What Does the Bible Say About Edifying Words?

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 4 helpful votes

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

1 Peter 2:11-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Ephesians 4:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Ephesians 4:25-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. ...

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

Romans 12:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

1 Peter 3:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, ...

Hebrews 13:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.

Hebrews 11:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. ...

1 Timothy 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Abstain from every form of evil.

Colossians 3:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Ephesians 5:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. ...

1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

Romans 10:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Romans 5:6-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For God shows no partiality.

Romans 2:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. ...

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Luke 17:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Luke 6:45 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Luke 6:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Mark 11:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Mark 3:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house.

Matthew 7:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Matthew 5:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Joel 2:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

Isaiah 53:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. ...

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Psalm 97:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

O you who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Exodus 20:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

50 Bible Verses about Edifying Words

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:11-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:25-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 11:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 12:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:6-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 2:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 2:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 17:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:45 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:35 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 11:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 3:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Joel 2:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 53:1-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 97:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 2:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)