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Reproof

Reproof is the act of correcting or rebuking someone for wrongdoing, a practice commended throughout Scripture as essential for spiritual growth and wise living. Biblical reproof, when given in love and received humbly, prevents greater sin and cultivates righteousness.

Overview

Reproof is correction motivated by love and truth. The Bible presents reproof as a mark of genuine friendship (Proverbs 27:6) and a means through which the Lord disciplines His people. Receiving reproof demonstrates wisdom and humility, while rejecting it leads to folly and spiritual decline.

Key Scriptures

"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy" (Proverbs 27:5, NASB). "As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent" (Revelation 3:19, NASB). "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 15:5, ESV context of receiving instruction).

Application

Believers should receive reproof with gratitude as a gift from God or faithful friends, examining their hearts to align more closely with Scripture, while also offering gentle correction to others in love when they stray from biblical truth.

Scripture References 40

Proverbs 27:6 1 Kings 14:7 1 Kings 14:8 1 Kings 14:9 1 Kings 14:10 1 Kings 14:11 Psalms 141:5 Proverbs 15:5 Proverbs 27:5 Ecclesiastes 7:5 Revelation 3:19 Isaiah 2:4 Isaiah 11:3 Proverbs 5:12 Daniel 5:22 Daniel 5:23 Proverbs 24:25 1 Kings 21:20 2 Kings 5:26 Proverbs 28:23 Mark 4:40 Luke 24:37 Luke 24:38 Ezekiel 2:3 Ezekiel 2:4 Ezekiel 2:5 Ezekiel 2:6 Ezekiel 2:7 Proverbs 9:7 Proverbs 9:8 Proverbs 15:31 Proverbs 15:32 Proverbs 27:5 Proverbs 27:6 Matthew 18:15 Matthew 18:16 Matthew 18:17 Luke 17:3 Luke 17:4 1 Timothy 5:1

Full Topical Reference List 194 total — Nave's Topical Bible

A proof of faithful friendship

Proverbs 27:6

Ahijah

1 Kings 14:7 1 Kings 14:8 1 Kings 14:9 1 Kings 14:10 1 Kings 14:11

An excellent oil

Psalms 141:5

Attention to a proof of prudence

Proverbs 15:5

Better than secret love

Proverbs 27:5

Better than the praise of fools

Ecclesiastes 7:5

Christ gives, in love

Revelation 3:19

Christ sent to give

Isaiah 2:4 Isaiah 11:3

Contempt of, leads to remorse

Proverbs 5:12

Daniel

Daniel 5:22 Daniel 5:23

Delight in those who give

Elijah

1 Kings 21:20

Elisha

2 Kings 5:26

Eventually brings more respect than flattery

Fearfulness

Luke 24:37 Luke 24:38 Mark 4:40

Fearlessly

Ezekiel 2:3 Ezekiel 2:4 Ezekiel 2:5 Ezekiel 2:6 Ezekiel 2:7

General references

1 Thessalonians 5:14 1 Timothy 5:1 1 Timothy 5:2 1 Timothy 5:20 2 Timothy 4:2 Amos 5:10 Ecclesiastes 7:5 Ephesians 4:15 Ephesians 5:11 Ephesians 5:13 Galatians 4:16 Hebrews 3:13 John 7:7 Leviticus 19:17 Luke 17:3 Luke 17:4 Matthew 18:15 Matthew 18:16 Matthew 18:17 Philippians 3:1 Proverbs 9:7 Proverbs 9:8 Proverbs 10:17 Proverbs 12:1 Proverbs 13:18 Proverbs 15:5 Proverbs 15:10 Proverbs 15:12 Proverbs 15:31 Proverbs 15:32 Proverbs 17:10 Proverbs 19:25 Proverbs 21:11 Proverbs 25:12 Proverbs 26:5 Proverbs 27:5 Proverbs 27:6 Proverbs 28:23 Psalms 141:5 Revelation 11:10 Titus 1:13

