What does the Bible say about malice?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible condemns malice as a sinful disposition that flows from the fallen heart and calls believers, by God’s grace, to put it away in love and forgiveness. Ephesians 4:31-32 urges Christians to replace bitterness and malice with kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness patterned after God’s forgiveness in Christ. James 1:19-20 commends slow speech and restrained anger, while Proverbs 15:1 teaches that a gentle answer turns away wrath. First Peter 2:1 commands believers to lay aside malice, and Galatians 5:19-21 warns that hostility and fits of anger belong to the works of the flesh. Through the Spirit, Christians are to pursue peace, speak wisely, and treat others as they would be treated.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 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.
- Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Proverbs 12:16
A fool shows his annoyance the same day, But one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
- Psalms 37:8-9
[8] Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don't fret, it leads only to evildoing. [9] For evildoers shall be cut off, But those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.
- 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.
- Matthew 7:12
Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
- 1 Peter 2:1
Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking,
- 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.
- James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks himself to be religious while he doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man's religion is worthless.
- Galatians 5:19-21
[19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, 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 the Kingdom of God.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- General scriptures concerning Genesis 3:15; Leviticus 19:14; Leviticus 19:17; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 27:17; Deuteronomy 27:18; Deuteronomy 32:32; Deuteronomy 32:33; 2 Kings 6:21; 2 Kings 6:22; Job 15:35; Job 31:29
- See CONSPIRACY
- See HATRED
- See HOMICIDE
- See JEALOUSY
- See REVENGE
- INSTANCES OF
- Cain toward Abel Genesis 4:8
- Ishmael toward Sarah Genesis 21:9
- Sarah toward Hagar Genesis 21:10
- Philistines toward Isaac Genesis 26
- Esau toward Jacob Genesis 27:41
- Joseph’s brothers toward Joseph Genesis 37; Genesis 42:21
- Potiphar’s wife toward Joseph Genesis 39:14-20
- Ammonites toward the Israelites Deuteronomy 23:3; Deuteronomy 23:4
- Saul toward David 1 Samuel 18:8-29; 1 Samuel 19; 1 Samuel 20:30-33; 1 Samuel 22:6-18; 1 Samuel 23:7-23; 1 Samuel 26:18
- David toward Michal 2 Samuel 6:21-23
- David toward Joab 1 Kings 2:5; 1 Kings 2:6
- Shimei 1 Kings 2:8; 1 Kings 2:9
- Shimei toward David 2 Samuel 16:5-8
- Ahithophel toward David 2 Samuel 17:1-3
- Jezebel toward Elijah 1 Kings 19:1; 1 Kings 19:2
- Ahaziah toward Elijah 2 Kings 1
- Jehoram toward Elisha 2 Kings 6:31
- Samaritans toward the Jews Ezra 4; Nehemiah 2:10; Nehemiah 4; Nehemiah 6
- Haman toward Mordecai Esther 3:5-15; Esther 5:9-14
- Jeremiah’s enemies Jeremiah 26:8-11; Jeremiah 38
- Nebuchadrezzar toward Zedekiah Jeremiah 52:10; Jeremiah 52:11
- Daniel’s enemies Daniel 6:4-9
- Herodias toward John Matthew 14:3-10; Mark 6:24-28
- Herod Antipas toward Jesus Luke 23:11
- The Jewish leaders toward Jesus Matthew 27:18; Mark 12:12; Mark 15:10; Luke 11:53; Luke 11:54
- James and John toward the Samaritans Luke 9:54
- Jews toward Paul Acts 17:5; Acts 23:12; Acts 25:3
- Masters of the sorcerous damsel toward Paul Acts 16:19-24
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Springs from an evil heart Matthew 15:19; Matthew 15:20; Galatians 5:19
- Forbidden 1 Corinthians 14:20; Colossians 3:8; Ephesians 4:26; Ephesians 4:27
- A hindrance to growth in grace 1 Peter 2:1; 1 Peter 2:2
- Incompatible with the worship of God 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Corinthians 5:8
- Christian liberty not to be a cloak for 1 Peter 2:16
- Saints avoid Job 31:29; Job 31:30; Psalms 35:12-14
- The wicked
- Speak with 3 John 1:10
- Live in Titus 3:3
- Conceive Psalms 7:14
- Filled with Romans 1:29
- Visit saints with Psalms 83:3; Matthew 22:6
- Pray for those who injure you through Matthew 5:44
- Brings its own punishment Psalms 7:15; Psalms 7:16
- God requites Psalms 10:14; Ezekiel 36:5
- Punishment of Amos 1:11; Amos 1:12; Obadiah 1:10-15
- Exemplified
- Cain Genesis 4:5
- Esau Genesis 27:41
- Joseph’s brethren Genesis 37:19; Genesis 37:20
- Saul 1 Samuel 18:9-11
- Shimei 2 Samuel 16:5; 1 Kings 2:8; 1 Kings 2:9
- Joab 2 Samuel 3:27; 1 Kings 2:5; 1 Kings 2:28-33
- Sanballat Nehemiah 2:10
- Haman Esther 3:5; Esther 3:6
- Edomites Ezekiel 35:5
- Presidents, &c Daniel 6:4-9
- Herodias Mark 6:19
- Scribes &c Mark 11:18; Luke 11:54
- Diotrephes 3 John 1:10
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