ScriptureWay
  • Home
  • Site Overview
  • Author
  • Resources
    • Bible Verses about the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament
    • Bible Verses About Courage
    • Bible Verses About the Cross
    • Bible Verses About Eternal Life
    • Bible Verses About Humility and Being Humble
    • Bible Verses - "I AM"s of Christ
    • 250 Bible Verses about Music
    • Bible Verses About Old Age and Gray Hair
    • Bible Verses about Paradise
    • Bible Verses About Sound Speech
    • Bible Verses for Times of Crisis
    • 29 BIble Verses About Trusting God
    • 11 Bible Verses About Waiting for the Lord
    • Bible Study Tools
    • Whitneytunes Music Videos
    • Whitneytunes Worship Music
  • The Way to Heaven

Bible Teachings

"Biblical Characteristics of Sound Speech"

11/18/2018

2 Comments

 
by Whitney V. Myers
Download a printable PDF of this post. 
Go to the page, "Bible Verses About Sound Speech" (under the "Resources" heading)

A Word Spoken in Right Circumstances (Proverbs 25:11) - 123RF Photo
A Word Spoken in Right Circumstances (Proverbs 25:11) - 123RF Photo
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)
​

"Good men will be cautious what they say." -- John Gill (1697-1771) (Ref. 1, Ref. 2)

This article is the second in the series, "Biblical Principles of Sound Speech."  Today's lesson focuses on the attributes of sound speech, that is, the essential characteristics that our speech should have.  

     Consider.  Think for a moment.  What do you think the positive qualities of speech should be?  If someone asked you to describe what the Bible says our speech should be like, what would you say in reply? 

Today's lesson describes the biblical characteristics of sound speech in Ephesians 4:29.  Today's verse is part of the Apostle Paul's letter to Christian believers at the church in Ephesus (Ephesians 1:1).

Let No Unwholesome Word

     The first characteristic of sound speech in Ephesians 4:29 is that it should be wholesome.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines wholesome as promoting health and well being, sound in mind and morals, prudent, and safe (Ref. 3).  Our wholesome speech should promote the well-being of others, as we will see in the discussion below.

The Apostle Paul begins Ephesians 4:29 with the phrase, "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth." The Greek word for unwholesome is sapros.  Sapros means rotten, worthless, bad, corrupt and is applied to putrid vegetable or animal substances (Ref. 4, Ref. 5 below, Ref. 6).  Matthew 7:17-18 uses the same word.  Jesus said, "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt [sapros] tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (Matthew 7:17, brackets added).

In Ephesians 4:29, Paul instructs us to restrain our mouths so we do not let any unwholesome (bad, rotten, corrupt) words go forth.  Bad language not only reflects the corruptness of the "heart of a speaker" but also tends "to corrupt the minds or manners of hearers" (Ref. 7). 

If you would like to read more on what the Bible says about avoiding cursing and profanity, please go to the page, "Bible Verses About Sound Speech" and read the last section (Ref. 8).


Good For Edification

     The second characteristic of sound speech in Ephesians 4:29 is that our speech should be good for edification.  That is, our speech should build others up, not tear them down.  The Greek word for edification is oikodomé.  The short definition of oikodomé is a building or edifice (Ref. 9).  However, edification of people means more than building an architectural structure.  Thayer's Greek Lexicon defines oikodomé as "the act of one who promotes another's growth in Christian wisdom, piety, holiness, happiness​" (Ref. 9). 
   

According to the Need of the Moment (Timely)

     The third characteristic of sound speech in Ephesians 4:29 is that our speech should be according to the need and that it should be timely.  The Greek word for need is chreia, which means need, necessity, business, occasion (Ref. 10).  The English Standard Version (ESV) translates this phrase, "as fits the occasion" (Ref. 11).  Our speech should edify (build up) our hearers according to the particular need of their spiritual state (Ref. 12). 

The phrase, "According to the need of the moment," suggests to me that in our roles (for example, authors, teachers, parents, spouses, co-workers, team members, friends) we need always to pray and seek the Holy Spirit's guidance about what to say to our hearers and when to speak.  Sometimes when we have a good idea, it may not be the right occasion or the right time to blurt it out.  Our hearers will "hear" better when the Holy Spirit has prepared them to receive what we have to say.  We should pray about when we should share our idea, inspiration, request, or constructive criticism.  As an example from Scripture, God provided the occasion for Nehemiah to speak his request to King Artaxerses approximately four months after Nehemiah had prayed to God about the condition of Jerusalem's wall (Nehemiah 1:1, Nehemiah 1:11, Nehemiah 2:1, Nehemiah 2:4). 


