Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Verbal Abuse?
15 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Verbal Abuse in the Bible
Explore what the Bible says about verbal abuse. This collection of 17 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.
Top 10 Verses About Verbal Abuse
- 1Psalms 34:18
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. unto: Heb. to the broken of heart of a contrite: Heb. contrite of spirit”
KJV - 2Proverbs 12:18
“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
KJV - 3
- 4Proverbs 18:21
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
KJV - 5
- 6
- 7Matthew 12:36
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
KJV - 8Ephesians 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. to: or, to edify profitably”
KJV - 9Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
KJV - 10Ephesians 6:4
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
KJV
Subtopics of Verbal Abuse
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Verbal Abuse? (6 Verses)
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. unto: Heb. to the broken of heart of a contrite: Heb. contrite of spirit”
“There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
“Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:”
“An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Verbal Abuse? (9 Verses)
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
“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. to: or, to edify profitably”
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
“Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.”
“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;”
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
“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.”
“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Verbal Abuse
- 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 verbal abuse. 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 verbal abuse 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 verbal abuse 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 verbal abuse needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about verbal abuse 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 verbal abuse, 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 Verbal Abuse?
You have studied 15 verses about verbal abuse. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.