Ephesians 4_26-32 | American Pastor

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Ephesians 4:26-32

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

(NIV) “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

(AMP) BE ANGRY [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], YET DO NOT SIN; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down.

Righteous spiritual anger—that which is opposed to sin and the damage it does to others—should never be compared to carnal anger,^[1] which is seated in the flesh and man’s fallen nature. Though spiritual anger^[2] is not sin, without sufficient restraint it can potentially transition into it. Hence, the exhortation is “In your anger do not sin.” To be righteously stirred and angered by sin^[3] is vastly different than the unholy and carnal anger most have experienced either in themselves or others. Whereas divine anger is prompted by the Lord and the Holy Spirit, human anger erupts from the passions of man and is seated in his fallen and sinful nature.^[4] It is therefore essential that the children of God discern the great gap, breach, and divide that lies between the holy and righteous indignation of God^[5] and that sinful indignation, which is neither led nor prompted by any divine source. Ultimately the only anger that ever should be manifested by the Christian is that which the Holy Spirit inspires. This spiritual and righteous anger is the Lord’s response to sin^[6] and is not simply a manifestation of the bitterness, hate, and resentment that reside in sinful man.

(Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, Eph. 4:26) Be ye angry, and sin not—So the Septuagint, Ps 4:4.^[7] Should circumstances arise to call for anger on your part, let it be as Christ’s “anger” (Mr 3:5),^[8] without sin. Our natural feelings are not wrong when directed to their legitimate object, and when not exceeding due bounds. … Thus indignation at dishonor done to God, and wrong to man, is justifiable anger. Passion is sinful (derived from “passio,” suffering: implying that amidst seeming energy, a man is really passive, the slave of his anger, instead of ruling it).

let not the sun go down upon your wrath—“wrath” is absolutely forbidden; “anger” not so, though, like poison sometimes used as medicine, it is to be used with extreme caution.

***

(Matthew Poole’s Commentary, Eph. 4:26) Be ye angry and sin not: by way of concession, rather than by way of command: q.d. If the case be such that ye must be angry, yet see it be without sin.

Whereas spiritual anger will immediately disappear once repentance is recognized,^[9] fleshly anger is far less willing to either forgive or forget.^[10] Whereas the Holy Spirit’s wrath is pure and spiritually justified, human anger possesses no such divine qualities. This is why saints, especially those young in the faith who have yet to spiritually realize the great need for restraint in all areas of their life, should govern carefully all fleshly passions. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand (Phil 4:5).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Phil. 4:5) Let your moderation be known unto all men—…The word “moderation”—ἐπιεικὲς epieikes—refers to restraint on the passions, general soberness of living, being free from all excesses. The word properly means that which is fit or suitable, and then propriety, gentleness, mildness—They were to indulge in no excess of passion, or dress, or eating, or drinking. They were to govern their appetites, restrain their temper, and to be examples of what was proper for people in view of the expectation that the Lord would soon appear.

Not only do those led by human anger incite dissension and division in others, but such anger creates greater room for the offender to commit even more sin himself.

Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Other translations of this verse reinforce how those prone to manifesting fleshly anger actually open themselves up to engaging in even greater transgressions against God. Anger and wrath are such emotions that when embraced, ruminated on, brooded over, and savored will lead to greater sin, which will separate the offender even farther from the Lord and His will for his life. In short, anger is a gateway emotion, leading to many other sinful actions, ultimately following it.

(NIV) An angry person stirs up conflict,

and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.

(NLT) An angry person starts fights;

a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.

(Berean Standard Bible) An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

(Brenton Septuagint Translation) A furious man stirs up strife, and a passionate man digs up sin.

