What Does the Bible Say About Do Not Say Things That Offend Others?

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

James 1:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Proverbs 19:11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Romans 14:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.

John 7:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Luke 17:1-2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.

Matthew 18:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

Proverbs 18:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

1 Corinthians 10:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 3 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Exodus 20:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“You shall not murder.

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. ...

1 John 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

1 John 2:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Peter 2:6-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

James 3:9-10 ESV / 2 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.

James 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Abstain from every form of evil.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Galatians 5:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 6:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

1 Corinthians 13:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

1 Corinthians 11:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

1 Corinthians 8:9-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

1 Corinthians 8:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Romans 14:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ...

Romans 8:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Acts 24:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 17:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

Matthew 7:1-5 ESV / 2 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. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Isaiah 3:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. ...

Proverbs 12:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

Psalm 119:165 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

Psalm 37:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Of David. Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. ...

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

48 Bible Verses about Do Not Say Things That Offend Others

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:11 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 14:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 7:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 17:1-2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:6-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 6:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 13:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 11:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 8:9-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 8:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 14:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 14:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 24:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 17:3-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:1-5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 3:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:165 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 37:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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