In the fifth chapter of the book of Ephesians we find a most “peculiar” statement. Just after the chapter begins in verse one with the admonition to—“Be followers of God as dear children,” verse two declares—“Walk in love as Christ also has loved us.” (NKJV). In explanation of this the Holy Spirit then tells us some things which are not a part of that “walk.” Among these things are listed—“fornication,” “uncleanness,” “covetousness,” (vs.3) and “filthiness.” (vs. 4). Yet the peculiar part of the passage comes in the last part of the fourth verse which reads—“nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving thanks.”

     What is the Lord teaching us when He leads Paul to condemn “coarse jesting?” How can humor be something that is displeasing to God? To answer this let us first look a little at the words used in this verse. The word translated “coarse jesting” (or simply “jesting” in the KJV & ASV) is the word eutrapelia a word found nowhere else in Scripture, meaning literally “easily turning” (Vine, pg. 274). According to Vine the word was originally used to describe body movements. In 430 BC. the Athenian statesman Pericles would use the word to refer to the athletic “flexibility” of the Athenian sportsman. Later the word came to refer to a witty exchange of dialogue, similar to the way we might say that someone really “turns a phrase.” Yet, by the time of the New Testament the meaning of this word was tied exclusively to “facetiousness,” and bad language. This is seen in Scripture itself in its connection with the word morologia meaning literally “the speech of a moron,” translated “foolish talking” in this passage.

    The key to the verse may be found in the statements just following those discussed above. The phrase translated “not fitting” comes from words in Greek meaning literally “to have not come up.” (Vine, pg. 106). This seems to suggest in this context that a person’s conversion is something that “brings them up” from the low and carnal things of this world to something higher and better. The one who speaks with “foolish talking” and “coarse jesting” has not come up to the higher, spiritual things of God. The Lord seems to be teaching us that there are certain forms of communication which do not exemplify the Christian mind and should, as a result play no part in our lives.

    This might be a bit more obvious to us when it comes to things such a lying, cursing or blasphemy but what about joking? In the world many cutting and cruel insults are often cloaked in the guise of humor. People seem to feel that the pretense of humor grants them license to say virtually anything. As Christians we must realize that there is always more at stake in our interactions with others than simply who can get the biggest laugh. Our words and actions can be of tremendous influence on another person’s soul. Either our words can give another person a needed boost to help bring them through a trial (and perhaps closer to the Lord) or they can pour salt on an already bleeding wound and sadly even contribute to a person turning away from the Lord. Christians need not be a people “sober-faced” and unable to laugh, yet, we must see the awesome and important responsibility we are given to use our words to build up, and not to tear down (Ephesians 4:29). To the world such caution even in our humor will seem “peculiar,” yet I submit that such is little for the Lord to ask of—“His own peculiar people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14, KJV).