What does the Bible say about bitterness?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible warns that bitterness is a sinful, destructive root that believers must put away through Christ's forgiving grace. Ephesians 4:31-32 calls Christians to reject bitterness, wrath, and malice, replacing them with kindness and forgiveness as God has forgiven us in Christ. Hebrews 12:15 cautions that bitterness can grow, trouble many, and defile a whole community. It often springs from unresolved anger, injury, or envy, but the gospel frees us from nursing grievances. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:14-15 that forgiven people are to forgive others. By seeking peace, confessing sin, and relying on the Spirit, believers may overcome bitterness with love.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice.
- Hebrews 12:15
looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled;
- Ephesians 4:31-32
[31] Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. [32] And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
- Acts 8:23
For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."
- Matthew 6:14-15
[14] "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- Ephesians 4:26
"Be angry, and don't sin." Don't let the sun go down on your wrath,
- Hebrews 12:14-15
[14] Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord, [15] looking carefully lest there be any man who falls short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled;
- Romans 3:14
"Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."
- Colossians 3:8
but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.
- Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all wrongs.
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