What does the Bible say about crude language?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible calls believers to reject crude, corrupt, and shameful speech, using their words instead to honor God and build up others. Ephesians 4:29 teaches that speech should give grace to those who hear, while Ephesians 5:4 rejects obscenity, foolish talk, and coarse joking in favor of thanksgiving. Colossians 3:8 includes filthy language among the sins Christians are to put away, and James 3:10 warns against blessing God while speaking harmfully of people made in his image. Romans 12:2 reminds us that this change flows from renewed minds, not mere outward restraint. By Christ's saving grace, believers may repent, seek purity, and grow in speech that reflects the gospel.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Romans 12:2

    Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

  • James 3:10

    Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

  • Ephesians 5:4

    nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.

  • Ephesians 4:29

    Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.

  • Colossians 3:8

    but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

  • Revelation 1:1

    This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John,

  • John 3:16-17

    [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [17] For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about crude language and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about crude language