Ephesians 4:29

no corrupt communication Or, better, speech, as R.V. Another moral inference from membership in Christ.

" Corrupt" :lit., "rotten, putrid." The Latin versions render simply sermo malus, and the Gr. adjective may(by usage) bear this merely general reference to "evil" of any sort; worthlessness, uselessness, as well as impurity. But we recommend the narrower reference, as certainly more native to the word, and as extremely likely à priori, in view of the moral pollution of common conversation in heathen society.

the use of edifying Lit., "for edifying of the need," i.e., as R. V. well paraphrases, for edifying as the need may be. The thought of the spiritual influence of one "living stone," and one "limb of Christ's body," upon another, so largely illustrated in previous passages, is still present. See Ephesians 2:21; Ephesians 4:16, and notes.

minister grace Lit., give grace, instrumentally.

Bp Burnet says that he had neverbeen in the company of his master, Abp Leighton, without receiving spiritual benefit.