Christian Speech and Thanksgiving

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 18, 1910

Christian Speech and Thanksgiving

3010.—W. F.—Eph. 5:4. Read context. What should not be among God's children? “Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” Christians should not indulge in filthiness in either act or word, nor in foolish talking. Compare with the other side of the apostle's admonitions in verse 19: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” 1 Thess. 5:11: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another.” “Nor jesting” is in some translations rendered “lewd terms;” low jesting; “which are not convenient,” better as in the Revised Version, “which are not befitting,” or becoming to a Christian. Better than these is the “giving of thanks.”