3058. loidoreó

Lexical Summary

loidoreó: To revile, to abuse, to insult

Original Word: λοιδορέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: loidoreó
Pronunciation: loy-dor-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (loy-dor-eh'-o)
KJV: revile
NASB: reviled, revile
Word Origin: [from G3060 (λοίδορος - reviler)]

1. to reproach, i.e. vilify

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

revile.

From loidoros; to reproach, i.e. Vilify -- revile.

see GREEK loidoros

HELPS Word-studies

3058 loidoréō(from 3060 /loídoros, "a reviler") – properly, to say harsh things (make verbal assaults); to revile; to spue bitter (tasteless) statements, using mean-spirited, insulting words to demoralize (humiliate).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from loidoros
Definition
to abuse, revile
NASB Translation
revile (1), reviled (3).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3058: λοιδορέω

λοιδορέω, λοιδόρω; 1 aorist ἐλοιδόρησα; present passive participle λοιδορούμενος; (λοίδορος); to reproach, rail at, revile, heap abuse upon: τινα, John 9:28; Acts 23:4; passive, 1 Corinthians 4:12; 1 Peter 2:23. (From Pindar and Aeschylus down; the Sept. several times for רִיב.) (Compare: ἀντιλοιδορέω.)

Topical Lexicon

Semantic Range and Thematic Overview

The verb points to hostile, shame-inducing speech—verbal persecution meant to wound, discredit, or silence. Its Old Testament backdrop lies in the vocabulary of “reproach” and “taunt” (for example Psalm 69:9), preparing readers to see such abuse as a hallmark of opposition to God’s people.

Occurrences in the New Testament

• John 9:28 – unbelieving Pharisees “heaped insults” on the man healed of blindness, revealing hardened resistance when confronted with Christ’s work.
• Acts 23:4 – court attendants cry, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!” spotlighting religious hypocrisy that lashes out when authority feels threatened.
• 1 Corinthians 4:12 – Paul testifies, “When we are vilified, we bless,” setting a pattern for gospel ministry under verbal assault.
• 1 Peter 2:23 – regarding Jesus: “When He was insulted, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly”. Christ’s response grounds the believer’s ethic of non-retaliation.

Christological Implications

The cross showcases the verb’s deepest meaning. Isaiah’s Suffering Servant is fulfilled in Jesus, who absorbs reviling without reply, laying bare human sin while entrusting justice to the Father. His silence is not weakness but victorious faith, securing redemption and providing the pattern for discipleship.

Apostolic Model and Pastoral Application

Paul’s reaction in Acts 23—instant repentance for sharp words—demonstrates humility even amid injustice. In 1 Corinthians he links blessing to endurance, urging ministers and congregations to:
• Expect verbal hostility (2 Timothy 3:12).
• Guard the tongue from revenge (Romans 12:14).
• Overcome evil with good (1 Peter 3:9).

Such conduct authenticates the gospel before a watching world.

Ethical Dimension within the Church

Cognate nouns appear in vice lists that disqualify from fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10). Persistent reviling contradicts new-creation life; church discipline protects unity and witness.

Historical Context

In both Jewish and Greco-Roman society public honor was prized; to revile was to strip a person of status. Early Christians, viewed as subversive, were frequent targets yet advanced the gospel precisely through their meek response, causing outsiders to “glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).

Practical Ministry Insights

• Disciple new believers to anticipate slander, answering with gentleness (1 Peter 3:15).
• Apologetics gains credibility when free of contemptuous speech.
• Pastoral counseling should address verbal abuse as heart-level sin requiring gospel transformation.
• Lament psalms in corporate worship give voice to victims while pointing to Christ’s vindication.

Related Terms and Broader Biblical Theme

Loidoreō stands alongside λοιδορία (railing), βλασφημέω (blaspheme), and ὀνειδίζω (reproach), all illustrating the tongue’s destructive power (James 3:6) and underscoring Scripture’s call to gracious speech (Proverbs 15:4).

For Further Study

Psalm 69; Isaiah 53; Matthew 5:10-12; Romans 12:14-21; James 3:1-12.

Forms and Transliterations

ελοιδορείτο ελοιδορήθησαν ελοιδορησαν ελοιδόρησαν ἐλοιδόρησαν ελοιδόρουν λοιδορεις λοιδορείς λοιδορεῖς λοιδορείσθέ λοιδόρησις λοιδορουμενοι λοιδορούμενοι λοιδορουμενος λοιδορούμενος λοιδορώνται eloidoresan eloidorēsan eloidóresan eloidórēsan loidoreis loidoreîs loidoroumenoi loidoroúmenoi loidoroumenos loidoroúmenos

Englishman's Concordance

John 9:28 V-AIA-3P
GRK: καὶ ἐλοιδόρησαν αὐτὸν καὶ
NAS: They reviled him and said,
KJV: Then they reviled him, and
INT: and They railed at him and

Acts 23:4 V-PIA-2S
GRK: τοῦ θεοῦ λοιδορεῖς
NAS: said, Do you revile God's
KJV: said, Revilest thou God's
INT: of God insult you

1 Corinthians 4:12 V-PPM/P-NMP
GRK: ἰδίαις χερσίν λοιδορούμενοι εὐλογοῦμεν διωκόμενοι
NAS: hands; when we are reviled, we bless;
KJV: hands: being reviled, we bless;
INT: own hands Railed at we bless persecuted

1 Peter 2:23 V-PPM/P-NMS
GRK: ὃς λοιδορούμενος οὐκ ἀντελοιδόρει
NAS: and while being reviled, He did not revile in return;
KJV: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not
INT: who being railed at not retaliated

Strong's Greek 3058
4 Occurrences

ἐλοιδόρησαν — 1 Occ.
λοιδορεῖς — 1 Occ.
λοιδορούμενοι — 1 Occ.
λοιδορούμενος — 1 Occ.