An Unwholesome Word Study

Ephesians 4:29

NASV

²⁹Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

NIV

²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

KJV

²⁹Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

NKJV

²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

ESV

²⁹Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Young’s Literal Translation

²⁹Let no corrupt word out of your mouth go forth, but what is good unto the needful building up, that it may give grace to the hearers;

Sapros – rotten, corrupted, useless

Other verses:

Mtt. 7:17

NASV

¹⁷"So ^(A)every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

KJV

¹⁷Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Merriam Webster Dictionary

Unwholesome - 1 : detrimental to physical, mental, or moral well-being 2 b : offensive to the senses

Corrupt - 1 a : morally degenerate and perverted b characterized by improper conduct
2 : putrid, tainted
3 : adulterated or debased by change from an original or correct condition