What Does the Bible Say About Swearing and Cursing?
What Does the Bible Say About Swearing and Cursing? The Bible commands believers to let their speech be wholesome and edifying, warning that the tongue has power for both life and death.
Key verse: Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)
The Bible commands believers to let their speech be wholesome and edifying, warning that the tongue has power for both life and death.
The Bible commands believers to let their speech be wholesome and edifying, warning that the tongue has power for both life and death.
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." — Ephesians 4:29 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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The Biblical Answer
Scripture takes speech seriously. The third commandment forbids taking God's name in vain (Exodus 20:7). Ephesians 4:29 instructs, 'Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying.' Colossians 3:8 tells believers to 'put off... filthy communication out of your mouth.' James 3:9-10 warns against the contradiction of blessing God and cursing people made in His image. Proverbs 18:21 declares, 'Death and life are in the power of the tongue.' Jesus taught that 'every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment' (Matthew 12:36). The Bible consistently calls believers to speech that honors God, builds others up, and reflects the transformed heart within.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Swearing & Profanity?
What the Bible teaches about cursing, profane language, and the power of our words.
Key Scripture References
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
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Deep Dive Commentary
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The answer above sits inside Ephesians. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Ephesians on day 339 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Swearing and Cursing?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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