Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

EPHESIANS 4:25KJV
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Ephesians 4:25 (KJV)

What does Ephesians 4:25 mean?

Ephesians 4:25 urges believers to stop lying and instead speak truthfully to their neighbors, because all believers are closely connected as members of one body. The verse highlights honesty as essential for healthy relationships within the Christian community.

Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus, encouraging them to live differently from their old way of life. He points out that since Christians are united like parts of one body, deception harms everyone. The instruction is practical, calling for truthfulness as a foundation for trust and unity among believers.

The Greek behind Ephesians 4:25

  • "lying" (ψεῦδος, pseudos): This word means falsehood or deception. Paul is not just talking about telling lies, but about any kind of dishonesty that breaks trust.
  • "truth" (ἀλήθεια, alētheia): This word means more than just factual accuracy; it often carries the idea of sincerity and reliability. Speaking truth here is about being genuine and trustworthy with others.
  • "members" (μέλη, melē): This word refers to body parts. Paul uses it to picture the church as a body, where each person is a part, so what affects one affects all.

Why Ephesians 4:25 matters

  • Ephesians 4:25 clears up the idea that honesty is just a personal virtue; Paul ties it directly to the health of the whole community.
  • The verse emphasizes that truthfulness is not optional for Christians, but a basic part of living together as one body.
  • By connecting honesty to being "members one of another," Paul shows that lies damage not just individuals, but the unity and trust of the entire group.

Where else these words appear

“away” Greek G659 · used in 8 verses

  • Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
  • Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
  • Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

“lying” Greek G5579 · used in 9 verses

  • John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
  • 1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

“neighbour” Greek G4139 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
  • Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
  • Romans 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

“members” Greek G3196 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.