Humor and Jesus

In order to better understand Gods view on humor and Social dynamics i broke down a highly debatable verse.

Context of chapter 5: Paul's writing to struggling Gentiles and his focus is on preventing Gentile believers from lapsing back into an old lifestyle of sexual immorality and greed.


Ephesians 5:3-4
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should be obscenity, Silly talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving

This verse can come across like we are not to joke around or even have humor in our life. Does God not want us having silly humor? Its important that we go back to the original Greek and break down some of these words Paul talks about.

What is Paul talking about when he says obscenity, Foolish talk and Coarse Joking?

Word number 1
"Obsenity" is AISCHROTES in the Greek , - Behavior that flouts social and moral standards, it pertains to that is socially or morally unacceptable. I belive Paul is stressing here sexual humor that could cause the believers to fall back into a perverted sexual lifestyle.
Rember when Paul wrote this letter to the Gentiles His underline mission was to sway them away from the sexual sins they had fallen into.

What is morally and socially unacceptable is always a challenge.
My recommendation
Let your humor be well seasoned depending on your audience.
Stay away from jokes that have could lead you or others into sexual sin.



Question to ask oneself Is the speech I am using corruptive of myself or of others? Could it make someone began to think sexual thought that make them stumble into sexual sin?

Word number 2

"Silly talk" in Greek is MOROLOGIA, literally "foolish words." MOROS is the word from which we get the English "moron" and "moronic." And so "silly" is a very misleading translation. "Foolish" here does not mean light-hearted humor, but evil and unteachable.
We must read it in the contect of the Old- Testament wisdom of tradition. This is defined as a fool who rejects the exsitence of a God and his wisdom.
Exmaple Psalms 53:1 who says in his heart there is no God, no God to judge him for his wickedness. This is a fool who despises wisdom and instruction.

Example: It's not bad to tell of a story where you messed up if the lesson is not giving the action approval. The story is not the problem its the message being relayed. The issue is our you encouraging the sinful behavior or teaching a lesson so others don't stumble like you did?


Question to ask yourself? Are you giving approval to what is evil in your story or aiming to help them not stumble?

Word 3

Coarse Joking in Greek is EUTRAPELIA. The emphasis is not on Jesting but on the coarsness. Author argues that NIV should use the word glib instead of course seeing how its a more acturate interpretation of EUTRAPELIA. Glib mean cleverness that is not edifying because it is mere showing off. When it is used negatively, it tends to apply to dishonest trickery
EUTRAPELIA is actually used commonly in the bible to positive to describe the dexterous or ready reply, wit, or jesting. When it is used negatively, it tends to apply to dishonest trickery or ribald joking.

Question to ask yourself? Where is your heart at when you said your statement? Are you saying something to brag? Are you trying to one up the person to make them look stupid?

Example: Proverbs 27:2- Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.
Chuck swindoll comment: Self praise smells bad. In other words, it stinks up the works you did. How much better to let another praise you!