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, Prov. 29:22) An angry man stirreth up strife, …. In families, neighbourhoods, communities, churches, and commonwealths; that is, one that is given to anger, and gives way to it, in whom it prevails and rules;

and a furious man aboundeth in transgression; or, “a master of wrath or fury” (y); one much addicted to it: or, “the husband of wrath”: wedded to it, as a man to his wife: or, as the Vulgate Latin version renders it, “who is easy to be angry”; is easily provoked, wrath rises up in him at once; this leads him on to many sins, as cursing, swearing, murder …

***

(Pulpit Commentary, Prov. 29:22) An angry man stirreth up strife. This is a variation of Proverbs 15:18^[11] and Proverbs 28:25^[12] (which see). A furious man aboundeth in transgression. “A furious man” is a passionate person, who gives way to violent fits of anger (Proverbs 22:24^[13]). Such a man both makes enemies by his conduct and falls into manifold excesses of word and action while under the influence of his wrath. … “Unchastened anger leads to many ills.” Septuagint, “A passionate man diggeth up sin”—a forcible expression, which is not unusual in reference to quarrels.

It is spiritual wisdom for the Christian to make no friendship with an angry man or walk with those prone to fury within themselves.

Proverbs 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

(Geneva Study Bible, Prov. 22:24) Make {o} no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

(o) Have nothing to do with him that is not able to rule his affections: for he would hurt you by his evil conversation.

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Again it is observed that those prone to wrath and anger not only destroy unity among others but also ultimately seek to stir up the same unholy spiritual unrest in others. An angry man is therefore an inciteful man, hoping to spread his malice and hatred to others around him—simply because he is not content with his own unholy emotion but then desires for others to share in his malice and hatred in the hope that their hate will come to resemble his own.

(Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible, Prov. 15:18) A wrathful man stirreth up strife,…. A man of a wrathful disposition, of a furious spirit, of an angry temper; that is under the power and dominion of such a passion, and indulges it, and takes all opportunities to gratify it; he stirs up strife and contention where there was none, or where it was laid; as a man stirs up coals of fire and raises a flame; see Proverbs 26:21.^[14] He stirs up strife in families, sets one relation against another, and the house in an uproar; he stirs up contentions in neighbourhoods, and sets one friend and neighbour against another, whence proceed quarrels and lawsuits: he stirs up strife in churches, breaks brotherly love, and causes animosities and divisions; he stirs up strife in kingdoms and states, whence come wars and fightings, confusion, and every evil work;

Ecclesiastes 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

(Pulpit Commentary, Eccl. 7:9) By anger wisdom is parted with, so that we are left wholly in ignorance what to do; as it is written, ‘Anger resteth in the bosom of a fool,’ in this way, that it withdraws the light of understanding, while by agitating it troubles the mind” (‘Moral.,’ 5:78).^[15]

Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Where anger resides, malice and evil speaking will be its bedfellows. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks^[16]—and as such, an evil and blasphemous tongue can consistently be traced to a bitter and hating heart.

Because the Scripture is clear that all carnal and fleshly anger is sin,^[17] then all spirits should be tried,^[18] especially when human emotions are involved, lest that which may be misconceived to be righteous is actually devilish. It is for this reason that in the next verse in Ephesians the saints at Ephesus are warned to be cautious of the effects of unrighteous anger lest it give rise to devilish influences in the heart, teaching us that wherever anger and wrath reside, the devil is undoubtedly lurking to incite even more unholy influence on those harboring it.

Ephesians 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Eph. 4:27) Neither give place to the devil—… Many of our feelings, when we suppose we are merely defending our rights, and securing what is our own, are produced by the temptations of the devil. The heart is deceitful; and seldom more deceitful in any case than when a man is attempting to vindicate himself from injuries done to his person and reputation. The devil is always busy when we are angry, and in some way, if possible, will lead us into sin; and the best way to avoid his wiles is to curb the temper, and restrain even sudden anger.

