In biblical terminology, "corrupters" refers to individuals or entities that lead others away from the path of righteousness, causing moral, spiritual, or doctrinal decay. The concept of corruption is frequently addressed in the Scriptures, highlighting the dangers and consequences of deviating from God's commandments and the truth of His Word.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament often associates corruption with idolatry, false teachings, and moral decay. In Isaiah 1:4 , the prophet laments the state of Israel, saying, "Oh, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him." Here, the term "children of corruption" underscores the pervasive influence of sin and the abandonment of divine principles.

The narrative of the Israelites frequently illustrates the impact of corrupters, as seen in the accounts of false prophets and leaders who led the people into idolatry and disobedience. The account of the golden calf in Exodus 32 is a prime example, where Aaron, succumbing to the people's demands, creates an idol, leading them into sin.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, corrupters are often linked to false teachers and those who distort the gospel message. The Apostle Paul warns against such individuals in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 2:17 , he states, "For we are not like so many others, who peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as men sent from God." Here, Paul contrasts his genuine ministry with those who corrupt the Word for personal gain.

The epistle of Jude also addresses the issue of corrupters, describing them as individuals who "pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4). This highlights the danger of those who twist the message of grace to justify sinful behavior.

Characteristics and Consequences

Corrupters are characterized by their deviation from truth, leading others astray through false teachings, immoral conduct, or idolatrous practices. They often appear within the community of believers, making their influence particularly insidious. The Bible warns that such individuals will face divine judgment. In Galatians 1:8-9 , Paul declares, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!"

The consequences of corruption are severe, affecting both the individual and the community. It leads to spiritual blindness, separation from God, and ultimately, divine judgment. The Scriptures call believers to remain vigilant, discerning, and steadfast in the truth to guard against the influence of corrupters.

Response to Corrupters

The biblical response to corrupters involves both personal and communal action. Believers are encouraged to test all teachings against the Word of God, as seen in Acts 17:11 , where the Bereans are commended for examining the Scriptures daily to verify Paul's teachings. Additionally, church leaders are tasked with protecting the flock from false teachings, as Paul instructs Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:20-21 , "Guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called 'knowledge,' which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith."

Ultimately, the call is to uphold the truth of the gospel, live in obedience to God's commandments, and remain steadfast in faith, resisting the influence of those who seek to corrupt the purity of the Christian message and life.

The Great Suit: Jehovah Versus Judah
... doth not know, my people doth not consider.4. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with
iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the great suit jehovah versus.htm

The Book of Humanity
... of their wrath burned most fiercely against old-time monopolists who joined land
to land till there was "no place," and against old-time corrupters of the law ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter iii the book of.htm

Bourdaloue -- the Passion of Christ
... Christ, in the sacrament of His body, repeats His holy passion in a manner altogether
mysterious, men, the false imitators, or rather base corrupters of the ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bourdaloue the passion of.htm

Honour Your Youthful Bishop.
... to God. And he slew the false priests, as the corrupters and deceivers of
men, and not the worshippers of the Deity. Wherefore youth ...
/.../chapter iii honour your youthful bishop.htm

Let us Live with Christ.
... but denying the power thereof." [693] These make merchandise of Christ, corrupting
His word, and giving up Jesus to sale: they are corrupters of women, and ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the magnesians/chapter ix let us live with.htm

And Further, Analogy, Whereby the Agreement of Both Testaments is ...
... to consider with themselves, how many things they are wont to say have been inserted
in the divine Scriptures by certain, I know not who, corrupters of truth? ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 7 and further analogy.htm

Watchfulness; the Coming of the Lord.
... time of your faith will not profit you, [2507] if ye be not made perfect in the
last time.3. For in the last days [2508] false prophets and corrupters shall be ...
/.../the teaching of the twelve apostles/chapter xvi watchfulness the coming.htm

The Greeks Claim, Without Reason, the Invention of the Arts.
... poet [423] says,". These are gleaners' grapes and small talk,". Twittering
places of swallows, corrupters of art. Yet those who ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter i the greeks claim without.htm

Commencement of the Legends Concerning Jesus --His Own Idea of his ...
... treated as a "corrupter." The Talmud gives the procedure adopted against him as
an example of that which ought to be followed against "corrupters," who seek to ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xv commencement of the.htm

The Teaching of the Apostles in Opposition to Jewish and Gentile ...
... Regard to Marriage and Funerals. That We Ought to Avoid the Heretics as
the Corrupters of Souls. XXVI. Do you therefore, O bishops ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v the teaching of the.htm

Corrupters (2 Occurrences)
...Corrupters (2 Occurrences). ... Jeremiah 6:28 They are all grievous revolters, walking
with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters. ...
/c/corrupters.htm - 7k

Corrupted (28 Occurrences)

/c/corrupted.htm - 15k

Jude (4 Occurrences)
... judgment. Against the corrupters and skeptics Jude writes with a vehemence
that in the New Testament is without a parallel. Matters ...
/j/jude.htm - 40k

Laden (14 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 1:4 Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers,
children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked ...
/l/laden.htm - 10k

Revolters (3 Occurrences)
... Revolters (3 Occurrences). Jeremiah 6:28 They are all grievous revolters, walking
with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters. ...
/r/revolters.htm - 7k

Corrupteth (2 Occurrences)

/c/corrupteth.htm - 7k

Apostates (4 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Jeremiah 6:28 All of them are turned aside by apostates, Walking
slanderously -- brass and iron, All of them are corrupters. (YLT). ...
/a/apostates.htm - 7k

Slanderously (3 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). Jeremiah 6:28 All of them are turned aside by apostates,
Walking slanderously -- brass and iron, All of them are corrupters. ...
/s/slanderously.htm - 7k

Rebellious (63 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 6:28 They are all the most rebellious of rebels, going about with slander:
they are bronze and iron; they are all corrupters. (DBY NAS RSV). ...
/r/rebellious.htm - 26k

Sinning (59 Occurrences)
... sinning. (YLT). Isaiah 1:4 Ah, sinning nation, a people heavy 'with' iniquity,
A seed of evil doers, sons -- corrupters! They have ...
/s/sinning.htm - 23k

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