and give no opportunity to the devil.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Ephesians 4:27
What does Ephesians 4:27 mean?
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Ephesians 4:27
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This verse isn't just a general warning against evil; it's a specific caution against letting unresolved anger create an "opening" for the devil to exploit. It highlights that our internal emotional battles, especially lingering resentment, can actually be a pathway for spiritual opposition to gain a foothold in our lives.
and give no opportunity to the devil.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is urging believers to shed their old, deceitful ways and live in newness of life, urging them to speak truth and to be angry, yet without sin. This command to not give occasion to the devil directly follows the instruction to not let the sun go down on one's anger, implying that unresolved anger opens the door for spiritual attack.
Ever felt a surge of anger and wished you could take it back? The Bible warns that unchecked anger isn't just a feeling; it's an invitation.
The Danger of Lingering Anger
The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 4, has just spoken about putting away falsehood and speaking truthfully because we are all connected in Christ. He then warns against letting anger take hold.
We often think of the devil as a singular, shadowy figure. But the Bible uses different names to reveal his specific tactics against us.
More Than Just "The Devil"
Paul's choice of the word "devil" here is significant. While he also uses the name "Satan" (meaning "enemy"), "devil" comes from a Greek word that means "slanderer" or "accuser."
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Understand the original words
diabolō · Greek Noun
An adversary or accuser; specifically the chief evil spirit, the enemy of God and humanity who seeks to deceive, tempt, and destroy.
This passage echoes the same principle of actively resisting evil, urging believers to submit to God and then stand firm against the devil to make him flee.
1 Peter 5:8This verse provides the stark warning that the devil is actively prowling like a lion seeking to devour, highlighting the constant danger we face if we let down our guard.
Ephesians 6:11This verse, directly connected to our text, instructs believers to put on the full armor of God specifically so that they can stand against the schemes of the devil, reinforcing the need for active defense.
Matthew 4:1-11Jesus' temptation in the wilderness is a prime example of resisting the devil's schemes and not giving him any foothold, demonstrating the importance of relying on God's Word.
Colossians 3:5-8This passage lists specific sinful behaviors like anger, wrath, malice, and slander, directly connecting them to giving opportunity to the 'old self' and, by extension, to the devil's influence.
barnesEphesians 4:27: "Neither give place to the devil."
Neither give place to the devil - This has respect probably to the exhortation in the former verse. "Do not yield to the suggestions and temptations of Satan, who would take every opportunity to persuade you to cherish unkind and angry feelings, and to keep up a spirit of resentment among brethren." Many of our feelings, when we suppose we are merely defending our rights, and securing what is our own, are produced by the temptations of the devi…
bengelEphesians 4:27: "Neither give place to the devil."
Ephesians 4:27 . Μήτε , Neither ) Place is given to the devil by persisting in anger, especially during the night; comp. [ the Rulers ] of the darkness , ch. Ephesians 6:12 .[74]— μήτε is used as ΚΑῚ ΜῊ , Ephesians 4:30 . [74] This reference also implies that Beng. takes the night , during which anger is retained, as figurative of the darkness over which the devil is prince. This does not exclude the literal sense. The literal keeping of anger…
This verse isn't just a general warning against evil; it's a specific caution against letting unresolved anger create an "opening" for the devil to exploit. It highlights that our internal emotional battles, especially lingering resentment, can actually be a pathway for spiritual opposition to gain a foothold in our lives.
Paul is urging believers to shed their old, deceitful ways and live in newness of life, urging them to speak truth and to be angry, yet without sin. This command to not give occasion to the devil directly follows the instruction to not let the sun go down on one's anger, implying that unresolved anger opens the door for spiritual attack.
Paul is urging believers to shed their old, deceitful ways and live in newness of life, urging them to speak truth and to be angry, yet without sin. This command to not give occasion to the devil directly follows the instruction to not let the sun go down on one's anger, implying that unresolved anger opens the door for spiritual attack.
"and give no opportunity to the devil." — This verse isn't just a general warning against evil; it's a specific caution against letting unresolved anger create an "opening" for the devil to exploit. It highlights that our internal emotional…
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Last reviewed October 2026