“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4:29).

The apostle Paul continues to describe changes that take place in our daily lives as we put off the old man of sin and put on the new man according to God’s righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:22-24). Having already corrected one sin we commit with our speech (lying – v. 25), he now addresses our conversation in a more general way.

James likens our tongue to a fire (James 3:6). Fire has power to do good, but it also has the power to destroy. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21). We must be careful how we wield this powerful tool each of us has received from God.

“Corrupt” is translated from the Greek word sapros which literally means rotten or worthless, worn out and unfit for use. These are words that have a corrupting influence on those who hear them. Paul goes on to specify the putting away of “evil speaking” (v. 31), “foolish talking,” “coarse jesting” (5:4), and the shame of speaking about the unfruitful works of darkness that are done in secret (5:11-12). This is the kind of speech that would characterize the old man of sin but must stop when we put on the new man.

Emphasis is placed on the hearers - those who will be impacted by our speech. Instead of hurting people with our words (either purposely or carelessly), we should use our words to help, encourage, cheer, and comfort others. We have a responsibility to contribute to the building up of others. It is easy to destroy others with careless words. The new man gives thought to speaking what is good for the purpose of edifying those who hear his words. This also applies to the things we post on social media.

“That it may impart grace to the hearers.” We must take care that our words have a positive effect on others. “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6). The ability to communicate our thoughts is a great blessing. God wants this blessing to be used as a blessing to others. Not only must we refrain from using corrupt speech, we must make the effort to say the right things, in the right way, at the right time. “The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil” (Prov. 15:28). 

James says no man can tame the tongue (James 3:8). One difference between the old man and the new man is that the new man tries to tame his tongue.