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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 240

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

Text: Ephesians 4:31

ANGER

The word “anger” is derived from the Greek “orge”. Once again, we need to take a deeper look at this word to appreciate why Paul singled out this sin for particular mention.

A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORD “ORGE”

1. “Orge” is used to describe “a deep human emotion”

2. It is closely related to the word “thumos”

It may indeed be understood as a synonym of “thumos”.

3. If a distinction is to be made between “thumos” and “orge”

a) The latter has even deeper roots. “Orge” is deep-seated anger.
b) It has a deep dark side that often remains hidden.

WHEN USED TOGETHER

Sometimes “thumos” and “orge” are used together. When so used, the nature of this sin-problem is heightened even more. Paul used “wrath and anger” in combination to strengthen his word of warning concerning this sin. There is only one effective way of dealing with this deadly sin. It must be put away. The evil one can easily take advantage of a person who is full of “wrath and anger”.

INSIGHTS FROM THE BOOK OF PROVERBS

Let us turn once again to the Book of Proverbs to gain insight of this deadly sin-problem.

He who is slow to wrath has great understanding,
But he who is impulsive exalts folly.
PROVERBS 14:29

A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.
PROVERBS 15:18

1. Wrath and impulsiveness often go together.

2. A person given to wrath will stir up much strife.

He who has great understanding will seek to put away wrath and anger from his life. Paul highlighted this sin problem for obvious reason. Its deadliness endangers the Church community.