What does the Bible say about anger?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that anger must be governed by wisdom, patience, and love, since human anger so easily becomes sinful and fails to produce God’s righteousness. James 1:19-20 calls believers to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Proverbs 14:29 and 19:11 commend patience and restraint, while Proverbs 15:1 shows that a gentle answer can turn away wrath. Scripture recognizes that anger may arise even in righteous concern, yet Ephesians 4:26 warns us not to let it rule or linger. In Christ, believers are called to put away explosive temper, forgive as they have been forgiven, and entrust judgment to God.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

Proverbs 14:29
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who has a quick temper displays folly.
Psalms 37:8
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don't fret, it leads only to evildoing.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
James 1:20
for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God.
Ephesians 4:26
"Be angry, and don't sin." Don't let the sun go down on your wrath,
James 1:19
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all of his anger, But a wise man brings himself under control.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Don't be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
James 1:19-20
[19] So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God.

Study outline

Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.

Nave's Topical Bible

General scriptures concerning Genesis 4:6; Genesis 49:7; 2 Chronicles 28:9; Job 5:2; Job 19:29; Psalms 37:8; Psalms 55:3; Psalms 76:10; Proverbs 6:34; Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 14:17; Proverbs 14:29
See HATRED
See JEALOUSY
See MALICE
See SPEAKING, EVIL
See STRIFE
See KINDNESS
See MEEKNESS
See PATIENCE
INSTANCES OF
Of Cain slaying Abel Genesis 4:5-8
Simeon and Levi, on account of the humbling of their sister, Dinah Genesis 49:5-7
Pharaoh, toward Moses Exodus 10:11; Exodus 10:28
Moses, toward Pharaoh Exodus 11:8; Numbers 20:10; Numbers 20:11
Balaam, toward his ass Numbers 22:27; Numbers 22:29
Balak, toward Balaam Numbers 24:10; Numbers 24:11
Ephraimites, toward Gideon, for not soliciting their help against the Midianites Judges 8:1
Jonathan, on account of Saul’s persecution of David 1 Samuel 20:34; 2 Chronicles 25:10
Saul, toward Jonathan, on account of his sympathy with David 1 Samuel 20:30-34
Ahab, because Naboth would not sell his vineyard 1 Kings 21:4
Naaman, because Elisha directed him to wash in the Jordan 2 Kings 5:12
Asa, because the prophet rebuked him 2 Chronicles 16:10
Uzziah toward Azariah, the priest, because of his reproof of 2 Chronicles 26:19
Ahasuerus, toward Vashti, for refusing to amuse his courtiers Esther 1:12; Esther 7:7
Haman, because Mordecai did not salute him Esther 3:5
Elihu, because Job had beaten his friends in argument Job 32:3
Moab Isaiah 16:6
Nebuchadnezzar, on account of the insubordination of the three Hebrews, who refused to worship his idol Daniel 3:13; Daniel 3:19
Jonah, because the gourd withered Jonah 4:1; Jonah 4:2; Jonah 4:4; Jonah 4:9
Herod, toward the wise men who deceived him Matthew 2:16
The people of Nazareth, toward Jesus Luke 4:28
Paul, toward Ananias Acts 23:3
Jews, against Stephen Acts 7:54-58
ANGER OF GOD Exodus 22:24; Exodus 32:10; Exodus 33:5; Numbers 11:1; Numbers 11:10; Numbers 11:33; Numbers 12:9; Numbers 14:11; Numbers 16:20; Numbers 16:21; Numbers 16:45; Numbers 25:3

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Forbidden Ecclesiastes 7:9; Matthew 5:22; Romans 12:19
A work of the flesh Galatians 5:20
A characteristic of fools Proverbs 12:16; Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 27:3; Ecclesiastes 7:9
Connected with
Pride Proverbs 21:24
Cruelty Genesis 49:7; Proverbs 27:3; Proverbs 27:4
Clamour and evil-speaking Ephesians 4:31
Malice and blasphemy Colossians 3:8
Strife and contention Proverbs 21:19; Proverbs 29:22; Proverbs 30:33
Brings its own punishment Job 5:2; Proverbs 19:19; Proverbs 25:28
Grievous words stir up Judges 12:4; 2 Samuel 19:43; Proverbs 15:1
Should not betray us into sin Psalms 37:8; Ephesians 4:26
In prayer be free from 1 Timothy 2:8
May be averted by wisdom Proverbs 29:8
Meekness pacifies Proverbs 15:1; Ecclesiastes 10:4
Children should not be provoked to Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21
Be slow to Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 19:11; Titus 1:7; James 1:19
Avoid those given to Genesis 49:6; Proverbs 22:24
Justifiable, Exemplified
Our Lord Mark 3:5
Jacob Genesis 31:36
Moses Exodus 11:8; Exodus 32:19; Leviticus 10:16; Numbers 16:15
Nehemiah Nehemiah 5:6; Nehemiah 13:17; Nehemiah 13:25
Sinful, Exemplified
Cain Genesis 4:5; Genesis 4:6
Esau Genesis 27:45
Simeon and Levi Genesis 49:5-7
Moses Numbers 20:10; Numbers 20:11
Balaam Numbers 22:27
Saul 1 Samuel 20:30
Ahab 1 Kings 21:4
Naaman 2 Kings 5:11
Asa 2 Chronicles 16:10
Uzziah 2 Chronicles 26:19
Haman Esther 3:5
Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 3:13
Jonah Jonah 4:4
Herod Matthew 2:16
Jews Luke 4:28
High Priest, &c Acts 5:17; Acts 7:54

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