Definition and Context
Jesting, in the biblical context, refers to speech that is frivolous, mocking, or irreverent. It often involves humor that is inappropriate or coarse, and it can be seen as contrary to the virtues of seriousness and respectfulness that are encouraged in Christian conduct. The term is derived from the Greek word "eutrapelia," which can imply wittiness or humor but also carries a negative connotation when used inappropriately.

Biblical References
The concept of jesting is addressed in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 5:4, Paul admonishes believers to avoid "obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking," which he states are "out of place" for those who follow Christ. The Berean Standard Bible translates this verse as: "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving."

Moral and Ethical Implications
Jesting, when it involves crude or irreverent humor, is seen as inconsistent with the Christian call to holiness and purity. The Bible encourages believers to use their words to edify and build up others, as seen in Ephesians 4:29 : "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." This suggests that speech should be constructive and gracious, rather than demeaning or frivolous.

Theological Considerations
From a theological perspective, jesting that is inappropriate can be seen as a reflection of the heart's condition. Jesus taught that "out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). Therefore, jesting that is coarse or irreverent may indicate a heart that is not fully aligned with the values of the Kingdom of God. Believers are called to reflect Christ in all aspects of life, including their speech.

Practical Application
In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to exercise discernment in their humor and to avoid jokes or comments that could be offensive or harmful. This involves being mindful of the impact of one's words on others and striving to cultivate a speech that is characterized by love, respect, and gratitude. The call to thanksgiving, as mentioned in Ephesians 5:4, serves as a positive alternative to jesting, directing believers to focus on gratitude and praise.

Cultural Considerations
While humor is a natural and often beneficial part of human interaction, cultural differences can influence what is considered appropriate or offensive. Christians are encouraged to be sensitive to these differences and to ensure that their humor does not become a stumbling block to others. In all things, the guiding principle should be love and the edification of the body of Christ.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Jest.

2. (a.) Sportive; not serious; fit for jests.

3. (n.) The act or practice of making jests; joking; pleasantry.

JESTING

jest'-ing: Used from Tyndale down as the translation of eutrapelia (Ephesians 5:4). Aristotle uses the original in his Ethics iv.14 as an equivalent of "quick-witted," from its root meaning "something easily turned," adding that, since the majority of people love excessive jesting, the word is apt to be degraded. This is the case here, where it clearly has a flavor of the coarse or licentious.

2160. eutrapelia -- ready wit, coarse jesting
... ready wit, coarse jesting. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eutrapelia
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-trap-el-ee'-ah) Short Definition: low jesting ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2160.htm - 6k6711. tsachaq -- to laugh
... root Definition to laugh NASB Word Usage caressing (1), entertained* (1), jesting
(1), laugh (4), laughed (2), make sport (2), mocking (1), play (1). ...
/hebrew/6711.htm - 6k

Against Foolish Talking and Jesting.
... AGAINST FOOLISH TALKING AND JESTING. "Nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which
are not convenient."" Ephesians 5:4. Moral and political ...
/.../against foolish talking and jesting.htm

Whether There Can be Sin in the Excess of Play?
... reason. Now it has been stated [3649](A[2]) that playful or jesting words
or deeds are dirigible according to reason. Wherefore ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be sin 2.htm

Third Sunday in Lent
... and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh
saints; 4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday in lent.htm

Ephesians iv. 32 and v. 1, 2
... [369] But just as in the former case he took away "clamor" as being the vehicle
of "anger," so now does he "filthy talking" and "jesting" as being the vehicle ...
/.../homily xvii ephesians iv 32.htm

Answer to the Greeks. Do they Recognise the Logos? if He Manifests ...
... But one cannot but be utterly astonished at the Gentiles, who, while they laugh
at what is no matter for jesting, are themselves insensible to their own ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 41 answer to the.htm

Whether Derision Can be a Mortal Sin?
... great, it is taken, not in jest, but seriously: consequently if it is taken in jest
or turned to ridicule (whence the terms 'derision' and 'jesting'), this is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether derision can be a.htm

On Mr. Mccabe and a Divine Frivolity
... with a natural simplicity and wonder, "About what other subjects can one make jokes
except serious subjects?" It is quite useless to talk about profane jesting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xvi on mr mccabe and.htm

1 Cor. xv. 29
... underneath saith in his stead that of course he should wish to be baptized; and
so they baptize him instead of the departed, like men jesting upon the stage ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xl 1 cor xv.htm

Seventh Commandment
... But fornication, and all uncleanness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh
saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/seventh commandment.htm

Hebrews ix. 5-Jan
... Do ye not hear Paul saying, Let "filthiness and foolish talking and jesting" (
Ephesians 5:4 ) be put away from you? He places "jesting ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xv hebrews ix 5-jan.htm

Jesting (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The act or practice of making jests; joking; pleasantry. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. JESTING. ... Multi-Version Concordance Jesting (2 Occurrences). ...
/j/jesting.htm - 7k

Quit (12 Occurrences)
... 9. (v.) To have done with; to cease from; to stop; hence, to depart from; to leave;
to forsake; as, to quit work; to quit the place; to quit jesting. 10. ...
/q/quit.htm - 13k

Joking (3 Occurrences)
... Joking (3 Occurrences). Ephesians 5:4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting,
which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks. (See NIV). ...
/j/joking.htm - 7k

Jesters (1 Occurrence)

/j/jesters.htm - 6k

Jesui (1 Occurrence)

/j/jesui.htm - 6k

Levity (2 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Ephesians 5:4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which
are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks. (See RSV). ...
/l/levity.htm - 7k

Filthiness (16 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Ephesians 5:4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting,
which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks. ...
/f/filthiness.htm - 16k

Fitting (29 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 5:4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not
befitting: but rather giving of thanks. (Root in ASV NAS RSV). ...
/f/fitting.htm - 14k

Thanksgiving (49 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Ephesians 5:4 and filthiness and foolish
talking, or jesting, which are not convenient; but rather thanksgiving. ...
/t/thanksgiving.htm - 23k

Dionysia
... A procession was formed and they marched through the city, indulging in all sorts
of jesting and buffoonery, to attend the pantomimic performances. ...
/d/dionysia.htm - 10k

What does the Bible say about coarse jesting and crude joking? | GotQuestions.org

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Jesting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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