To give place to the devil is to yield to his suggestions and/or temptations. His primary role is kindling greater sin against both God and man. To yield to wrath in the heart is to give place, occupation, and potentially permanent residence to the devil. It is also worth noting that since Satan will transform himself into an angel of light, those deceived by him will generally assume that it is light that they are actually following,^[19] even if it is wrath and anger that live within them. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light (II Cor. 11:14).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, II Cor. 11:14) For Satan himself is transformed …—That is, he who is an apostate angel; who is malignant and wicked; who is the prince of evil, assumes the appearance of a holy angel. Paul assumes this as an indisputable and admitted truth, without attempting to prove it, and without referring to any particular instances. Probably he had in his eye cases where Satan put on false and delusive appearances for the purpose of deceiving, or where he assumed the appearance of great sanctity and reverence for the authority of God. Such instances occurred in the temptation of our first parents Genesis 3:1–6,^[20] and in the temptation of the Saviour, Matthew 4. The phrase “an angel of light,” means a pure and holy angel, light being the emblem of purity and holiness. Such are all the angels that dwell in heaven; and the idea is, that Satan assumes such a form as to appear to be such an angel.

There are two well-known records in Scripture in which after influencing individuals to sin, the devil and the evil spirits accompanying him entered the hearts of those succumbing to devilish suggestions. The first example is the Old Testament record of King Saul;^[21] the second the New Testament record of Judas, a disciple of Jesus.^[22] In these accounts both Saul and Judas had previously experienced a degree of exposure to God.^[23] But in each record, through deception the devil was successful in leading to commit sin those who once had been associated with righteousness. This is seen when King Saul sought David’s life^[24] because of jealousy,^[25] and when Judas betrayed Christ because of greed.^[26] Ultimately Judas hanged himself^[27] and Saul plunged himself on his own sword,^[28] each ending his own life through suicide. Hence, though they committed great sins against others, the greatest damage they did was ultimately toward themselves. What this teaches us is this—that a little leaven, like a little anger, resentment, jealousy, or greed, can easily leaven the whole lump; or that a little sin not repented of can destroy the whole spiritual life of a person. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Gal. 5:9).

To be led by the flesh in any manner gives rise to and opens the door for the devil to assume a greater position of influence in the person’s heart. It is for this reason that the Scripture explicitly instructs saints, even when oppressed and afflicted by the hate in others, never, at any time or in any manner, to render evil for evil or railing for railing.

I Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, I Pet. 3:9) Not rendering evil for evil—See the Matthew 5:39, Matthew 5:44 notes; Romans 12:17^[29] note.

Or railing for railing—See the notes at 1 Timothy 6:4.^[30] Compare Mark 15:29; Luke 23:39.^[31]

But contrariwise blessing—In a spirit contrary to this. See the notes at Matthew 5:44.

Knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing—“Knowing that you were called to be Christians in order that you should obtain a blessing infinite and eternal in the heavens. … The hope of eternal life should make your minds calm; and the prospect that you are to be so exalted in heaven should fill your hearts with benignity and love.” There is nothing which is better suited to cause our hearts to overflow with benignity, to make us ready to forgive all others when they injure us, than the hope of salvation. … Why should one who expects soon to be in heaven harbor malice in his bosom?

Contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For the true Christian, it is never right or proper to fight fire with fire or to respond to hate with hate. Simply because heaven will be the believer’s ultimate home, there is no reason for anyone saved by Christ to harbor hate, jealousy, or anger of any kind within himself. Again, because the believer’s true citizenship is in heaven,^[32] all earthly anger and sin should be left behind in the evil world from which he is inevitably departing.

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

It is not enough to simply not commit sin in order to follow divine will if actually doing good is not substituted in its place. For this reason, not only should he who has previously stolen from the others immediately cease from doing so anymore, but he should also actually begin working with his hands to do good, with the holy aim of helping others in their times of need. So the very same hands that were previously engaged in evil should now be used by the saved person to assist in doing good to others.

