100 Bible Verses about Calling Someone Names

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 229 helpful votes

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 168 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

James 3:9-10 ESV / 155 helpful votes

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

1 Peter 2:1 ESV / 133 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

Colossians 3:8 ESV / 128 helpful votes

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Titus 3:2 ESV / 124 helpful votes

To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Proverbs 18:21 ESV / 124 helpful votes

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Matthew 5:21-22 ESV / 106 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

James 4:11 ESV / 90 helpful votes

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

Matthew 15:11 ESV / 88 helpful votes

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

Proverbs 11:12 ESV / 88 helpful votes

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV / 87 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 87 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

James 1:26 ESV / 86 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

2 Timothy 2:16 ESV / 84 helpful votes

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

Proverbs 20:3 ESV / 64 helpful votes

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

Proverbs 11:9 ESV / 56 helpful votes

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Matthew 15:18 ESV / 52 helpful votes

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV / 52 helpful votes

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Matthew 6:1-34 ESV / 35 helpful votes

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ...

Matthew 12:36-37 ESV / 32 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

James 4:11-12 ESV / 27 helpful votes

Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 27 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Proverbs 29:20 ESV / 24 helpful votes

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 10:18 ESV / 24 helpful votes

The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.

Romans 3:28 ESV / 21 helpful votes

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

1 Peter 3:9 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 20 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 17 helpful votes

But test everything; hold fast what is good.

Matthew 7:1-2 ESV / 17 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Proverbs 15:4 ESV / 16 helpful votes

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Romans 10:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 16:17 ESV / 14 helpful votes

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 13 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

1 John 3:20 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Ephesians 5:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

Matthew 12:36 ESV / 12 helpful votes

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Proverbs 29:22 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Proverbs 29:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Leviticus 19:16 ESV / 12 helpful votes

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.

Exodus 20:16 ESV / 12 helpful votes

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 11 helpful votes

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

James 3:5-10 ESV / 9 helpful votes

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ...

1 John 3:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

James 1:20 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Titus 3:2-3 ESV / 8 helpful votes

To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Colossians 4:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 8 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 12:34 ESV / 8 helpful votes

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Proverbs 11:12-13 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

1 Samuel 20:30 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother's nakedness?

Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 8 helpful votes

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

1 Peter 3:8-12 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to 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. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

James 3:8-10 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Matthew 28:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Matthew 23:33 ESV / 6 helpful votes

You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?

Psalm 53:1 ESV / 6 helpful votes

To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.

Genesis 17:5 ESV / 6 helpful votes

No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.

Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. ...

Ephesians 4:26 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Acts 22:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

Acts 2:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 5 helpful votes

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ...

John 15:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Joel 2:32 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.

Exodus 20:5 ESV / 5 helpful votes

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,

Genesis 32:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

1 John 3:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 John 2:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

Titus 3:9-11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

2 Timothy 2:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Acts 13:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him

John 14:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 1:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Luke 6:45 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Luke 6:37 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

Ecclesiastes 10:12-14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness. A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.

Proverbs 26:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.

Proverbs 20:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Proverbs 17:27-28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 16:27 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

Proverbs 16:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 6:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth,

Psalm 34:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Psalm 14:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good.

Leviticus 19:17-18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:16-18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord. “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Exodus 20:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Ephesians 4:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

1 Corinthians 1:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Romans 12:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

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