The term "disdainful" refers to an attitude of contempt or scorn towards others, often characterized by a sense of superiority or haughtiness. In the biblical context, disdain is frequently associated with pride and arrogance, which are attitudes condemned by Scripture. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that warn against being disdainful, emphasizing humility and love as virtues to be cultivated by believers.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 21:24 : "Proud, Arrogant, and Mocker are the names of him who acts with excessive pride." This verse highlights the disdainful attitude of those who are proud and arrogant, warning that such behavior is not in alignment with godly wisdom.

2. Proverbs 6:16-19 : "There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers." The mention of "haughty eyes" underscores the disdainful attitude that God detests, placing it alongside other grievous sins.

3. Luke 18:9-14 : In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Jesus illustrates the dangers of a disdainful attitude. The Pharisee, who prays with contempt for others, is contrasted with the humble tax collector. Jesus concludes, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 18:14).

4. James 4:6 : "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" This passage reinforces the biblical principle that God resists those who are disdainful and proud, while extending grace to the humble.

Theological Insights:

Disdainfulness is often rooted in pride, which is considered one of the cardinal sins in Christian theology. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with the humility and love that Christ exemplified. The disdainful person elevates themselves above others, failing to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every individual as created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

The Bible consistently calls believers to adopt an attitude of humility and service. Jesus Christ, the ultimate model of humility, "made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). Christians are encouraged to follow His example, esteeming others above themselves and rejecting any form of disdain or contempt.

Practical Application:

Believers are urged to examine their hearts and attitudes, seeking to root out any form of disdain or pride. This involves cultivating a spirit of humility, recognizing one's own need for God's grace, and treating others with respect and love. The Apostle Paul advises, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3).

In community and relationships, Christians are called to be peacemakers, avoiding the divisiveness that often accompanies disdainful attitudes. By embracing humility and love, believers can reflect the character of Christ and foster unity within the body of Christ.(a.) Full of disdain; expressing disdain; scornful; contemptuous; haughty.5244. huperephanos -- showing oneself above others
... Adjective Transliteration: huperephanos Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-er-ay'-fan-os)
Short Definition: proud, arrogant Definition: proud, arrogant, disdainful. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5244.htm - 6k

Passing Years
... Theodosius looked at the defeated usurper with a mixture of pity and contempt, and
after a few disdainful questions dismissed him without deciding his fate. ...
/.../chapter x passing years.htm

It is Then My Purpose to Prove to You...
... such as they then found me, disdainful forsooth as of old wives' fables, and desirous
to grasp and drink in, what they promised, the open and pure Truth? ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 2 it is then.htm

The Same Subject Continued.
... to the entire first Epistle, written (that I may so say) as a whole, not with ink,
but with gall; swelling, indignant, disdainful, comminatory, invidious, and ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xiv the same subject continued.htm

The Service Common to Two and Many Nuns.
... Tone 4: Maidens have loved the Bridegroom, even the Lord, and in obedience to His
teaching, and disdainful of bodily weakness, in their spirit, with pious ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxiii the service common.htm

Definitive Form of the Ideas of Jesus Respecting the Kingdom of ...
... Jesus rejected these proposals with haughtiness, treating them as insults.[1] Full
of his heavenly ideal, he never abandoned his disdainful poverty. ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xvii definitive form of.htm

The Heir to the Throne
... The arch of the brow, and the conspicuous distance between it and the eye below,
the disdainful tension of the nostril and the drooping corners of the mouth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter v the heir to.htm

Another Archbishop
... I know,' some bourgeois would say mysteriously as he stood in a group of
gossip-mongers. You know?' another would answer, with disdainful curiosity. ...
/.../chapter xiv another archbishop.htm

Goths at Antioch
... Cranes!' till one of the younger Goths, more quick-tempered and less disdainful
than his brothers, gave a buffet to one of these ill-mannered tonguesters which ...
/.../chapter xi goths at antioch.htm

The Morning Trial.
... Son of Man shall be sitting on the right hand of the power of God.' The High Priests
looked at one another, and said to Jesus, with a disdainful laugh, 'Art ...
/.../chapter xiii the morning trial.htm

Knowing, My Beloved Marcianus, Your Desire to Walk in Godliness...
... And hath not stood in the way of sinners: but sinners are those who have the knowledge
of God and keep not His commandments; that is, disdainful scorners. ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 1 knowing my beloved.htm

Disdainful (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Disdainful (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 30:13 There is a
generation, O how full of pride are their eyes! O how their brows are lifted up! ...
/d/disdainful.htm - 6k

Disdained (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Disdain. 2. (a.) Disdainful.
Multi-Version Concordance Disdained (6 Occurrences). 1 Samuel ...
/d/disdained.htm - 8k

Danger (118 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Difficulty; sparingness. 5. (n.) Coyness; disdainful behavior. 6.
(vt) To endanger. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DANGER. ...
/d/danger.htm - 38k

Disdainfully (1 Occurrence)

/d/disdainfully.htm - 6k

Pride (277 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor;
haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation; disdain. ...
/p/pride.htm - 37k

Contemptuous (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Expressing contempt or disdain; scornful; haughty;
insolent; disdainful. Multi-Version Concordance Contemptuous (2 Occurrences). ...
/c/contemptuous.htm - 7k

Spurn (13 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A kick; a blow with the foot. 6. (n.) Disdainful rejection; contemptuous
treatment. 7. (n.) A body of coal left to sustain an overhanging mass. ...
/s/spurn.htm - 10k

Scornful (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Full of scorn or contempt; contemptuous; disdainful.
2. (a.) Treated with scorn; exciting scorn. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/scornful.htm - 7k

What does the Bible mean when it speaks against haughty eyes? | GotQuestions.org

Disdainful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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