"Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor , for we are members of one another." - Ephesians 4:25 (NASB)
In this verse, the apostle Paul exhorts the early Christians to “lay aside falsehood”1 and to speak the truth. The phrase “lay aside” is an Aorist Middle Participle used as an imperative which signifies a call to action, emphasizing the need for believers to actively engage in the process of living a holy life. At first glance, it may seem peculiar that such an exhortation would be necessary for a Christian community. However, we must realize that these people are pagan converts, and the effects of past habits can last for a long time, even after a person changes. Someone who used to swear for the most part of his life will find it hard to stop, and someone who spent years being dishonest may feel tempted to lie again. This is probably why the Apostle commanded these early Christians to stop lying and only speak the truth. Paul continues to use the imagery of clothing (cf. “put on” of Ephesians 4:24) stressing the importance of making daily and even hourly decisions that reflect Christlikeness. This advice is still relevant for Christians today, and it applies to many different people.
The concept of “falsehood” encompasses more than just the act of lying. It includes the spreading of untrue information, the deception brought about by “the lie” of unbelief (cf. 1 John 2:22), and the dissemination of misleading doctrines by false teachers. It is a broad term that can be applied to various forms of dishonesty and misinformation. In essence, falsehood undermines the pursuit of truth and integrity, making it essential to discern and uphold the veracity of information and teachings.
Falsehood is in stark contrast to the truth (cf. John 8:44), which is an inherent attribute of the Triune God. Lying is a sin that not only violates the commandments of God but also undermines the fundamental fabric of human society. It disrupts the essential blessing of genuine human interaction and threatens to plunge the world into chaos if left unchecked (cf. Pr 6:17). it as a degrading habit that diminishes a person’s standing in the eyes of others. The moral degradation caused by lying is underscored by the severe punishment it incurs from God. The solemnity of oaths as a means of confirming testimony is emphasized, and the egregious nature of perjury, as an aggravated form of lying, is expounded upon. The perjurer’s act of obstructing the pursuit of truth is portrayed as an affront that invokes divine retribution2.
“Speak truth each one of you with his neighbor”3 – This quote from Zechariah 8:16 emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in our interactions with others where truthfulness should prevail; such as in trade, interpersonal interactions, and the conscientious handling of information. By doing so, he underscores the far-reaching implications of truthfulness in various aspects of life.. It is noteworthy how Paul references this Old Testament passage to highlight the continuity and relevance of the Old Testament teachings for believers in the new covenant. The relationship between the Old Testament and the new covenant is often a topic of theological discussions, with the understanding that while the Old Testament does not serve as a means of salvation in the way that the new covenant does, it remains a source of divine revelation and authoritative guidance (Matthew 5:17-19). Despite the distinctions in its role, the Old Testament continues to play a vital part in the process of sanctification for believers, 4offering timeless wisdom and moral guidance for navigating life in accordance with God’s will.
“for we are members of one another.”5 – the apostle connects the exhortation to the concept of mutual belonging within the body of Christ. The “body” is one of Paul’s images for the church (cf. 1 Cor 12:12-30). The apostle uses this analogy to illustrate how believers are gifted for the common good, emphasizing the interconnectedness and interdependence within the community of faith. They are not meant to live as isolated individuals but rather as part of a cohesive unit, living for the family and the collective well-being. For the mature believer, the ultimate goal is to contribute to the health and growth of the Body, nurturing and supporting each member as they fulfill their unique roles in the spiritual body. This imagery underscores the importance of unity, cooperation, and mutual support among believers, reflecting the divine design for the church as a unified and harmonious entity, each member playing an integral part in the functioning of the whole. Paul emphasizes that falsehood undermines the unity and harmony essential to the Christian community just as it would disrupt the coordinated functioning of the human body. This linkage underscores the ethical and communal significance of truthfulness for the collective well-being of the church.
In contemporary application, Paul’s exhortation remains pertinent. The call to “lay aside lying” extends to all spheres of life, emphasizing the foundational importance of integrity and truthfulness in personal conduct and societal interactions. The exhortation serves as a timeless reminder of the ethical standards expected of believers and the cultivation of a community defined by honesty, trust, and solidarity.
- Le 19:11; 1Ki 13:18; Ps 52:3; Ps 119:29; Pr 6:17; Pr 12:19,22; Pr 21:6; Isa 9:15; Isa 59:3-4; Isa 63:8; Jer 9:3-5; Ho 4:2; Joh 8:44; Ac 5:3-4; Col 3:9; 1Ti 1:10; 1Ti 4:2; Tit 1:2,12; Re 21:8; Re 22:15 ↩︎
- 1. Telling lies degrades a man in the estimation of his fellow men. If a lie were not a foul blot in a man, why are even bad men so cautious not to be caught in a lie?
2. God will punish the liar (Ps 5:7).
3. If God hates and punishes lying so severely, how great will be His hatred of perjury, which is lying confirmed by oath! The confirmation of testimony by oath has been ordained by God Himself (De 6:18). An oath is for confirmation. For men it is the end of all controversy. It follows that the perjurer, as far as in him lies, abolishes the last means of ascertaining the truth. Shall not God avenge? (Zec 5:4.) (J. B. Campadelli.) ↩︎ - Eph 4:15; Pr 8:7; Pr 12:17; Zec 8:16,19; 2Co 7:14; Col 3:9 ↩︎
- “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” — MATTHEW 5:17-20 ↩︎
- Eph 5:30; Ro 12:5; 1Co 10:17; 1Co 12:12-27 ↩︎
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