Ephesians 4:26

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Be ye angry {G3710}, and {G2532} sin {G264} not {G3361}: let {G1931} not {G3361} the sun {G2246} go down {G1931} upon {G1909} your {G5216} wrath {G3950}:

Be angry, but don’t sin — don’t let the sun go down before you have dealt with the cause of your anger;

“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Ephesians 4:26 (KJV) offers profound guidance on the nature and management of anger within the Christian life. This verse acknowledges that anger is a human emotion, but it sets clear boundaries for how believers are to experience and express it, preventing it from leading to sin and spiritual vulnerability.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's practical exhortations in Ephesians 4, following his appeal for unity in the Spirit and a call to put off the old man and put on the new man, who is created in righteousness and true holiness. After instructing believers to speak truth (Ephesians 4:25), Paul immediately addresses anger, showing its significance in daily Christian conduct and interpersonal relationships. It’s a direct command on how to live out the renewed life in Christ.

Key Themes

  • The Nature of Anger: The phrase "Be ye angry, and sin not" implies that anger itself is not inherently sinful. There can be a righteous indignation against injustice, sin, or evil, mirroring God's own wrath against unrighteousness. However, the crucial qualifier "and sin not" immediately warns against allowing anger to transgress God's commands.
  • Controlling Emotions: This verse emphasizes the believer's responsibility to control their emotions rather than being controlled by them. Unmanaged anger can quickly devolve into malice, bitterness, or destructive actions.
  • Timeliness in Resolution: "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath" is a powerful command for urgent conflict resolution and prompt reconciliation. It teaches against letting anger fester, accumulate, or become a prolonged state of resentment. Delaying resolution can harden hearts and create deeper divides.
  • Preventing Spiritual Vulnerability: The immediate follow-up in Ephesians 4:27, "Neither give place to the devil," underscores the spiritual danger of unresolved anger. Lingering wrath opens a door for the enemy to sow discord, bitterness, and division, hindering one's spiritual walk.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "angry" in the first part, orgizesthe, is a present imperative, which can be understood as "be angry" or "allow yourselves to be angry." It suggests that anger is a natural human response. The second part, "sin not," uses me hamartanete, a negative present imperative, meaning "do not be sinning" or "do not continue to sin." This highlights the importance of not letting the emotion lead to sinful thoughts, words, or actions.

The word for "wrath" here is parorgismos, which denotes an exasperation or indignation that has been provoked. It suggests a more settled, lingering anger, as opposed to a sudden outburst (which would be thymos). The command is specifically against allowing this kind of provoked, lingering anger to persist unresolved.

Practical Application

Ephesians 4:26 provides essential guidelines for Christian anger management:

  1. Acknowledge Anger Righteously: It's permissible to feel anger, especially in response to injustice or sin, but always examine its source and ensure it aligns with God's righteous anger, not selfish desires.
  2. Do Not Sin in Your Anger: This means avoiding harsh words, vengeful actions, malice, or bitterness. As James 1:20 reminds us, "the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."
  3. Resolve Quickly: Make every effort to address and resolve conflicts or feelings of anger before the day ends. This promotes healthy relationships and prevents bitterness from taking root, echoing wisdom found in Proverbs 14:29 regarding being slow to wrath.
  4. Guard Against Spiritual Attack: Unresolved anger creates an opening for spiritual attack. By promptly dealing with anger, believers close a potential doorway for the devil to cause further harm and division in their lives and relationships.

This verse encourages believers to exercise self-control and pursue peace and reconciliation, fostering an environment where love and forgiveness can flourish.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • James 1:19

    ¶ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

  • Psalms 4:4

    Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

  • Psalms 37:8

    Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

  • Ephesians 4:31

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

  • Ephesians 4:32

    And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

  • Ecclesiastes 7:9

    Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

  • Proverbs 14:29

    ¶ [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
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