Definition and Meaning:
The term "traduce" refers to the act of speaking maliciously and falsely about someone, damaging their reputation. It involves slander, defamation, and the spreading of falsehoods. In a biblical context, traducing is considered a serious sin, as it violates the commandment against bearing false witness and disrupts the harmony and unity within the community of believers.

Biblical References and Context:
The Bible addresses the sin of traducing in various passages, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and the destructive nature of false accusations. One of the Ten Commandments explicitly warns against bearing false witness: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the gravity of speaking falsely about others and the moral obligation to uphold truth.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul admonishes believers to avoid slander and malicious talk. In Ephesians 4:31, he writes, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice" . Paul’s exhortation highlights the need for Christians to cultivate a spirit of kindness and forgiveness, steering clear of actions that harm others' reputations.

James, the brother of Jesus, also addresses the issue of traducing in his epistle. He warns of the power of the tongue and its potential to cause great harm: "The tongue 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" (James 3:6). This vivid imagery illustrates the destructive potential of slanderous speech and the need for self-control.

Theological Implications:
Traduce, as a form of false witness, is not only a violation of God's commandments but also an affront to the character of God, who is the embodiment of truth. Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), calls His followers to live in truth and integrity. Traducing others is antithetical to the life of a believer, who is called to reflect the truthfulness and love of Christ.

The act of traducing can have far-reaching consequences within the body of Christ. It can sow discord, create divisions, and undermine the witness of the church. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "a false witness who pours out lies" as one of the things the Lord hates, further emphasizing the severity of this sin.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to guard their speech and to speak truthfully and lovingly. The Apostle Paul advises in Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" . This guidance serves as a reminder to use words to build up rather than tear down.

In situations where one is tempted to traduce, Christians are called to remember the teachings of Jesus on forgiveness and reconciliation. Matthew 18:15-17 provides a model for addressing grievances within the church, emphasizing direct and private confrontation over public defamation.

Ultimately, the call to avoid traducing is a call to live in a manner worthy of the gospel, reflecting the truth and love of Christ in all interactions.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Traduce.

Serapion, the Archdeacon, and St. Olympias. Some of the Celebrated ...
... St. Olympias. Some of the Celebrated Men insolently bear down upon John,
traducing him as Impracticable and Passionate. The enmity ...
/.../chapter ix serapion the archdeacon and.htm

Letter L. To Domnio.
... Domnio, a Roman (called in Letter XLV. "the Lot of our time"), had written to Jerome
to tell him that an ignorant monk had been traducing his books "against ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter l to domnio.htm

Ann Hutchinson.
... after this sentence of her opinions, was herself called before the court in November
of the same year, and, being convicted of traducing the ministers, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/ann hutchinson.htm

Texts Explained; Eighthly, John xvii. 3 and the Like. Our Lord's ...
... the other hand, if the Son is the Father's Word, who is so wild, besides these
Christ-opposers, as to think that God has thus spoken, as traducing and denying ...
/.../chapter xxiv texts explained eighthly john.htm

Of Lying Defamation.
... Calumny has two such potent Abettors, we are not to wonder at its growth: as long
as men are malicious and designing, they will be traducing; those Cyclopses ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section v of lying defamation.htm

To Charles ii.
... unto salvation; Romans 1:16 and that we are no ways so inconsistent with government,
nor such disturbers of the peace, as our enemies, by traducing us, have ...
/.../to charles ii.htm

The Ecclesiastical History of sozomenus
... St. Olympias. Some of the Celebrated Men insolently bear down upon John,
traducing him as Impracticable and Passionate. Chapter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/

On the Trinity. Book i. When I was Seeking an Employment Adequate ...
... 23. The fourth book starts with the doctrines of the heretics, and disowns complicity
in the fallacies whereby they are traducing the faith of the Church. ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/on the trinity book i.htm

Of Civil Government.
... Paul rebukes them, first for traducing the gospel to unbelievers by the intemperance
of their dissensions; and, secondly, for so striving with each other while ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Traducing (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Traduce. Multi-Version
Concordance Traducing (1 Occurrence). 1 Peter 3:16 having a ...
/t/traducing.htm - 6k

Traditions (10 Occurrences)

/t/traditions.htm - 9k

Traffic (12 Occurrences)

/t/traffic.htm - 12k

Behavior (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:16 having a good conscience, that in that in which they speak against
you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who are traducing your good behaviour in ...
/b/behavior.htm - 13k

Behaviour (115 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:16 having a good conscience, that in that in which they speak against
you as evil-doers, they may be ashamed who are traducing your good behaviour in ...
/b/behaviour.htm - 35k

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