Paul gave three directives about anger: (1) Anger should be dealt with quickly (v. 26). (2) Anger should be replaced by kindness (v. 32). Kindness is shown in a life transformed from taking (steal), to working (labor), to giving (v. 28). (3) Rather than bitterness or verbal abuse, we should offer forgiveness. 5:1–2. Receiving grace leads to giving it; so those receiving God’s forgiveness should imitate him (a common theme in Paul: 1Co 4:16; 11:1; 1Th 2:14; 2Th 3:7–9). Here imitation is implicitly