You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
4 and there
must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting,
but rather giving of thanks. NASB
Filthiness, 'aischrotes,' is a reference in this context, to vulgar, filthy, or obscene talk.
Foolish, 'morologia,' refers to conversation that is insipid, senseless, stupid, even lacking in logic or common sense.
Jesting, 'eutrapelia,' means well turned, and is a reference to speech that is refined, humorous, with wit, and in the negative sense, comes to refer to mocking, making fun, using truth as the target of contempt within the guise of humor.
Convenient, 'aneko,' refers to that which is proper, and in this case, these things are not proper, but are rather improper and impertinent, disgraceful, disrespectful and simply rude or cheeky attitudes against God who has done everything and far more, for everyone, but that grace provision is rejected with ignorant insolence.
If a person understands something then they are less likely to make fun of it.
When a person does not understand something, then they are more likely to make fun of it.
And Bible doctrine is the single most important collection of concepts that has ever existed, and they all are made available to everyone for learning and understanding, and the edifying of the soul for the purpose of completing the individual and preparing a person for phenomenal blessings even blessings that exist far beyond the imagination.
And yet, most folks do not learn doctrine, are not interested in doctrine, prefer their own ideas which are more convenient to their liking, and therefore do not understand doctrine.
And they make fun of God and all that He does and stands for, and they do this proactively through mockery, or even passively by means of their indifference and closed mindedness.
Anything that is done outside of Gods defined design for the spiritual life, is improper and out of line. But unfortunately most folks are not even interested in learning exactly what Gods design is. Most folks are either not interested, or they believe that they are already in compliance with Gods will, which they are not.
So, the easiest test to see if you are living the spiritual life, is to ask yourself a few questions.
Namely, do you study the Bible everyday?
Do you do your studies through a formal study structure?
Do you confess your sins daily or on a regular repetitive basis in order to be in fellowship?
Do you even know what any or all of this means?
If any of these questions result in a 'no' answer, then you are not living your spiritual life in accordance with Gods will. That means that you are functioning outside of Gods will and are not in compliance with Gods design for the spiritual life.
If you believe that you are in compliance with Gods will, but are not doing the above things, then you are deceiving yourself. And like so many other folks, you are living a lie that will only get you into trouble, spiritually, and you will not know why.
Without the spiritual muscle of a legitimate spiritual life, you will fall into one or all of the behaviors mentioned in this verse.
However, understand that God has done vastly more than any of us can even begin to imagine, and therefore we have an obligation to be thankful, rather than ungrateful.
A valid spiritual life and growth will result in your understanding and thankfulness, whereas a faulty spiritual life will result in a disrespectful and unthankful attitude to the very person who has made all things available and possible for you. Your failure is your fault, and no one else's.
