Do not get angry

AD51 – Acts 18:6 or Acts 18:12-16.

We are told not to get angry.

In the Bible, the subject of anger turns up a number of times. We have highlighted some of the times the word anger or angry turns up in Paul’s writings in the New Testament.

Acts 19:28 — When they heard this, they were filled with anger and began to cry out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

Romans 2:8 — but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

2 Corinthians 12:20 — For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you, not as I would wish, and that I may be found by you not as you would wish; perhaps there will be strife, jealousy, flaring anger, selfish ambition, backbiting, gossiping, conceit, disorder.

Galatians 5:20 — idolatry, sorcery, quarrels, strife, jealousy, fits of rage (thumoi), selfish rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

Ephesians 4:31 — Let all bitterness and wrath (thumos) and anger and clamor and slander be removed from you, along with all malice.

Colossians 3:8 — But now you must also get rid of anger, rage (thumon), wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and all such sins.

Hebrews 11:27 — By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the anger (thumon) of the king, for he endured as though seeing the one who is invisible.

Background Reading: Paul in Corinth

18:1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them, 3 and because they had the same trade he stayed with them. They worked together because they were tentmakers by trade. 4 Every Sabbath, he would speak in the synagogue, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks. 5 But when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself entirely to the word as he emphatically assured the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah. 6 But when they began to oppose him and insult him, he shook out his clothes in protest and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the gentiles.”

7 Then he left that place and went to the home of a man named Titius Justus, who worshipped God and whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Now Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, along with his whole family. Many Corinthians who heard Paul also believed and were baptized.

9 One night, the Lord told Paul in a vision, “Stop being afraid to speak out! Don’t remain silent! 10 For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you or harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul lived there for a year and a half and continued to teach the word of God among the people there.

12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jewish leaders gathered together, attacked Paul, and brought him before the judge’s seat. 13 They said, “This man is persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to the Law.”

14 Paul was about to speak when Gallio admonished the Jewish leaders, “If there were some misdemeanor or crime involved, it would be reasonable to put up with you Jews. 15 But since it is a question about words, names, and your own Law, you will have to take care of that yourselves. I refuse to be a judge in these matters.” 16 So he drove them away from the judge’s seat. 17 Then all of them took Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and began beating him in front of the judge’s seat. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.
Acts 18:1-16

Anger – 2 Thessalonians 3:14-16  14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of him. Have nothing to do with him so that he will feel ashamed. 15 Yet, don’t treat him like an enemy, but warn him like a brother. 16 Now may the Lord of peace give you his peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with all of you.

(2 Thessalonians, Paul’s third letter, was written in AD51 approximately – about the same time as Acts 18:1-18, as he was in Corinth from March AD51 till September AD52.)

More Information:

Anger – 2 Thessalonians 3:15:  Do not treat a brother as an enemy when he is doing things the wrong way.

(2 Thessalonians, Paul’s third letter, was written in AD51 approximately – about the same time as Acts 18:1-18. He was in Corinth from March AD51 till September AD52).


Other slides in this module: