Devine Scripture

Ephesians 4:31

What does Ephesians 4:31 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 4:31 means

Put away all forms of relational poison: bitterness (settled resentment), wrath and anger (outbursts and simmering hostility), clamor (shouting and quarrels), and railing (slander and abusive speech), along with all malice (ill will). These destroy community and contradict the new self. They often spring from wounded pride and unresolved conflicts. To remove them requires repentance, humility, and the Spirit’s help. The command is comprehensive—no exception is made for personality or provocation. The church is to be a place where such corrosive behaviors are not tolerated, because they grieve God and harm His people.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let all bitter, sharp and angry feeling, and noise, and evil words, be put away from you, with all unkind acts;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Let all bitterness and anger and indignation and clamour and blasphemy be put away from you, with all malice.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Let all bitterness, and heat of passion, and wrath, and clamour, and injurious language, be removed from you, with all malice;

Context

This verse gathers the negative side of Paul’s practical exhortations into a sweeping call to reject relational sins. It follows the warning about grieving the Spirit (verse 30) and sets the stage for the positive commands of verse 32. The pattern throughout has been to put off and put on. Now the contrast reaches its peak: from bitterness and malice to kindness and forgiveness modeled on God’s grace in Christ.

v.30And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.

v.31This passage

v.32and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 John 3:15

    Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

  • Colossians 3:8

    but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:

  • James 1:19

    Ye knowthis, my beloved brethren. But let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

  • James 3:14

    But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth.

  • 1 Timothy 6:4

    he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

  • Genesis 37:4

    And his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren; and they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Ephesians 4

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ephesians 4.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Ephesians 4:31.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary