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What does the Bible say about insulting people?

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The Bible forbids insulting and demeaning others, calling believers instead to truthful, gracious speech shaped by love for God and neighbor. Jesus warns in Matthew 5:22 that contemptuous anger is serious before God, while Ephesians 5:4 rejects crude and foolish talk. Proverbs 26:18-19 exposes the harm of cruel words disguised as jokes. Yet Christ also prepares His people for insults and persecution because of faithfulness to Him, promising blessing in Matthew 5:11-12. Christians should not be ruled by human judgment, as Colossians 2:16 teaches, but entrust themselves to God, who restores His suffering people, as 1 Peter 5:10 assures.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Matthew 5:11-12

    [11] "Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

  • Proverbs 26:18-19

    [18] Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death, [19] Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"

  • Matthew 5:22

    But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.

  • Ephesians 5:4

    nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.

  • Colossians 2:16

    Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,

  • 1 Peter 5:10

    But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

  • Mark 16:16

    He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

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