Backbiting is a term used to describe the act of speaking maliciously or slanderously about someone who is not present to defend themselves. It is considered a serious moral failing in the Christian tradition, as it violates the principles of love, truth, and unity that are central to the teachings of the Bible.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 25:23 · "As the north wind brings forth rain, so a backbiting tongue brings angry looks." This proverb highlights the destructive nature of backbiting, likening it to a storm that disrupts peace and harmony.

2. Romans 1:29-30 · "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents." In this passage, the Apostle Paul lists backbiting among other grave sins, indicating its severity and the corrupt nature of those who engage in it.

3. 2 Corinthians 12:20 · "For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalries, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder." Paul expresses concern that backbiting and other divisive behaviors may be present in the Corinthian church, threatening its unity and spiritual health.

4. James 4:11 · "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge." James warns against speaking ill of others, emphasizing that such actions are contrary to the law of love and humility.

Theological Implications:

Backbiting is seen as a violation of the commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:39). It undermines community and fellowship, which are vital to the body of Christ. The act of speaking ill of others not only harms the individual being spoken about but also damages the spiritual integrity of the one who engages in such behavior.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral standpoint, backbiting is considered a form of betrayal and dishonesty. It often stems from envy, pride, or a desire to elevate oneself at the expense of others. Christians are called to speak truthfully and lovingly, building each other up rather than tearing each other down (Ephesians 4:29).

Practical Guidance:

Believers are encouraged to avoid backbiting by practicing self-control and seeking reconciliation with those they may have grievances against. Jesus taught the importance of addressing conflicts directly and privately (Matthew 18:15-17), promoting peace and understanding within the community.

In summary, backbiting is a destructive behavior that contradicts the teachings of Christ. Christians are urged to guard their tongues and foster an environment of love, respect, and unity, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions with others.(n.) Secret slander; detraction.2636. katalalia -- evil-speaking
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: katalalia Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-al-al-ee'-ah) Short Definition: evil-speaking, backbiting, detraction Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2636.htm - 6k5643. cether -- a covering, hiding place, secrecy
... 5642b, 5643. cether. 5643a . a covering, hiding place, secrecy. Transliteration:
cether Phonetic Spelling: (say'-ther) Short Definition: backbiting. ...
/hebrew/5643.htm - 5k

5643a. sether -- a covering, hiding place, secrecy
... Word Origin from sathar Definition a covering, hiding place, secrecy NASB Word Usage
backbiting (1), covert (1), disguises* (1), hidden part (1), hiding place ...
/hebrew/5643a.htm - 5k

Whether Backbiting is a Mortal Sin?
... OF BACKBITING [*Or detraction] (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether backbiting is a mortal sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that backbiting is not a mortal sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether backbiting is a mortal.htm

Whether Backbiting is the Gravest of all Sins Committed against ...
... OF BACKBITING [*Or detraction] (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether backbiting is the gravest
of all sins committed against one's neighbor? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether backbiting is the gravest.htm

Of Backbiting [*Or Detraction] (Four Articles)
... OF BACKBITING [*Or detraction] (FOUR ARTICLES). We must now consider backbiting,
under which head there are four points of inquiry: (1) What is backbiting? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of backbiting or detraction four.htm

Whether Backbiting is Suitably Defined as the Blackening of ...
... OF BACKBITING [*Or detraction] (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether backbiting is suitably defined
as the blackening of another's character by secret words? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether backbiting is suitably defined.htm

Whether Cursing is a Graver Sin than Backbiting?
... OF CURSING (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether cursing is a graver sin than backbiting? Objection
1: It would seem that cursing is a graver sin than backbiting. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether cursing is a graver.htm

Whether Backbiting is a Graver Sin than Tale-Bearing?
... OF TALE-BEARING [*'Susurratio,' ie whispering] (TWO ARTICLES) Whether
backbiting is a graver sin than tale-bearing? Objection 1: It ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether backbiting is a graver.htm

Whether Tale-Bearing is a Sin Distinct from Backbiting?
... OF TALE-BEARING [*'Susurratio,' ie whispering] (TWO ARTICLES) Whether
tale-bearing is a sin distinct from backbiting? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether tale-bearing is a sin.htm

Whether it is a Grave Sin for the Listener to Suffer the Backbiter ...
... OF BACKBITING [*Or detraction] (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is a grave sin
for the listener to suffer the backbiter? Objection 1: It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is a grave.htm

Of the Meaning of the Seven Nations of Whose Lands Israel Took ...
... of the destroyer:" and of temptation: "Neither let us tempt Christ as some of them
tempted and perished by the serpents." [1346] Of backbiting: "Love not ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi of the meaning.htm

Whether Derision Can be a Mortal Sin?
... Objection 3: Further, reviling and backbiting seem to be graver sins than derision,
because it is more to do a thing seriously than in jest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether derision can be a.htm

Backbiting (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Backbiting (2 Occurrences). ... (See JPS). Proverbs 25:23 The
north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face. ...
/b/backbiting.htm - 7k

Backbite
... Vulgate, "detractors" (Romans 1:30)). Backbiting bak'-bit-ing: cether: Adj. "a
backbiting tongue"; literally, "a tongue of secrecy" (Proverbs 25:23). ...
/b/backbite.htm - 8k

Evilspeaking
... ev'-l-spek'-ing: Occurs twice in English Versions: (1) 1 Peter 2:1 it is the
translation of katalalia, "a speaking against," rendered "backbiting" in 2 ...
/e/evilspeaking.htm - 9k

Evil-speaking (5 Occurrences)
... ev'-l-spek'-ing: Occurs twice in English Versions: (1) 1 Peter 2:1 it is the
translation of katalalia, "a speaking against," rendered "backbiting" in 2 ...
/e/evil-speaking.htm - 10k

Driveth (8 Occurrences)
... mouth. (YLT). Proverbs 25:23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an
angry countenance a backbiting tongue. (KJV WBS). Isaiah ...
/d/driveth.htm - 8k

Backbone (1 Occurrence)

/b/backbone.htm - 7k

Busybody (3 Occurrences)
... the apostolic church as they are today. To this day backbiting is a common
trait of oriental peoples. And it is this sin which is ...
/b/busybody.htm - 8k

Back-biters (1 Occurrence)
Back-biters. Backbiters, Back-biters. Backbiting . Multi-Version Concordance ...
Backbiters, Back-biters. Backbiting . Reference Bible.
/b/back-biters.htm - 6k

Mocked (40 Occurrences)
... scorn. (KJV WBS). Psalms 35:16 With the profanest mockeries of backbiting
they gnash at me with their teeth. (See RSV NIV). Psalms ...
/m/mocked.htm - 18k

What does the Bible say about backbiting? | GotQuestions.org

Specific Sins ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

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Backbiting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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