Peace and conflict
What Scripture says about anger, quarrels, gentle words and working things out. World English Bible, both public domain, quoted word for word.
Slow to anger · Quarrels and strife · Making peace · Working things out · Gentle words · Forgiveness
Slow to anger
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.
James 1:19-20 (WEB)
A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.
Proverbs 15:18 (WEB)
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
Proverbs 19:11 (WEB)
A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.
Proverbs 29:11 (WEB)
“Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (WEB)
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.
Psalm 37:8 (WEB)
Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (WEB)
Quarrels and strife
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
Proverbs 17:14 (WEB)
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
Proverbs 20:3 (WEB)
For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.
Proverbs 26:20-21 (WEB)
But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife. The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,
2 Timothy 2:23-24 (WEB)
Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:19-23 (WEB)
but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Titus 3:9 (WEB)
Making peace
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9 (WEB)
Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21 (WEB)
So then, let’s follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up.
Romans 14:19 (WEB)
Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, not rendering evil for evil or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For, “He who would love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good. Let him seek peace and pursue it.
1 Peter 3:8-11 (WEB)
See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1 (WEB)
Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man will see the Lord,
Hebrews 12:14 (WEB)
Working things out
“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-24 (WEB)
“If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.
Matthew 18:15-17 (WEB)
doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (WEB)
I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. Yes, I beg you also, true partner, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:2-3 (WEB)
Gentle words
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 (WEB)
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 (WEB)
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Colossians 4:6 (WEB)
to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
Titus 3:2 (WEB)
Forgiveness
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (WEB)
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.
Colossians 3:12-15 (WEB)