Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
What does Ephesians 4:26 mean?
Notice the particulars wherewith we should adorn our Christian profession. Take heed of every thing contrary to truth.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Ephesians 4:25-27 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Ephesians 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Be ye angry and sin not - It has been remarked that the direction here is conformable to the usage of the Pythagoreans, who were bound, when there were any differences among them, to furnish some token of reconciliation before the sun set. Burder, in Ros. Alt. u. neu. Morgenland, in loc. It is implied here: (1) that there "may" be anger without sin; and, (2) that there is special danger in all cases where there is anger that it will be accompanied with sin. "Anger" is a passion too common to need any description.
Key words
- object or final cause
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object or final cause. It prompts at once to self-protection; and when that is done its proper office ceases.
Context in Ephesians 4
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Ephesians 4 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as the church’s calling and gifts. Ephesians presents the church as Christ’s body and temple, chosen in grace, united across dividing walls, and called to mature holy life. Read this chapter with the wider themes of union with Christ, church, and grace in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Passages on righteous anger, sinful wrath, self-control, slow anger, and how Scripture teaches people to handle fury without being ruled by it.
Key passages on God's unmerited favour, the grace of Christ, salvation by grace through faith, and how grace transforms the way believers live.
Passages on the nature of truth, honesty, deception, the word of God as truth, and Jesus' claim to be the truth.