Definition and Usage in Scripture:
Railing, in biblical terms, refers to abusive or scornful language, often characterized by harsh criticism or insult. It is a form of speech that is condemned in the Scriptures as it reflects a heart that is not aligned with the virtues of love, kindness, and self-control that are central to Christian living.

Biblical References:

1. 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 verse highlights the Christian call to respond to railing not with similar behavior, but with a blessing, demonstrating the transformative power of Christ-like love and forgiveness.

2. Ephesians 4:31 : "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." Here, railing is associated with slander and malice, which believers are instructed to put away. This reflects the broader biblical teaching that followers of Christ should cultivate speech that edifies and builds up rather than tears down.

3. Jude 1:9 : "But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you!'" This passage illustrates the restraint and respect for divine authority that should characterize a believer's speech, even in the face of opposition.

4. Proverbs 15:1 : "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This proverb underscores the wisdom in responding to railing with gentleness, which can defuse potential conflict and reflect the peaceable nature of godly wisdom.

Theological Implications:
Railing is seen as contrary to the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Engaging in railing is indicative of a heart that has not fully submitted to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. It is a behavior that believers are called to renounce as they pursue holiness and Christ-likeness.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to examine their speech and attitudes, ensuring that they align with the teachings of Scripture. This involves a conscious effort to avoid participating in or perpetuating railing, whether in personal interactions or in broader societal discourse. Instead, believers are to be ambassadors of Christ, exemplifying His love and grace through their words and actions.

Historical Context:
In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, railing was often associated with public disputes, legal accusations, and personal vendettas. The biblical admonitions against railing served to distinguish the Christian community as one marked by love and unity, in contrast to the divisive and contentious nature of the surrounding society.

Conclusion:
While railing is a natural human response to provocation, the biblical call is to rise above such behavior, reflecting the character of Christ in all interactions. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to overcome the temptation to rail and instead speak words of life and blessing.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Rail.

2. (a.) Expressing reproach; insulting.

3. (n.) A barrier made of a rail or of rails.

4. (n.) Rails in general; also, material for making rails.

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

3059. loidoria -- abuse, railing
... abuse, railing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: loidoria Phonetic
Spelling: (loy-dor-ee'-ah) Short Definition: reviling, abuse Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3059.htm - 6k

988. blasphemia -- slander
... Word Origin from blasphemos Definition slander NASB Word Usage abusive language
(1), blasphemies (4), blasphemous (2), blasphemy (6), railing (1), slander (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/988.htm - 7k

989. blasphemos -- slanderous, evil-speaking
... From a derivative of blapto and pheme; scurrilious, ie Calumnious (against men),
or (specially) impious (against God) -- blasphemer(-mous), railing. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/989.htm - 7k

2636. katalalia -- evil-speaking
... speaking, backbiting, detraction, slander. Cognate: 2636 -- evil speech, slander
(railing, defaming talk). See 2635 (). Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2636.htm - 6k

7507. rephidah -- perhaps a support
... Word Origin from raphad Definition perhaps a support NASB Word Usage back (1). bottom.
From raphad; a railing (as spread along) -- bottom. see HEBREW raphad. ...
/hebrew/7507.htm - 6k

Whether Reviling or Railing is a Mortal Sin?
... OF REVILING (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether reviling or railing is a mortal sin? Objection
1: It would seem that reviling or railing is not a mortal sin. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether reviling or railing is.htm

Whether Reviling Consists in Words?
... Objection 3: Further, a dishonor inflicted by words is called a railing or
a taunt. But reviling seems to differ from railing or taunt. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether reviling consists in words.htm

The Purification of Mary
... on the other permanent altar. The table which had been set up for the offering
was surrounded by a railing. On each side of this ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the purification of mary.htm

Ephesians iv. 31, 32
... Homily XVI. Ephesians iv. 31, 32. Ephesians iv.31, 32 "Let all bitterness, and wrath,
and anger, and clamor, and railing be put away from you, with all malice. ...
/.../homily xvi ephesians iv 31.htm

An Exhortation to virtue.
... keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking,
false witness; "not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing ...
/.../chapter ii an exhortation to virtue.htm

"My Times are in Thy Hand"
... If enemies slandered him, he did not render railing for railing; if they devised
to take away his life, he did not meet violence with violence; but he calmly ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/my times are in thy.htm

Good Days
... "Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful,
be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xix good days.htm

Song 6. Good Resolutions. 7,8,7,8
... them. If I meet with railing tongues, Why should I return them railing, Since
I best revenge my wrongs By my patience never failing? ...
/.../watts/divine songs for children/song 6 good resolutions 7878.htm

Song 6. Good Resolutions.
... I deserve to feel the same,. II mock, or hurt, or cheat them. If I meet with railing
tongues,. Why should I return them railing,. Since I best revenge my wrongs ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watts/divine and moral songs/song 6 good resolutions.htm

John Chapter vii. 19-24
... 3. But the Lord, manifestly not disturbed, but calm in His truth, rendered not evil
for evil nor railing for railing; [583] although, if He were to say to ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxx john chapter vii.htm

Railing (9 Occurrences)
... rails. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RAIL; RAILING; RAILER,. ral ... RACA. WL
Walker. Multi-Version Concordance Railing (9 Occurrences). Mark ...
/r/railing.htm - 10k

Rail (8 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To enclose with rails or a railing. 9. (vt) To range in a line. 10. ... 12.
(vt) To rail at. 13. (vt) To move or influence by railing. Int. ...
/r/rail.htm - 11k

Railer (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) One who rails; one who scoffs, insults, censures, or reproaches with opprobrious
language. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. RAIL; RAILING; RAILER,. ...
/r/railer.htm - 8k

Thereunto (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a ...
/t/thereunto.htm - 9k

Evilspeaking
... what is hurtful to the good name of anyone," "detraction," "slander" (Ephesians
4:31 the Revised Version (British and American), "railing"; compare 1 Timothy 6 ...
/e/evilspeaking.htm - 9k

Evil-speaking (5 Occurrences)
... what is hurtful to the good name of anyone," "detraction," "slander" (Ephesians
4:31 the Revised Version (British and American), "railing"; compare 1 Timothy 6 ...
/e/evil-speaking.htm - 10k

Bar (27 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Any railing that divides a room, or office, or hall of assembly, in order
to reserve a space for those having special privileges; as, the bar of the ...
/b/bar.htm - 21k

Contrariwise (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a ...
/c/contrariwise.htm - 7k

Cancel (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To enclose or surround, as with a railing, or with latticework. 2. (vi)
To shut out, as with a railing or with latticework; to exclude. ...
/c/cancel.htm - 8k

Accusation (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing
accusation against them before the Lord. (KJV WEY WBS NIV). ...
/a/accusation.htm - 13k

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