King Solomon addressed the importance of timeliness in Proverbs 25:11.  "Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances."  Our speech not only should be sensitive to the circumstances, but also should be spoken at the right time.  We should look to God to guide us as to when that time will be.

Give Grace to Those Who Hear

     The fourth characteristic of sound speech in Ephesians 4:29 is that our speech should be grace-giving, that is, "give grace to those who hear."  The Greek word for grace is charis, which means grace, kindness, favor, and especially, God's divine influence upon the heart (Ref. 13, Ref. 5 below).  Our speech should minister the grace of God to others.

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29 - 1599 Geneva Bible). 

     Summary.  As Christians, and as instructed by the Bible in Ephesians 4:29, our speech should exhibit four essential qualities.  Our speech should be wholesome, good for edification (building up others), appropriate for the occasion (timely), and give grace to those who hear.   

​To see additional attributes of sound speech from the Bible, please refer to the separate page, "Bible Verses About Sound Speech" (Ref. 8).

     Apply.  Memorize Ephesians 4:29 so you will always have this verse and these four essential characteristics of sound speech in mind. 

Related Lessons
"Biblical Principles of Sound Speech - Be a Good Example" (Titus 2:7-8)
"Biblical Principles of Sound Speech - Our Heart and Our Mouth" (Matthew 15:18)
"Biblical Principles of Sound Speech - A Time to Be Silent" (Ecclesiastes 3:7)

References
1.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/ephesians/4.htm
2.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Gill_(theologian)
3.  https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wholesome
4.  https://biblehub.com/greek/4550.htm
5.  James Strong, "The New Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible," Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995
6.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/ephesians/4.htm
7.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/ephesians/4.htm
​8.  https://www.ScriptureWay.com/bible-verses-about-sound-speech
​9.  https://biblehub.com/greek/3619.htm
10.  https://biblehub.com/greek/5532.htm
11.  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A29&version=ESV
12.  https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/ephesians/4.htm
13.  ​https://biblehub.com/greek/5485.htm
​

2 Comments
Roberta
11/20/2018 09:00:00 am

Again, I am reminded of the many aspects of Biblical standards of speech. I appreciate not only the reminder but the additional Bible verses that pertain to speech.
Thank you for showing the verses that pertain to praying for guidance on the correct timing of our speech. That holds two profound points, 1. That we need to pray before we give advice and equally significant 2. It reminds me of the importance of consulting God on a regular basis throughout the day. Thus, pray without ceasing.

Reply
Van
11/26/2018 08:28:00 am

Even though this lesson on wholesome speech has been clearly taught and understood. It may be soon forgotten because old speech habits are so ingrained. In order to change you must deliberately practice sound speech over and over again until new habits are formed.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Daily Bible Verse

    (Published on my Bluesky account)

    Author

    Mr. Whitney V. Myers.  Christian.  For more information, please visit the Author Page.

    Posting Schedule

    I plan to provide new postings about once a month.

    Planned Topics

    (subject to change)
    24July25 - "God's Presence" (Matthew 28:20)

    Recent Posts

    (most recent three months)
    28June25 - "250 Bible Verses About Music" 
    25May25
    - "Where Does Your Soul Go When You Die?" (Genesis 35:18)

    Popular Posts

    (top 10)
    25Aug19 - "Characteristics of a Child of God - Part 1" (Matthew 7:16)
    3June18 - "What Does 'The Way' Mean in the New Testament?" (Matthew 7:13-14)
    13Jan19 - "Bible Verses About the Cross" (1 Corinthians 1:18)
    31May22 - "11 Reasons Why Jesus Came into the World" (John 3:17)
    12Feb21 - "Bible Verses About Paradise" (Luke 23:43)
    27Jan19 - "Bible Verses - 'I AM's of Christ'" (John 8:12)
    9Feb20 - "Come, Now, Let Us Reason Together (Isaiah 1:18)"
    31Mar24 - "Isaiah 42:3 Meaning - A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break"
    11Apr21 - "What Is Redemption?" (Ephesians 1:7)
    11Aug22 - "What is Living Water in the Bible?" (John 4:10)

