Railer
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In biblical terminology, a "railer" refers to an individual who engages in abusive or scornful language, often characterized by harsh criticism or insult. The term is derived from the act of railing, which involves vehemently expressing contempt or reproach. This behavior is consistently condemned in Scripture, as it is contrary to the virtues of love, kindness, and self-control that are central to Christian conduct.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Corinthians 5:11 : "But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat." In this passage, the Apostle Paul includes railers (translated as "slanderers" in the) among those whose behavior is incompatible with the Christian community. The instruction to avoid such individuals underscores the seriousness with which this conduct is viewed.

2. 1 Corinthians 6:10 : "nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God." Here, Paul lists railers (translated as "verbal abusers") among those who will not inherit the kingdom of God, highlighting the spiritual consequences of such behavior.

3. 1 Peter 3:9 : "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." This exhortation from Peter encourages believers to respond to railing not with retaliation but with blessing, reflecting the transformative power of Christian love and forgiveness.

Theological Implications:

The behavior of railing is antithetical to the teachings of Christ, who emphasized love, humility, and the edification of others. The New Testament frequently warns against the use of the tongue for harm, as seen in James 3:6 : "The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." This vivid imagery underscores the destructive potential of abusive speech.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral standpoint, railing is a manifestation of a heart not fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit. It reflects underlying issues such as pride, anger, and a lack of self-control. Christians are called to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, which includes gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, railing is not merely a social faux pas but a spiritual failing that requires repentance and transformation.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to guard their speech and to cultivate a heart that seeks to build up rather than tear down. Ephesians 4:29 advises, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This directive serves as a practical guide for Christians striving to align their speech with their faith.

In summary, the concept of a railer in the Bible serves as a caution against the misuse of speech and a call to embody the love and grace of Christ in all interactions.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) One who rails; one who scoffs, insults, censures, or reproaches with opprobrious language.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
RAIL; RAILING; RAILER,

ral, ral'-ing, ral'-er: To "rail" on (in modern usage "against") anyone is to use insolent or reproachful language toward one. It occurs in the Old Testament as the translation of charaph (2 Chronicles 32:17, "letters to rail on Yahweh"), and of `it (1 Samuel 25:14, of Nabal, "he railed at them," the English Revised Version "flew upon them," margin "railed on"). In the New Testament "to rail" is the translation of blasphemeo (Mark 15:29 Luke 23:39; "railing," 1 Timothy 6:4 2 Peter 2:11 Jude 1:9). The word loidoria, rendered railing" in 1 Peter 3:9 the King James Version, is in the Revised Version (British and American) "reviling," and loidoros, "railor," in 1 Corinthians 5:11 is in the Revised Version (British and American) "reviler."

See also RACA.

W. L. Walker

Greek
3060. loidoros -- abusive, subst. railer
... railer. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: loidoros Phonetic Spelling:
(loy'-dor-os) Short Definition: a railer, reviler, abuser Definition: a railer ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3060.htm - 6k

2637. katalalos -- a defamer
... katalalos Phonetic Spelling: (kat-al'-al-os) Short Definition: slanderous,
back-biting Definition: slanderous, back-biting; subst: a railer, defamer. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2637.htm - 6k

Library

In what Sense we are to Leave the World
... But now I have written unto you, not to keep company, if any man that is called
a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 81 in what sense.htm

Ephesians iv. 31
... birth? "But what then," ye will say, "if she shall be a railer, or a gossip,
or a drunkard?" Yet, how many free women are such? ...
/.../homily xv ephesians iv 31.htm

But Although Patience be a virtue of the Mind...
... cited a little before, "If what we see not we hope for, we do by patience wait for
it." By this patience, holy David bore the revilings of a railer, [2638] and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /8 but although patience be.htm

Ephesians iv. 32 and v. 1, 2
... For the man who will play the jester will soon go on to be a railer, and the railer
will go on to heap ten thousand other mischiefs on himself. ...
/.../homily xvii ephesians iv 32.htm

The Almost Christian
... returns evil for evil. he is no railer, no brawler, no scoffer, either
at the faults or infirmities of his neighbour. he does not ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 2 the almost christian.htm

December 17 Evening
... I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother
be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/december 17 evening.htm

Whether Derision is a Special Sin Distinct from those Already ...
... Now just as the railer intends to injure the honor of the person he rails, the
backbiter to depreciate a good name, and the tale-bearer to destroy friendship ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether derision is a special.htm

Whether Faith Alone is the Cause of Martyrdom?
... For it is written (1:Pet.4:15,16): "Let none of you suffer as a murderer,
or a thief, or a railer, or a coveter of other men's things. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether faith alone is the.htm

Letter xxix. (AD 395. )
... among what sins it is classed by him, reading the text, "If any man that is called
a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xxix a d 395.htm

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... The railer (and it is indeed a very proper and fit punishment for him, he being
exceedingly bad company) is to be banished out of all good society; thereto St. ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

Thesaurus
Railer (1 Occurrence)
... language. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RAIL; RAILING; RAILER,. ral ... RACA.
WL Walker. Multi-Version Concordance Railer (1 Occurrence). 1 ...
/r/railer.htm - 8k

Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company, if any man that is called
a brother is a lewd person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a ...
/l/lewd.htm - 20k

Whoremonger (4 Occurrences)
... now, I did write to you not to keep company with 'him', if any one, being named
a brother, may be a whoremonger, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a ...
/w/whoremonger.htm - 7k

Fornicator (3 Occurrences)
... 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called
a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a ...
/f/fornicator.htm - 7k

Railed (6 Occurrences)

/r/railed.htm - 8k

Rail (8 Occurrences)
... on. 12. (vt) To rail at. 13. (vt) To move or influence by railing. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. RAIL; RAILING; RAILER,. ral, ral ...
/r/rail.htm - 11k

Railing (9 Occurrences)
... rails. 4. (n.) Rails in general; also, material for making rails. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. RAIL; RAILING; RAILER,. ral, ral ...
/r/railing.htm - 10k

Railers (1 Occurrence)

/r/railers.htm - 6k

Company (287 Occurrences)
... 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called
a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a ...
/c/company.htm - 40k

Resources
Railer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance
Railer (1 Occurrence)

1 Corinthians 5:11
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Subtopics

Railer

Related Terms

Railer (1 Occurrence)

Railing (9 Occurrences)

Railed
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