Topical Bible: Anger: A Characteristic of Fools

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Topical Encyclopedia

Anger, as depicted in the Bible, is often associated with folly and is considered a trait of those lacking wisdom and understanding. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the nature of anger and its consequences, particularly highlighting its association with foolishness.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 14:29 · "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly." This verse contrasts patience with quick-temperedness, suggesting that those who are easily angered lack the understanding that characterizes the wise. The quick-tempered individual is seen as promoting folly, indicating that anger leads to irrational and unwise actions.

2. Proverbs 29:11 · "A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back." Here, the act of venting anger is directly linked to foolishness. The wise person exercises self-control, understanding the destructive potential of unchecked anger. This verse underscores the importance of restraint and the wisdom in managing one's emotions.

3. Ecclesiastes 7:9 · "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of fools." This passage warns against being easily provoked, as anger is said to reside with fools. The imagery of anger settling in the lap suggests that it becomes a part of the fool's nature, further entrenching them in their folly.

4. Proverbs 19:11 · "A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense." While not directly mentioning anger, this verse highlights the virtue of patience and the wisdom in overlooking offenses. It implies that those who are insightful and virtuous are less likely to succumb to anger, contrasting with the behavior of fools.

Theological Insights:

Anger, when uncontrolled, is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that believers are called to overcome. The New Testament echoes this sentiment, urging believers to rid themselves of anger. In Ephesians 4:31, Paul writes, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." This directive aligns with the call to live a life marked by the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control and patience (Galatians 5:22-23).

Practical Implications:

The association of anger with foolishness serves as a cautionary principle for believers. It encourages the cultivation of patience, self-control, and understanding, virtues that are antithetical to the quick-temperedness of fools. By seeking wisdom and exercising restraint, believers can avoid the pitfalls of anger and its destructive consequences.

Conclusion:

The biblical portrayal of anger as a characteristic of fools serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of wisdom and self-control in the life of a believer. Through the guidance of Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to rise above the folly of anger, embodying the patience and understanding that reflect the character of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 12:16
A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covers shame.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 14:29
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalts folly.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 27:3
A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

For Though a Man Should be by no Means Greatly Advantaged by ...
... check, and not suffer himself to be carried rashly into anger, the slaves of which
are fools. ... This use of e ei is characteristic of Gregory Thaumaturgus ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter vii for though a.htm

Fourth Sunday after Easter Second Sermon.
... body and life; must be regarded as fools, as the ... of which excludes error, stumbling,
anger, and any ... not be the variation and instability characteristic of this ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after easter second.htm

A Bundle of Proverbs
... that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly ... He that is slow to anger is better
than the ... shall miss the force of its most characteristic teaching unless ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a bundle of proverbs.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... Demon worship is a characteristic of the three religions ... kill by incantation any
person on whom their anger may fall ... and said "We are not such fools." They used ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

John i. 1
... the Prophets declares to be especially characteristic of His ... For victory in the case
of anger is, not ... not when thou conquerest honor from fools, but consider ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily iv john i 1.htm

New Teaching in Parables' - the Parables to the People by the Lake ...
... told that similarly God gives not wisdom to fools, who would ... Similarly, the expression,
gnashing of teeth,' chiefly characteristic of the anger and jealousy ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxiii new teaching in.htm

The Paradoxes of Christianity
... that the accusations were false or the accusers fools. ... in human history; because
his anger had soaked ... were told) were the only characteristic Christians; and ...
/.../chesterton/orthodoxy/vi the paradoxes of christianity.htm

Life in India.
... of these days is very interesting and very characteristic. ... namely, that these men
are not fools and that ... consideration quell the tumult of anger and impatience ...
/.../rhea/life of henry martyn missionary to india and persia/life in india.htm

Significant Phrases
... ancient and venerable. anecdote and reminiscence. anger and fury. ... character and
temperament. characteristic and complete. ... folly and indecorum. fools and underlings ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

The King James Version as English Literature
... or the falling of the countenance in anger, we would ... That is the characteristic mark
of Hebrew poetry. ... be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not ...
/.../mcafee/study of the king james bible/lecture iii the king james.htm