Let us see the passage as a whole:
Ephesians 4:25-32
A
25.
a
Putting away the lie.
b
Speak truth.
c
Reason. `Members'.
B
26.
Question concerning anger.
C
27.
Give not place to the devil.
D
28.
d
Steal not.
Works
e Labour for that which is good.
f Working with hands.
g
To supply need of others.
D
29.
d
No corrupt speech.
e But that which is good.
Words
f Out of your mouth.
g To build up the need.
C
30.
Grieve not the Holy Spirit.
B
31-.
Answer as to anger.
A
-31,32.a
Put away all bitterness, etc.
b
Be kind.
c
Reason.
`God for Christ's sake'.
The practical side of the truth
If we have put away the lie, we shall speak truth with fellow-members. To
speak truth may at first sight appear to mean only the bearing of a true
witness, but a man who would scorn to tell a lie may fail to speak truth if
`corrupt communications' proceed out of his mouth. His remedy is found in the
`seasoning' which only the grace of God can give (Col. 4:6).
Or again, the man who eschews corrupt speech may tarnish the fair name of
truth by `bitterness'. Even husbands who love their wives in some faint
resemblance of the love of Christ, are warned to beware of this evil thing (Col.
3:19). Anger too must be carefully watched. We know that it is possible for
anger to exist without sin, for such is the testimony of Mark 3:5 and all the
passages where orge is translated `wrath' when used of God. Nevertheless it is
true wisdom to shun anger, to class it with bitterness and wrath and clamour and
blasphemy and malice (Eph. 4:31), for it requires a perfect and sinless being to
be angry and `sin not'. Many a time `righteous indignation' is but a cloak for
sin. If anger is ever entertained let us hasten to finish with it; let not the
sun go down before the difference is settled. Plutarch tells us it was a maxim
among the Pythagoreans, that whenever one had given way to anger, the difference
was made up before sunset. Would that this same spirit were more common among
the Lord's people.
Not only may truth be expressed in words; it must come out in deeds.
Stealing is the lie in practice. This in all its shapes and forms must be put
away. In its place let there be labour, working with the hands that which is
good. This labour is with the object:
`That he may Have To Give' (Eph. 4:28).
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