Bible Verses about Bullying: What Does the Bible say about Bullying?

The Bible is full of verses about bullying. This collection of Bible verses about bullying will help you to understand what the Bible says about this important topic. Bullying is a major problem in our world today. Too often, people are intimidated, made to feel inferior, or even physically harmed by others. The effect of bullying can be devastating, both to the victim and to the perpetrator. The good news is that there is hope! The Bible has a lot to say about dealing with bullies. These powerful verses can give you strength, comfort, and wisdom as you face this difficult situation.

Bullying in the Bible

Leviticus 19:18 The LORD says do not take vengeance in this Bible verse about bullies.

Leviticus 19:18
(ESV)  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.
(KJV)  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
(MSG)  “Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. “Love your neighbor as yourself. I am GOD.
(NIV)  “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
(NLT)  “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus says to Love your neighbor as yourself in this scripture reference on people who treat you badly.

Matthew 5:43
(ESV)  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
(KJV)  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
(MSG)  “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’
(NIV)  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
(NLT)  “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy.

Matthew 5:44
(ESV)  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
(KJV)  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;
(MSG)  I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer,
(NIV)  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
(NLT)  But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

2 Timothy 1:7
(ESV)  for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
(KJV)  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
(MSG)  God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.
(NIV)  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
(NLT)  For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Romans 12:19-20 This scripture passages reminds Christians that revenge belongs to God and is a comforting Bible quote about bullies.

Romans 12:19
(ESV)  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
(KJV)  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
(MSG)  Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
(NIV)  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
(NLT)  Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.

Romans 12:20
(ESV)  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
(KJV)  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.
(MSG)  Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness.
(NIV)  On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
(NLT)  Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 This Bible verse can remind us to be strong and courageous when dealing with bullies.

Deuteronomy 31:6
(ESV)  Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
(KJV)  Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
(MSG)  “Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because GOD, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”
(NIV)  Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
(NLT)  So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

1 John 3:15 Hatred is not a part of eternal life for the Christian believers according to this Bible verse.

1 John 3:15
(ESV)  Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
(KJV)  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
(MSG)  Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know very well that eternal life and murder don’t go together.
(NIV)  Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.
(NLT)  Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.

Proverbs 6:16-19 This is a powerful scripture passage for anyone teaching about bullying, because Solomon says God hates what bullies do to others.

Proverbs 6:16
(ESV)  There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
(KJV)  These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
(MSG)  Here are six things GOD hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion:
(NIV)  There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
(NLT)  There are six things the LORD hates—no, seven things he detests:

Proverbs 6:17
(ESV)  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
(KJV)  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
(MSG)  eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent,
(NIV)  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
(NLT)  haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,

Proverbs 6:18
(ESV)  a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,
(KJV)  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
(MSG)  a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track,
(NIV)  a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
(NLT)  a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,

Proverbs 6:19
(ESV)  a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
(KJV)  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
(MSG)  a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family.
(NIV)  a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
(NLT)  a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.

1 John 2:9 This is a powerful scripture that explains why Christians should never be bullies or respond in hate.

1 John 2:9
(ESV)  Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
(KJV)  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
(MSG)  Anyone who claims to live in God’s light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark.
(NIV)  Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.
(NLT)  If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness.

Matthew 5:11 Jesus says God will bless the victims of bullies.

Matthew 5:11
(ESV)  “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
(KJV)  Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
(MSG)  “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.
(NIV)  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
(NLT)  “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.

Ephesians 4:29 This scripture says believers must not use their words to bully others.

Ephesians 4:29
(ESV)  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.
(KJV)  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.
(MSG)  Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
(NIV)  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
(NLT)  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Psalm 18:3 A biblical prayer for dealing with bullies.

Psalms 18:3
(ESV)  I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
(KJV)  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
(MSG)  I sing to GOD, the Praise-Lofty, and find myself safe and saved.
(NIV)  I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.
(NLT)  I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

Proverbs 22:10 Scoffers, scorners, troublemakers are other biblical synonyms for the word bully.

Proverbs 22:10
(ESV)  Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.
(KJV)  Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.
(MSG)  Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down; you need a break from bickering and griping!
(NIV)  Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.
(NLT)  Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.

