Ephesians 4:31

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, violent assertiveness and slander, along with all spitefulness.

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 Let no harmful language come from your mouth, only good words that are helpful in meeting the need, words that will benefit those who hear them.
30 Don't cause grief to God's Ruach HaKodesh, for he has stamped you as his property until the day of final redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, violent assertiveness and slander, along with all spitefulness.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted; and forgive each other, just as in the Messiah God has also forgiven you.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.