Texts in Conversation
Ephesians echoes Zechariah’s command to “speak the truth to one another,” using it to describe the character of a renewed community. In Zechariah, truthfulness highlights Israel’s restoration after exile and the rebuilding of social trust. Ephesians reuses the same idea for a new community bound by honesty and peace.
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Zechariah 8:16
Hebrew Bible
14 “For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘As I had planned to hurt you when your fathers made me angry,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, ‘and I was not sorry, 15 so, to the contrary, I have planned in these days to do good to Jerusalem and Judah—do not fear! 16 These are the things you must do: Speak the truth, each of you, to one another. Practice true and righteous judgment in your courts. 17 Do not plan evil in your hearts against one another. Do not favor a false oath—these are all things that I hate,’ says the Lord.” 18 The message of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies came to me as follows:
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Ephesians 4:25
New Testament
23 to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and to put on the new man who has been created in God’s image—in righteousness and holiness that comes from truth. 25 Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on the cause of your anger. 27 Do not give the devil an opportunity.
Date: 60-70 C.E. (If authentic), 90-100 C.E. (If anonymous) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... In Ephesians 4:20-21, 24 we suggested that the truth revealed in Jesus centers on the gospel of (cosmic) reconciliation (in contrast to a life of 'lusts which come from deceit', verse 22), and those whose minds have a proper understanding of the truth will inevitably speak the truth and live in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:14-15, 24). Thus, it is no accident that the believers are to 'put away falsehood, let everyone speak the truth with his neighbor' (verse 25). This verse seems to allude to Zechariah 8:16. Some discussion has been raised as to whether the allusion is directly from Zechariah or mediated via Jewish traditions. However, little has been said about the contextual significance of this verse either in the book of Zechariah itself and/or in Jewish tradition. We suggest that it is here that this passage becomes crucial. Zechariah 8:16 speaks in the context of the restoration of a remnant in Israel (Zechariah 8:1-15) whereby their behavior towards other members of the covenant should be in accord with the new restored people of God. This notion is also confirmed in texts such as the Testament of Dan 5:2 where the words of Zechariah 8:16 are also used. In this context lying, anger, or falsehood are part of the reason why Israel will desert the Lord and revolt against Levi and Judah as the chosen of God to bring the restoration of Israel. It is through 'speaking the truth clearly to his neighbor' that God's peace is manifested and the restoration takes place ..."
Petrenko, Ester
Created in Christ Jesus for Good Works: The Integration of Soteriology and Ethics in Ephesians
(p. 175) Durham University, 2005
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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