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Ephesians 4:31

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
(NIV)
This verse might be best served with some definitions.

  • Bitterness - Just what it says, bitterness. It is a bitter root that produces a bitter fruit.
  • Rage - Usually translated as Wrath. It has to do with a passionate anger. This is the person who is fuming. They are bubbling over with anger.
  • Anger - This word has also been translated as wrath. It is most definitely referring to the actions associated with anger. It doesn't have to mean this, but their can also be the association with violence. This is the person who is acting out on their anger, in a sinful way.
  • Brawling - Ok, I just learned something new, this word has to do with making an outcry, or a crying. After I read the definitions, what immediately jumped into my mind was the person who yells when they are angry. He may not do something violent, but he is letting everyone know exactly how angry he is. He is a yeller!
  • Slander - This word has everything to do with hurting someone with speech. This is the person who is angry with someone else, and all they do is go around the office telling everyone just how they have been wronged. It may be all truth, that doesn't make it right. We are not to use our words to injure someone else.
  • Malice - This could mean evil, ill-will, desire to injure, wickedness, depravity, or trouble. The root word where this word comes from has to do with a evil state of mind. I am no greek theologian, but this seems to be an all-encompassing word to cover any other form of anger that hasn't been mentioned. Bottom line, we are to be a changed people, and angry at the world and all of the people in it isn't to be a part of who we are.
(All definitions are Strong's definitions, thanks to this site.)

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Comments

  1. Anonymous8/02/2007 10:00 AM

    ......thanks mate,
    I'm soaking it up.......I don't think there'll ever come a time
    when I don't need to be reminded
    of these things ......well, unless I become a hermit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Matt Harmless8/03/2007 5:35 AM

    If you became a hermit, I would have no one to comment on this blog any more, and that would be a sad day.

    ReplyDelete

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