EPHESIANS: Anger and Wrath
EPHESIANS Number 51
Ephesians 4:25–32 (KJV 1900)
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
One hardly needs to speak about the issue of lying and truthfulness. That lying is ungodly and truth is godly barely needs to be stated. Verse 26 however makes a statement that, while straightforward for many, is hard for some to understand.
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” has been used as marital advice indicating that all conflict should be resolved before retiring for the evening. Such teaching may be rejected without concern. Marriage is not in view here at all. Looking at verse 25 we see “We are members one of another.” Clearly it is believers in the Church who are Paul’s audience.
The King James does a great job here in rendering the Greek behind “angry” and “wrath.” The Greek word used for “angry” here (orge’) is sometimes translated wrath, but in this verse a very different word is used for wrath.
Spiros Zodhiates in “The complete word study dictionary: New Testament” writes, “[The word used here] παροργισμός (parorgismós); [means] to make angry, provoke to violent or bitter anger. The irritation, exasperation or anger to which one is provoked. [This word is] found only in Ephesians 4:26.”
“Although both (parorgismós) and (orgḗ) are translated “wrath,” they are not the same in meaning. On the one hand, (parorgismós) signifies the kind of severe or violent anger which arises from direct provocation, an aroused anger or seething exasperation. Such behavior is contrary to the Spirit and Word of God. On the other hand, (orgḗ) refers to anger in general and though it is used of sinful anger it is also used of righteous indignation (here and in Mark 3:5).”
The study note on this verse in the NET Bible * comments, “When other believers sin, such people should be gently and quickly confronted (v. 26b), for if the body of Christ does not address sin in its midst, the devil gains a foothold.” The translators’ note on this verse expounds that “the word παροργισμός (parorgismos), typically translated “anger” in most versions is used almost exclusively of the source of anger rather than the results in Greek literature (thus, it refers to an external cause or provocation rather than an internal reaction).”
Combining these ideas, I see two implications. First, when we see unrepentant sinfulness in the Body, we are justified in being angry and should gently work to restore those involved. Second, I see an echo of the anger Jesus displayed in turning over the tables of money changers in the temple. He was severely and violently angry, and he took immediate steps to address the source of that anger.
We can learn much from this. Anger is not sin. Anger is an emotion and emotions are not sinful. Indignation over sinfulness in the Body of Christ is natural. We can usually address this gently, as we are instructed in Galatians 6:1. If the infraction is severe because people are being led astray, taught that ungodly behavior is acceptable, or led to believe that salvation is obtained by meritorious conduct, we may need to deal with the source of our indignation and deal with it quickly. To refrain gives the enemy a foothold from which to tear down and destroy the Church.
* Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition Notes, (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Eph 4:26.
