What Does the Bible Say About Profanity? With Scripture

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Lord’s Library editors answer the question “What does the Bible say about profanity?” with specific Bible references.

Have you ever asked yourself the question “What does the Bible say about profanity?” If you have, you’re definitely not alone! And since the Bible helps Christians form a foundational understanding of important topics, it’s imperative that one know how Scripture describes profanity in different contexts. The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines profanity as “In a revel of debauchery, amid the brisk interchange of profanity and folly, religion might appear a dumb, unsocial intruder.”

Now armed with a basic definition of profanity, Lord’s Library editors thought it would be a helpful exercise to provide Biblical context. As a result, we compiled this short resource which captures all notable mentions of the word profanity, as well as its other forms. If you’ve been wondering what the King James Bible says about profanity, scroll on for additional detail.

Note: If you want to know what the Bible says about profanity and 206 other important topics (to be exact), our editors recommend Spencer Smith’s Doctrine Matters: Bible Topic Guidebook.

The Gospel

What Does the Bible Say About Profanity?


Ephesians 4:29

“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.”

Exodus 20:7

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

Matthew 12:36

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

2 Timothy 2:16

“But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”

Psalms 34:13

“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”

Matthew 15:11

“Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.”

Proverbs 15:4

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.”


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Timothy Andrew
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Timothy Andrew

Timothy Andrew

Tim is the Founder of Lord's Library. He believes the Bible commands us to minister "as of the ability which God giveth" (1 Peter 4:11). Tim aspires to be as The Lord's mouth by "taking forth the precious from the vile" (Jeremiah 15:19) and witnessing The Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4) to the whole world.

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