Paul also calls the believers at Collosae (and us) to put away from ourselves language that is not appropriate for a person who claims that they are in Christ. He gives three examples to explain his position. He starts with blasphemia or to slander. The Greek word is derived from blapto (to hurt, harm, or injure) and pheme (speech), thus it is injurious speech.[1] In a number of translations, it is transliterated as blasphemy. As McGee says in his commentary, there are two kinds of blasphemy – blasphemy to defame the name of God, and saying things that are untrue about a fellow man or Christian brother.[2] Neither of these two forms of slander are acceptable for the believer.
His second form of language is what is translated here as obscene talk from your mouth (Greek aischrología). In some translations they call it abusive language or filthy communication. The word in the Greek is from aischros (filthy, baseness, dishonor)[3] and logos (speech).[4] It is vile or obscene language or foul talk. This not only includes particular words, but also obscene (dirty) jokes and any type of offensive language. None of this type of communication should be a part of any person who claims the name of Christ. Paul in his letter to the Ephesian believers also stated, “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear” (4:29 ASV). And, in verse 4 of chapter 5 in his letter to the Ephesians, he explains it as “nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting.”
Prayer: Cleanse my mouth, make it a fitting vessel to be used by You. May I only speak holy and righteous words. May I be used by You in all I say. Amen.
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[1] Thayer. StudyLight.org (2017)
[2] McGee. (1983). Page 357.
[3] Thayer. StudyLight.org (2017)
[4] Ibid.
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