39 Bible Verses about Speech

Most Relevant Verses

Titus 2:8

and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that the person who opposes [us] will have to be ashamed for not having anything bad to say about us.

1 Corinthians 14:9

So, unless you people also speak clearly with your tongue, how will your speaking be understood? For it will be like you were speaking into the air.

1 Corinthians 1:5

For in [fellowship with] Him you people have been made [spiritually] rich in every way, through all [kinds of] speech and knowledge. [Note: This probably refers to the communication and comprehension of truth represented by the spiritual gifts of languages and revelation].

1 Corinthians 2:1

And when I came to you, brothers, it was not with eloquent words or [superior] wisdom that I proclaimed to you the testimony [or, mystery] about God.

Colossians 3:8

But now you also should stop practicing them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language from your mouth.

2 Corinthians 6:7

by preaching the truth; through the power of God [i.e., possibly including miracles]; and by [using] weapons of righteousness in [our] right and left hands. [Note: This could allude to offensive and defensive weapons and means that Paul was fully equipped to do whatever was right].

John 8:43

Why do you people not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot [bear to] listen to my message.

Luke 21:15

for I will give you a mouth [i.e., the ability to speak properly] and wisdom [i.e., the knowledge of what to say], which none of your opponents will be able to resist or speak against.

Matthew 5:37

But you should just say 'yes' [when you mean] yes, and 'no' [when you mean] no. Whatever you say beyond these [i.e., enforcing them by oaths] is of the evil one [i.e., the devil].

1 Corinthians 2:4

And I did not use persuasive words of [human] wisdom in my message and preaching, but they were [accompanied by] a demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power [from God]. [Note: This "demonstration" could have included the evidence of miraculous spiritual gifts which Paul utilized while there in Corinth. See 14:18].

2 Corinthians 8:7

But just as you excel in everything [else]; in your faith, in your speaking; in your knowledge [Note: Possibly these refer to spiritual gifts. See I Cor. 12:8-10], in your eagerness [to serve], and in your love for us, now you people should also excel in this favorable work [i.e., of giving financial help to needy people].

John 16:25

"I have spoken these things to you in figurative language. [However], the time will come when I will not speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly about the Father.

2 Corinthians 11:6

But even though I am an unpolished speaker, I am not lacking in knowledge. We have made this clear to you in every way.

Acts 7:22

Now Moses was educated according to all the wisdom of the Egyptians and became an accomplished speaker and an effective leader.

Colossians 2:4

I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments.

1 Corinthians 1:17

For Christ did not send me to immerse people, but to preach the good news. [Note: Christ specifically commissioned Paul to preach; most of the immersing was done by his attendants]. It was not to be done with words of [human] wisdom, so that the [message of the] cross of Christ would not have its power taken away.

2 Corinthians 10:10

For some people are saying, "Paul's letters are heavy and severe, but in person he is [physically?] weak and his speaking ability is unimpressive."

2 Corinthians 7:4

I have great confidence in talking to you; I have great pride in you and I am full of encouragement [over you]. In all of our troubles I am overflowing with joy.

John 16:29

[Then] Jesus' disciples said [to Him], "Look, you are speaking plainly now, and not in figurative language.

Matthew 26:73

And a little later, those standing nearby came to Peter and said, "[We know] for sure, you also are one of them [i.e., Jesus' disciples], because your accent gives you away."

From Thematic Bible


Language » Called » Speech

Mark 14:70

But again he denied it. Then after a little while those standing nearby said to Peter again, "We know for sure that you are one of them because you are from Galilee." [Note: Peter's accent gave him away. See Matt. 26:73].

Acts 14:11

And when the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the dialect of Lycaonia, "The gods have come down to us in human form."

Rab-shakeh (rabshakeh) » Sent by » Sennacherib » Speech » Surrender of » Jeruslaem

Speech » Evil, general references to

Romans 3:13

[Psa. 5:9 says], "Their throats are like open graves [i.e., they are foul-mouthed]. They have spoken deceitfully." [Psa. 90:3 says], "There is snake venom under their lips [i.e., their words are deadly]."

James 3:6

And the tongue is [like] a fire [i.e., like that spark]. [For] the tongue, as a part of the body, is [like] the world of evil. It corrupts the entire life [of a person] and inflames the course of nature itself [i.e., it affects a person throughout his whole earthly existence], and is ignited by hell itself [i.e., the evil produced by the fiery tongue has hell as its source and destiny].

Speech » Admonitions concerning

Matthew 5:37

But you should just say 'yes' [when you mean] yes, and 'no' [when you mean] no. Whatever you say beyond these [i.e., enforcing them by oaths] is of the evil one [i.e., the devil].

Titus 2:8

and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that the person who opposes [us] will have to be ashamed for not having anything bad to say about us.

More verses: James 3:2

Speech » Plainness of

Acts 7:52

Which one of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? They [even] killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One [i.e., Jesus], whom you people betrayed and murdered.

Matthew 3:7

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be immersed, John said to them, "You children of snakes, who warned you to run away from the coming wrath [of God]?

Galatians 4:16

So then, have I [now] become your enemy because I have told you the truth [about your condition]?

Uprightness » Should be in » Speech

Topics on Speech

Figures Of Speech

Galatians 4:24

This set of circumstances contains an illustration; for these two women [Hagar and Sarah] represent the two Agreements [between God and mankind]. The one [Agreement], given at Mount Sinai, represents Hagar, whose children became [the Israelites], enslaved under bondage [to the requirements of the law of Moses].

Powers Of Speech

Luke 6:45

The good person produces good things from the goodness stored up in his heart. And the evil person produces bad things from the evil [stored up in his heart]. For his mouth speaks what his heart is filled with.

Speech Impediments

Mark 7:32

And they brought to Him a deaf man who had a speech impediment and they begged Him to place His hand on him [for healing].

Speech, Divine

Hebrews 1:1-2

In times past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets in many parts and in various ways,

Speech, Negative Aspects Of

Matthew 12:33-35

Either be a healthy tree and produce wholesome fruit, or be a diseased tree and produce rotten fruit, for [the quality of] a tree will be recognized by [the quality of] its fruit.

Speech, Positive Aspects Of

Ephesians 4:29-31

Do not allow unwholesome [Note: The Greek word for "unwholesome" is "rotten, diseased"] language to come from your mouth, but only what is helpful for building up those who need it, so that you can impart favor [i.e., benefit] to those who listen [to you].

Speech, Power And Significance Of

James 3:1-12

Not many of you should be teachers, my brothers, because you [should] know that we [teachers] will be judged more strictly.

Without Speech

Romans 8:26

And in the same way, the Holy Spirit helps [us in] our weakness; for we do not know what we ought to pray for [Note: Some translators understand this as "how to pray"]. But the Holy Spirit goes to God on our behalf with groanings [in our hearts] that are not expressed [in words].

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Related Readings

Theasaurus: Speech