Ephesians 4:31

Ephesians 4:31 is a powerful and direct command from the Apostle Paul to believers in Ephesus, serving as a vital instruction for Christian conduct and community harmony. It calls for the complete removal of destructive attitudes and behaviors that are antithetical to the new life in Christ.

Context

This verse is situated within the latter half of Ephesians, where Paul shifts from theological doctrines (chapters 1-3) to practical exhortations for daily living (chapters 4-6). Specifically, it follows a call for believers to walk worthy of their calling, emphasizing unity and maturity in the body of Christ. Paul contrasts the former Gentile way of life, characterized by futility and ignorance, with the renewed mind and spirit that comes from being clothed with the "new man" (Ephesians 4:22-24). Therefore, putting away these negative traits is a natural consequence of this spiritual transformation and crucial for Christian unity.

Key Themes

• Active Renunciation: The phrase "put away" implies a decisive, intentional act of discarding these harmful elements from one's life. It's not passive avoidance but active removal of spiritual hindrances.
• Harmful Vices: The list provided outlines specific attitudes and actions that erode personal character and disrupt communal peace within the church and family. These are behaviors that directly contradict the love and unity commanded earlier in the chapter.
• Christian Purity and Unity: By removing these vices, believers contribute to a healthier, more unified, and spiritually pure community, reflecting the character of Christ and fostering an environment of grace.

Linguistic Insights

Paul's choice of words highlights distinct yet interconnected forms of negativity, revealing the depth of inner corruption that can manifest outwardly:

• Bitterness (pikria): Refers to a deep-seated resentment or sour disposition, a chronic ill-will that poisons the heart and affects relationships.
• Wrath (thymos): Denotes a sudden, passionate outburst of anger, often a quick flare-up of rage that is intense but may be temporary.
• Anger (orgē): Implies a more settled, habitual, or smoldering indignation, a deeper, more enduring resentment than thymos.
• Clamour (kaugē): Describes loud quarreling, shouting, or public contention, often associated with heated arguments and strife that disrupt peace.
• Evil speaking (blasphēmia): Encompasses slander, abusive language, or any speech that defames, insults, or tears down others. This relates directly to the power of the tongue, as discussed in James 3:8-10.
• Malice (kakia): This is a comprehensive term for general wickedness, ill-will, or the desire to harm others. It often serves as the underlying root attitude from which the other listed vices spring, representing a malevolent disposition.

Practical Application

For believers today, Ephesians 4:31 serves as a crucial guide for spiritual maturity and healthy relationships within the church and beyond:

• Self-Examination: It prompts introspection, asking us to identify if any of these destructive attitudes or behaviors are present in our own lives, even subtly.
• Active Transformation: Living out this verse requires intentional effort and reliance on the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and minds. It's about consciously choosing to remove these elements and guarding our thoughts and speech.
• Fostering Healthy Communities: When individuals put away these vices, it creates an environment of peace, love, and understanding within families, churches, and communities, reflecting the love that should characterize Christ's followers.

This command is immediately followed by a call to positive virtues in Ephesians 4:32, emphasizing that putting off the old is always accompanied by putting on the new, Christ-like character.