The term "despitefully" is used in the Bible to describe actions that are done with malice, contempt, or insult. It is often associated with persecution and mistreatment, particularly of those who are righteous or followers of Christ. The concept is rooted in the broader biblical theme of enduring suffering and persecution for the sake of righteousness and the kingdom of God.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 5:44 : In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." The King James Version uses the term "despitefully use you" in this context, highlighting the malicious intent behind the persecution. This teaching emphasizes the Christian response to mistreatment, which is to love and pray for one's persecutors, reflecting the character of God who is merciful and loving even to those who oppose Him.

2. Luke 6:28 : Jesus reiterates this teaching, saying, "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." The call to bless and pray for those who act despitefully is a radical departure from the natural human inclination to retaliate or seek revenge. It underscores the transformative power of love and prayer in the life of a believer.

3. 1 Peter 3:16 : The Apostle Peter encourages believers to maintain a clear conscience, "so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ." Although the term "despitefully" is not used here, the concept is present in the idea of being slandered or mistreated for one's faith. The response of maintaining integrity and good conduct serves as a testimony to the truth of the Gospel.

Theological Significance:

The call to respond to despiteful treatment with love and prayer is deeply rooted in the example of Christ Himself, who, when reviled, did not revile in return (1 Peter 2:23). This teaching challenges believers to rise above the natural response to persecution and to embody the love and forgiveness that Christ demonstrated. It is a call to trust in God's justice and to leave vengeance to Him (Romans 12:19).

Practical Application:

For Christians, the concept of being despitefully used is a reminder of the cost of discipleship. It calls for a heart posture that is willing to endure suffering for the sake of Christ, trusting that God will use such experiences for His glory and the believer's growth. It also serves as a call to intercede for those who persecute, recognizing that they too are in need of God's grace and salvation.

In summary, the biblical teaching on responding to those who act despitefully is a profound expression of the Gospel's power to transform hearts and relationships. It is a call to live out the radical love of Christ in a world that often responds with hostility and contempt.5195. hubrizo -- to run riot, to outrage, insult
... to mistreat, insult. From hubris; to exercise violence, ie Abuse -- use despitefully,
reproach, entreat shamefully (spitefully). see GREEK hubris. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5195.htm - 7k

1908. epereazo -- to revile
... mistreat, falsely accuse. From a comparative of epi and (probably) areia (threats);
to insult, slander -- use despitefully, falsely accuse. see GREEK epi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1908.htm - 7k

1796. enubrizo -- to insult
... 1796 (from 1722 , "in," intensifying 5195 , "to insult, injure, showing arrogance") --
to insult (outrage), treat despitefully, reproach (used only in Heb 10:29 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1796.htm - 7k

Love Thine Enemy.
... hate thine enemy; but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/love thine enemy.htm

Delivered on the Lord's Day, on that which is Written in the ...
... the vineyard. But they treated them despitefully, and killed some," [2846]
and contemptuously refused to render the fruits. "He ...
/.../sermon xxxvii delivered on the.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, "When Jesus had Finished These Sayings ...
... And even now He bears to be stoned, not only by those who deal despitefully
with Him, but also by ourselves who seem to reverence Him. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxvii on the words.htm

Matt. v. 38, 39, 40
... if we are sober-minded; and the profit of them is so great as to be an exceeding
help, not to ourselves only, but to those also who are using us despitefully. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xviii matt v 38.htm

The Trouble and Rest of Good Men "There the Wicked Cease from ...
... From words in due time they proceed to deeds; treating the servants as their
forefathers did their Master; wronging and despitefully using them in as many ways ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 127 the trouble and.htm

Catholic Spirit
... so; "I say unto you," said our Lord, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 39 catholic spirit.htm

Matt. xxvii. 27-29.
... of them who had been benefited by Him and had crucified Him, thou in behalf of thyself;
He in behalf of them who had used Him despitefully, thou oftentimes at ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxvii matt xxvii 27-29.htm

Matt. vii. 21
... To live in safety, to be easily subdued by no terror, to stand superior to all that
despitefully use us. ... entreatest thou despitefully, and art in dismay? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxiv matt vii 21.htm

David's Anger
... Lord has formally abrogated that permission; 'But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, and do good to those who despitefully use you ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iii davids anger.htm

Christ, the Great Teacher
... this new law of brotherly love said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study i christ the great.htm

Despitefully (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Despitefully (3 Occurrences). ... Luke 6:28 Bless them that
curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/d/despitefully.htm - 7k

Despoil (13 Occurrences)

/d/despoil.htm - 10k

Despiteful (3 Occurrences)

/d/despiteful.htm - 8k

Contemptuously (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a contemptuous manner; with scorn or disdain;
despitefully. Multi-Version Concordance Contemptuously (4 Occurrences). ...
/c/contemptuously.htm - 7k

Assault (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 14:5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the
Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, (KJV ...
/a/assault.htm - 11k

Purpose (448 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS NIV). Acts 14:5 and when there was a purpose both of the nations and of
the Jews with their rulers to use 'them' despitefully, and to stone them, (YLT) ...
/p/purpose.htm - 37k

Intercession (12 Occurrences)
... shares. At the outset, Christ teaches prayer on behalf of those "which
despitefully use you" (Matthew 5:44 the King James Version). ...
/i/intercession.htm - 52k

Love (703 Occurrences)
... Nor should it be overlooked that our Lord commanded His children to love their enemies,
those who spoke evil of them, and despitefully used them (Matthew 5:43 ...
/l/love.htm - 65k

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