The term "irascible" refers to a tendency to be easily angered or prone to outbursts of temper. In the context of biblical teachings, the concept of irascibility is often addressed in relation to the virtues of patience, self-control, and the dangers of unchecked anger.

Biblical References to Anger:

The Bible provides numerous warnings against the dangers of anger and the importance of controlling one's temper. In the Book of Proverbs, wisdom literature offers guidance on the consequences of irascibility. Proverbs 14:29 states, "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly." This verse highlights the value of patience and understanding, contrasting it with the foolishness that often accompanies a quick temper.

Similarly, Proverbs 15:18 observes, "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms a dispute." Here, the irascible individual is depicted as a source of conflict, while the one who exercises restraint is seen as a peacemaker.

New Testament Teachings:

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles further emphasize the importance of controlling anger. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the issue of anger in Matthew 5:22 : "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." This teaching underscores the seriousness with which anger is regarded and the spiritual consequences it can entail.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of anger in his epistles. In Ephesians 4:26-27 , he advises, "Be angry, yet do not sin. Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold." Paul acknowledges that anger itself is not inherently sinful, but he warns against allowing it to lead to sin or to linger, which can provide an opportunity for the devil to exploit.

The Example of God’s Righteous Anger:

While human irascibility is often portrayed negatively, the Bible also speaks of God's righteous anger. Unlike human anger, which can be impulsive and unjust, God's anger is always just and directed against sin and injustice. In the Old Testament, God's anger is frequently depicted in response to idolatry and disobedience. For example, in Exodus 32:10 , God expresses His anger towards the Israelites for worshiping the golden calf: "Now leave Me alone so that My anger may burn against them and consume them."

God's anger is always balanced by His mercy and desire for repentance. In Ezekiel 18:23 , God declares, "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn't I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?" This verse illustrates that God's anger is not capricious but is aimed at bringing about repentance and restoration.

Practical Application:

Believers are called to emulate God's character by exercising self-control and patience. James 1:19-20 offers practical advice: "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." This passage encourages believers to be deliberate in their responses and to avoid the pitfalls of irascibility.

In summary, while the Bible acknowledges the reality of anger, it consistently calls for restraint and self-control, urging believers to reflect God's righteous character in their interactions with others.(a.) Prone to anger; easily provoked or inflamed to anger; choleric; as, an irascible temper or mood.3711. orgilos -- inclined to anger, passionate
... inclined to anger, quick-tempered. From orge; irascible -- soon angry. see GREEK
orge. (orgilon) -- 1 Occurrence. 3710, 3711. orgilos. 3712 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3711.htm - 6k

Whether There is an Irascible and a Concupiscible Appetite in the ...
... THE WILL OF THE ANGELS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether there is an irascible and
a concupiscible appetite in the angels? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there is an irascible.htm

Whether the Subject of Pride is the Irascible Faculty?
... OF PRIDE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the subject of pride is the irascible faculty?
Objection ... faculty. Therefore pride is not in the irascible. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the subject of pride.htm

Whether the Irascible and Concupiscible Powers are the Subject of ...
... OF THE SUBJECT OF VIRTUE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the irascible and
concupiscible powers are the subject of virtue? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the irascible and concupiscible 2.htm

Whether Hope is the First of the Irascible Passions?
... OF THE ORDER OF THE PASSIONS TO ONE ANOTHER (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether hope
is the first of the irascible passions? Objection 1: It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether hope is the first.htm

Whether the Contrariety of the Irascible Passions is Based on the ...
... HOW THE PASSIONS DIFFER FROM ONE ANOTHER (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the contrariety
of the irascible passions is based on the contrariety of good and evil? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the contrariety of the.htm

Whether the Irascible Passions Precede the Concupiscible Passions ...
... OF THE ORDER OF THE PASSIONS TO ONE ANOTHER (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the irascible
passions precede the concupiscible passions, or vice versa? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the irascible passions precede.htm

Whether the Irascible and Concupiscible Appetites Obey Reason?
... OF THE POWER OF SENSUALITY (THREE ARTICLES) Whether the irascible and
concupiscible appetites obey reason? Objection 1: It would ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the irascible and concupiscible.htm

Of the Irascible Passions, and First, of Hope and Despair (Eight ...
... OF THE IRASCIBLE PASSIONS, AND FIRST, OF HOPE AND DESPAIR (EIGHT ARTICLES).
We must now consider the irascible passions: (1) Hope ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of the irascible passions and.htm

Whether we Should Distinguish Irascible and Concupiscible Parts in ...
... OF THE WILL (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether we should distinguish irascible and
concupiscible parts in the superior appetite? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we should distinguish irascible.htm

Whether the Passions of the Concupiscible Part are Different from ...
... HOW THE PASSIONS DIFFER FROM ONE ANOTHER (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the passions of
the concupiscible part are different from those of the irascible part? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the passions of the.htm

Irascible (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Prone to anger; easily provoked or inflamed to anger;
choleric; as, an irascible temper or mood. ...Irascible (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/irascible.htm - 6k

Irhaheres

/i/irhaheres.htm - 13k

Quarrelsome (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Apt to argue; given to contention; easily irritated
or provoked to contest; irascible; choleric. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/q/quarrelsome.htm - 8k

Overbearing (7 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Titus 1:7 for it behoveth the overseer to be blameless, as God's steward,
not self-pleased, nor irascible, not given to wine, not a striker, not given to ...
/o/overbearing.htm - 8k

Iram (2 Occurrences)

/i/iram.htm - 7k

Passionate (6 Occurrences)
... Capable or susceptible of passion, or of different passions; easily moved, excited
or agitated; specifically, easily moved to anger; irascible; quick-tempered ...
/p/passionate.htm - 8k

Ahimaaz (15 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Brother of anger = irascible. (1.) The father
Ahinoam, the wife of Saul (1 Samuel 14:50). (2.) The son ...
/a/ahimaaz.htm - 14k

Behoveth (75 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:7 for it behoveth the overseer to be blameless, as God's steward, not
self-pleased, nor irascible, not given to wine, not a striker, not given to ...
/b/behoveth.htm - 27k

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