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"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."

Text: Ephesians 4:31

WRATH

The word translated “wrath” is derived from the Greek “thumos”. A study of the word “thumos” will help us understand why Paul highlighted this problem.

A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORD “THUMOS”

1. Deep passion is involved

The word “thumos” is used to describe “passionate longing”. Anything that involves passion would always be deep.

2. It expresses itself as “rage”

Thumos may well be expressed in “outbursts of rage”. When we see “rage”, we must see beyond the external expression. We must actually see rage as a signal that indicates deep passion that remains hidden inside the heart of the individual.

Thumos may express itself as a “quick-temperedness”. The individual who does not deal with this problem finds himself entrapped by it. He endangers himself and others because he has not dealt with the deeper, invisible sin problem.

3. The hidden problem

If the deeper, hidden problem is not resolved, then “wrath” can become a permanent feature of a person’s character. Therein lies great danger.

INSIGHTS FROM THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

The Book of Proverbs is most helpful when it comes to drawing insights of life. Let us consider the observations made concerning people who have not dealt with the problem of “wrath”.

A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
PROVERBS 14:16-17

1. The quick-tempered man is distinguished from the “wise man”.

2. He is called “a fool” because he is self-confident in his rage.

3. He is prone to act foolishly.

4. Wickedness is not far away from the quick-tempered man.

5. If he continues to remain unchanged, he will end up being “hated” by people.