Ephesians 4:31

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Ephesians 4:31 in Other Translations

KJV
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
ESV
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
NLT
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
MSG
31 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk.
CSB
31 All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness.

Ephesians 4:31 Meaning and Commentary

Ephesians 4:31

Let all bitterness
These words are a dehortation from several vices good men are liable to, by which the Spirit of God is grieved: "bitterness" sometimes designs the corruption of nature, which is the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity; and sometimes actual sins and transgressions, even those of God's own people, which are evil and bitter things; and sometimes heretical doctrines, which are roots of bitterness; and sometimes sinful words spoken by the saints, one against another; and here perhaps it signifies, the first offence taken in the mind, against any person, upon any account, which should at once be put away, and not encouraged:

and wrath:
heat of spirit, which follows upon bitterness, or upon the spirit being embittered and offended; see ( Ezekiel 3:14 ) .

And anger;
a sinful one, cautioned against before, ( Ephesians 4:26 ) .

And clamour and evil speaking;
such as brawlings, contentions, contumelies, reproaches, slanders arising from an embittered, wrathful, and angry disposition: these should all

be put away from you, with all malice;
being the deeds of the old man, unbecoming such as are born again, and grieving to the Spirit of God.

Ephesians 4:31 In-Context

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S ver 22
  • 2. Colossians 3:8; 1 Peter 2:1
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