Ephesians: Let No Unwholesome Word Proceed From Your Mouth
Ephesians 4:29 - THINK about how you can edify and extend grace to others.
“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 NASB1995
The ChatGPT image above that Steve requested shows present-day people in two scenarios. The symbols coming from the man’s mouth, on the left, are known as Grawlix and they are usually used in cartoons or images to represent bad language. The first use of Grawlix was in a comic strip called “Lady Bountiful” in 1901! The man on the right is speaking words that give grace to the listeners, as reflected in their positive reactions.
First, let’s do a couple of word studies from the Blue Letter Bible lexicon:
Unwholesome comes from the Greek adjective σαπρός or saprós (Strong’s G4550), with the following Biblical usages:
rotten, putrefied
corrupted by one and no longer fit for use, worn out
of poor quality, bad, unfit for use, worthless
The words that rush out of our mouths can be rotten, petrified, corrupted, worn out, bad, of poor quality, unfit for use or just plain worthless (in other words, wasting everyone’s time). This isn’t just a proclamation against taking the name of the Lord in vain. So many of the words that we use are a waste of the air going in and out of our lungs. I’ll have examples coming up after another word study.
Edification comes from the Greek feminine noun οἰκοδομή or oikodomḗ (Strong’s G3619), with the following Biblical usages:
the act of) building, building up
metaph. edifying, edification
the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness
a building (i.e. the thing built, edifice)
As believers we are to build each other up and not tear down the foundations of our faith. God extended grace to us, we should extend grace to others.
Precept Austin has a handy list of quotes about speech:
Actions don’t always speak louder than words—your tongue can undo everything you do. Anon.
His heart cannot be pure whose tongue is not clean. Anon.
In company, guard your tongue—in solitude, your thoughts. Anon.
Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them! Anon.
No physician can heal the wounds inflicted by the tongue. Anon.
Nothing is so opened more by mistake than the mouth. Anon.
One thing you can give and still keep is your word. Anon.
The Christian should learn two things about his tongue: how to hold it and how to use it. Anon.
The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet high. Anon.
There are two sciences which every person ought to learn: the science of speech and the more difficult one of silence. Anon.
What is in the well of your heart will show up in the bucket of your speech. Anon.
When you speak, remember God is one of your listeners. Anon.
Words are leaves—deeds are fruit. Anon.
It is a sad fact that the tongues of professing Christians are often all too busy doing the devil’s work. Donald Grey Barnhouse
Gentle words fall lightly, but they have great weight. Derick Bingham
A sanctified heart is better than a silver tongue. Thomas Brooks
Of all the members in the body, there is none so serviceable to Satan as the tongue. Thomas Brooks
The vice of the tongue spreads and prevails over every part of life. It is as active and potent for evil in old age as ever it was in the days of our youth. John Calvin
There are some real nuggets to ponder in this list. This one is really important: When we speak [or even when we are just thinking] God is one of the listeners! We may not say the words out loud, but we can have unwholesome words and phrases ricocheting around in our heads. I have to learn this lesson over and over and over again! Keeping silent does not necessarily mean that you are extending grace and edification. In my past (and sometimes now), I was a genuine idiot when it came to saying what I thought before even thinking (if that makes sense). I have hurt many people with the following:
Wrong words
Swear words/using the Lord’s name in vain
Wrong tones
Overuse of sarcasm
Using inappropriate facial reactions (like rolling of the eyes or smirks)
Spouting out arrogant one-upmanships (well, I’ve done so and so and that’s better than you)
Interruptions before someone was done speaking
Unthinking and immediate negative reactions
Being enthusiastic about engaging in gossip about others
Being honest without being kind
Precept Austin also has these great statements about what we say from various Biblical scholars:
ILLUSTRATION OF EDIFYING WORDS - John Bunyan, one of the greatest Christians who ever lived, who wrote Pilgrim's Progress, was converted by listening to the conversation of several women. I wonder if someone were to eavesdrop on your conversation, would they be saved, as a result? Would they hear words of grace falling from your lips?
Winston Churchill once said that "During a long life I have had to eat my own words many times and I have found it a very nourishing diet."
Careless Word- In 1980, Lee Atwater, a political campaign manager, inflicted terrible pain with his words. His staff learned that an opposing congressional candidate from South Carolina had once experienced severe depression and undergone electric shock therapy. When Atwater released the information to the press, it humiliated the candidate and cast doubt on his ability. In anguish, the man questioned Atwater's campaign ethics. Atwater responded by saying that he had no intention of responding to a man "hooked up to a jumper cable." Ten years later, Atwater was afflicted with an incurable brain tumor. He was confined to bed, attached to machines and tubes and wires. Before he died, he wrote the candidate a letter and asked to be forgiven (Ep 4:32-note) He saw how cruel and heartless his words had been.
Steven Cole notes that "If you are at odds with anyone, perhaps because he or she has wronged you, you’ll be inclined to think, “But this person doesn’t deserve words that build him up! He deserves to be put down!” But, grace is undeserved favor! Grace extends to others what God has extended to you. It also extends to others what you need in return from others, because you often fall short or fail them. So, although it may be true that the other person does not deserve kind words that build him up, give him such words anyway (Enabled by the Spirit Who gives you the Desire and the Power! Php 2:13)! (Transformed Talk)
ILLUSTRATION -To appreciate the power of the tongue, we need only picture the people of Great Britain in the early days of World War II, gathered in their living rooms listening to Prime Minister Winston Churchill deliver one of the most stirring speeches of the war: “The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us.... Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say: ‘This was their finest hour.’” The heroism so evident in Britain’s battle against Nazi Germany may have lain dormant in the British people had not Churchill’s words helped galvanize their will. Our words have the ability to “edify” others.
ILLUSTRATION - Alan Redpath wrote, “I once formed a mutual encouragement fellowship at a time of stress in one of my pastorates. The members subscribed to a simple formula applied before speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial.
T—Is it true?
H—Is it helpful?
I—Is it inspiring?
N—Is it necessary?
K—Is it kind?
When I look at those suggestions, I find that I might not have quite as many things to say.
The world of social media has allowed so many people to move away from edification and grace and into a cesspool of unwholesomeness just because they are hidden away from total strangers behind their screens and keyboards. I think that using Alan Redpath’s mnemonic in any interaction (in person, over the phone, over the internet) is a good way to get back on the path of extending grace to others. Your snide comments and snappy retorts have a half-life of about 10 minutes (tops) so think about whether or not they are true, helpful, inspiring, necessary and kind before pressing “enter”. This includes overusing inappropriate “laugh” or “anger” emojis in response to something. I know that when I see a serious post about a subject that may be of interest to me and there are many “laughing” emoji responses, it is certainly not the time to go look at the comments, because the enemy lurks in those fevered swamps.
Paul knew what lurked in the hearts of believers, even as they are putting on the “new man”. My next devotional examines Ephesians 4:30 - Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord: I have been a classic example of how NOT to use my words to edify others and extend grace. Please guide me every day in refining my language (and even the words in my mind). Amen.
Citations and Credits:
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.Lockman.org.
“G4550 - sapros - Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NASB95).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 18 May, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4550/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/>.
“G3619 - oikodomē - Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NASB95).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 18 May, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3619/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/>.
Precept Austin was accessed on 05/18/2026 to review commentary for Ephesians 4:29. Links to the source documents are provided where appropriate.
Commentary from Enduring Word is used with written permission and without any alteration. ©1996-present The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – enduringword.com. Enduring Word commentary was not used for this devotional.