Ephesians 5:4 4 and no obscenity or foolish talk or crude joking, which are not proper, but instead thanksgiving.
Paul continues his list of vices characterizing the old life of “the nations” of unbelievers. The focus of this verse is upon matters of speech. Paul had keen insight into the human condition of sin. Sin often shows up in how people talk. Obscenity (aischrotēs) refers to shameful behavior. The context of this verse implies that this is particularly associated with speech, but there are many ways to show filthiness. Hang around a junior high boys locker room for long, and you will get a lesson on obscenity in both actions and words. Why do people do obscene and gross things? Often, it is to get attention from others and to look “cool” in order to be accepted. This is dangerous enough because it can lead to other sins. But also danger is that this can become habit forming and influence a person’s thinking and mindset, which will trickle out to behavior. This is an open door to other problems.
Foolish talk is a literal translation of the Greek. We get the word “moron” from the first part of the word (mōro-). Even in English, this word has negative connotations. This type of speech (-logia) is just plain stupid and usually shows either a person’s ignorance or utter lack of regard for what is good, righteous, and holy. Paul already directed the Ephesians to speak only wholesome words that build others up (4:29). Foolish talk can embarrass the speaker and belittle the target of the speaking. Some people talk this way because they think it is funny, but it serves no edifying purpose. Good humor builds up people. Foolish talk only tares down the speaker and listeners.
Crude joking (eutrapelia) can be used in a good sense for wittiness and good humor, but in the context of this sentence, it is used negatively for bad joking. Being a humorist is a skill and gift. The tendency is humor seems to be to lean towards the negative side. Most of the jokes in the media are negative and somehow appeal with the base nature of the deceived flesh. Good humor lifts everyone up. Laughter can be a great medicine to the body, relieve stress, and produce good endorphins. Bad joking can create this same physical sensation but open the door to temptation and sinful thoughts.
Paul ends the list with a positive call to have thanksgiving (eucharistia). This is word brought into English with “eucharist,” referring to the cup and bread of thanksgiving in the Lord’s Supper. It is unlikely Paul is referring to the Lord’s Supper here but in the more general sense of having thankful speech and attitude. The implication is that these negative qualities somehow come from a deeper problem of selfishness, pride, self-preservation, or self-elevation. Thanksgiving takes the attention off of us and puts it on God. When we see life as dependent upon God, it changes how we think and act. We begin to do things for God’s glory and not our own. This will clean up our thinking, our words, and our behavior.
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