Bits of Torah Truths – #Torah Concept in the NT: Put Away Lying – Episode 668
Ephesians 4:25
עַל כֵּן הָסִירוּ אֶת הַשֶּׁקֶר וְדַבְּרוּ אֱמֶת אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ, כִּי אֵיבָרִים אֲנַחְנוּ אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ.
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Ephesians 4:25
4:25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. (NASB)
https://www.matsati.com/index.php/category/bits-of-torah-truths/
Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 4:25 “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another” is deeply rooted in Torah principles. The Five Books of Moses repeatedly command Israel to reject falsehood and uphold truth as the foundation of covenant life.
– Torah Parallels to “Put Away Lying” –
- Exodus 20:16 (Ten Commandments) “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” The most direct parallel: lying, especially in testimony, is forbidden.
- Leviticus 19:11 “Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.” Explicit command to put away lying and deceit within the covenant community.
- Exodus 23:1 “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.” Torah forbids spreading lies or collaborating in false testimony.
- Deuteronomy 19:16–20 False witnesses are judged and punished. Lying in court is treated as a serious offense, requiring removal of the false accuser. Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie.” God’s own nature is truth, setting the standard for His people to reject lying.
Note the Thematic Connections:
- Truth as Covenant Foundation → Torah insists that justice and community life must be built on truth; Paul applies this to the church.
- Rejecting False Witness → Torah forbids false testimony; Paul broadens this to all forms of lying.
- Community Integrity → Torah protects Israel’s covenant integrity; Paul emphasizes unity in the body of Christ (“members one of another”).
- Imitating God’s Nature → Torah highlights God’s truthfulness; Paul calls believers to reflect that truth in speech.
The Torah commands us to put away lying and false witness because covenant life depends on truth. Paul echoes this principle in Ephesians 4:25, urging believers to speak truth to one another as members of Christ’s body. Both contexts stress that lying corrupts community integrity, while truth preserves holiness and unity. This is how Paul taught Torah in the NT, the Torah has not passed away!
