Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Harboring Anger?
16 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Harboring Anger in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about harboring anger. This collection of 16 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 10 Verses About Harboring Anger
- 1Leviticus 19:17
“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. and: or, that thou bear not sin for him”
KJV - 2
- 3Proverbs 14:29
“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. hasty: Heb. short of spirit”
KJV - 4
- 5Proverbs 15:18
“A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”
KJV - 6Proverbs 19:11
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. discretion: or, prudence”
KJV - 7
- 8
- 9Ecclesiastes 7:9
“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”
KJV - 10Matthew 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. Raca: that is, Vain fellow”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Harboring Anger? (9 Verses)
“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. and: or, that thou bear not sin for him”
“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”
“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. hasty: Heb. short of spirit”
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
“A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. discretion: or, prudence”
“Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:”
“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Harboring Anger? (7 Verses)
“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. Raca: that is, Vain fellow”
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
“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:”
“But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Harboring Anger
- 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
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about harboring anger. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 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
Memorise at least one key verse about harboring anger 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 harboring anger 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 harboring anger needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about harboring anger 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 harboring anger, 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 Harboring Anger?
You have studied 16 verses about harboring anger. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.