Definition and Nature:
Rebukes in the biblical context refer to expressions of strong disapproval or correction, often delivered with the intent of guiding someone back to a righteous path. They are a form of discipline that can come from God, leaders, or fellow believers. The purpose of a rebuke is not merely punitive but restorative, aiming to bring about repentance and spiritual growth.

Biblical Instances and Teachings:

1. Divine Rebukes:
God Himself administers rebukes as a form of divine discipline. In the Old Testament, God's rebukes are often directed at nations or individuals who have strayed from His commandments. For instance, in Psalm 106:9 , "He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert." Here, God's rebuke demonstrates His power and authority over creation, as well as His ability to deliver His people.

2. Prophetic Rebukes:
Prophets in the Bible frequently delivered rebukes to the people of Israel, calling them to repentance. Nathan's rebuke of King David after his sin with Bathsheba is a notable example. In 2 Samuel 12:7 , Nathan declares, "You are the man!" This rebuke leads David to repentance, illustrating the corrective purpose of such admonitions.

3. Wisdom Literature:
The Book of Proverbs frequently addresses the theme of rebuke, emphasizing its value in the life of the wise. Proverbs 27:5 states, "Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed." This highlights the importance of honest correction over hidden affection, suggesting that true love often involves confronting wrongdoing.

4. New Testament Teachings:
In the New Testament, Jesus Himself issues rebukes, both to His disciples and to the religious leaders of His time. In Mark 8:33 , Jesus rebukes Peter, saying, "Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." This rebuke serves to correct Peter's misunderstanding of Jesus' mission.

5. Apostolic Instructions:
The apostles also provide guidance on the practice of rebuking within the church. In 2 Timothy 4:2 , Paul instructs Timothy, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction." This underscores the role of rebuke in pastoral ministry, as a means of maintaining doctrinal purity and moral integrity.

Purpose and Effectiveness:

Rebukes are intended to lead to repentance and restoration. Hebrews 12:5-6 reminds believers, "My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives." This passage affirms that divine rebuke is an expression of God's love and a necessary component of spiritual growth.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to receive rebukes with humility and openness, recognizing them as opportunities for growth. Proverbs 9:8 advises, "Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you." This suggests that the wise person values correction and sees it as a path to greater wisdom.

In the community of faith, rebukes should be administered with love and gentleness, aiming to restore rather than condemn. Galatians 6:1 instructs, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness." This approach ensures that rebukes fulfill their intended purpose of edification and unity within the body of Christ.1605. gaar -- to rebuke
... rebuke. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to rebuke NASB Word Usage rebuke
(9), rebuked (4), rebukes (1). corrupt, rebuke, reprove. ...
/hebrew/1605.htm - 5k

3198. yakach -- to decide, adjudge, prove
... 1), correct (2), decide (3), dispute (1), make a decision (1), offer reproof (1),
plead (1), prove (1), reason (2), rebuke (6), rebukes (2), refuted (1 ...
/hebrew/3198.htm - 6k

8433b. tokachath -- argument, reproof
... Word Origin from yakach Definition argument, reproof NASB Word Usage argument (1),
arguments (2), chastened (1), rebuke (1), rebukes (2), reproof (14 ...
/hebrew/8433b.htm - 5k

The Spirit Rebukes Just as do the Father and the Son...
... Book III. Chapter VI. The Spirit rebukes just as do the Father and the
Son? The Spirit rebukes just as do the Father and the Son ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi the spirit rebukes.htm

On the Rules for Various Rebukes.
... Prolegomena. Chapter XVI. On the rules for various rebukes. If then any
one by accident breaks an earthenware jar (which they call ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi on the rules.htm

The Emperor Indignant at the Murder of George, Rebukes the ...
... Book III. Chapter III."The Emperor Indignant at the Murder of George, rebukes
the Alexandrians by Letter. The emperor being highly ...
/.../chapter iii the emperor indignant at.htm

Thirteenth Day. Gentleness in Rebuke.
... of unutterable tenderness, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" When Jesus finds
His disciples sleeping at the gate of Gethsemane, He rebukes them; but how ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/thirteenth day gentleness in rebuke.htm

Epistle vii. To the Clergy, Concerning Prayer to God.
... ago reproached with this also in a vision, that we were sleepy in our prayers, and
did not pray with watchfulness; and undoubtedly God, who "rebukes whom He ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle vii to the clergy.htm

Christ's Touch
... Do you believe in a Christ whose bare will, thrown among material things, makes
them all plastic, as clay in the potter's hands, whose mouth rebukes the demons ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christs touch.htm

The Loved Ones Chastened
... is in his children that God corrects; secondly, why God corrects them; and thirdly,
what is our comfort, when we are laboring under the rebukes and correctings ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the loved ones chastened.htm

Expression of Grief on Account of Valens.
... The next word, chaste, sufficiently rebukes the example of Valens. ... The next
word, chaste, sufficiently rebukes the example of Valens. ...
/.../chapter xi expression of grief on.htm

The Promises to the Seven Assemblies.
... While the historical events connected with the rebukes are carried down from Exodus
to the period of the Minor Prophets, the promises cover a different period ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the promises to the seven.htm

Rebuke must not be Neglected.
... The apostle prescribes, saying, "Let all your things be done with love." [3255]
He rebukes, saying, "Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 5 iii rebuke must not.htm

Rebukes (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Rebukes (13 Occurrences). ... Psalms 57:3 He will send from
heaven, and save me, he rebukes the one who is pursuing me. Selah. ...
/r/rebukes.htm - 10k

Wrathful (11 Occurrences)
... and an astonishment, to the nations that are around you, when I shall execute judgments
on you in anger and in wrath, and in wrathful rebukes; (I, Yahweh, have ...
/w/wrathful.htm - 9k

Rebuker (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who rebukes. Multi-Version Concordance
Rebuker (1 Occurrence). Hosea 5:2 And the revolters are ...
/r/rebuker.htm - 6k

Chastisements (5 Occurrences)
... and an astonishment, to the nations that are around you, when I shall execute judgments
on you in anger and in wrath, and in wrathful rebukes; (I, Yahweh, have ...
/c/chastisements.htm - 7k

Furious (28 Occurrences)
... instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about thee, when
I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. ...
/f/furious.htm - 14k

Execute (83 Occurrences)
... and an astonishment, to the nations that are around you, when I shall execute judgments
on you in anger and in wrath, and in wrathful rebukes; (I, Yahweh, have ...
/e/execute.htm - 34k

Zophar (4 Occurrences)
... He is the first to accuse Job directly of wickedness; averring indeed that his
punishment is too good for him (11:6); he rebukes Job's impious presumption in ...
/z/zophar.htm - 10k

Languishes (11 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Nahum 1:4 He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the
rivers. Bashan languishes, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languishes. ...
/l/languishes.htm - 9k

Weather (5 Occurrences)
... 25:20). Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their lack of spiritual foresight
when they took such interest in natural foresight. He ...
/w/weather.htm - 10k

Immanuel (3 Occurrences)
... 1. Isaiah Rebukes Ahaz: In 735 BC Ahaz was king of Judah. The kingdom of
Israel was already tributary to Assyria (2 Kings 15:19, 20). ...
/i/immanuel.htm - 16k

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