Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ephesians 4:26
What does Ephesians 4:26 mean?
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Ephesians 4:26
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The text doesn't just permit anger; it acknowledges that a righteous anger can exist, like a protective instinct for what is right. The real danger, the verse warns, isn't the initial spark of anger, but the way we let it fester and take root.
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is urging believers to live out their new identity in Christ by adopting Christ-like character. He's just spoken about putting off the old self and putting on the new, focusing on truthfulness, righteous anger, and forgiving others. This verse directly addresses how to handle anger, emphasizing its potential to lead to sin if not managed correctly, and immediately following this, he warns against giving the devil an opportunity.
Does the Bible really say it's okay to be angry? It seems counterintuitive to our modern understanding of peace and positivity.
The verse starts with a surprising statement: 'Be angry...'. This isn't a blanket permission to lash out, but an acknowledgment that anger itself isn't inherently sinful. Think of it like a tool. A hammer can build a house or smash a window. Similarly, anger can be a righteous response to injustice or wrong, a spur to action against evil.
The Difference Maker:
We've all heard the saying, 'Don't go to bed angry.' But what's the real spiritual significance behind that advice?
The second part of the verse, 'do not let the sun go down on your anger,' is crucial. It's a practical, time-sensitive command designed to prevent anger from festering and becoming destructive.
Why the Urgency?
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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 directly echoes the sentiment of Ephesians 4:26 by urging believers to live peaceably with all people, which is the antithesis of prolonged anger.
James 1:19-20James emphasizes the danger of anger, stating that 'the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God,' providing a strong theological reason why anger must be carefully managed and not allowed to fester.
Matthew 5:22Jesus speaks directly about anger, warning that anyone who is angry with a brother will be liable to judgment, directly linking anger to sin and the need for reconciliation.
Psalm 4:4This is the Old Testament passage from which Ephesians 4:26 is quoted (in the Septuagint version), showing the ancient roots of this instruction and its continued relevance in both covenants.
Colossians 3:8Paul lists 'anger, wrath, malice,' among other sins to be put off, reinforcing the idea that these emotions, if not controlled, lead to sinful actions and a corrupted spiritual 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 text doesn't just permit anger; it acknowledges that a righteous anger can exist, like a protective instinct for what is right. The real danger, the verse warns, isn't the initial spark of anger, but the way we let it fester and take root.
Paul is urging believers to live out their new identity in Christ by adopting Christ-like character. He's just spoken about putting off the old self and putting on the new, focusing on truthfulness, righteous anger, and forgiving others. This verse directly addresses how to handle anger, emphasizing its potential to lead to sin if not managed correctly, and immediately following this, he warns against giving the devil an opportunity.
Paul is urging believers to live out their new identity in Christ by adopting Christ-like character. He's just spoken about putting off the old self and putting on the new, focusing on truthfulness, righteous anger, and forgiving others. This verse directly addresses how to handle anger, emphasizing its potential to lead to sin if not managed correctly, and immediately following this, he warns against giving the devil an opportunity.
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," — The text doesn't just permit anger; it acknowledges that a righteous anger can exist, like a protective instinct for what is right. The real danger, the verse warns, isn't the initial spark of ange…
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Last reviewed October 2026