Ephesians 4:29

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Πᾶς λόγος σαπρὸς ἐκ τοῦ στόματος ὑμῶν μὴ ἐκπορευέσθω, ἀλλʼ εἴ τις ἀγαθὸς πρὸς οἰκοδομὴν τῆς χρείας, ἵνα δῷ χάριν τοῖς ἀκούουσιν.

Transliteration

All logos sapros from the stomatos of you not let ekporeuestho, but if any agathos pros oikodomēn of the chreias, hina it might dō charin to the ones akouousin.

Grammar Details

• *logos*: nominative masculine singular - word/speech
• *sapros*: nominative masculine singular - corrupt/unwholesome
• *stomatos*: genitive neuter singular - of mouth
• *ekporeuestho*: present middle/passive imperative, 3rd singular - let proceed
• *agathos*: nominative masculine singular - good
• *pros*: preposition with accusative - for/toward
• *oikodomēn*: accusative feminine singular - edification/building up
• *chreias*: genitive feminine singular - of need
• *hina*: conjunction - so that/in order that
• *dō*: aorist active subjunctive, 3rd singular - it might give
• *charin*: accusative feminine singular - grace/favor
• *akouousin*: present active participle, dative masculine plural - to those hearing

Word Meanings

• *logos*: word/speech/message
• *sapros*: corrupt/unwholesome/rotten
• *stomatos*: mouth/speech
• *ekporeuestho*: proceed/come out
• *agathos*: good/beneficial/worthy
• *oikodomēn*: edification/building up
• *chreias*: need/necessity
• *dō*: might give/grant/impart
• *charin*: grace/favor/benefit
• *akouousin*: those hearing/listeners

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  Let{G1607} {G3956} no{G3361} corrupt{G4550} speech{G3056} proceed{G1607} out of{G1537} your{G5216} mouth,{G4750} but{G235} such{G1487} as is{G5100} good{G18} for{G4314} edifying{G3619} as the need{G5532} may be, that{G2443} it may give{G1325} grace{G5485} to them that hear.{G191}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Let{G4550} no{G3361}{G3956} corrupt{G4550} communication{G3056} proceed{G1607}{(G5737)} out of{G1537} your{G5216} mouth{G4750}, but{G235} that which{G1536} is good{G18} to{G4314} the use{G5532} of edifying{G3619}, that{G2443} it may minister{G1325}{(G5632)} grace{G5485} unto the hearers{G191}{(G5723)}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Let no filthy comunicacion procede out of youre mouthes: but yt whych is good to edefye with all when nede ys: that it maye have faveour with the hearers.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Let no filthy communicacion proceade out of youre mouth, but that which is good to edifye withall, wha nede is, that it be gracious to heare.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Let no corrupt comunicatio proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good, to ye vse of edifying, that it may minister grace vnto the hearers.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Let no fylthy communication procede out of your mouth, but that whiche is good to edifie withal, as oft as neede is, that it may minister grace vnto the hearers.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  Let no corrupt word out of your mouth go forth, but what is good unto the needful building up, that it may give grace to the hearers;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  Let no evil talk come out of your mouth, but only what is good for giving necessary teaching, and for grace to those who give ear.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  You must let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but only what is beneficial for the building up of the one in need, that it would give grace to those who hear.

Referenced Verses

• Col 4:6 : 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
• Prov 15:7 : 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.
• Prov 12:13 : 13 By the sin of their lips, the wicked are trapped, but the righteous escape trouble.
• Eccl 10:12 : 12 The words of a wise person's mouth bring favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
• 1 Thess 5:11 : 11 Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
• Prov 15:2-4 : 2 The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of fools gushes folly. 3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, watching both the wicked and the good. 4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
• Prov 25:11-12 : 11 Like golden apples in silver settings is a word spoken at the right time. 12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to a listening ear.
• Ps 37:30-31 : 30 The mouth of the righteous person utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps will not falter.
• Col 3:8-9 : 8 But now you must put away all these: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices,
• Jas 3:2-8 : 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to also control his whole body. 3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look also at the ships: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts of great things. Consider how a small fire sets a great forest ablaze. 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting the entire course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
• Matt 5:16 : 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
• Prov 10:31-32 : 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut off. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perversities.
• Matt 12:34-37 : 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person brings out good things from the good treasure of his heart, and the evil person brings out evil things from his evil treasure. 36 I tell you, on the Day of Judgment, people will give an account for every idle word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
• Col 3:16-17 : 16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
• Eph 5:3-4 : 3 But sexual immorality, all impurity, or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Nor should there be filthiness, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are not fitting, but rather thanksgiving.
• 1 Pet 2:12 : 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
• 1 Pet 3:1 : 1 In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, so that even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by the conduct of their wives.
• Luke 4:22 : 22 Everyone spoke well of Him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from His lips. They said, 'Isn’t this Joseph’s son?'
• Rom 3:13-14 : 13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The venom of vipers is under their lips." 14 Their mouths are full of curses and bitterness.
• Mal 3:16-18 : 16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord paid attention and listened. A book of remembrance was written before him for those who fear the Lord and honor his name. 17 They will be mine, says the Lord of Hosts, on the day when I act. I will spare them as a father spares his son who serves him. 18 Then you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.
• Prov 15:23 : 23 A person finds joy in an apt reply—and how good is a timely word!
• Prov 16:21 : 21 The wise in heart will be called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.
• Ps 5:9 : 9 LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me.
• Ps 52:2 : 2 When Doeg the Edomite came and reported to Saul, saying, 'David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.'
• Ps 73:7-9 : 7 Their eyes bulge from fatness; their imaginations overflow with malice. 8 They scoff and speak with malice; with arrogance, they threaten oppression. 9 They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut through the earth.
• Isa 50:4 : 4 The Sovereign LORD has given me the tongue of the learned, so that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens me morning by morning; He awakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
• Eph 4:16 : 16 From him the whole body, being joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love as each part does its work.
• 1 Cor 15:32-33 : 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus merely from a human point of view, what benefit is that to me? If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.' 33 Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'
• 1 Cor 14:19 : 19 But in the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
• Jude 1:13-16 : 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackest darkness has been reserved forever. 14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about them, saying, 'Behold, the Lord comes with countless thousands of His holy ones,' 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds they have committed, and of all the harsh words that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. 16 These people are grumblers and complainers, living according to their own desires. Their mouths speak arrogant words, flattering others for their own advantage.
• Ps 71:17-18 : 17 God, you have taught me from my youth, and to this day I declare your wondrous works. 18 Even when I am old and my hair turns gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
• Ps 71:24 : 24 My tongue will proclaim your righteousness all day long, for those who sought to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.
• Ps 78:4-5 : 4 We will not hide them from their children, but will tell the next generation the praises of the Lord, His strength, and the wonders He has done. 5 He established a testimony in Jacob and set a law in Israel, which He commanded our ancestors to teach their children,
• Deut 6:6-9 : 6 These words that I am commanding you today are to be upon your heart. 7 Teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
• Ps 45:2 : 2 My heart overflows with a good theme; I speak my composition to the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
• Rev 13:5-6 : 5 The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant words and blasphemies, and it was given authority to act for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme against God, to slander His name, His dwelling, and those who dwell in heaven.
• 2 Pet 2:18 : 18 For they utter arrogant, empty words and entice those who are barely escaping from others living in error, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh and by debauchery.
• Eph 4:12 : 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,