Journal: Southeastern Theological Review
Volume: STR 13:1 (Spring 2022)
Article: Righteous Or Dangerous? An Investigation Of Ὀργίζεσθε In Ephesians 4:26
Author: Thiago Bitencourt

STR 13:1 (Spring 2022) p. 25

Righteous Or Dangerous? An Investigation Of Ὀργίζεσθε In Ephesians 4:26

Thiago Bitencourt

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC

Abstract: This article investigates the imperative phrase found in Eph 4:26, ὀργίζεσθε καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε (“Be angry and do not sin”). Whereas traditional interpretations of this verse either explain away the force of Paul’s imperative phrase or understand the anger spoken of here as something that might be helpful at first but must soon be put away (i.e., before the sun sets), the present author argues that Paul’s command is best understood as a true imperative that encourages believers to take action against anything that may disrupt the unity of the Spirit within the believing community (Eph 4:3). The thesis is supported by four arguments: grammatical (Is this phrase a true imperatival phrase?); contextual (What is the function of this phrase within its immediate context?); semantic (What should the sun not be allowed to set on?); and Metaleptic (How does this phrase’s function in Psalm 4 illuminate its use in Ephesians 4?).

Key Words: ecclesiology, Ephesians, Greek grammar, intertextuality, metalepsis, Pauline studies, righteous indignation

“When you two get married, you will soon encounter several occasions to become angry. It is very important, however, that you do not hold on to that anger, and never go to sleep without being reconciled to one another. That is why the apostle Paul said that when we become angry, we must not sin. We must never let the sun go down on our anger. If you do, you will give the devil an opportunity to destroy your marriage.” With these and many other words of wisdom, our pastor counseled my soon-to-be-wife and me as we prepared to embark on that frightfully wonderful journey called marriage. There is no denying that his counsel was indeed filled with wisdom and insight. After all, harboring anger and allowing a new day to dawn without having made peace is certainly no recipe for a healthy marriage. But is this actually what Paul intended when he wrote to the Ephesian Christians: Ὀργίζεσθε καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε·ὁ ἥλιος μὴ

STR 13:1 (Spring 2022) p. 26

ἐπιδυέτω ἐπὶ [τῷ] παροργισμῷ ὑμῶν, μηδὲ δίδοτε τόπον τῷ διαβόλῳ?1 The purpose of thi...