Eph 4:29, Col 4:6 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 29. Let no corrupt communication ] πασλογοςσαπρος. Kypke observes that λογοςσαπρος signifies a useless, putrid, unsavoury , and obscene word or conversation . 1. Useless , particularly that which has been rendered so by old age and corruption. 2. Putrid, impure ; so Aristophanes in Lysistrat., p. 859, calls a bad woman σαπραεμοισυλουτρονωσαπρα. Tune , Spurca! balneum mihi parabis ? 3. Calumnious , or reproachful ; whatever has a tendency to injure the name, fame , or interest of another. In short, it appears to mean any word or thing obscene , any thing that injures virtue, countenances vice , or scoffs at religion . In the parallel place, , the apostle exhorts that our speech may be seasoned with salt , to preserve it from putrefaction . See Kypke and Macknight . But that which is good to the use of edifying ] To be good for a thing is a Graecism , as well as an Anglicism , for, to be fit, proper, suitable , &c.; so Achilles Tatius , lib. iv. p. 231: αγαθονειςφιλιανοιδασε. I know thee to be good (formed) for friendship . And Appian , de Bell. Hisp ., p. 439, terms both the Scipios, ανδραςεςπαντααγαθουςγενομενουχ, men who were good (suitable) for all things . And also Lucian , in Toxari , p. 53: ουμονοναρατοξευειναγαθοιησανσκυθαι. The Scythians were not good (expert) in archery only . See Kypke , from whom I quote. That it may minister grace ] ιναδωχαριν. This may be understood thus: 1. Let your conversation be pure, wise, and holy, that it may he the means of conveying grace, or Divine influences, to them that hear. 2. Let it be such as to be grateful or acceptable to the hearers . This is the meaning of ιναδωχαριν in some of the most correct Greek writers. Never wound modesty, truth, or religion with your discourse; endeavour to edify those with whom you converse; and if possible, speak so as to please them.

‏ Ephesians 4:29

Verse 29. Let no corrupt communication] πασλογοςσαπρος. Kypke observes that λογοςσαπρος signifies a useless, putrid, unsavoury, and obscene word or conversation. 1. Useless, particularly that which has been rendered so by old age and corruption. 2. Putrid, impure; so Aristophanes in Lysistrat., p. 859, calls a bad woman σαπραεμοισυλουτρονωσαπρα. Tune, Spurca! balneum mihi parabis? 3. Calumnious, or reproachful; whatever has a tendency to injure the name, fame, or interest of another. In short, it appears to mean any word or thing obscene, any thing that injures virtue, countenances vice, or scoffs at religion. In the parallel place, Col 4:6, the apostle exhorts that our speech may be seasoned with salt, to preserve it from putrefaction. See Kypke and Macknight.

But that which is good to the use of edifying] To be good for a thing is a Graecism, as well as an Anglicism, for, to be fit, proper, suitable, &c.; so Achilles Tatius, lib. iv. p. 231: αγαθονειςφιλιανοιδασε. I know thee to be good (formed) for friendship. And Appian, de Bell. Hisp., p. 439, terms both the Scipios, ανδραςεςπαντααγαθουςγενομενουχ, men who were good (suitable) for all things. And also Lucian, in Toxari, p. 53: ουμονοναρατοξευειναγαθοιησανσκυθαι. The Scythians were not good (expert) in archery only. See Kypke, from whom I quote.

That it may minister grace] ιναδωχαριν. This may be understood thus: 1. Let your conversation be pure, wise, and holy, that it may he the means of conveying grace, or Divine influences, to them that hear. 2. Let it be such as to be grateful or acceptable to the hearers. This is the meaning of ιναδωχαριν in some of the most correct Greek writers. Never wound modesty, truth, or religion with your discourse; endeavour to edify those with whom you converse; and if possible, speak so as to please them.

‏ Colossians 4:6

Verse 6. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt] Let it be such as has a tendency to oppose and preserve from the corruption of sin. The rabbins say: "He who, in prayer, omits any word, should begin again at the beginning; for he who does not is like boiled pottage, in which there is no salt." Berachoth, fol. 34, 1. Let all your conversation be such as may tend to exemplify and recommend Christianity; let it not only be holy, but wise, gracious, and intelligent. A harsh method of proposing or defending the doctrines of Christianity only serves to repel men from those doctrines, and from the way of salvation. Salt, from its use in preserving food from corruption, and rendering it both savoury and wholesome, has always been made the emblem of wisdom. The word has been also used to express in composition or conversation what is terse, comprehensive, useful, elegant, and impressive. The term Attic salt has been used to express some of the principal beauties of the Greek tongue; of such beauties the Gospel of Christ has an endless store. See Clarke on Mt 5:13, and "Mr 9:50".

How ye ought to answer every man.] That your discourse may be so judiciously managed, that ye may discern how to treat the prejudices and meet the objections both of Jews and Gentiles.