The term "reviled" refers to being subjected to verbal abuse, insult, or scorn. In the context of the Bible, it often describes the experience of believers who face opposition or persecution for their faith. The concept of being reviled is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating the challenges faced by God's people and the response expected of them.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the experience of being reviled is often associated with the righteous suffering at the hands of the wicked. For example, in Psalm 22:6-7, David laments, "But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads." This passage prophetically points to the suffering of the Messiah, who would also be reviled.

The prophets frequently faced revilement as they delivered God's messages. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," experienced significant opposition and scorn. In Jeremiah 20:8, he expresses his distress: "For whenever I speak, I cry out, I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself was reviled, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament. In Matthew 27:39-40, during His crucifixion, it is recorded, "And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!'"

The apostles and early Christians also faced revilement as they spread the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 4:12-13, Paul writes, "When we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world." This reflects the attitude of humility and grace that believers are called to exhibit in the face of revilement.

Teachings on Revilement

Jesus taught His followers to expect revilement and persecution as part of their commitment to Him. In the Sermon on the Mount, He states, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12).

The apostle Peter also addresses the issue of being reviled in his epistles. In 1 Peter 4:14, he encourages believers, "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." Peter emphasizes that suffering for Christ is a cause for joy and a testament to one's faith.

Response to Revilement

The biblical response to being reviled is characterized by patience, forgiveness, and love. Jesus exemplified this response, as noted in 1 Peter 2:23: "When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."

Believers are called to follow Christ's example, responding to revilement with a spirit of meekness and trust in God's justice. Romans 12:14 instructs, "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." This teaching underscores the transformative power of responding to revilement with grace and love, reflecting the character of Christ to the world.(imp. & p. p.) of Revile.3058. loidoreo -- to abuse, revile
... Word Origin from loidoros Definition to abuse, revile NASB Word Usage revile (1),
reviled (3). revile. From loidoros; to reproach, ie Vilify -- revile. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3058.htm - 7k

3679. oneidizo -- to reproach
... Word Origin from oneidos Definition to reproach NASB Word Usage denounce (1), insult
(2), insulting (2), reproach (1), reproached (2), reviled (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3679.htm - 7k

2778a. charaph -- to reproach
... to reproach NASB Word Usage defied (2), defy (2), despised (1), insult (1), reproach
(7), reproached (8), reproaches (5), revile (2), reviled (1), scorned (1 ...
/hebrew/2778a.htm - 5k

Whether one Ought to Suffer Oneself to be Reviled?
... OF REVILING (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether one ought to suffer oneself to be reviled?
Objection 1: It would seem that one ought not to suffer oneself to be reviled. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one ought to suffer.htm

He Then Goes on to Rail against us after the Manner of Old Wives. ...
... He then goes on to rail against us after the manner of old wives. "You," says he,
"mock and revile the statues of our gods; but if you had reviled Bacchus or ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xli he then goes.htm

The Seventh Season,
... than Jesus did, nor did any one ever endure insult and reproach and every kind of
abuse in a more peaceful and forgiving manner; when he was reviled he reviled ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/vii the seventh season.htm

The Sin-Bearer.
... for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: who did no sin,
neither was guile found in His mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the sin-bearer.htm

Godly Living.
... It is said of Christ that "when he was reviled, he reviled not again." Although
he was treated most shamefully by his enemies, he did not seek to avenge himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/godly living.htm

Of the Derision Ascribed to the Robbers, and of the Question ...
... The robbers also, which were crucified with Him, cast the same in His teeth," or
Mark's, namely, "And they that were crucified with Him reviled Him," with ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xvi of the derision ascribed.htm

But Why Should I Prolong this Discussion? I Shall Take no Notice ...
... sharpened his pen. For I have chosen Jesus, not Barabbas, for my master,
and he has taught me to be silent when reviled. I will ...
/.../13 but why should i.htm

Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... all these things, why art thou exalted against Him Who holds thee, and why dost
thou boast against Him Who saws with thee, and why hast thou reviled the holy ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm

Although, Even if There Went Before no Testimonies Concerning ...
... And that this hath been brought to pass-by One Man, by men mocked, seized, bound,
scourged, smitten with the palms of the hand, reviled, crucified, slain: His ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /10 although even if there.htm

The Letter of the Synod to Pope Celestine.
... For all by himself he drew up a paper which he called a deposition, and reviled
and reproached the most holy and reverend Cyril, bishop of Alexandria, and the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the letter of the synod.htm

Reviled (25 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Revile. Multi-Version Concordance Reviled (25 Occurrences). Matthew
27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, (KJV WEY DBY WBS). ...
/r/reviled.htm - 13k

Revile (28 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (Root in ...
/r/revile.htm - 14k

Judgeth (37 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (KJV ASV ...
/j/judgeth.htm - 16k

Threatened (11 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (KJV ASV ...
/t/threatened.htm - 9k

Passers-by (9 Occurrences)
... Passers-by (9 Occurrences). Matthew 27:39 And the passers-by reviled Him. They shook
their heads at Him (WEY DBY). Mark 15:29 And all the passers-by reviled Him ...
/p/passers-by.htm - 9k

Ananias (11 Occurrences)
... all this, however, it may be explained, Paul, with all his excellency, comes short
of the example of his divine Master, who, when he was reviled, reviled not ...
/a/ananias.htm - 19k

Shook (33 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shook (33 Occurrences). Matthew 27:39 And the
passers-by reviled Him. ... (See NIV). Mark 15:29 And all the passers-by reviled Him. ...
/s/shook.htm - 16k

Reviling (47 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:23 When He was reviled, He did not answer with reviling; when He suffered
He uttered no threats, but left His wrongs in the hands of the righteous ...
/r/reviling.htm - 21k

Committing (30 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:23 who being reviled -- was not reviling again, suffering -- was not
threatening, and was committing himself to Him who is judging righteously, (YLT). ...
/c/committing.htm - 15k

Suffering (104 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:23 who, when reviled, reviled not again; when suffering, threatened not;
but gave himself over into the hands of him who judges righteously; (DBY YLT ...
/s/suffering.htm - 40k

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