Ephesians 4:29 (A Discussion)

[Quoth]

It was brought up in another thread that we should discuss Ephesians 4:29, which says:

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

Here are my thoughts, based solely on how I feel the Lord has personally directed me. I do not mean to say that anyone else should feel as I do.

I believe that one of the lynch-pins of understanding this verse is in the phrase "corrupt word". From what I've been able to gather by way of limited sources, the word "corrupt" means "of no use".

The word for "word" is "logos", meaning either the written or the spoken word (again, I'm not a scholar in foreign languages, so please take what I say as only my opinion).

When we think of corrupt words, we often think of those "four-letter words" that our momma would use a bar of soap on our tongue for. However, I believe that these "taboos" are simply a product of our culture.

Humor me for the following example:

In Britain, according to one of my British friends, the word "bloody" is considered rather caustic when it is not used to describe something covered in blood. It is, apparently, the equivalent of the "F-bomb" in America.

If the above is true, then a Briton might be terribly shocked to come to America and attend a medieval-esque festival, where we Americans tend to believe that a fake British accent and its associated colloquialisms fit the role. A Briton might hear:

"You there! That hat looks bloody awful, lad!"

To American ears, the above phrase is absolutely innocent. To a Briton, assuming that "bloody" is indeed an offensive word, the phrase would not be fit for polite conversation.

In other cultures, the synonym for a donkey is not nearly as offensive as Americans take it. Such words in the English-speaking world are culturally relative, meaning that their level of offense varies, depending on the audience.

Take such a concept a step further. When one enters the company of very conservative folks who abhor all traditional swear words, it would be completely offensive and distracting to use swear words in communication.

Come to my neck of the woods, ask a Christian how his walk with the Lord is, and he might say "Dude! It's *F-bomb* awesome!" or something very similar. Such a phrase would not turn a single head, because such words are not considered offensive.

Getting back to Ephesians 4:29, can such words be used to edify (that is, encouraging or correcting in one's Christian walk) a Believer? I have seen it, and had it done for me.

I would not be the person I am today, more mature than a young lad, if a well-meaning but very irritated Christian had not gotten in my face and said, "You better *F-bomb* correct yourself!"

If that same Believer had come to me in a fit of rage and simply yelled "Correct yourself," I do not believe it would have had the same impact on me, because my father had been saying things of that nature for years--to no effect. Once someone got in my face and used an intense phrase for an intense situation, my eyes were opened.

Our words do communicate our meaning. There are certain words that cannot be used to edify, regardless of the context. For example, using the scientific word for a female dog does not uplift or edify anyone. To call someone the synonym for a donkey does not encourage. To say that someone is a fatherless child does not yield positive results. Insulting someone, regardless of whether or not swear words are used, is pointless and fruitless.

Would I swear at a child? Heavens no.

Would I get in the face of someone my age if I cared enough and got mad enough to communicate it? You bet your...backside.

Would I swear in front of my parents? I've done so twice, and was punished one out of the two times. They do not see swearing as edifying, but rather, distracting. Therefore, it would not uplift them if I used a "foul word" in front of them. If I'm hanging around my friends who were schooled in hard knocks, swearing might actually make the point clearer to them than if I used "polite language".

As a person who seeks to minister to youth schooled on the streets, I don't believe it's healthy to walk around, swearing my head off. I do believe that some people just won't take you seriously if you sound like a college graduate with the vocabulary of William F. Buckley.

Using "foul words" just for their own sake is pointless. If you use the F-bomb as much as you would normally say "um" inbetween words, that seems rather pointless to me, and can be very, very distracting. If I'm using a word to communicate a point, then it has more value.

Again, this is just my opinion based on prayer, my experiences, and where I feel the Lord has personally led me.

 

[Supplanter]

Interesting Commentary. I can tell you have thought a lot about this.

 

[yam]

My pasto preach on that chapter 2 weks ago. Corrupt words are curse words and other profanity that we use every day.

 

[Tink]

Rob, this is why I'm your friend.

 

[Supplanter]

I should add that it makes me have to contemplate it a lot too.

 

[Outlaw7583]

i'm kind of confused on what your point is blackfyre. but I'm guessing your trying to say that depending on the context of the word. that sometimes a "swear" word would be justified? and if so in your example the F-bomb as you called it was justified because it opened your eyes to what was being said. but again in your same example what does that word mean? and what is it about that word that made it justified as opposed to an alternative? again in that situation I would have to ask myself as a Christian even if it had more "meaning" behind it using that word does it still make it right and do we really believe that Jesus would have went to those measures to get a point across? and if my post sounds insulting I assure you it was not meant that way. just merely a question.

