Ephesians 4:27

Amplified Bible

And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Don't give the devil a way to defeat you.

Revised Standard Version
and give no opportunity to the devil.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
nether geue place vnto ye backbyter.

Hebrew Names Version
neither give place to the devil.

New American Standard Bible
and do not give the devil an opportunity.

New Century Version
Do not give the devil a way to defeat you.

Update Bible Version
neither give place to the devil.

Webster's Bible Translation
Neither give place to the devil.

English Standard Version
and give no opportunity to the devil.

World English Bible
neither give place to the devil.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Neither give place to the devil.

Weymouth's New Testament
and do not leave room for the Devil.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Nyle ye yyue stide to the deuel.

English Revised Version
neither give place to the devil.

Berean Standard Bible
and do not give the devil a foothold.

Contemporary English Version
and don't give the devil a chance.

American Standard Version
neither give place to the devil.

Bible in Basic English
And do not give way to the Evil One.

Complete Jewish Bible
otherwise you leave room for the Adversary.

Darby Translation
neither give room for the devil.

International Standard Version
and do not give the devil an opportunity to work.to work">[fn]2 Corinthians 2:10-11; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
and give no place to the accuser.

Murdock Translation
And give no place to the Accuser.

King James Version (1611)
Neither giue place to the deuill.

New Living Translation
for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

New Life Bible
Do not let the devil start working in your life.

New Revised Standard
and do not make room for the devil.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Neither giue place to the deuill.

George Lamsa Translation
And do not give the devil a chance.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Neither be giving place unto the adversary;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Give not place to the devil.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Neither geue place to the deuyll.

Good News Translation
Don't give the Devil a chance.

Christian Standard Bible®
and don’t give the devil an opportunity.

King James Version
Neither give place to the devil.

Lexham English Bible
nor give place to the devil.

Literal Translation
nor give place to the Devil.

Young's Literal Translation
neither give place to the devil;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
nether geue place to the bacbyter.

Mace New Testament (1729)
lest the devil take hold of the opportunity.

New English Translation
Do not give the devil an opportunity.

New King James Version
nor give place to the devil.

Simplified Cowboy Version
This is the door that lets the devil in.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
and do not give the devil an opportunity.

Legacy Standard Bible
and do not give the devil an opportunity.

Contextual Overview

¹⁷So this I say, and solemnly affirm together with the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the [unbelieving] Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds [and in the foolishness and emptiness of their souls], ¹⁸for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart. ¹⁹And they, [the ungodly in their spiritual apathy], having become callous and unfeeling, have given themselves over [as prey] to unbridled sensuality, eagerly craving the practice of every kind of impurity [that their desires may demand]. ²⁰But you did not learn Christ in this way! ²¹If in fact you have [really] heard Him and have been taught by Him, just as truth is in Jesus [revealed in His life and personified in Him], ²²that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, ²³and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], ²⁴and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God's image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation]. ²⁵Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ]. ²⁶BE ANGRY [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], YET DO NOT SIN; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Ephesians 6:11, Ephesians 6:16, Acts 5:3, 2 Corinthians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 2:11, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:41 - then 1 Samuel 18:9 - eyed David 1 Kings 21:4 - And he laid him Ecclesiastes 7:9 - hasty Amos 1:11 - kept Matthew 5:22 - That Mark 6:19 - a quarrel 1 Peter 5:9 - resist

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Neither give place to the devil. Or "to the accuser", or "slanderer"; that is, to any adversary, that takes delight in slandering and reproaching the saints; give such no room, nor reason, to calumniate the doctrine and ways of Christ, through an unbecoming conversation, by lying and sinful anger, or by other means; or rather the devil, the great accuser of the brethren is meant; and the Ethiopic version renders it, "do not give way to Satan"; which is done, when men indulge any lust or corruption; and when they easily fall in with his suggestions and temptations; when they are off of their watch and guard; and when they do not resist, but quietly yield unto him.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Neither give place to the devil - This has respect probably to the exhortation in the former verse. “Do not yield to the suggestions and temptations of Satan, who would take every opportunity to persuade you to cherish unkind and angry feelings, and to keep up a spirit of resentment among brethren.” Many of our feelings, when we suppose we are merely defending our rights, and securing what is our own, are produced by the temptations of the devil. The heart is deceitful; and seldom more deceitful in any case than when a man is attempting to vindicate himself from injuries done to his person and reputation. The devil is always busy when we are angry, and in some way, if possible, will lead us into sin; and the best way to avoid his wiles is to curb the temper, and restrain even sudden anger. No man sins by “restraining” his anger: no man is certain that he will not who indulges it for a moment.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 27. Neither give place to the devil. — Your adversary will strive to influence your mind, and irritate your spirit; watch and pray that he may not get any place in you, or ascendancy over you.

As the word διαβολος is sometimes used to signify a calumniator, tale-bearer, whisperer, or backbiter; (see in the original, 1 Timothy 3:11; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 3:3, and Titus 2:3;) here it may have the same signification. Do not open your ear to the tale-bearer, to the slanderer, who comes to you with accusations against your brethren, or with surmisings and evil speakings. These are human devils; they may be the means of making you angry, even without any solid pretence; therefore give them no place, that you may not be angry at any time; but if, unhappily, you should be overtaken in this fault, let not the sun go down upon your wrath; go to your brother, against whom you have found your spirit irritated; tell him what you have heard, and what you fear; let your ears be open to receive his own account; carefully listen to his own explanation; and, if possible, let the matter be finally settled, that Satan may not gain advantage over either.