Bullying
Bible Verses for Bullying
29 quotes to explore from Scripture
The Bible speaks against cruelty, mockery, intimidation, partiality, and oppressive speech while calling God’s people to courage, kindness, justice, and protection of those who are mistreated.
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Popular Bible Verses for Bullying
29 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. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
More Quotes for Bullying from Scripture
In Proverbs 31:8-9, the call to “open thy mouth for the dumb” and “plead the cause of the poor and needy” underscores the responsibility to defend those unable to protect themselves, which directly opposes the injustice of bullying. Within the wisdom literature’s emphasis on righteous leadership and justice, these verses highlight the importance of advocacy and fair judgment, encouraging individuals to act as voices for the vulnerable rather than perpetuating oppression or mistreatment.
Isaiah 41:10 addresses Israel’s fear and vulnerability amid hostile nations, affirming God’s presence and strength to uphold His chosen people. This reassurance is relevant to bullying because it models how one facing oppression or intimidation can find courage not by physical power, but through trust in God’s sustaining support and promise of justice against adversaries. The passage shows enduring empowerment amid threats.
Leviticus 19:18 commands love toward one’s neighbor and forbids bearing grudges or seeking revenge, which broadly opposes harmful interpersonal behavior such as bullying. However, the verse does not explicitly address bullying or its dynamics, and the surrounding context focuses on general ethical and ritual laws rather than specific social behaviors like bullying. The passage promotes a principle that can be applied to discourage bullying, but it requires interpretive extension beyond the text’s immediate meaning.
2 Timothy 1:7 speaks about God giving a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind rather than fear. While it does not explicitly mention bullying, the encouragement against fear and for courage and love can be applied to situations involving bullying. The surrounding context emphasizes encouragement and steadfastness in faith despite afflictions, which could be relevant to someone facing bullying. However, the passage is not directly about bullying, so topical application requires interpretive judgment.
1 John 3:15 addresses hatred toward a brother equated with murder, emphasizing the seriousness of hatred and the absence of eternal life in such a person. While it does not explicitly mention bullying, the passage’s strong condemnation of hatred and the call to love one another provide a relevant ethical foundation against harmful behaviors like bullying. The surrounding verses reinforce love and compassion among believers, which can be applied to counter bullying, but the direct connection requires interpretive application.
Proverbs 6:16-19 lists behaviors that God hates, including sowing discord among brethren, which can relate to bullying as it involves causing strife and harm within a community. The passage condemns pride, lying, violence, and divisiveness, all of which can underpin bullying behavior. However, the text does not explicitly address bullying as a modern concept but rather general wicked behaviors that disrupt harmony. The surrounding verses emphasize the consequences of wickedness and the importance of adhering to wisdom and instruction, providing good context for moral teaching against harmful interpersonal conduct.
The passage addresses hatred toward a brother as being in darkness, contrasting love and hatred among believers. While it does not explicitly mention bullying, the principle of hating a brother can be related to bullying behavior. The surrounding verses emphasize love, walking in the light, and the spiritual blindness caused by hatred, providing a strong ethical context. However, the passage is more about general brotherly love and spiritual condition than specific bullying actions, so topical application requires interpretive caution.
Matthew 5:11 addresses being reviled, persecuted, and falsely spoken against for righteousness’ sake, which can include experiences similar to bullying. The passage is part of the Beatitudes, emphasizing blessedness in suffering for righteousness, providing strong contextual support. However, the term ‘bullying’ as a modern concept is not explicitly present, and the passage focuses more broadly on persecution for faith rather than interpersonal mistreatment alone. It is relevant but requires careful interpretation to avoid overextension.
Psalm 18:3 expresses calling on the Lord for deliverance from enemies, which can be broadly related to seeking help against adversaries, including bullies. However, the passage primarily focuses on physical or military enemies rather than interpersonal bullying, and the context is a poetic celebration of God’s deliverance from life-threatening danger. The application to bullying is plausible but requires careful interpretation to avoid overstating the text’s original intent.
Isaiah 41:11-13 speaks of God protecting and helping Israel against their enemies who strive and contend with them. While the passage does not explicitly address bullying as understood in a modern social context, the theme of divine protection against adversaries can be analogously applied to situations of oppression or intimidation. The broader context emphasizes God’s support and encouragement to His people, which could be relevant to those facing bullying, but the original text focuses on national enemies rather than personal interpersonal conflict.
Matthew 5:38-41 directly addresses responses to personal offenses and injustices, advocating non-retaliation and generous forbearance, which are key principles applicable to dealing with bullying behavior. The passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount, providing clear ethical teaching on overcoming evil with grace rather than revenge, fitting well within the topic of bullying. The surrounding verses reinforce the theme of loving and blessing those who mistreat you, enhancing the contextual integrity.
Psalm 34:12-18 addresses general principles of righteous living, God’s protection of the righteous, and His nearness to the brokenhearted. While it does not explicitly mention bullying, the themes of seeking peace, avoiding evil speech, and God’s deliverance from troubles can be applied to situations involving bullying. However, the passage is primarily about God’s care for the righteous rather than a direct teaching on bullying, so topical application requires interpretive caution.
