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Reviling and Reproaching

Reviling and reproaching are sinful forms of verbal abuse and contempt toward others that Scripture consistently condemns. Believers are called to respond with blessing rather than retaliation when subjected to such treatment.

Overview

Reviling refers to abusive, contemptuous speech intended to shame or demean another person. The Bible identifies reviling as incompatible with Christian character and warns that those who engage in such behavior face serious consequences. Believers will inevitably face reproach for their faith, yet are commanded to respond with grace rather than returning insult for insult.

Key Scriptures

"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account" (Matthew 5:11, ESV). "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man" (Luke 6:22, ESV). "Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing" (1 Peter 3:9, ESV).

Application

When facing contempt or harsh criticism for your faith, respond with patient blessing and Christ-like love rather than defensive retaliation.

Scripture References 40

Acts 17:18 Matthew 5:11 Luke 6:22 Matthew 27:39 Luke 7:34 1 Timothy 4:10 Hebrews 10:33 Luke 6:22 Psalms 69:7 1 Corinthians 6:10 1 Peter 3:9 Psalms 74:22 Psalms 79:12 Proverbs 14:31 1 Samuel 17:43 1 Peter 4:14 Matthew 27:39 Matthew 27:40 John 8:48 Genesis 37:19 Luke 23:39 2 Corinthians 12:10 2 Samuel 6:20 Ezekiel 2:6 Zephaniah 2:8 Psalms 69:9 Psalms 89:51 Romans 15:3 Exodus 22:28 Acts 23:4 Acts 23:5 Matthew 12:24 2 Kings 19:4 2 Kings 19:16 Psalms 89:50 Zephaniah 2:8 Zephaniah 2:9 Matthew 5:22 1 Corinthians 4:12 1 Peter 3:9

Full Topical Reference List 61 total — Nave's Topical Bible

Athenian philosophers

Acts 17:18

Blessedness of enduring, for Christ's sake

Luke 6:22 Matthew 5:11

Christ

Luke 7:34 Matthew 27:39

Endure

1 Timothy 4:10 Hebrews 10:33

Endure for Christ's sake

Luke 6:22

Endure for God's sake

Psalms 69:7

Excludes from heaven

1 Corinthians 6:10

Forbidden

1 Peter 3:9

God

Psalms 74:22 Psalms 79:12

God, by opposing the poor

Goliath

Happiness of enduring, for Christ's sake

1 Peter 4:14

Jews

John 8:48 Matthew 27:39 Matthew 27:40

Joseph's brethren

Genesis 37:19

Malefactor

Luke 23:39

May take pleasure in

2 Corinthians 12:10

Michal

2 Samuel 6:20

Ministers should not fear

Ezekiel 2:6

Moabites and Ammonites

Zephaniah 2:8

Of Christ, predicted

Psalms 69:9 Psalms 89:51 Romans 15:3

Of rulers specially forbidden

Acts 23:4 Acts 23:5 Exodus 22:28

Pharisees

Matthew 12:24

Pray under

2 Kings 19:4 2 Kings 19:16 Psalms 89:50

Punishment for

Matthew 5:22 Zephaniah 2:8 Zephaniah 2:9

Return blessings for

1 Corinthians 4:12 1 Peter 3:9

Rulers

2 Peter 2:10 2 Peter 2:11 Jude 1:8 Jude 1:9

Saints

Psalms 102:8 Zephaniah 2:8

Sennacherib

Isaiah 37:17 Isaiah 37:23 Isaiah 37:24

Shimei

2 Samuel 16:7 2 Samuel 16:8

Should expect

Matthew 10:25

Should not fear

Isaiah 51:7

Sometimes depressed by

Psalms 42:10 Psalms 42:11 Psalms 44:16 Psalms 69:20

Supported under

2 Corinthians 12:10

The conduct of Christ under

1 Peter 2:23

Trust in God under

Psalms 57:3 Psalms 119:42

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