Martin Luther on Harsh Language

Following up on the harsh language debate (see previous post):

I have heard some use Martin Luther as an example of, and justification for, the use of harsh and course language. For anyone who has ever read his works, you are confronted with the fact that his language was very colorful to say the least. Al Mohler, however, has noted that, in using Luther as an example, we must recognize that his culture was very rustic and the language of his that we find "colorful" would not have raised an eyebrow among his peers.

Well, Pulpit Magazine has gone further and has done us a service by pointing us to Martin Luther's sermon on Ephesians 5:3-4 and the following excerpt from this sermon shows that Luther was, in fact, conscientious about his use of language and felt that those who used "scandalous talk" should be reproved or else they would bring the congregation an "ill repute."

He said:

“Filthiness”—scandalous talk—is unchaste language suggestive of fornication, uncleanness and carnal sins. It is common in taverns and generally found as accompaniment of gluttony, drunkenness and gambling. Especially were the Greeks frivolous and adepts in this respect, as their poets and other writers attest.

What Paul refers to in particular is the lewd conversation uttered in public without fear and self-restraint. This will excite wicked thoughts and give rise to serious offenses, especially with the young. As he states elsewhere (1 Cor 15, 33), “Evil companionships [communications] corrupt good morals.”

Should there be any Christians forgetful enough to so transgress, the offense must be reproved; otherwise it will become general and give the congregation an ill repute, as if Christians taught and tolerated it the same as the heathen....

“Jesting” has reference to those conversational expedients which pander to gaiety in the form of scandal; they are called among us banter and badinage. Laughter, mirth and gaiety is their purpose, and we meet with them generally in society and high life. Among the heathen, jesting was counted a virtue, and therefore received the title “eutrapelia” by Aristotle.

But Paul calls it a vice among Christians, who certainly may find conversational expedients of a different kind, such as will inspire a cheerful and joyous spirit in Christ. True, Christians are not all so pure but that some may err in this matter; but the Christian Church does not command jesting, nor suffer any member to abandon himself to the practice. It reproves and prohibits it, particularly in religious assemblies, and in teaching and preaching. For Christ says (Mt 12, 36) that at the last day men must give account of every idle, unprofitable word they have spoken.

Christians should be a very firm, though courteous, people. Courtesy should be coupled with seriousness, and seriousness with courtesy, according to the pattern of the life of Christ supplied in the Gospel.