Day: March 4, 2024

Monday, March 4, 2024

“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” (Ephesians 4:29 KJV).

What is this “corrupt communication?”

Following three chapters of doctrine and wealth (Ephesians chapters 1–3), the Apostle Paul goes on to issue three chapters on duty and walk (Ephesians chapters 4–6). It is in the “walk” or “duty” section of Ephesians—victorious, Christian, grace-oriented, daily living—that we come across today’s Scripture.

As opposed to allowing “corrupt communication” to leave our mouth, we ought to speak “good” words that will lead to “edifying,” which will result in grace being ministered to our listeners. Today’s Scripture reads quite similarly to Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” If we could have a simple definition of grace, it would afford us comprehension as to just what is the corrupt communication referenced in today’s Scripture.

Oftentimes, grace has been described as “God’s unmerited favor.” Yet, we can say more here. Grace can be thought of as this: “all that God can do for us, everything that He is free to do for us, through the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary.” If our speech conforms to this definition or principle, we will thereby avoid “corrupt communication.”

Go back to today’s 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 unto the hearers.” Grace-oriented speech will edify, for it “ministers” (serves, like a waiter) grace to the audience. Now, think of “edifying.” The root is “edify,” which forms the basis for “edifice” (a building or structure). If grace-oriented speech edifies or builds up, then, it stands to reason, corrupt communication destroys or tears down. After all, remember “corrupt” in Greek here is “sapros,” as in rotten or decayed, with the decomposition spreading to whatever is affected.

What we need to speak are wholesome words, those which are healthy (able to impart spiritual life or spiritual health), so our hearers can partake of spiritual life and spiritual health….