Psalm 82:4 calls for delivering the poor and needy from the hand of the wicked, which can be related to protecting vulnerable individuals from oppression or harm. While it does not explicitly mention bullying, the theme of defending the weak against unjust treatment is present. The broader context addresses unjust judgment and calls for divine justice, which aligns with opposing mistreatment but does not specifically address bullying as understood today.
Mark 12:31 commands loving one’s neighbor as oneself, which broadly opposes harmful behaviors like bullying. However, the passage does not explicitly address bullying or provide direct guidance on it, requiring interpretive application. The surrounding context emphasizes the greatest commandments, reinforcing the principle of love but not specific social behaviors.
Proverbs 22:10 advises removing a scorner to end strife and reproach, which can be related to dealing with disruptive or harmful individuals. While it does not explicitly address bullying, the principle of removing harmful influences could be applied to bullying situations. The surrounding verses focus on wisdom, discipline, and avoiding folly, providing a broader context of moral guidance rather than direct instruction on bullying. The passage requires interpretation to connect it to bullying, making it a borderline topical application.
Proverbs 17:9 advises against repeating offenses, which can separate friends, implying the harm of gossip or malicious speech that could relate to bullying behavior. The passage promotes forgiveness and discretion, which can be applied to interpersonal conflicts including bullying, but it does not explicitly address bullying or its dynamics. The surrounding verses emphasize wise speech and avoiding strife, supporting the theme but not directly discussing bullying.
James 4:11-12 warns against speaking evil and judging others, emphasizing that only God is the ultimate judge. While this can be applied to the topic of bullying, particularly in the sense of refraining from harmful speech and judgment, the passage primarily addresses interpersonal judgment and humility before God rather than bullying specifically. The surrounding verses reinforce humility and reliance on God, which provides useful context but does not directly address bullying behaviors or their consequences.
Psalm 5:6 condemns deceitful and violent people, which can be related to bullying behavior, but the passage primarily focuses on God’s judgment against wickedness rather than directly addressing bullying. The surrounding verses emphasize prayer for protection and justice against enemies, which could be applied to bullying situations, but the connection is indirect and requires interpretation.
Matthew 7:12, the Golden Rule, teaches treating others as one wishes to be treated, which can be applied to discourage bullying by promoting empathy and kindness. The surrounding verses emphasize seeking God and discerning true character, supporting a broader ethical framework. However, the passage does not explicitly address bullying or conflict resolution, so its topical application requires careful interpretation to avoid overextension.
The verse ‘Let all your things be done with charity’ (1 Corinthians 16:14) promotes love and kindness, which can be applied broadly to interpersonal behavior including bullying. However, the passage does not explicitly address bullying or related behaviors, and the surrounding context focuses on encouragement, faithfulness, and church leadership rather than conflict or mistreatment. The application to bullying is plausible but requires interpretive extension beyond the immediate text.
Matthew 10:28 addresses fear of physical harm versus spiritual harm, encouraging believers not to fear those who can kill the body but not the soul. While this can be applied to situations involving bullying or persecution, the passage primarily focuses on courage in the face of persecution and ultimate accountability before God rather than the specific dynamics of bullying. The surrounding verses emphasize persecution and confession of faith, which can relate to enduring mistreatment but do not explicitly address bullying behavior or its resolution.
The passage describes negative character traits and behaviors prevalent in the last days, including being ‘fierce’ and ‘false accusers,’ which can relate to bullying behavior. However, the text is primarily a general moral and eschatological warning rather than a direct teaching on bullying. The connection to bullying is plausible but requires interpretive application.
Matthew 5:22 addresses anger and verbal insults toward others, warning of severe spiritual consequences. While it does not explicitly mention bullying, the condemnation of angry speech and name-calling (e.g., ‘Raca’ and ‘Thou fool’) can be related to bullying behaviors. The surrounding context in the Sermon on the Mount emphasizes internal attitudes and reconciliation, which supports a broader ethical teaching against harmful interpersonal conduct. However, the passage is primarily about moral and spiritual judgment rather than social bullying per se, so topical application requires interpretive caution.
Matthew 7:1-5 addresses the issue of judging others hypocritically, emphasizing self-examination before criticizing others. While it does not explicitly mention bullying, the principle discourages harsh or hypocritical judgment, which can relate to bullying behavior. However, the passage is primarily about judgment and hypocrisy rather than bullying specifically, so topical application requires careful interpretation.
Mark 9:42 strongly condemns causing harm or leading ‘little ones’ who believe in Jesus into sin, using severe imagery of judgment. While it does not explicitly mention bullying, the principle of protecting vulnerable believers from harm or offense can be applied to bullying. The surrounding verses emphasize receiving and caring for children and believers, reinforcing the seriousness of mistreating them. However, the passage’s primary focus is on spiritual offense and sin rather than social bullying, so topical application requires careful interpretation.
Explore Bullying in the Bible
1 OF 29 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT BULLYING
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
Psalms 56:3–4 KJV
Psalms 56:3–4
Psalm 56:3-4 addresses the deep fear and oppression David felt when surrounded by enemies, a situation comparable to the experience of being bullied. His response—placing trust in God rather than fearing human threats—underscores a key spiritual perspective amid hostility. Written during his time as a prisoner among the Philistines, this passage reveals the importance of reliance on divine protection and truth when confronted by relentless opposition or intimidation.