Reprimand
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In the context of the Bible, a reprimand is an expression of disapproval or correction, often delivered by a figure of authority or through divine instruction. Reprimands serve as a means of guiding individuals back to righteousness and are seen as an essential aspect of spiritual discipline and growth.

Old Testament Context

Reprimands in the Old Testament are frequently delivered by prophets, leaders, or God Himself. They are often directed at individuals or the nation of Israel for disobedience or idolatry. For example, in 2 Samuel 12:7-9, the prophet Nathan delivers a reprimand to King David after his sin with Bathsheba: "Then Nathan said to David, 'You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if this had been too little, I would have given you even more. Why then have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight?'"

The book of Proverbs frequently discusses the value of accepting reprimands as a path to wisdom. Proverbs 3:11-12 states, "My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline and do not loathe His reproof; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, reprimands are often given by Jesus, the apostles, or church leaders to correct behavior and encourage spiritual maturity. Jesus Himself reprimands the Pharisees and teachers of the law for their hypocrisy and legalism. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

The apostle Paul also issues reprimands in his epistles to address issues within the early church. In 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 , Paul reprimands the Corinthian church for tolerating immorality: "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and removed from your fellowship the man who did this?"

Purpose and Reception

Reprimands in the biblical context are intended to lead to repentance and restoration. They are not merely punitive but are meant to bring about a change of heart and behavior. Hebrews 12:5-6 emphasizes this purpose: "And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: '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.'"

The proper reception of a reprimand is crucial for spiritual growth. Proverbs 15:31-32 highlights the importance of heeding correction: "He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding."

In summary, reprimands in the Bible are a vital tool for correction and instruction, aimed at guiding believers toward a life that honors God and reflects His holiness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) Severe or formal reproof; strong rebuke.

2. (n.) To reprove severely; to reprehend; to chide for a fault; to censure formally.

3. (n.) To reprove publicly and officially, in execution of a sentence; as, the court ordered him to be reprimanded.

Library

Twelfth Day. Fidelity in Rebuke.
... With what fidelity, when rebuke was needed, did He administer it: the withering
reprimand conveyed sometimes by an impressive word (Matthew 16:23); sometimes ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twelfth day fidelity in rebuke.htm

Grundtvig's Early Years
... so Grundtvig was found guilty "of having willfully insulted the Danish clergy, both
individually and as a body," and sentenced to receive a reprimand by the ...
/.../hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter eleven grundtvigs early years.htm

Letter Xlv (Circa AD 1120) to a Youth Named Fulk, who Afterwards ...
... correction. At all events it is not a prince of the Church that I have undertaken
to reprimand, but a young student, gentle and obedient. ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xlv circa a d 1120.htm

Passion and Persuasion
... to bind in strict union, whenever it may happen that they suffer anything from each
other, or pardon, or make satisfaction, or admonish, or reprimand, but far ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/passion and persuasion.htm

Then Maximian Returned into Gaul; and after Having Made Some Stay ...
... was dragged into the presence of Constantine, heard a recital made of his crimes,
was divested of his imperial robe, and, after this reprimand, obtained his ...
/.../chap xxix then maximian returned.htm

Letter xxiii (Circa AD 1130) to the Same
... the festival. I send back to you a fugitive brother after having subjected
him to severe reprimand suited to his hard heart. It ...
/.../letter xxiii circa a d 1130.htm

Galatians Chapter iii.
... who has perverted you? who has been sophistical with you? but, "Who hath cast an
envious eye on you?" thus tempering his reprimand with somewhat of praise. ...
/.../galatians chapter iii.htm

Letter cxiii. To Julian, Bishop of Cos.
... And, therefore, when our most religious Princes deign in accordance with my entreaties
to reprimand our brother Anatolius on those matters, which deservedly ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter cxiii to julian bishop.htm

The Epistles in General
... those who teach any other doctrine as coming from God; they commend and praise all
that diligently follow their directions; but they also reprimand and censure ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistles in general.htm

Biographical Preface.
... Monday, March 9, 1619, Mr. Secretary Nanton, by the King's orders, called Bishop
Bayly into the council chamber, and there gave him a severe reprimand, in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/biographical preface.htm

Thesaurus
Reprimand (1 Occurrence)
... to be reprimanded. Multi-Version Concordance Reprimand (1 Occurrence).
1 Timothy 5:1 Never administer a sharp reprimand to a man ...
/r/reprimand.htm - 7k

Censure (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Judicial or ecclesiastical sentence or reprimand; condemnatory judgment. ...
6. (vi) To condemn or reprimand by a judicial or ecclesiastical sentence. ...
/c/censure.htm - 7k

Name (10157 Occurrences)
... wedding. 9. (n.) To designate (a member) by name, as the Speaker does by
way of reprimand. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NAME. ...
/n/name.htm - 23k

Lecture (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A reprimand or formal reproof from one having authority. 4. (n.) A
rehearsal of a lesson. 5. (vt) To read or deliver a lecture to. ...
/l/lecture.htm - 7k

Rebuke (77 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A direct and pointed reproof; a reprimand; also, chastisement; punishment.
3. (n.) Check; rebuff. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. REBUKE. ...
/r/rebuke.htm - 32k

Represents (3 Occurrences)

/r/represents.htm - 7k

Reprimanded (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Reprimand. Multi-Version Concordance
Reprimanded (5 Occurrences). Matthew 17:18 Then Jesus ...
/r/reprimanded.htm - 7k

Administer (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 5:1 Never administer a sharp reprimand to a man older than yourself; but
entreat him as if he were your father, and the younger men as brothers; (WEY ...
/a/administer.htm - 11k

Severity (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor; harshness; as, the severity
of a reprimand or a reproof; severity of discipline or government ...
/s/severity.htm - 9k

Entreat (55 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 5:1 Never administer a sharp reprimand to a man older than yourself; but
entreat him as if he were your father, and the younger men as brothers; (WEY ...
/e/entreat.htm - 25k

Resources
When is it necessary to rebuke another believer? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of gleaning in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus say to Peter, “Get behind me Satan”? | GotQuestions.org

Reprimand: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Reprimand (1 Occurrence)

1 Timothy 5:1
Never administer a sharp reprimand to a man older than yourself; but entreat him as if he were your father, and the younger men as brothers;
(WEY)

Subtopics

Reprimand

Related Terms

Reprimand (1 Occurrence)

Moment (71 Occurrences)

Silence (80 Occurrences)

Peter (181 Occurrences)

Reproach (124 Occurrences)

Priest (500 Occurrences)

High (4559 Occurrences)

Represents
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