Title Undetermined
As I sit down to type this, I still don’t have a title for the post. Several things have crossed my mind, but nothing has clicked.
When I got to thinking about it, maybe that’s a good thing: having a title before the piece is written could affect what I write. So, I’m going to share what’s on my mind, then come up with a title – hopefully a catchy one.
Ephesians 5:23
I was reading through the Book of Ephesians and got to the passage you see in the photo (that’s actually from my Bible). The last part of verse 4 stood out to me so much that I grabbed a couple of colored pencils and marked it (yellow and orange).
But rather… What you have here is an either/or kinda thing. It’s a contrasting statement. Instead of doing one thing, do something else. And what is it that we are to do other than something else?
Give thanks. Giving thanks is the contrasting opposite to six things described in verses 3 and 4. And what are those things?
- fornication (πορνεία porneía): any illicit sexual activity outside of marriage
- all uncleanness (ἀκαθαρσία akatharsía): in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living
- covetousness (πλεονεξία pleonexía): the greedy desire to have more
- filthiness (αἰσχρότης aischrótēs): obscenity
- foolish talking (μωρολογία mōrología): stupid or rash conversation; like the conversation of a drunk man
- jesting (εὐτραπελία eutrapelía): witty talk, usually with double, vulgar meanings
Corruption and Comedy. Notice, the first three (in verse 3) have to do with immoral actions and desires, while the last three (verse 4) have more to do with talking about it. Isn’t that what most comedians talk about?
Unbecoming. The fact is that sexual immorality, along with even joking about it, does not “become” saints (Christians). It doesn’t look good on us. We can do better.
Beautiful thanks. Giving thanks IS becoming! Giving thanks to God for all His blessings is a beautiful thing! It looks great on those who wear the name of Christ.
Why the Highlighted Part?
So why did I highlight the last part of verse 4? it’s because when I looked back at all the sexual sins that are so unbecoming, all of them have roots in ungratefulness.
Simply put, if we would just be thankful and content with what God has given us, then we wouldn’t try to seek out sinful activities to satisfy our longings. It really does make me think the last days are getting closer.
“For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,” – 2 Timothy 3:2 CSB
Let’s be thankful for what we have and leave what we don’t have alone.
It’s more becoming that way.
(Now I have to think of a title…hmm.)
The Recovering Legalist 
great scripture. I think you swung the fishing rod back too far on the last point. The not convenient part I think is only referring to the pour language. that sort of messy filthy course language. Its a waste of everyone’s time when trying to get the job done. As for the other things like Fornication, thats obvious stuff but I think people have a harder time rapping their head around course language. And so in stead of having that mouth on you he is saying have a positive thankful conversation with others instead. The neither is suggesting an addendum to the thought. Don’t do this, and to add, don’t do this other thing which is inconvenient for everyone.
He is definitely talking about superfluity of naughtiness!
So true! Excellent post, my wise friend!!
Wise you say! Must be the gray on my chin 😉