Ephesians 5:1-21
2008-02-08
This chapter continues the premise of the last chapter, which is how people under grace should act in the world. We are primarily called to be “imitators of God,” walking in love and demonstrating to others the grace which we have received. One who does this will hold to the rest of the commands.
The first two actions listed as contrary to Christ are immorality and impurity. The first word can mean fornication or other sexual sin, although it can also be translated as general “uncleanness.” Impurity is more general, and acts as a catchall for other (primarily sexual) sin. Paul dictates that these, along with greed, should not even be named. These activities are so opposite the gospel that they cannot exist to any extent alongside it.
Next are condemned filthiness and foolish talking. The word for foolish talk is “morologia,” of which the first part is the same root from which we derive the English word “moron.” This is the talk that is unproductive. Wesley describes this as “talking of nothing, the weather, fashions, meat, and drink.” The specific content of our talk is not condemned, merely its lack of edificatory value. The talk that is appropriate, according to this passage, is “giving of thanks.”
(I do not mean this passage to condemn; I found it quite convicting. In meatspace, your author is quite sarcastic and coarse, and I know that I have done all of these. In short, I’m working on following this too.)
The next verse goes back to dealing with immorality, impurity, and greed. Paul lumps these all into the one category of idolatry, and declares it up front: you either will have God as your god, or you will have sex or other earthly things as your god. “No one can serve two masters.”
We are called to be children of the light. Paul lays a few more encouragements on us, which are intended not to bind but to protect us from the evil of the world. We are called to be wise. We are called to act as productively as is possible, for time is short. Regardless of when the end will come, we are to live as if it is tomorrow. We are called to speak from the Spirit, and to constantly give thanks.
If our empty chatter smooths the path to an open mind, it’s hardly a sin. In some settings, I’m not so sure some coarse talk does not serve a similar purpose. Having stood on both sides of this issue in times past, I have come to the place where I can’t judge anyone’s choice of words if they are effective. It’s between you and the Holy Spirit; I’m not Him. I suppose we might say Paul is aiming condemnation at the sort of empty talk which is used to avoid the truth. Don’t let empty chatter be your excuse for letting someone other than God control your conduct.
A bit more study seems to lead me to the point that Paul was getting at with most of his other writings on Christian interaction–namely that the form is not dictated as much as the effect and purpose–edification of the listener.