    Categories

    All
    About The Life
    About The Truth
    About The Way - Section 1
    Acceptance
    Adoption
    Advent
    Affliction
    Amen
    Angel Of The Lord
    Angels
    Anxiety/Worry - Section 1
    Anxiety/Worry - Section 2
    Atonement
    Attributes Of God
    Authority
    Believe In Jesus - Section 1
    Believe In Jesus - Section 2
    Believe In Jesus - Section 3
    Believe In Jesus - Section 4
    Blessing
    Blood
    Book Of Life
    Bread
    Bruised Reed
    Burdens
    Children
    Children Of God
    Christmas
    Church
    "Comes" Of God's Word
    Comfort
    Comforter
    Commit To The Lord
    Compassion
    Confession
    Cornerstone
    Courage
    Creation
    Crisis Management
    Cross
    Crucifixion
    Defense
    Deliverance
    Devotion
    Early Church
    Empowerment
    Encouragement
    Endurance
    Eternal Life - Section 1
    Eternal Life - Section 2
    Eternal Life - Section 3
    Faith - Section 1
    Faith - Section 2
    Faith - Section 3
    Family
    Favor
    Fear
    "Fear Nots"
    Filled With The Spirit
    Focus On God
    Follow Jesus
    Food
    Forgiveness - Section 1
    Forgiveness - Section 2
    Foundation
    Friend
    Fruit
    Future Life
    Goals
    God's Care - Section 1
    God's Care - Section 2
    God's Promises
    God's Provision
    God's Will
    Good Example
    Goodness
    Gospel
    Grace
    Gray Hair
    Guidance
    Hate
    Healing - Section 1
    Healing - Section 2
    Hearing
    Heart
    Heaven
    Hell And Hades
    Help
    Helper
    High Priest
    Holy Spirit - Section 1
    Holy Spirit - Section 2
    Hope
    Humility
    Hunger
    Hymn Stories - Section 1
    Hymn Stories - Section 2
    "I AM"s Of Christ - Section 1
    "I AM"s Of Christ - Section 2
    Inheritance
    Integrity
    Invitations From God
    Invitations From Jesus
    Joy
    Judgment
    Knowing Jesus
    Knowledge
    Labor
    Lake Of Fire
    Life
    Life After Death
    Light And Darkness
    Listening
    Living Water
    Love
    Lust
    Maturity
    Mercy
    Name Of Jesus
    Narrow Gate
    Needs
    New Life
    Old Age
    Paradise/Heaven
    Peace
    Persecution
    Pharisees & Scribes
    Physician
    Power
    Prayer
    Pray To Receive Christ
    Pride
    Prophecy
    Protection
    Ransom
    Redemption
    Refuge
    Renewal
    Repentance
    Rest
    Resurrection
    Righteousness
    Right Hand
    Salvation - Section 1
    Salvation - Section 2
    Savior
    Scarlet
    Second Coming
    Security
    Serving
    Sheep
    Sheol
    Shepherd
    Silence
    Sin & Sinners - Section 1
    Sin & Sinners - Section 2
    Son Of God
    Son Of Man
    Soul And Spirit
    Sound Speech
    Spirit Of Truth
    Spiritual Athletes
    Spiritual Gifts
    Spiritual Growth
    Storms
    Strength
    Struggles
    Sympathy
    Teaching
    Testimonies
    The Way
    The World
    Thirst
    Throne
    Tranquility
    Tree Of Life
    Trouble
    Truly Truly
    Trusting In God
    Truth
    Unclean Spirits
    Unity
    Virgin Birth
    Water
    Who Is Jesus? - Section 1
    Who Is Jesus? - Section 2
    Why Jesus Came
    Wisdom
    Witness
    Works

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    May 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018

The ScriptureWay site provides Bible Teachings that point to Jesus.   The Bible teaches that believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. 

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." -- Jesus speaking in John 14:6
​

Picture

    Follow by email

Please enter your email address to receive an email notification of new posts. After you enter your email address, please then click on this "please enter" box. Within a few seconds you should see a message confirming that your information has been submitted.

Copyright 2018-2025 Whitney V. Myers

Listed in Feedspot's 100 Best Bible Study Blogs and Websites in 2025
  • Home
  • Site Overview
  • Author
  • Resources
    • Bible Verses about the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament
    • Bible Verses About Courage
    • Bible Verses About the Cross
    • Bible Verses About Eternal Life
    • Bible Verses About Humility and Being Humble
    • Bible Verses - "I AM"s of Christ
    • 250 Bible Verses about Music
    • Bible Verses About Old Age and Gray Hair
    • Bible Verses about Paradise
    • Bible Verses About Sound Speech
    • Bible Verses for Times of Crisis
    • 29 BIble Verses About Trusting God
    • 11 Bible Verses About Waiting for the Lord
    • Bible Study Tools
    • Whitneytunes Music Videos
    • Whitneytunes Worship Music
  • The Way to Heaven