Definition:
Ill-treat refers to the act of treating someone in a harsh, cruel, or unjust manner. In the biblical context, it often involves oppression, abuse, or persecution of individuals or groups, contrary to the principles of love, justice, and mercy as taught in Scripture.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament Instances:
· Exodus 1:11-14: The Israelites were ill-treated by the Egyptians, who subjected them to harsh labor and oppression. "So they appointed taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor... They worked the Israelites ruthlessly and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields."
· Psalm 119:86: The psalmist laments the ill-treatment he faces from those who disregard God's laws. "All Your commandments are faithful; I am persecuted without cause—help me!"

2. New Testament Instances:
· Matthew 5:11-12: Jesus speaks of the blessedness of those who are ill-treated for righteousness' sake. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven."
· Hebrews 11:36-38: The author of Hebrews recounts the ill-treatment endured by the faithful, highlighting their perseverance. "Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword... The world was not worthy of them."

Theological Insights:

· God's Justice and Compassion: The Bible consistently portrays God as a defender of the oppressed and ill-treated. In Deuteronomy 10:18, God is described as one who "executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing." This reflects God's heart for those who suffer unjustly and His call for His people to act justly and love mercy (Micah 6:8).

· Christian Response to Ill-treatment: Believers are called to respond to ill-treatment with love and forgiveness, following the example of Christ. Romans 12:14 instructs, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." This teaching emphasizes the transformative power of love and the call to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

· Persecution as a Mark of Faithfulness: Ill-treatment for the sake of Christ is often presented as a mark of true discipleship. In 2 Timothy 3:12, Paul states, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." This underscores the reality that following Christ may lead to suffering, yet it is accompanied by the promise of eternal reward.

Practical Implications:

· Advocacy for the Oppressed: Christians are encouraged to stand against injustice and advocate for those who are ill-treated. Proverbs 31:8-9 urges believers to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves... Defend the rights of the poor and needy."

· Endurance and Hope: Those who endure ill-treatment are encouraged to find hope in God's promises and the example of Christ, who suffered unjustly yet triumphed over sin and death. This hope is a source of strength and perseverance for believers facing trials.

Conclusion:
The biblical teaching on ill-treatment calls for a response of justice, mercy, and love, reflecting the character of God and the example of Jesus Christ. Believers are encouraged to endure suffering with hope and to actively work against injustice in the world.2559. kakoo -- to ill-treat
... to ill-treat. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kakoo Phonetic Spelling:
(kak-o'-o) Short Definition: I treat badly Definition: I treat badly, afflict ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2559.htm - 7k

2558. kakoucheo -- to ill-treat
... to ill-treat. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kakoucheo Phonetic Spelling:
(kak-oo-kheh'-o) Short Definition: I treat evilly Definition: I treat evilly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2558.htm - 6k

2669. kataponeo -- to wear down
... to wear down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kataponeo Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-ap-on-eh'-o) Short Definition: I ill-treat Definition: I exhaust by labor ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2669.htm - 6k

About the Four Brothers, Called "The Long," who were Ascetics, and ...
... He was in doubt, however, as to how he could ill-treat them, as they had no possessions,
and despised everything but philosophy, until it occurred to him, to ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xii about the four brothers.htm

Against "The Roaring Lions"
... Through bravado, he continued to ill-treat the poor old woman, and to
make the worst kind of threats. He roared in savage fury: ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv against the roaring lions.htm

How, by the Contrivance of the Devil, Brother Juniper was ...
... contempt and indignity. And Brother Juniper was no way troubled thereat, but
rather incited them to ill-treat him more and more. And as ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter iii how by the.htm

The Arians and Melitians Confer Celebrity on Athanasius ...
... In the first place, Eusebius wrote to urge him to receive the Arians into communion,
and threatened, without writing it, to ill-treat him should he refuse to ...
/.../chapter xviii the arians and melitians.htm

Whether the Old Law Set Forth Suitable Precepts About the Members ...
... But according to human laws those who ill-treat their servants and maidservants
are severely punished: and the worse treatment of all seems to be that which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law set.htm

Philippians i. 11-Aug
... For that which they who would ill-treat thee do through thy contemptible estate,
they do to him from envy and the evil eye they cast upon him, and the latter ...
/.../homily ii philippians i 11-aug.htm

The Crucifixion.
... At one time it is the wanton deed of barbarous and angry owners who ill-treat their
cattle, or beasts of burden; and at another, it is the cold-blooded and ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon x the crucifixion.htm

Love Thy Neighbour
... that. Are you a warder of a jail, and have prisoners under you? Abuse them
and ill-treat them, and then send the chaplain to them. A ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/love thy neighbour.htm

Whether the Old Law Enjoined Fitting Precepts Concerning Rulers?
... Moreover, He decided how they should behave towards their subjects: namely, that
they should not proudly despise them, or ill-treat them, and that they should ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law enjoined.htm

Jesus Before Herod.
... reports, in order to excite the people and cause an insurrection; while others
distributed money among the soldiers to bribe them to ill-treat Jesus, so as to ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xx jesus before herod.htm

Ill-treat (3 Occurrences)
Ill-treat. Ill-tempered, Ill-treat. Illtreated . Multi-Version
Concordance Ill-treat (3 Occurrences). Acts 7:6 God spoke ...
/i/ill-treat.htm - 7k

Illtreated (1 Occurrence)

/i/illtreated.htm - 6k

Ill-tempered (1 Occurrence)
Ill-tempered. Ill-taught, Ill-tempered. Ill-treat . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(DBY). Ill-taught, Ill-tempered. Ill-treat . Reference Bible.
/i/ill-tempered.htm - 6k

Members (54 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Acts 12:1 Now, about that time, King Herod arrested certain members
of the Church, in order to ill-treat them; (WEY). Acts ...
/m/members.htm - 21k

Boaz (25 Occurrences)
... Boaz noticed her and extended special kindness and protection to her, bidding her
remain with his female workers, and charging the men not to illtreat her, and ...
/b/boaz.htm - 19k

Abusive (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Practicing abuse; prone to illtreat by coarse, insulting words or
by other ill usage; as, an abusive author; an abusive fellow. ...
/a/abusive.htm - 9k

Arrested (24 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Acts 12:1 Now, about that time, King Herod arrested certain
members of the Church, in order to ill-treat them; (WEY NIV). ...
/a/arrested.htm - 13k

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