What Does the Bible Say About Anger?

Scripture acknowledges anger as a human emotion but warns against sinful expressions of it. Believers are called to be 'slow to anger' as God Himself is.

Key Verse: James 1:19-20

"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."

Old Testament Perspective

The Proverbs repeatedly warn against hot temper and commend the person who is slow to anger as wiser than a warrior.

New Testament Perspective

Paul instructs believers to 'be angry and do not sin' (Ephesians 4:26), acknowledging righteous anger while warning against bitterness and rage.

15 Key Bible Verses About Anger

James 1:19-20: "So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God."
Proverbs 15:1: "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Ephesians 4:26-27: "“Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil."
Proverbs 29:11: "A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control."
Psalm 37:8: "Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing."
Colossians 3:8: "but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth."
Proverbs 14:29: "He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly."
Proverbs 16:32: "One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city."
Ecclesiastes 7:9: "Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools."
Romans 12:19: "Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”"
Proverbs 19:11: "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense."
Proverbs 22:24: "Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger:"
Matthew 5:22: "But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna."
Galatians 5:19-21: "Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom."
Psalm 4:4: "Stand in awe, and don’t sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah."

What Does the Bible Say About Anger?

Key Verse: James 1:19-20

Old Testament Perspective

New Testament Perspective

15 Key Bible Verses About Anger

Video: What the Bible Says About Anger

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