Anger is a powerful emotion that, when left unchecked, can lead to destructive consequences. The Bible provides wisdom, guidance, and solutions for managing anger in a way that aligns with God’s principles.
In this collection, we present 30 Bible verses accompanied by commentary, each offering insights and encouragement for those grappling with the challenges of anger.
Bible Verses For Anger
Proverbs 14:29 (NIV):
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
This proverb underscores the value of patience and the understanding that accompanies it, contrasting it with the folly of quick-tempered reactions.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV):
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Paul advises addressing anger promptly, emphasizing the importance of resolving conflicts before they escalate and create opportunities for negative influences.
Proverbs 15:1 (NIV):
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
The power of a gentle response in diffusing anger is highlighted, contrasting it with the provocative nature of harsh words.
James 1:19-20 (NIV):
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
James advocates for a measured response to anger, emphasizing the importance of listening and the ineffectiveness of human anger in achieving God’s righteousness.
Proverbs 19:11 (NIV):
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
The connection between wisdom, patience, and the honorable act of overlooking offenses is highlighted in this proverb.
Colossians 3:8 (NIV):
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
Paul instructs believers to discard destructive emotions like anger, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a positive and uplifting speech.
Proverbs 29:11 (NIV):
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
The contrast between the impulsive release of anger and the wisdom of bringing calm, ultimately prevailing, is illustrated in this proverb.
Matthew 5:22 (NIV):
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Jesus emphasizes the severity of harboring anger and the potential consequences in terms of judgment, urging believers to address conflicts with care and respect.
Proverbs 16:32 (NIV):
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
The value of patience and self-control is elevated above the prowess of a warrior, emphasizing the strength found in managing one’s emotions.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV):
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Paul includes fits of rage among the destructive acts of the flesh, underscoring the need for believers to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit instead.
Proverbs 22:24-25 (NIV):
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”
This proverb warns against the influence of hot-tempered individuals, urging caution to prevent being ensnared by their patterns of behavior.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIV):
“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
The caution against quick provocation and the association of anger with foolishness highlight the need for measured and thoughtful responses.
Psalm 37:8 (NIV):
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
The psalmist advises refraining from anger and fretting, recognizing their potential to lead to harmful outcomes.
Romans 12:19 (NIV):
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Paul encourages believers to relinquish the desire for revenge and trust in God’s justice, allowing Him to repay according to His wisdom.
Proverbs 25:28 (NIV):
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
The analogy of a breached city wall illustrates the vulnerability that comes with a lack of self-control, emphasizing its importance in managing anger.
Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV):
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
Jesus provides a structured approach for addressing conflicts, promoting resolution and reconciliation while avoiding unnecessary anger.
Proverbs 14:17 (NIV):
“A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.”
The correlation between quick temper and foolish actions, along with the resulting disdain, is emphasized in this proverb.
Titus 1:7 (NIV):
“Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.”
Paul sets forth qualities for leaders, including the admonition against being quick-tempered, emphasizing the importance of even-tempered leadership.
James 3:9-10 (NIV):
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
James highlights the incongruity of using the tongue for both praise and cursing, cautioning against the destructive power of words spoken in anger.
Proverbs 30:33 (NIV):
“For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.”
The imagery of churning and twisting illustrates the consequences of stirring up anger, resulting in conflict and strife.
1 Timothy 2:8 (NIV):
“Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.”
Paul encourages a prayerful and harmonious demeanor, urging believers to lift holy hands without succumbing to anger or disputes.
Psalm 4:4 (NIV):
“Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.”
The psalmist advises self-reflection and silence in moments of anger, emphasizing the importance of avoiding sinful responses.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV):
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Paul advocates for the removal of destructive emotions and behaviors, replaced by kindness, compassion, and forgiveness modeled after God’s forgiveness in Christ.
Proverbs 16:2 (NIV):
“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”
The acknowledgment that motives are weighed by the Lord calls for humility and self-awareness in the face of potentially misguided anger.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 (NIV):
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”
Paul instructs servants of the Lord to avoid quarrelsomeness, promoting kindness and gentle instruction for opponents, with the goal of leading them to truth.
Colossians 3:13 (NIV):
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
The call to bear with and forgive one another echoes the divine forgiveness believers have received, fostering an attitude of compassion and reconciliation.
Psalm 37:7-8 (NIV):
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
The psalmist advocates for stillness, patience, and refraining from anger in the face of apparent injustice, trusting in God’s ultimate justice.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV):
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
Paul’s description of love includes the characteristic of not being easily angered, highlighting the role of love in fostering healthy relationships.
Proverbs 30:20 (NIV):
“This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.'”
The analogy illustrates the unrepentant nature of wrongdoing, cautioning against a similar attitude in the aftermath of expressing anger.
Also Read: Bible Verses For Anxiety And Overthinking (With Commentary)
Romans 13:10 (NIV):
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Paul affirms that love, by its very nature, avoids harm to others, emphasizing its central role in fulfilling God’s law.