What Does the Bible Say About Arguments?
Here are 14 Bible verses about arguments, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #12 Timothy 2:16
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
BSBBut avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
- #22 Timothy 2:14
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
BSBRemind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
- #3Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
BSBA gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
- #42 Timothy 2:23-25
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
BSBBut reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
- #5Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
BSBBut avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
- #6Philippians 2:14-16
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
BSBDo everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
- #72 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
BSBWe tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
- #81 Timothy 6:4
He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
BSBhe is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions,
- #9Proverbs 21:9
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
BSBBetter to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
- #10Romans 14:1
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
BSBAccept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.
- #11James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
BSBMy beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- #12Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
BSBAn angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
- #13Proverbs 13:10
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
BSBArrogance leads only to strife, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
- #14Revelation 11:1-19
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. …
BSBThen I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there. But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months. And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish. …
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).