“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25).
The phrase, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” is taken from Zechariah 8:16. Zechariah’s prophecies occurred following the return of the remnant from Babylonian captivity. Note two points. First, honesty is a principle that should inform every part of our lives, and all of our relationships. Second, this is especially so with whom we share a special bond, “for we are members of one another.”
The bond the remnant shared was their cultural and national identities. They were Jews, part of God’s chosen people, with a obligation to keep the law.
Here Paul wrote to the Ephesian Christians. Their bond was their shared faith in Jesus Christ. The same words were used by Paul to describe that relationship in Romans 12:5.
Honesty (putting away lying) is important in and of itself. God revealed time and again that lying, deceit, guile, are condemnable acts, and not worthy of God’s children (cf. Revelation 21:8). Beyond that, our special bond as Christians demands that we treat each other honestly. To do less is to disrespect and endanger our fellowship as His children!
