Topical Bible: Reproof: General Scriptures Concerning

◄ Reproof: General Scriptures Concerning ►

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Reproof, a term often synonymous with correction or rebuke, is a significant concept in the Bible, reflecting God's desire for His people to live righteously and in accordance with His will. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the nature, purpose, and reception of reproof.

Divine Reproof

God's reproof is an expression of His love and concern for His people. In the book of Proverbs, we find a clear statement of this principle: "For the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights" (Proverbs 3:12). This verse highlights that divine reproof is not punitive but corrective, aimed at guiding believers back to the path of righteousness.

Wisdom and Reproof

The wise person is characterized by their openness to reproof. Proverbs 9:8-9 states, "Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning." Here, the acceptance of reproof is linked to wisdom and growth, suggesting that those who heed correction are on the path to greater understanding and righteousness.

Reproof and Fools

In contrast, the Scriptures describe the fool as one who despises reproof. Proverbs 12:1 declares, "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." This stark language underscores the folly of rejecting reproof, as it leads to ignorance and continued wrongdoing.

Reproof in the Community of Believers

Reproof is also a communal responsibility within the body of Christ. In Matthew 18:15 , Jesus instructs, "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." This passage emphasizes the importance of addressing sin within the community, with the goal of restoration and reconciliation.

The Role of Scripture in Reproof

The Bible itself serves as a tool for reproof. 2 Timothy 3:16 affirms, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness." This verse highlights the comprehensive role of Scripture in guiding believers, including its function in providing reproof.

The Fruit of Reproof

When received with humility, reproof yields positive outcomes. Hebrews 12:11 notes, "No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it." This passage reassures believers that while reproof may be uncomfortable, it ultimately leads to spiritual growth and peace.

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on reproof is clear: it is an essential aspect of spiritual growth and community life. Embracing reproof with a humble heart leads to wisdom, righteousness, and deeper fellowship with God and others.

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Leviticus 19:17
You shall not hate your brother in your heart: you shall in any wise rebuke your neighbor, and not suffer sin on him.
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Psalm 141:5
Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
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Proverbs 9:7,8
He that reproves a scorner gets to himself shame: and he that rebukes a wicked man gets himself a blot.
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Proverbs 10:17
He is in the way of life that keeps instruction: but he that refuses reproof errs.
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Proverbs 12:1
Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge: but he that hates reproof is brutish.
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Proverbs 13:18
Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuses instruction: but he that regards reproof shall be honored.
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Proverbs 15:5,10,12,31,32
A fool despises his father's instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.
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Proverbs 17:10
A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
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Proverbs 19:25
Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that has understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
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Proverbs 21:11
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
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Proverbs 25:12
As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover on an obedient ear.
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Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
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Proverbs 27:5,6
Open rebuke is better than secret love.
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Proverbs 28:23
He that rebukes a man afterwards shall find more favor than he that flatters with the tongue.
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Ecclesiastes 7:5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
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Amos 5:10
They hate him that rebukes in the gate, and they abhor him that speaks uprightly.
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Matthew 18:15-17
Moreover if your brother shall trespass against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone: if he shall hear you, you have gained your brother.
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Luke 17:3,4
Take heed to yourselves: If your brother trespass against you, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
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John 7:7
The world cannot hate you; but me it hates, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.
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Galatians 4:16
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
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Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
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Ephesians 5:11,13
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
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Philippians 3:1
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
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1 Thessalonians 5:14
Now we exhort you, brothers, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
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1 Timothy 5:1,2,20
Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brothers;
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2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
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Titus 1:13
This witness is true. Why rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
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Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
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Revelation 11:10
And they that dwell on the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelled on the earth.
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Library

Concerning the Scriptures.
... not this servant then deserve a reproof, for not ... particular station, and not only
the general terms of ... falls out frequently concerning the scriptures, in the ...
/.../proposition iii concerning the scriptures.htm

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ...
... The Reproof of Christ would be administered there; then the ... In general, the tendency
of these eighteen decrees was ... day with the study of the Scriptures, and by ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxi the cavils of.htm

On the Authority and Certainty of the Sacred Scriptures
... 5.) This is acknowledged by the general consent of ... they are given for doctrine, for
reproof, for instruction ... human testimony which ascribes our Scriptures to God ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 1 on the authority.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
... and in examples taken from the Scriptures, where we ... He "hears" when he yields to
reproof, and acknowledges ... fasting; while all, under one general delusion, say ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of penance.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... he received no title of honour, but a just reproof. ... Now besides these general titles
of honour, what gross ... since Elihu, that had not the scriptures, could by ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With ... I hated instruction, and my
heart despised reproof, and have ... quarrel, or choose a better general(396) for ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

John iv. 13, 14
... so much stung by what is general as by ... this, now seasonably introduces His reproof,
mentioning accurately ... goes over its contents, and searches the Scriptures? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxii john iv 13.htm

Concerning the Ministry.
... do firmly conclude, that not only in a general apostacy it ... plainness, and brevity
of the scriptures themselves, should be a sufficient reproof for such ...
/.../proposition x concerning the ministry.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... ceremonies, and laws are prescribed to us in the Scriptures. ... much we say concerning
works in general, and also ... the people of God, deserve sharp reproof, yet we ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning christian liberty.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... ceremonies, and laws are prescribed to us in the Scriptures? ... much we say concerning
works in general, and also ... the people of God, deserve sharp reproof, yet we ...
/.../luther/concerning christian liberty/concerning christian liberty.htm