What Does the Bible Say About Insulting Other People?

1 Peter 3:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Proverbs 12:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Matthew 23:1-39 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, ...

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

James 1:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Matthew 5:21-22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Matthew 5:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Revelation 3:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

1 John 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

2 Peter 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

2 Peter 3:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.

1 Peter 4:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

James 4:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 1:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Hebrews 10:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

2 Timothy 2:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Colossians 3:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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.

Colossians 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 2 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.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

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.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Acts 7:51 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 22:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.

Luke 5:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

Mark 16:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Matthew 25:31-46 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...

Matthew 5:43-48 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ...

Matthew 5:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Amos 2:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have rejected the law of the Lord, and have not kept his statutes, but their lies have led them astray, those after which their fathers walked.

Proverbs 24:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.

Proverbs 20:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 12:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

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.

Proverbs 11:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.

Psalm 119:63 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.

Psalm 55:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.

Psalm 24:3-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

2 Kings 2:23-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys. From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness.” But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah went. The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?” ...

2 Samuel 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” ...

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. ...

Exodus 20:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

62 Bible Verses about Insulting Other People

1 Peter 3:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 23:1-39 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:21-22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 3:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 3:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 3:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 2:24-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

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

Colossians 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

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

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 7:51 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 5:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 25:31-46 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:43-48 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Amos 2:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 24:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 20:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Proverbs 11:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:63 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 55:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 24:3-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Kings 2:23-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Kings 1:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ruth 1:1-22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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