Ephesians 4:31

“Let all bitterness, &c.] These words are a dehortation from several vices good men are liable to, by which the Spirit of God is grieved: “bitterness” sometimes designs the corruption of nature, which is the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity; and sometimes actual sins and transgressions, even those of God's own people, which are evil and bitter things; and sometimes heretical doctrines, which are roots of bitterness; and sometimes sinful words spoken by the saints, one against another; and here perhaps it signifies, the first offence taken in the mind, against any person, upon any account, which should at once be put away, and not encouraged: and wrath: heat of spirit, which follows…”

“bitterness--both of spirit and of speech: opposed to "kind." wrath--passion for a time: opposed to "tender-hearted." Whence BENGEL translates for "wrath," harshness. anger--lasting resentment: opposed to "forgiving one another." clamour--compared by CHRYSOSTOM to a horse carrying anger for its rider: "Bridle the horse, and you dismount its rider." "Bitterness" begets "wrath"; "wrath," "anger"; "anger," "clamor"; and "clamor," the more chronic "evil-speaking," slander, insinuations, and surmises of evil. "Malice" is the secret root of all: "fires fed within, and not appearing to by-standers from without, are the most formidable" [CHRYSOSTOM].”

“Let all bitterness - see the notes on Ephesians 4:2. And wrath - The word here does not differ essentially from anger. Anger - see the note on Ephesians 4:26. All cherished, unreasonable anger. And clamour - Noise, disorder, high words; such as men use in a brawl, or when they are excited. Christians are to be calm and serious. Harsh contentions and strifes; hoarse brawls and tumults, are to be unknown among them. And evil-speaking - Slander, backbiting, angry expressions, tale-bearing, reproaches, etc. With all malice - Rather, “with all evil” - κακίᾳ kakia. Every kind and sort of evil is to be put away, and you are to manifest only that which is good. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Let all bitterness - The height of settled anger, opposite to kindness, Eph 4:32. And wrath - Lasting displeasure toward the ignorant, and them that are out of the way, opposite to tenderheartedness. And anger - The very first risings of disgust at those that injure you, opposite to forgiving one another. And clamour - Or bawling. "I am not angry," says one; "but it is my way to speak so." Then unlearn that way: it is the way to hell. And evil speaking - Be it in ever so mild and soft a tone, or with ever such professions of kindness. Here is a beautiful retrogradation, beginning with the highest, and descending to the lowest, degree of the want of love. Ephesians 4:32”

“bitterness: Psa 64:3; Rom 3:14; Col 3:8, Col 3:19; Jam 3:14, Jam 3:15 wrath: Eph 4:26; Pro 14:17, Pro 19:12; Ecc 7:9; Co2 12:20; Gal 5:20; Col 3:8; Ti2 2:23; Tit 1:7; Jam 1:19, Jam 3:14-18, Jam 4:1, Jam 4:2 clamour: Sa2 19:43, Sa2 20:1, Sa2 20:2; Pro 29:9, Pro 29:22; Act 19:28, Act 19:29, Act 21:30, Act 22:22, Act 22:23; Ti1 3:3; Ti1 6:4, Ti1 6:5 evil speaking: Lev 19:16; Sa2 19:27; Psa 15:3, Psa 50:20, Psa 101:5, Psa 140:11; Pro 6:19, Pro 10:18; Pro 18:8, Pro 25:23, Pro 26:20; Jer 6:28, Jer 9:4; Rom 1:29, Rom 1:30; Ti1 3:11, Ti1 5:13; Ti2 3:3; Tit 2:3, Tit 3:2; Jam 4:11; Pe1 2:1; Pe2 2:10, Pe2 2:11; Jde 1:8-10; Rev 12:10 with: Gen 4:8, Gen 27:41, Gen 37:4, Gen 37:21; Lev 19:17, Lev 19:18;…”