Bible Verses About Anger

Scripture does not forbid anger — it shapes it. These verses about anger teach the difference between righteous indignation and the wrath that destroys.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” — Ephesians 4:26 (KJV)

Be ye angry, and sin not — anger is permitted and then fenced. The deadline attached, before sundown, is the practical instruction.

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)

A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger. The proverb assigns the outcome of an argument to the tone of one reply.

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” — James 1:20 (KJV)

The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God — the point is that anger rarely produces what it claims to want. It follows the command to be slow to wrath.

“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” — Ecclesiastes 7:9 (KJV)

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Resteth suggests anger settling in and taking up residence.

“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” — Proverbs 19:11 (KJV)

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. Deferring, not suppressing, is what is commended.

“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” — Colossians 3:8 (KJV)

Put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication — five items in one list. Putting off is clothing language, implying a deliberate act.

“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” — Psalm 37:8 (KJV)

Cease from anger and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Anger is treated as the on-ramp to something worse.

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” — Proverbs 29:11 (KJV)

A fool uttereth all his mind, but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. Till afterwards concedes that the thought exists; only the timing differs.

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” — Ephesians 4:31 (KJV)

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour be put away with all malice. The next verse answers it with kindness and forgiveness.

“He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.” — Proverbs 14:17 (KJV)

He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly — soon is the diagnosis, naming speed rather than intensity. The book returns to this repeatedly.

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” — Romans 12:19 (KJV)

Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord — anger is not denied but reassigned. Giving place unto wrath means leaving room for God's.

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” — Matthew 5:22 (KJV)

Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. Jesus moves the commandment about murder inward.

“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.” — Psalm 4:4 (KJV)

Stand in awe and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. The prescription is a quiet evening rather than a confrontation.

“Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?” — Jonah 4:4 (KJV)

Doest thou well to be angry? — God asks the prophet twice rather than rebuking him. The book ends on the question unanswered.

“The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” — Nahum 1:3 (KJV)

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power — the two are named together rather than in tension. Slowness is presented as a function of strength.

“Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.” — Proverbs 30:33 (KJV)

The forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife, compared to churning milk into butter. The image is of pressure applied until something changes state.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about anger?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on anger: Ephesians 4:26, Proverbs 15:1, James 1:20, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Proverbs 19:11, Colossians 3:8, Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 29:11, Ephesians 4:31, Proverbs 14:17, Romans 12:19, Matthew 5:22, Psalm 4:4, Jonah 4:4…

What is a good Bible verse about anger?

Ephesians 4:26 is the passage most often quoted on anger, with Proverbs 15:1 and James 1:20 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these anger verses?

You can read all of these verses about anger — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.