(Benson Commentary, Eph. 4:28) that he may have to give to him that needeth—…Thus every one who has sinned in any kind, ought the more zealously to practise the opposite virtue.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Progressing to a similar contrast, as saints no longer using their hands to steal but rather to work, we have another example of how they should not use their mouths to speak any corrupt and corrosive communication but rather to speak only messages that lead to the edification of others. This shows us that all the parts of the believer’s body, including his hands and mouth, should be used solely for the edification and spiritual betterment of his fellow man. Since our Savior’s spiritual and celestial body is one,^[33] every saved member in it has a direct influence on the happiness, wellbeing, and overall spiritual health of all the Lord’s other members. Ultimately the action and/or actions of one of God’s chosen people will for better or for worse affect everyone else divinely connected to the Savior.^[34]

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

All sin, as with the four previously listed sins warned against—putting away lying (v. 25); be angry, and sin not (v. 26); steal no more (v. 28); let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth (v. 29)—which on the outside may appear to affect only man is actually sin against God. Consequently, to sin in any way against our brother and/or sister in Christ is ultimately to sin against the Lord Himself. This undoubtedly must even include the unsaved. To sin against your brother and or neighbor in any way is to sin against his Creator. Ultimately every action toward those around us, whether it consists of doing good or doing evil, will be reckoned as directly connected to the Lord Himself.^[35]

To grieve the Holy Spirit is to grieve the same spiritual nature that assures us of final redemption. The Holy Spirit is the Lord’s seal confirming the believer’s salvation;^[36] therefore, to grieve the Spirit through continued resistance to divine will is to grieve the very One Who confirms the hope of heaven.

The Greek word for grieve is #3076 lupeó. The word’s origin: “[from G3077 (λύπη – sorrow)]”^[37]

HELPS Word-studies defines the word “lypéō (from 3077 /lýpē, ‘deep grief’)—to experience deep, emotional pain (sadness), i.e. severe sorrow (grief). 3076 (lypéō) is very intense and hence even used of the pain of childbirth (see Gen. 3:16,^[38] LXX).”

Even when saved, believers can easily bring pain and displeasure to God if they revert to walking in sin. To be saved therefore does not mean that the Spirit will no longer be grieved, resisted,^[39] and/or quenched.^[40] How foolish are any who naively conclude that sin cannot continue to influence and even control certain parts of their hearts—that reception of the Holy Spirit automatically means that sinning against God to the point of grieving Him is no longer a potential problem and cannot impair, impede, or even destroy true fellowship with the Lord. To be saved by grace^[41] is no proof that the one redeemed by Christ’s blood has given himself over to be fully governed by the Lord’s Holy Spirit and that he cannot continue to resist God’s will for his life. A saved man therefore should never be considered a fully mature and spiritual man if elements of his flesh still control his life.

Whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. How a man lives either provides confidence of his salvation or raises doubt that salvation has actually occurred.

(Pulpit Commentary, Eph. 4:30) To grieve the Spirit is to help to obliterate the seal, and thus weaken the evidence of our redemption.

The church at Corinth is a great example of a group of believers who, though saved by Christ, still lacked divine wisdom. The great reason for this is the pride and conceit that continued ruling their lives.^[42] The believers at Corinth exemplified that salvation of a person does not mean that he will walk either humbly or righteously before God. Salvation by grace therefore does not assure that divine will shall be continually followed. Like all things, the pursuit of spiritual maturity is a choice, which many clearly wish not to embrace. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? (I Cor. 6:5).

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, I Cor. 6:5) Can it be that in the Christian church—the church collected in refined and enlightened Corinth—there is not a single member so wise, intelligent and prudent that his brethren may have confidence in him, and refer their causes to him? Can this be the case in a church that boasts so much of its wisdom, and that prides itself so much in the number and qualifications of its intelligent members?

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Because the believer has been sealed unto the day of redemption (v. 30), all that which is unholy in the heart, including bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, conjoined with malice, should be put away and no longer embraced. Because Christians have been born again^[43] of a heavenly and divine nature, then all previous habits and behaviors of their flesh should be put away.

(Matthew Poole’s Commentary, Eph. 4:31) Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger; these all seem to relate to the inward affection, as the two following to the effects of it in the words.

