What Does the Bible Say About Calling Someone Names?
Here are 19 Bible verses about calling someone names, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Matthew 5:22
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.
BSBBut I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
- #2Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
BSBLet no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
- #3James 3:9-10
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
BSBWith the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
- #41 Peter 2:1
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
BSBRid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.
- #5Colossians 3:8
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
BSBBut now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
- #6Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
BSBLife and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
- #7Titus 3:2
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
BSBto malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
- #8Matthew 5:21-22
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 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.
BSBYou have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
- #9Proverbs 11:12
He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.
BSBWhoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent.
- #10Proverbs 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.
- #11Matthew 15:11
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
BSBA man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”
- #12James 4:11
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
BSBBrothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.
- #13Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
BSBGet rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.
- #14James 1:26
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
BSBIf anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.
- #152 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,
- #16Proverbs 20:3
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
BSBIt is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.
- #17Proverbs 11:9
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.
BSBWith his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.
- #18Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
BSBSpeaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- #19Matthew 15:18
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
BSBBut the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).