Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

EPHESIANS 4:31KJV
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Ephesians 4:31 (KJV)

What does Ephesians 4:31 mean?

Ephesians 4:31 tells readers to remove all forms of bitterness, rage, anger, loud quarreling, and harmful speech from their lives, along with any kind of malice. The verse calls for a complete rejection of negative attitudes and behaviors that damage relationships and community.

The apostle Paul is writing to believers in Ephesus, encouraging them to live in a way that reflects their new life in Christ. This verse comes in a section where Paul is urging the community to put aside their old ways and to treat each other with kindness and forgiveness, making clear that destructive emotions and words have no place among them.

The Greek behind Ephesians 4:31

  • "Bitterness" (πικρία, pikria) refers to a deep-seated resentment or harshness that can poison relationships. Paul singles this out as something to be entirely removed.
  • "Wrath" (θυμός, thymos) and "anger" (ὀργή, orgē) are both strong words for intense emotion, but "θυμός" often points to outbursts of rage, while "ὀργή" can mean a more settled, smoldering anger.
  • "Clamour" (κραυγή, kraugē) describes loud shouting or uproar, especially in arguments or fights, highlighting the public and disruptive nature of such behavior.
  • "Evil speaking" (βλασφημία, blasphēmia) is used for slander or abusive speech, not just against God but also against other people.
  • "Malice" (κακία, kakia) is a general term for ill-will or a desire to harm others, showing that Paul is addressing both actions and the attitudes behind them.

Why Ephesians 4:31 matters

  • Ephesians 4:31 clarifies that harmful attitudes and speech are not just minor faults but things to be actively removed from Christian life.
  • The verse shows that Paul is concerned not only with outward actions but also with the inner motives and feelings that lead to conflict.
  • This instruction connects to the larger theme of Ephesians 4, where Paul urges believers to live in unity and love, making it clear that peace in the community depends on letting go of these destructive behaviors.

Where else these words appear

“bitterness” Greek G4088 · used in 4 verses

  • Acts 8:23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
  • Romans 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
  • Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

“clamour” Greek G2906 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
  • Acts 23:9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
  • Revelation 14:18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

“malice” Greek G2549 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
  • Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

“wrath” Greek G2372 · used in 18 verses

  • Luke 4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
  • Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
  • Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.