Bitterness may imply a secret lurking displeasure at another, or rather a confirmed and permanent one; wrath, the first boiling up of the passion, which affects the body in the commotion of the blood and spirits; and anger, a greater height and paroxysm of the same passion, or an eager desire of revenge: see Colossians 3:8.^[44]

And clamour; such inordinate loudness as men in anger are wont to break out into in their words.

And evil speaking; either with respect to God or man, though the latter seems particularly meant here; railing, reviling, reproaching, &c., the ordinary effects of immoderate anger.

With all malice; maliciousness, or malignity of heart, in opposition to kindness and tenderness, Ephesians 4:32: see Romans 1:29 1 Corinthians 5:8 14:20 Titus 3:3.^[45]

The book of Titus speaks of the believer’s (i.e. sinner’s) previous behavior before being exposed to the Lord God and His good, benevolent, kind, and forgiving nature.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

It is a prominent characteristic of the unsaved that hating others and hating one another continue displaying an influential role in their hearts, which is the complete opposite spiritual behavior of those saved by Christ, who have been instructed by the Lord Jesus to love one another.^[46]

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Titus 3:3) And hating one another—There was no brotherly love; no true affection for others. There was ill-will felt in the heart, and it was evinced in the life. This is an apt description of the state of the heathen world before the gospel shines on it, and it may be regarded as the characteristic of all men before conversion. They have no true love for one another, such as they ought to cherish, and they are liable constantly to give indulgence to feelings which evince hatred.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

To be a true and genuine follower of the Lord Jesus Christ demands that we are willing to forgive others as He has forgiven us.^[47] That divine kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness should rule the believer’s inner being. It is worthy to note as well, and never to be forgotten, that every believer’s own forgiveness lies in the person of Jesus Christ. Hence, it is not simply that God has forgiven the penitent freely without a cost to Himself but that the core element of the Lord’s forgiveness of the penitent is Jesus’ paying the penalty for sin—as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Without Jesus paying the penalty for sin, God could never wholly and completely forgive any man. Both the law and God’s own righteousness demand that before forgiveness for sin, atonement must be made.^[48] Ultimately the cost for sin, which is death,^[49] needed to be paid before any heavenly legal and binding pardon could be offered by God.

(Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, Eph. 4:32) As God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you—As God, on account of what Christ has suffered and done, has pardoned you.

As God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. True forgiveness of sin given to those called by God^[50] could be accomplished only through the Son of God, or for Christ’s sake.^[51] This reveals to us as Christians that we have been forgiven on behalf of the work of Jesus Christ and not through any virtue of our own. When this is truly understood, it should be realized that all forgiveness offered to us by God is not because of us but rather for Christ’s sake. It is only for the sake of Christ and His dying for sin that any man can be forgiven today. This is a very humbling thought, that it is not because of man or anything that man can do that we have been forgiven—but that all human forgiveness for sin is solely for the sake of Christ. By understanding this very enlightening truth, that God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you, it should not be hard for us to forgive others—simply because, though our own forgiveness required death,^[52] our forgiving others actually costs us no real payment at all.

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^[1] Gal. 5:19–21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Col. 3:5–8 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: ⁶For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: ⁷In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. ⁸But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

^[2] Mark 3:1–5 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. ²And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. ³And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. ⁴And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. ⁵And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Rom. 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Nah. 1:2–3 God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. ³The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Eph. 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Col. 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

^[3] Exod. 32:19–20 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. ²⁰And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

Acts 13:8–11 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. ⁹Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. ¹⁰And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? ¹¹And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Matt. 21:12–13 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, ¹³And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

^[4] Gen. 4:5, 8 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. … ⁸And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.

I Sam. 20:30, 33 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness? … ³³And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

Esth. 3:5–6 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. ⁶And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

Luke 4:28–29 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, ²⁹And rose up, and thrust [Jesus] out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

Acts 7:54, 57–58 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. … ⁵⁷Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, ⁵⁸And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.

^[5] Deut. 6:15 (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

Ps. 7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

Ps. 18:7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

Isa. 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

Jer. 30:23–24 Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. ²⁴The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return, until he hath done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it.

