Goodwill, not ill will (4:31–32). “Get rid of” is a third person passive imperative (lit., “Let anger, etc., be gotten rid of”), but this does not mean God removes sinful behavior instead of the readers. The focus in this passsage is on the responsibility of believers to act. Such acts of believers, of course, are presumed to be aided by the work of the Holy Spirit. “Anger” has already been treated in verse 26, but its importance is emphasized with two different words in verse 31 and by the association of anger with other words expressing ill will. The word translated “brawling” suggests not physical violence, but “shouting.”

All the words in verse 31 are intended to express hostility and actions that destroy human relations. Note the grouping of five words (similar to Col. 3:5, 8, 12). Groups of five were traditional in ancient lists of vices and virtues. Some suggest a progression in the five words, but this is uncertain. Bitterness is just as much the result of anger as its cause. “Malice” may be the most important word, for it encapsulates the hostility the other words describe. The contrast between 4:31 and 4:2–3, the description of a Christian’s calling, is striking.

In contrast to the badness and malice in verse 31, verse 32 calls for goodness, which applied to humans is understood as being “kind” (the same root is used for God’s kindness in 2:7). Paul also calls for compassion and forgiveness. Goodwill toward other people is assumed for the new being. As elsewhere, treatment of others is grounded in God’s treatment of us. Forgiveness (charizomai) is not Paul’s usual language for salvation. The idea of forgiveness of others being grounded in God’s forgiveness is reminiscent of Matthew 6:12, 14–15; 18:21–35; Luke 6:36. Note again the focus on salvation taking place in Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 5:19).