Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger, 27 and do not leave room for the devil. 28 The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his [own] hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need. 29 No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the holy Spirit of God, with which you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. 32 [And] be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
Paul emphasizes the necessity of truthfulness within the Christian community (cf. Zech. 8:16) highlighting that believers are intimately connected to one another as members of the Body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 12:12-27). Consequently, lying is not merely an offense against an individual but also harms the unity and integrity of the entire body of believers. He warns that anger, a natural human emotion, must not fester and lead to sin so it must be resolved quickly. Truthfulness fosters the trust and solidarity essential for maintaining the health of the Christian community.
Regarding anger, Paul acknowledges that it is a natural human emotion but warns that it must not be allowed to lead to sin. Anger, if unresolved, can fester and give the devil an opportunity to sow discord within the community. Paul instructs that anger should be dealt with quickly—"do not let the sun set on your anger"—to prevent it from becoming a source of division and sin.
Paul then exhorts believers, who have been transformed by the Gospel, to no longer engage in sinful behaviors but to live virtuous lives. This transformation calls for honest and diligent work, not only for personal gain but also for the benefit of others, particularly those in need which fulfills the Christian call to generosity and justice. Furthermore, their speech must be pure and constructive, avoiding all forms of vulgarity, slander, gossip, and other harmful speech (cf. Eph. 4:29). Paul teaches that speech reflects the condition of the heart (cf. Mt. 12:34-37), and words possess the power to either harm or help, to destroy or build up (cf. Prov. 18:21). Therefore, Christians are called to use their words to edify and encourage others, imparting grace through their speech.
Paul reminds the believers that they have been “sealed” with the Holy Spirit in anticipation of the day of redemption when Christ will return (cf. Eph. 1:13-14). This sealing signifies both God’s ownership of the believer and the guarantee of their future inheritance. Therefore, believers must avoid actions, words, or attitudes that are contrary to God's will, as these grieve the Holy Spirit. Sinful behaviors disrupt the Spirit’s work of sanctification within the believer and the community, causing spiritual harm.
Paul lists behaviors incompatible with the Christian life—bitterness, anger, shouting, and malice—urging that these must be completely removed. These destructive attitudes lead to division and harm within the body of believers. Instead, Paul calls for kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, using God’s forgiveness of believers in Christ as the model for Christian behavior. Just as God has forgiven them, so too must they forgive one another, reflecting the mercy and love that lies at the heart of the Christian faith.
Almighty God, grant us the grace to live in truth, speaking words that build up and reflect Your love. Help us to control our anger, and to seek peace and reconciliation. May our actions and words be pure, always guided by the Holy Spirit, and may we show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, just as You have forgiven us in Christ. This we pray through the same Christ our Lord. Amen!
References
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
- McKenzie, John. Dictionary of the Bible. Collier Books, 1965.
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