Proverbs 17:9 Solomon praises those who smooth out arguments according to this scripture.

Proverbs 17:9
(ESV)  Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
(KJV)  He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
(MSG)  Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and—good-bye, friend!
(NIV)  Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
(NLT)  Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Matthew 5:44 Jesus says to love your enemies in this Bible verse about bullying.

Matthew 5:44
(ESV)  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
(KJV)  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;
(MSG)  I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer,
(NIV)  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
(NLT)  But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!

What are some biblical stories about bullies and bullying?

There are a few biblical stories about bullies and bullying.

One story is that of the Israelites being bullied by the Philistines. After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites finally conquered and settled in the land of Canaan. At first, they were able to live peacefully with their neighbors, but eventually a new generation grew up who were not content with living under Philistine rule. So a band of young men led by Samson went to confront the Philistines, and they won a great victory against them.

Another example is the story of David and Goliath. Goliath was a giant warrior who bullied the Israelites, but David defeated him with just a sling and stone.

Another example is the story of Saul and Jonathan. Saul was the king of Israel, and he was very jealous of Jonathan’s accomplishments. He often bullied Jonathan and tried to make him feel inferior. But Jonathan stood up to Saul, even when it was risky to do so, and they remained close friends until the end.

Another story is of Joseph and his brothers. The story of Joseph and his brothers is one that is often cited when it comes to bullying. Joseph was younger than his brothers, and they constantly made fun of him and picked on him. Eventually, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, and he spent many years enduring hardship before he was finally able to return home. While the story of Joseph and his brothers is a sad one, it does have a happy ending. In the end, Joseph was able to forgive his brothers for what they had done to him, and the two groups were finally able to live in peace together.

Saul was a bully who persecuted Christians before he was saved by Jesus. Saul was definitely a bully and persecutor of Christians before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. But after his conversion, he became one of the most passionate evangelists for Christ.

There’s no question that Saul had a dramatic change in character after his encounter with Jesus. In fact, his conversion is considered one of the most powerful conversion stories in the Bible. It’s a great example of how God can transform anyone – even someone who was once hostile and violent – into someone who loves Him and wants to share His gospel with others.

These stories remind us that bullies can be defeated, even when they seem powerful or intimidating. We should never hesitate to stand up to bullies, because God is on our side.

Bullying Quotes from Christian Authors and Church Leaders

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
― Desmond Tutu

“I would rather be a little nobody, then to be a evil somebody.”
― Abraham Lincoln

“Never do a wrong thing to make a friend–or to keep one.”
― Robert E. Lee

What is a good definition of bullying?

Bullying is the use of force, coercion, hurtful teasing or threat, to abuse, aggressively dominate or intimidate. The behavior is often repeated and habitual. One essential prerequisite is the perception (by the bully or by others) of an imbalance of physical or social power. This imbalance distinguishes bullying from conflict. Bullying is a subcategory of aggressive behavior characterized by the following three criteria: (1) hostile intent, (2) imbalance of power, and (3) repetition over a period of time. Bullying is the activity of repeated, aggressive behavior intended to hurt another individual, physically, mentally, or emotionally.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullying

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More Bible Study Resources about Bullying

Feeling helpless when it comes to bullying? Here’s a list of bible scriptures that will give you strength and guidance. With God on your side, you can overcome anything.

Do you want to find more bible quotes about bullying? There are a lot of resources out there that can help you with that. However, we have compiled the best of the best into this one easy-to-use list.

With this list, you will be able to find more scriptures that talk about bullies and how to deal with them. You will also be able to see how God feels about bullying and how He wants us to treat others.

This list is a great resource for anyone who wants to study the bible more on this topic. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or student, this list will come in handy.

https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-bullying/

https://www.stopbullying.gov/

https://www.openbible.info/topics/bullying

https://biblereasons.com/bullying/

https://www.thehopeline.com/verses/bullying/

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Bullying

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2016/05/23/top-7-bible-verses-about-bullying-and-dealing-with-bullies/

https://www.gotquestions.org/bullying.html

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Bullying/

https://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/what-does-the-bible-teach-us-about-bullying/