Give

Ephesians 5:11 Leviticus 19:17

Give no occasion for

Philippians 2:15

God gives reproof to his own children

2 Samuel 7:14 Hebrews 12:6 Hebrews 12:7 Job 5:17 Psalms 94:12 Psalms 119:67 Psalms 119:71 Psalms 119:75

God gives, to the wicked

Isaiah 51:20 Psalms 50:21

Hanani

2 Chronicles 16:7

Happiness

Proverbs 6:23

Hardness of heart

Mark 8:17 Mark 16:14

Hatred of, a proof of brutishness

Proverbs 12:1

Hatred of, leads to destruction

Proverbs 15:10 Proverbs 29:1

Honour

Hypocrisy

Matthew 15:7 Matthew 23:13

Hypocrites not qualified to give

Matthew 7:5

Impenitence

Matthew 11:20 Matthew 11:21 Matthew 11:22 Matthew 11:23 Matthew 11:24

Is despised by the wicked

Proverbs 1:30

Is for correction

Psalms 39:11

Joab

1 Chronicles 21:3

John the Baptist

Luke 3:19 Matthew 3:7

Knowledge

Love those who give

Proverbs 9:8

Ministers are empowered to give

Micah 3:8

Ministers are sent to give

Ezekiel 3:17 Jeremiah 44:4

More profitable to saints, than stripes to a fool

Nathan

2 Samuel 12:7 2 Samuel 12:8 2 Samuel 12:9

Not understanding

John 8:43 John 13:7 John 13:8 Luke 24:25 Mark 7:18 Matthew 16:9 Matthew 16:11

Of those who offend, a warning to others

1 Timothy 5:20 Acts 5:3 Acts 5:4 Acts 5:9 Leviticus 19:17 Titus 1:10 Titus 1:13

Openly

Oppressing out brethren

Nehemiah 5:7

Paul

1 Corinthians 1:10 1 Corinthians 1:11 1 Corinthians 1:12 1 Corinthians 1:13 1 Corinthians 5:1 1 Corinthians 5:2 1 Corinthians 5:3 1 Corinthians 5:4 1 Corinthians 5:5 1 Corinthians 6:1 1 Corinthians 6:2 1 Corinthians 6:3 1 Corinthians 6:4 1 Corinthians 6:5 1 Corinthians 6:6 1 Corinthians 6:7 1 Corinthians 6:8 1 Corinthians 11:17 1 Corinthians 11:18 1 Corinthians 11:19 1 Corinthians 11:20 1 Corinthians 11:21 1 Corinthians 11:22 Galatians 2:11

Peter

Acts 8:20

Pray that it be not be in anger

Psalms 6:1

Receive kindly

Psalms 141:5

Rejection of, leads to error

Reviling Christ

Luke 23:40

Samuel

Sharply, if necessary

Titus 1:13

Shemaiah

2 Chronicles 12:5

Should be accompanied by exhortation to repentance

1 Samuel 12:20 1 Samuel 12:21 1 Samuel 12:22 1 Samuel 12:23 1 Samuel 12:24 1 Samuel 12:25

Should not discourage saints

Hebrews 12:5

Sinful practices

John 2:16 Luke 3:19 Matthew 21:13

Stephen

Acts 7:51

The Holy Spirit gives

John 16:7 John 16:8

The Scriptures are profitable for

2 Timothy 3:16 Psalms 19:7 Psalms 19:8 Psalms 19:9 Psalms 19:10 Psalms 19:11

They who give, are hated by scorners

Proverbs 9:8 Proverbs 15:12

Unbelief

Mark 16:14 Matthew 17:17 Matthew 17:20

Understanding

Unreservedly

Isaiah 58:1

Unruly conduct

1 Thessalonians 5:14

Vain boasting

Luke 22:34

Wisdom

Proverbs 15:31 Proverbs 29:15

With all authority

Titus 2:15

With Christian love

2 Thessalonians 3:15

With longsuffering &c

2 Timothy 4:2

Zechariah

2 Chronicles 24:20

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