Ephesians 4:31

31 ¹Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be ²put away from you, along with all ³malice.

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 unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Cross References

• 1. Romans 3:14; Colossians 3:8, 19
• 2. Ephesians 4:22
• 3. 1 Peter 2:1