversation. Instead, therefore, of meeting together for low wit and jesting; for singing songs, and for the common discourse which often attends such “gatherings” of friends, Paul would have them come together for the purpose of praising God and engaging in his service. Human beings are social in their nature; and if they do not assemble for good purposes, they will for bad ones. It is much more appropriate to the character of Christians to come together to sing praises to God, than to sing songs; to pray than to jest; to converse of the things of redemption than to tell anecdotes, and to devote the time to a contemplation of the world to come, than to trifles and nonsense. ~Barnes Notes

Let us look at the several words used in this commentary.

Filthiness-vulgar; obscene, vile or objectionable

Strong's G151-obscenity

Foolish talking

Strong's G3473 - silly talk, buffoonery

Jesting-a piece of good-natured ridicule; taunt, to deride (laugh at in scorn or contempt; mock) or joke at

Strong's G2160 -witticism in a vulgar sense

Courteousness- having or showing good manners; polite

Cheerfulness-pleasant, bright, expressive of good spirits, joyous

Pleasantry-good-humored teasing; banter.  A courteous social remark used to initiate or facilitate a conversation

Levity - lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestness.

Malignant--harmful and/or causing distress deliberately.

Convenient -well-suited conversation.  Favorable, easy or comfortable for use.  Fitting; suitable.

Strongs G433 and G3756 -

G433 - attain to as in we are to attain to convenient things

G3756 - the absolute negative; that is, the opposite of convenient.

Ephesians 5:4 is telling us that filthiness (obscenity), foolish talking (silly talk--lacking good sense; absurd) and jesting (vulgar witticism) are the opposite of all things convenient.

One dictionary I went to gives the meaning of "foolish talk" and "coarse jesting" as "talk that is characteristic of fools, people literally with 'empty heads.'" Coarse Jesting (opposite of pleasant wittiness or skilled conversation): And it means "indecent or vulgar jesting, improper jokes"

Moroseness--gloomy conversation

…from the commentary on Ephesians 5:4

"Be solemn, thoughtful, deeply impressed with the presence of God and with eternal things."

"Praises are more becoming Christians than jesting."

"It is much more appropriate to the character of Christians to come together to sing praises to God, than to [just] sing songs; to pray than to jest; to converse of the things of redemption than to tell anecdotes, and to devote the time to a contemplation of the world to come, than to trifles and nonsense." -emphasis mine

Twice now, in this definitions we see the text, “deeply impressed with the presence of God and with eternal things.”  What eternal things?  I would conclude that the simple answer would be, “eternal things are anything God has put His hand to and/or is engaged in.”

Eternal things are sacred things.  Sacred things are holy things.  If there were any subjects on earth where foolish talking was not appropriate, they would be in and around these holy and sacred things of God.  Let us  list some:

Holy:  specially recognized as or declared sacred by religious use or authority; consecrated:

The word, "Holy" in the Bible:   Found 611 times in 544 verses

G40 Hag' ee os
Sacred

You are holy
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 

Your Calling is Holy
2 Timothy 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Romans 11:29
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 

Human life is holy
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Marriage is holy
Matthew 19:6
Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 

Sex is holy
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 

The Sabbath is holy
Exodus 20:8
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 

The tithe is holy
Leviticus 27:30
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD. 

The name of God is holy.
Exodus 20:7
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. 

The Temple is holy
Psalm 5:7
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

The Holy of Holies was the ultimate holy place in the world.
Leviticus 16:2-3
2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. 
3 Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 

The Ark is holy.
Exodus 25:21-22
21 And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. 
22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

The Holy Days are holy
Leviticus 23
Leviticus 23:2
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. 

Jerusalem is holy
Matthew 27:53
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 

Angels are holy
Matthew 25:31 
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 

God is Holy
1 Peter 1:16
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

What does all this mean?

With this sermon, you have all the definitive verses on foolish talking and jesting.  You have all the key definitions of the words from the Bible and the commentaries.  You also have a list of the sacred and holy things.

Neither the church nor I am going to give you some all-encompassing list of yeas and neighs to every possible utterance for every conceivable subject.  This is an extremely personal endeavor.  Apply this knowledge to your specific and unique calling before God.

In addition, the best method of ridding yourself of the negative side of communication is to focus on the positive side of communication.

As Ephesians 4:32 says:
Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 

As one of the commentaries said:


“It is much more appropriate to the character of Christians to come together to sing praises to God, to converse of the things of redemption and to devote the time to a contemplation of the world to come.”

You have the tools now.  Go and Utter good communication.

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