 

[Quoth]

i'm kind of confused on what your point is blackfyre. but I'm guessing your trying to say that depending on the context of the word. that sometimes a "swear" word would be justified? and if so in your example the F-bomb as you called it was justified because it opened your eyes to what was being said. but again in your same example what does that word mean? and what is it about that word that made it justified as opposed to an alternative? again in that situation I would have to ask myself as a Christian even if it had more "meaning" behind it using that word does it still make it right and do we really believe that Jesus would have went to those measures to get a point across? and if my post sounds insulting I assure you it was not meant that way. just merely a question.

No offense taken. An addendum to what I said before that I hope answers your concerns:

Yes, words have meanings. We understand the word "dog" to indicate a canine animal with four paws, a general form of a tail, and a guttural form of communication (that's a very vague definition, but you understand my point). Similarly, swear words have meanings. There are swear words to describe things, actions, conditions, etceteras. However, those words are often used in a deviate manner from their original context. So many swear words are used for emphasis, rather than their original meaning.

The "F-bomb" is a prime example. It refers to sexual intercourse, but is often used as an exclamation to emphasize the words surrounding it.

In my mind (and the minds of many others), "He's *F-bomb* ticked off" has more emphasis than "He's very mad". Even though the two statements mean the exact same thing, it is the course nature of the first statement that adds emphasis to the meaning of the statement.

When I swear for emphasis, I consider my audience, and I consider whether or not they're going to get my point. I tend to choose my words carefully, so when I do swear at someone, I know they will understand my meaning. They would misconstrue my meaning, however, if I said anything in a calmer manner. When I add the swear words for emphasis, they know exactly what I mean, how I mean it, and where I'm coming from when I say it.

It's all a matter of context and consideration of those who hear your words. I would not attempt to speak English to a German who did not understand a word of English, and I would not attempt to speak "foul language" to a person who would find it distracting. Similarly, I would not speak "cleanly" to an individual who would not understand the emotion and intention of my statements.

I do hope that makes sense.

 

[Outlaw7583]

Ok i understand what your saying. depening on the context and depending on who you speak with the words no longer hold there "foul" meaning but more of a word of emphasis. so again the last thing I'm gonna ask since you titles the post a discussion of a piece of scripture, your trying to justify the use of the word in certain situations well all I can say is that you have read it. and as long as you have prayed about it. and you don't see it as being foul then how can anyone tell you your wrong. I have opinions but it that makes them no more right then your own. thanks for the discussion.

 

[Quoth]

Ok i understand what your saying. depening on the context and depending on who you speak with the words no longer hold there "foul" meaning but more of a word of emphasis. so again the last thing I'm gonna ask since you titles the post a discussion of a piece of scripture, your trying to justify the use of the word in certain situations well all I can say is that you have read it. and as long as you have prayed about it. and you don't see it as being foul then how can anyone tell you your wrong. I have opinions but it that makes them no more right then your own. thanks for the discussion.

I do hope that I've not come across as arrogant in offering my opinion. I'm very open to another's opinion, though I understand that rarely will varying opinions change another's held belief. It is the Lord working through His children that causes others to change their beliefs, not His children forging a path of their own.

I would gladly welcome a respectfully-offered opinion, even if it were different from my own.

 

[WileyCoyote]

Hmmm. Someone swearing at me to get a point across? I'd consider it a slap in the face. If my Grandpa was acting a fool and someone came up to him and swore at him to get his attention, I might just have some choice words for that person. Along with my two Uncles. But hey, if swearing gets your attention then I hope enough people in your life love you enough to cuss you out.

 

[Outlaw7583]

No you have not come across as arrogant at all, and I do understand that to some and in some situation a "foul" word would no longer be foul. it makes sense. it's just my opinion that despite that it is not meant to be foul or even if the person who is hearing the words take it as foul. the whole WWJD? thing became very commercial andwas even very popular thing at one time but it's not a bad thought to think about. but if the "f-bomb" is a word you would use to some and not use with others. if Jesus was here now do you think he would use the "f-bomb". and the other thing i picked up on one of your previous post. was that you said you would not speak "cleanly" to a person that would not understand the emotion or intention of your statement. so again would jesus talk "dirty" to those who spoke "dirty" themselves? and I also understand by your quotation marks that when you said "cleanly" that clean and dirty words vary from person to person or from language to language. but still so instead of making things more difficult I guess the main point i'm trying to get to is if a word is clean to one person and dirty to another does it make that word right or does it make that word wrong? if you had a person that would not be bothered by the "f-bomb" and a person that would be offended by it together. and your trying to make a point to both. would you use the word and risk offending the one to make a point or would you not use it and risk the other not feeling the emotion and meaning of your statement. so i'll end my post on saying would it not be better to find other words to use for emphasis?