Topical Bible: Reproof: On Account of Reviling Christ

◄ Reproof: On Account of Reviling Christ ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Reproof, in the context of reviling Christ, is a significant theme within the Christian Scriptures, emphasizing the necessity of correction and admonition when Christ is dishonored or blasphemed. The act of reviling Christ is not merely a personal affront but an offense against the divine nature and mission of Jesus as the Son of God. The Bible provides clear guidance on how believers are to respond to such situations, underscoring the importance of upholding the sanctity of Christ's name and teachings.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Jesus' Own Experience: Jesus Himself faced reviling during His earthly ministry. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is recorded that Jesus was mocked and insulted by those who did not believe in Him. "Then they spat in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him and said, 'Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?'" (Matthew 26:67-68). Despite the reviling, Jesus responded with patience and forgiveness, setting an example for His followers.

2. Apostolic Instruction: The apostles, particularly Peter, addressed the issue of reviling Christ and provided instruction on how to handle such situations. In 1 Peter 4:14, believers are encouraged to consider themselves blessed if they are insulted for the name of Christ: "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" . This passage highlights the honor associated with bearing reproach for Christ's sake and the presence of the Holy Spirit as a source of strength and comfort.

3. Paul's Admonition: The Apostle Paul also dealt with the issue of reviling Christ in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 4:12-13, Paul describes the apostles' response to being reviled: "When we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world" . Paul emphasizes a gentle and humble response, reflecting Christ's own demeanor and teaching.

4. Reproof and Correction: The Bible encourages believers to reprove those who revile Christ, but to do so with wisdom and love. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul instructs Timothy to "preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction" . This directive underscores the importance of addressing blasphemy and reviling with a spirit of patience and careful teaching, aiming to bring about repentance and understanding.

Theological Implications

Reviling Christ is not only a personal affront but a theological issue that challenges the core of Christian belief. The divinity, authority, and redemptive work of Christ are central to the Christian faith, and any reviling of His person or work is a direct challenge to these truths. The Bible's call to reproof in such instances is rooted in the desire to uphold the truth of the Gospel and to protect the integrity of the Christian witness.

Practical Application

Believers are called to respond to reviling with a Christ-like attitude, characterized by love, patience, and a commitment to truth. This involves not only addressing the offense but also seeking to guide the offender towards a deeper understanding of Christ's love and sacrifice. The goal of reproof is not merely to correct but to restore and reconcile, reflecting the redemptive heart of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 23:40
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Do not you fear God, seeing you are in the same condemnation?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

1 Cor. v. 11-Sep
... punishment laid up for others makes the reproof easy to ... And it is on account of these
that he says ... that drunkenness is no small thing nor reviling, seeing that ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xvi 1 cor v.htm

Matt. xiii. 53
... mentioned the history were it not on Christ's account, and because ... time again
contributes no little to the reproof of this ... [1911] vilifying, reviling, insulting ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xlviii matt xiii 53.htm

Homilies on Galatians and Ephesians.
... on religious motives, [441]ib.; called on account of his ... Reproof, is charitable,
and to be given at any hazard, [509 ... Reviling, shameful in Christians, [513]163. ...
/.../homilies on galatians and ephesians.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xviii. 15, "If Thy Brother Sin ...
... Thou art worse in keeping silence, than he in his reviling. ... yet neither is his salvation
on that account to be ... Let the reproof in secret be of service to thee ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxii on the words.htm

Paul Before the Council.
... have been a customary mode of expressing reproof and contempt ... whether Paul was actually
guilty of reviling Ananias; and ... the tetrarch, "a fox," on account of his ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvi paul before the.htm

The Paralytic Let Down through the Roof.
... or rather the utterance is not merely a reproof but also ... have derived so much profit
from the account of the ... one of them checked him who was reviling the Lord. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily on the paralytic let.htm

1 Cor. I. 18-20
... who take care of them, and besides reviling them, the ... a sort of winged beings; making
no account of dangers ... the discourse, understanding it as a reproof: and he ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iv 1 cor i.htm

On Admonition and Repentance.
... If in envy thou rebukest, wicked is all thy reproof. ... With spitting accept her person;
with reviling meet herself ... thy fellows, and of little account with all men ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/on admonition and repentance.htm

Circumstances Related of Origen.
... doctrines, for lack of arguments turns to reviling and calumniating ... A brief account
of him is given by Porphyry ... opinion on this point, and the reproof given by ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xix circumstances related of origen.htm

Index of Subjects.
... of Paul, [1056]20; added to Matthew's account, [1057]24 ... 1132]166; the true mode of
following Christ, [1133]472. ... to sacrifice, [1138]200; God's, a reproof to ours ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/index of subjects.htm