Rev. 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

^[6] Exod. 32:1–20 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. ²And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. ³And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. ⁴And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. ⁵And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the Lord. ⁶And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

⁷And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: ⁸They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. ⁹And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: ¹⁰Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. ¹¹And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? ¹²Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. ¹³Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. ¹⁴And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. ¹⁵And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. ¹⁶And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. ¹⁷And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. ¹⁸And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. ¹⁹And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. ²⁰And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

^[7] Ps. 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

^[8] Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

^[9] Joel 2:12–13 Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: ¹³And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

II Chrn. 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

^[10] I Sam. 18:6–11 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. ⁷And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. ⁸And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? ⁹And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. ¹⁰And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. ¹¹And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

I Sam. 18:28–29 And Saul saw and knew that the Lord was with David, and that Michal Saul’s daughter loved him. ²⁹And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.

I Sam. 19:9–11 And the evil spirit from the Lord was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. ¹⁰And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin: but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night. ¹¹Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

^[11] Prov. 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

^[12] Prov. 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

^[13] Prov. 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

^[14] Prov. 26:21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

^[15] Gregory the Great. Morals on the Book of Job. Translated by Plummer, Alfred, vol. 2, Charles J. Clark, 1900, pp. 350–355.

^[16] Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Matt. 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

^[17] Eph. 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Ps. 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

Jas. 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Jas. 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

I Tim. 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Gal. 5:19–21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

^[18] I John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

^[19] Luke 23:21–25 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. ²²And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. ²³And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. ²⁴And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required. ²⁵And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.

^[20] Gen. 3:1–6 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ²And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: ³But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. ⁴And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: ⁵For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. ⁶And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

^[21] I Sam. 16:22–23 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. ²³And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

^[22] Luke 22:3–6 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. ⁴And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. ⁵And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. ⁶And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

^[23] Saul—I Sam. 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

Judas—Matt. 27:3–5 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, ⁴Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. ⁵And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

^[24] I Sam. 18:29 And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David’s enemy continually.

I Sam. 19:1 And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

I Sam. 23:14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.

^[25] I Sam. 18:6–9 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. ⁷And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. ⁸And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? ⁹And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

^[26] John 12:4–6 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, ⁵Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? ⁶This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Matt. 26:14–16 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, ¹⁵And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

^[27] Matt. 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

^[28] I Sam. 31:4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

^[29] Matt. 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matt. 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Rom. 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

^[30] I Tim. 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

^[31] Mark 15:29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,

Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

^[32] Phil. 3:20 For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

^[33] I Cor. 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

^[34] Rom. 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

I Cor. 12:25–27 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. ²⁶And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. ²⁷Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

^[35] Matt. 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

^[36] Eph. 1:13–14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

II Cor. 1:21–22 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; ²²Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

^[37] Bible Hub. “Strong’s Greek 3076: λυπέω (lupeó), To grieve, to cause sorrow, to distress.” Bible Lexicon, Bible Hub, Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

^[38] Gen. 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

^[39] Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

^[40] I Thess. 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

^[41] Eph. 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

^[42] I Cor. 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

I Cor. 3:3–4 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? ⁴For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

I Cor. 4:18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

I Cor. 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

I Cor. 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

^[43] I John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

John 3:3–7 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? ⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

I Pet. 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

^[44] Col. 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

^[45] Eph. 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Rom. 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

I Cor. 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

I Cor. 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

^[46] John 13:34–35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ³⁵By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

I John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

I John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

^[47] Eph. 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Col. 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Matt. 6:14–15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: ¹⁵But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

^[48] Lev. 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

Matt. 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Rom. 3:24–25 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Rev. 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

^[49] Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jas. 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Ezek. 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

^[50] Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

I Cor. 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

I Thess. 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Rom. 8: 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

^[51] I Pet. 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

I Pet. 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Rom. 5:8–9 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

^[52] Heb. 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Heb. 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

Heb. 9:15–16 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. ¹⁶For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

Col. 1:14, 20–22 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: … ²⁰And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. ²¹And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled ²²In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: