Ephesians 4:26
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Ephesians 4:26
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse doesn't simply permit anger; it acknowledges that anger itself can be a righteous response, a God-given signal against what is wrong. The real challenge isn't the feeling of anger, but ensuring it doesn't fester into sin or give the enemy an opportunity.
Paul is urging believers to live out their new life in Christ, which means shedding their old sinful ways and embracing Christ-like character, particularly in how they relate to one another. This verse offers a practical guideline on managing anger, a strong emotion that can easily lead to sin if not handled properly, and it’s part of a larger section about unity and love within the church.
Did you know that the Bible actually says it's okay to be angry? It sounds contradictory, but understanding the difference is key to living right.
Paul's command in Ephesians 4:26, 'Be angry and do not sin,' isn't a contradiction. It acknowledges that anger itself isn't automatically sinful. Think of it like a powerful tool: it can be used constructively or destructively.
The 'Why' Behind Anger
Anger can arise when we witness injustice, when our values are violated, or when we experience personal hurt. The Bible shows that even God gets angry (Romans 1:18), and Jesus himself showed anger when He overturned the temple tables (Mark 11:15-18). This kind of anger often stems from a deep-seated response to what is wrong or harmful, a righteous indignation.
The Danger Zone
The danger lies in how we express and manage this anger. When anger is fueled by a desire for personal revenge, when it's disproportionate to the offense, or when it's nursed and allowed to fester, it crosses the line into sin. This is the kind of anger that Paul warns against – the kind that erodes peace and damages relationships.
Ever let a small disagreement snowball into a huge, lingering resentment? There's a divine deadline for letting go of anger.
The second part of Ephesians 4:26, 'do not let the sun go down on your anger,' is a practical, urgent command. It's not just about avoiding sin in the moment of anger, but about actively resolving it before it takes root.
Why the Urgency?
Understand the original words
orgizesthe · Greek Verb
A strong feeling of displeasure, hostility, or indignation. While sometimes righteous, it is frequently warned against because of its tendency to lead to sinful behavior.
hamartanete · Greek Verb
Missing the mark or failing to conform to the moral law of God in thought, word, or deed. It is an act of rebellion against God's standards and character.
This passage is the Old Testament source for Paul's words, highlighting that the original Hebrew implies 'tremble and do not sin,' but the Septuagint translation, which Paul uses, says 'Be angry and do not sin,' setting up the nuanced understanding of anger.
Matthew 5:22Jesus expands on the sinfulness of anger, stating that 'anyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment,' which provides a stark contrast and a strong warning against unchecked anger that Paul addresses.
Romans 12:19This verse echoes the urgency of not letting anger fester, as Paul also writes 'Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God,' indicating that dwelling on anger can invite divine judgment or lead to sinful retaliation.
James 1:19-20James directly connects swiftness to hear, slowness to speak, and slowness to anger, reinforcing Paul's point that anger should be controlled and not allowed to become a lasting or sinful state.
Colossians 3:8Paul advises believers to 'put away all these: anger, wrath, malice, slander,' directly linking unchecked anger to a host of other sinful behaviors that must be intentionally removed from one's life.
barnesEphesians 4:26: "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:"
Be ye angry and sin not - It has been remarked that the direction here is conformable to the usage of the Pythagoreans, who were bound, when there were any differences among them, to furnish some token of reconciliation before the sun set. Burder, in Ros. Alt. u. neu. Morgenland, in loc. It is implied here: (1) that there "may" be anger without sin; and, (2) that there is special danger in all cases where there…
meyerEphesians 4:26: "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:"
Ephesians 4:26-27 . See Zyro in the Stud. u. Krit. 1841, p. 681 ff. ὀργίζεσθε καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε ] a precept expressed literally after the LXX. Psalm 4:5 , as to which it must be left undetermined whether Paul understood the original text[244] as the LXX. did, or chose this form only in recollection of the LXX., without attending to the original text. To the right understanding of the sense (which Paul would hav…
The verse doesn't simply permit anger; it acknowledges that anger itself can be a righteous response, a God-given signal against what is wrong. The real challenge isn't the feeling of anger, but ensuring it doesn't fester into sin or give the enemy an opportunity.
Paul is urging believers to live out their new life in Christ, which means shedding their old sinful ways and embracing Christ-like character, particularly in how they relate to one another. This verse offers a practical guideline on managing anger, a strong emotion that can easily lead to sin if not handled properly, and it’s part of a larger section about unity and love within the church.
Paul is urging believers to live out their new life in Christ, which means shedding their old sinful ways and embracing Christ-like character, particularly in how they relate to one another. This verse offers a practical guideline on managing anger, a strong emotion that can easily lead to sin if not handled properly, and it’s part of a larger section about unity and love within the church.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ephesians 4:26 is available in the Sola app.
Think of it like tending a garden. You wouldn't let weeds fester and spread overnight; you'd pull them out promptly. Similarly, this command urges us to deal with anger before it chokes out the good.
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," — The verse doesn't simply permit anger; it acknowledges that anger itself can be a righteous response, a God-given signal against what is wrong. The real challenge isn't the feeling of anger, but ensu…