Ephesians 4:29
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Berean Literal Bible
Do not let any unwholesome word go forth out of your mouth, but only good, for edification of the need, so that it may give grace to those hearing.

King James Bible
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.

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

New American Standard Bible
Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

NASB 1995
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 1977
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, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Legacy Standard Bible
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for building up what is needed, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Amplified Bible
Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

Christian Standard Bible
No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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.

American Standard Version
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.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Let not any hateful words come out of your mouth, but whatever is good and useful for improvement that you may give grace to those who hear,

Contemporary English Version
Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth; but that which is good, to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
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.

Good News Translation
Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.

International Standard Version
Let no filthy talk be heard from your mouths, but only what is good for building up people and meeting the need of the moment. This way you will administer grace to those who hear you.

Literal Standard Version
Let no corrupt word go forth out of your mouth, but what is good to the necessary building up, that it may give grace to the hearers;

Majority Standard Bible
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

New American Bible
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.

NET Bible
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.

New Revised Standard Version
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.

New Heart English Bible
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Webster's Bible Translation
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.

Weymouth New Testament
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.

World English Bible
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Young's Literal Translation
Let no corrupt word out of your mouth go forth, but what is good unto the needful building up, that it may give grace to the hearers;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
New Life in Christ
28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need. 29Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.…

Cross References
Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

Romans 14:19
So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 15:2
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Ephesians 5:4
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.


Treasury of Scripture

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.

no.

Ephesians 5:3,4
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; …

Psalm 5:9
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

Psalm 52:2
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.

that which.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: …

Psalm 37:30,31
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment…

Psalm 45:2
Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

to the use of edifying.

Ephesians 4:12,16
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: …

minister.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1 Peter 2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 3:1
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

Jump to Previous
Benefit Building Communication Corrupt Ear Edifying Evil Fits Good Grace Hear Hearers Impart Lips Means Minister Moment Mouth Necessary Need Needful Needs Occasion Others Proceed Speech Talk Teaching Use Word Words
Jump to Next
Benefit Building Communication Corrupt Ear Edifying Evil Fits Good Grace Hear Hearers Impart Lips Means Minister Moment Mouth Necessary Need Needful Needs Occasion Others Proceed Speech Talk Teaching Use Word Words
Ephesians 4
1. He exhorts to unity;
7. and declares that God therefore gives various gifts unto men;
11. that his church might be edified,
16. and grow up in Christ.
18. He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles;
24. to put on the new man;
25. to cast off lying;
29. and corrupt communication.














(29) Let no corrupt communication . . .--The word rendered "corrupt," is a strong word, signifying "rotten"; used in Matthew 7:17-18, and elsewhere in the literal sense, here alone in the metaphorical. By the corrupt word, probably, here is meant especially the foul word, which is rotten in itself, and spreads rottenness in others.

The use of edifying.--This is a mistranslation, by inversion, of a difficult expression, "the building up of the need"--that is, the supplying by suggestion of good the peculiar "need" or defect of the hearer's spiritual state. Perhaps, as before, the word "good" may be taken for gracious and full of sympathy, noting by the quick insight of love what each man's need is, and hastening to speak accordingly, so as to "give grace" or blessing to meet that peculiar need. The same use of the word "grace" is found in 2Corinthians 1:15 ("that ye might have a second benefit"). The same idea is found in 1Thessalonians 3:10, "to perfect that which is lacking in your faith."

Here again we have a similar treatment of moral duty. The corrupt word is forbidden, not because it defiles the speaker's own soul, and is an offence in the pure eyes of God, but because it is a sin against others, pulling down instead of building them up, and aggravating, instead of supplying, their moral defects. Like the falsehood, and wrath, and dishonesty, forbidden above, it sins against the unity of all in God.

Verse 29. - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth. Not pagans only, but some of whom better things might be expected, need this charge. How revolting is the tendency in some circles to foul and blasphemous conversation; to profane and obscene jests, songs, and allusions: to feed as it were on moral garbage! From Christian mouths no such word should ever issue - it is simply abominable. But that which is good for improvement of the occasion, that it may give grace to them that hear. Speaking should ever bear on improvement or edification, especially on turning passing things to good account. This should be the aim; it does not require speaking to be uniformly grave, but to have an object. It may be quite right to have an enlivening object, but among Christians it should always be such as befits their profession, and tends to help on the exalted objects at which they aim.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
{Let} no
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

unwholesome
σαπρὸς (sapros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4550: Rotten, useless, corrupt, depraved. From sepo; rotten, i.e. Worthless.

talk
λόγος (logos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.

come
ἐκπορευέσθω (ekporeuesthō)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1607: From ek and poreuomai; to depart, be discharged, proceed, project.

out of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

mouths,
στόματος (stomatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4750: The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword.

but
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

only
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

what is
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

helpful
ἀγαθὸς (agathos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'.

for
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

building up
οἰκοδομὴν (oikodomēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3619: Feminine of a compound of oikos and the base of doma; architecture, i.e. a structure; figuratively, confirmation.

the [one]
τῆς (tēs)
Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

in need
χρείας (chreias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.

[and]
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

bringing
δῷ (dō)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

grace
χάριν (charin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.

to those
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

who listen.
ἀκούουσιν (akouousin)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.


Links
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Ephesians 4:29 NASB
Ephesians 4:29 KJV

Ephesians 4:29 BibleApps.com
Ephesians 4:29 Biblia Paralela
Ephesians 4:29 Chinese Bible
Ephesians 4:29 French Bible
Ephesians 4:29 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out (Ephes. Eph. Ep)
Ephesians 4:28
Top of Page
Top of Page