Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Grudges?

12 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Grudges in the Bible

Discover 13 powerful Bible verses about grudges. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential character & virtues topic.

12
Total Verses
3
Old Testament
9
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Grudges

  1. 1
    Leviticus 19:18
    Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Proverbs 10:12
    Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Proverbs 19:11
    The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. discretion: or, prudence
    KJV
  4. 4
    Matthew 6:14
    For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
    KJV
  5. 5
    Mark 11:25
    And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Luke 6:31
    And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
    KJV
  7. 7
    Luke 17:3
    Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
    KJV
  8. 8
    Romans 12:17
    Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
    KJV
  9. 9
    Galatians 5:16
    This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ye: or, fulfil not
    KJV
  10. 10
    Ephesians 4:26
    Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
    KJV

Subtopics of Grudges

holding grudges

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Grudges? (3 Verses)

Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. discretion: or, prudence

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Grudges? (9 Verses)

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ye: or, fulfil not
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
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.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Grudges

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about grudges. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about grudges and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about grudges is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on grudges needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about grudges with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about grudges, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Grudges?

You have studied 12 verses about grudges. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about grudges?
Discover 13 powerful Bible verses about grudges. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential character & virtues topic. The Bible contains 12 key verses about grudges spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about grudges are there?
There are 12 key Bible verses about grudges compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about grudges?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about grudges is Leviticus 19:18 — "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."
Where in the Bible does it talk about grudges?
Grudges is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 12 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

Continue Studying Grudges