Definition:
To calumniate means to make false and malicious statements about someone in order to damage their reputation; it is synonymous with slander and defamation. In a biblical context, calumniation is considered a serious sin, as it violates the commandment against bearing false witness and disrupts the harmony and trust within the community of believers.

Biblical References and Context:
The act of calumniation is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and the destructive nature of false accusations.

1. Prohibition Against False Witness:
The Ninth Commandment explicitly forbids bearing false witness against one's neighbor (Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of honesty and integrity in speech, which is directly opposed to the act of calumniation.

2. Warnings Against Slander:
Proverbs frequently warns against the dangers of slander and false speech. Proverbs 10:18 states, "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." This verse highlights the foolishness and moral corruption inherent in calumniating others.

3. New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament continues to address the issue of calumniation. In Ephesians 4:31, Paul instructs believers to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." Here, slander is listed among other destructive behaviors that Christians are to abandon.

4. The Example of Jesus:
Jesus Himself was a victim of calumniation. False witnesses were brought against Him during His trial, as recorded in Matthew 26:59-61: "Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two came forward and declared, 'This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’’" This account demonstrates the grave consequences of calumniation, as it played a role in the unjust condemnation of Christ.

5. The Role of Satan:
In Revelation 12:10, Satan is referred to as "the accuser of our brothers," highlighting his role in calumniating believers before God. This depiction of Satan as a slanderer serves as a stark warning against engaging in similar behavior.

Moral and Ethical Implications:
Calumniation is not only a violation of biblical commandments but also a breach of the ethical standards expected of Christians. It undermines trust, sows discord, and can lead to the unjust suffering of the innocent. Believers are called to speak truthfully and to protect the reputations of others, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to examine their speech and motives, ensuring that they do not participate in or propagate false accusations. The community of faith is to be marked by love, truth, and mutual respect, avoiding the destructive path of calumniation. As James 1:26 advises, "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless."1. (v. t.) To accuse falsely and maliciously of a crime or offense, or of something disreputable; to slander; to libel.

2. (v. i.) To propagate evil reports with a design to injure the reputation of another; to make purposely false charges of some offense or crime.

3960. lashan -- to use the tongue, slander
... accuse, slander. A primitive root; properly, to lick; but used only as a denominative
from lashown; to wag the tongue, ie To calumniate -- accuse, slander. ...
/hebrew/3960.htm - 6k

The Precept of Loving One's Enemies it is as Much Taught in the ...
... to the ears of those who lend them to you" [4035] ), "Love your enemies, and bless
[4036] those which hate you, and pray for them which calumniate you." [4037 ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the precept of loving.htm

As Regards Our Reverend Friend Epiphanius, this is Strange ...
... Thus runs the letter which your golden coins extracted from the chamber of our brother
Eusebius, so that you might calumniate the translator of it, and might ...
/.../23 as regards our reverend.htm

Ain.
... pleasure. [5312]. 121. He next saith, "Take off Thy servant to that which
is good, that the proud calumniate me not" (ver.122). They ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/ain.htm

The Capitula of the Council.
... speaks of one Person only out of dignity, honour or worship, as both Theodorus and
Nestorius insanely have written; if anyone shall calumniate the holy Council ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the capitula of the council.htm

John Chapter x. 22-42
... should He say, I am Christ, they might, in accordance with the only sense they attached
to such a name, that He was of the seed of David, calumniate Him with ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlviii john chapter x.htm

Letter ccxxvi. To the Ascetics under Him.
... brethren, plain even to the intelligence of a child, that it is always with a view
to some personal advantage that they endeavour to calumniate or to give ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxvi to the ascetics.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 2.
... it is not commonly for love of truth, but of themselves; not so much for the benefit
of their sect, but for their own interest, that they calumniate) this plea ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part 2.htm

Abstain from the Poison of Heretics.
... They also calumniate His being born of the Virgin; they are ashamed of His cross;
they deny His passion; and they do not believe His resurrection. ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the trallians/chapter vi abstain from the poison.htm

The Malignity and Folly of Satan.
... should deny the cross, be ashamed of the passion, call the death an appearance,
mutilate and explain away the birth of the Virgin, and calumniate the [human ...
/.../chapter iv the malignity and folly.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... A good name is a precious balsam.' It is a great cruelty to murder a man in his
name. We injure others in their name, when we calumniate and slander them. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Calumniate (1 Occurrence)
... offense or crime. Multi-Version Concordance Calumniate (1 Occurrence).
1 Peter 3:16 having a good conscience, that as to that in ...
/c/calumniate.htm - 7k

Slander (34 Occurrences)
... To defame; to injure by maliciously uttering a false report; to tarnish or impair
the reputation of by false tales maliciously told or propagated; to calumniate...
/s/slander.htm - 21k

Defame
... to harm or destroy the good reputation of; to disgrace; especially, to speak evil
of maliciously; to dishonor by slanderous reports; to calumniate; to asperse. ...
/d/defame.htm - 7k

Blaspheme (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (v.) Figuratively, of persons and things not religiously sacred, but held in
high honor: To calumniate; to revile; to abuse. 3. (vi) To utter blasphemy. ...
/b/blaspheme.htm - 11k

Belie (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (v.) To show to be false; to convict of, or charge with, falsehood. 3. (v.) To
tell lie about; to calumniate; to slander. 4. (v.) To mimic; to counterfeit. ...
/b/belie.htm - 7k

Calphi
Calphi. Calno, Calphi. Calumniate . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CALPHI.
kal'-fi See CHALPHI. Calno, Calphi. Calumniate . Reference Bible.
/c/calphi.htm - 6k

Calumny (1 Occurrence)

/c/calumny.htm - 6k

Calumniate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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