Ephesians 4:31 - Homilies By T. Croskery

Malicious and revengeful feeling.

The apostle commands us to put away five forms of it along with the temper out of which they spring.

I. BITTERNESS . This points, not to mordant speech merely, but to a sour, irritable, splenetic temperament, which places a man in an attitude of constant antagonism with his fellow-men. It argues want of love and consideration for others. Its effects are

II. WRATH . This suggests the fierce mental excitement that springs out of bitterness. It is "a fever in the heart, and a calenture in the head, and a fire in the face, and a sword in the hand, and a fury all over." Wrath is sinful because it springs from want of love, from misunderstanding, and from pride ( Proverbs 21:24 ).

III. ANGER . This is a more settled habit of the spirit. There is an anger that is lawful ( Ephesians 4:26 ), so far as it proceeds from a lawful cause, is directed to a lawful object, and is guided to a lawful issue. But the anger here is altogether sinful. It is an anger

We ought to put it away from us, because

IV. CLAMOR . This is the cry of strife; the noisy, impetuous brawling, which gives outlet to the dark hostility within.

V. EVIL - SPEAKING . This points to the license of speech which wounds the reputation of others. It is an outrage alike upon truth and charity.

VI. MALICE . This marks the rooted enmity out of which all the five forms of evil naturally spring. It has been remarked that their genealogical relationship is manifest in the very order of their mention: "Acerbity of temper exciting passion, that passion matured into strong indignation, that indignation throwing itself off in indecent brawling, and that brawling darkening into libel and abuse, a malicious element lying all the while at the basis of these flagrant enormities." We are commanded to put them all away.

1. They find their true place among the works of the flesh ( Galatians 5:19-21 ).

2. They are not only inconsistent with but opposite to the nine graces of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; and their indulgence in any degree by Christians has the effect of grieving the Spirit.

3. They are inconsistent with that worthy walk which belongs to the vocation with which we are called ( Ephesians 4:1 ).—T.C.