What Does the Bible Say About Temper?
Here are 13 Bible verses about temper, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1James 1:19-20
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
BSBMy beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.
- #2Ephesians 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.
- #3Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
BSBHe who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
- #4Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
BSBA fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
- #5Proverbs 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.
- #6Proverbs 14:17
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
BSBA quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a devious man is hated.
- #7Colossians 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.
- #8Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
BSBA hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.
- #9Psalms 37:8
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
BSBRefrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm.
- #10Proverbs 15:1-33
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. …
BSBA gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent. The house of the righteous has great treasure, but the income of the wicked is trouble. …
- #11Proverbs 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.
- #12Ephesians 4:26-27
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
BSB“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold.
- #13Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
BSBFor all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).