The term "abusive" refers to behavior that is harmful, cruel, or violent, often involving the misuse of power or authority. In the context of the Bible, abusive behavior is consistently condemned as contrary to the character and commands of God. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that address the nature and consequences of abusive actions, urging believers to pursue love, kindness, and justice instead.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament contains various laws and narratives that highlight the destructive nature of abusive behavior. For instance, the Law of Moses includes commandments that protect individuals from abuse and exploitation. In Exodus 22:21-24, God commands the Israelites not to mistreat or oppress foreigners, widows, or orphans, emphasizing His concern for the vulnerable: "You must not exploit a foreign resident or oppress him, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. You must not mistreat any widow or orphan. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry."

The prophets also speak against abuse, particularly in the context of social injustice and the mistreatment of the poor and needy. Isaiah 10:1-2 warns against those who enact unjust laws and oppress the innocent: "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of justice and withhold the rights of the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and rob the fatherless."

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, abusive behavior is addressed in the context of Christian conduct and relationships. The apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently admonishes believers to avoid abusive speech and actions. In Ephesians 4:29, he instructs, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen."

Paul also lists abusive behavior among the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, warning that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. In 1 Corinthians 5:11, he advises the church to avoid associating with anyone who claims to be a believer but is guilty of abusive behavior: "But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or verbal abuser, a drunkard or swindler. With such a man do not even eat."

Christian Conduct and Response

The Bible calls Christians to a higher standard of conduct, characterized by love, gentleness, and self-control. In Colossians 3:8, believers are urged to rid themselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, and abusive language: "But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips."

Furthermore, the teachings of Jesus emphasize love and forgiveness, even towards those who may be abusive. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus instructs His followers to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," highlighting the transformative power of love and grace.

Conclusion

The Bible's teachings on abusive behavior underscore the importance of treating others with respect, dignity, and compassion. Believers are called to reflect the character of Christ in their interactions, rejecting all forms of abuse and striving to build one another up in love and truth.1. (a.) Derisive; insulting; vulgar; as, abusive language.

2. (a.) Given to misusing; also, full of abuses.

3. (a.) Practicing abuse; prone to ill treat by coarse, insulting words or by other ill usage; as, an abusive author; an abusive fellow.

4. (a.) Containing abuse, or serving as the instrument of abuse; vituperative; reproachful; scurrilous.

5. (a.) Tending to deceive; fraudulent; cheating.

3060. loidoros -- abusive, subst. railer
... loidoros. 3061 . abusive, subst. ... Cognate: 3060 -- reproach (reviling); used of
another's reputation by denigrating, abusive insults (, 4:293). See 3058 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3060.htm - 6k

148. aischrologia -- abusive language
... abusive language. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: aischrologia Phonetic
Spelling: (ahee-skhrol-og-ee'-ah) Short Definition: filthy speech ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/148.htm - 6k

988. blasphemia -- slander
... slander. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: blasphemia Phonetic Spelling:
(blas-fay-me'-ah) Short Definition: abusive or scurrilous language ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/988.htm - 7k

987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely ...
... Phonetic Spelling: (blas-fay-meh'-o) Short Definition: I speak evil against, blaspheme
Definition: I speak evil against, blaspheme, use abusive or scurrilous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/987.htm - 9k

3570. nuni -- now
... Col 3:8: "But (3570 ) you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice,
slander, and abusive speech from your mouth" (). 3570 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3570.htm - 7k

486. antiloidoreo -- to revile in turn
... 486 (from 3060 , "revile" and 473 , "corresponding") -- properly, to abusive insults;
reproach, denigrate; detract from someone's honor (reputation). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/486.htm - 7k

Cease in Your Ignorance to Receive Such Great Deeds with Abusive ...
... Book I. 53 Cease in your ignorance to receive such great deeds with abusive
language? Cease in your ignorance to receive such ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/53 cease in your ignorance.htm

We must Guard Also against a visible Enemy when He Incites us by ...
... For if thou art silent, men will say: "That man has been abusive, but this one held
him in contempt." If thou return the abuse, they will say: "Both have been ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter v we must guard.htm

Mary in the House of Caiphas.
... closely veiled; but the sobs which they could not restrain made many who passed
by observe them, and their feelings were harrowed by the abusive epithets they ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xi mary in the.htm

Acts xvii. 32-34, xviii. 1
... So that we are those who share with Him, not ye. For to endure when insulted is
God's part: to be merely abusive, is the part of the devil. See the two sides. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxix acts xvii 32-34.htm

Acts xiv. 14, 15
... The abusive man is filthier than the dog that returneth to its own vomit. ... So also
do these. For what is more stinking than the words which abusive men utter? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxi acts xiv 14.htm

Acts vi. 8
... Does thy wife abuse thee? Do not thou become a woman: to be abusive is womanly:
it is a disease of the soul, an inferiority. Think ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xv acts vi 8.htm

Significant Phrases
... invasion and aggression. invective and innuendo [invective = abusive language]. ... noisy
and scurrilous [scurrilous = vulgar, coarse, abusive language]. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

The Preface.
... If by way such a reply he means a reply without abusive raising terms, or invoking
the aids of the civil magistrate, I have done it in that way. ...
/.../lardner/a vindication of three of our blessed saviours miracles/the preface.htm

Literary Expressions
... A curious vexation fretted her. A daily avalanche of vituperation [vituperation =
harshly abusive language]. A dandified, pretty-boy-looking sort of figure. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vii literary expressions.htm

The Goobbe Circuit Given Up.
... As he was going along one of the principal streets some of the `lewd fellows of
the baser sort' were most insulting and abusive; and a few shopkeepers joined ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter twenty one the goobbe.htm

Abusive (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Derisive; insulting; vulgar; as, abusive
language. ... Multi-Version Concordance Abusive (7 Occurrences). ...
/a/abusive.htm - 9k

Abusively (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In an abusive manner; rudely; with abusive
language. Multi-Version Concordance Abusively (3 Occurrences). ...
/a/abusively.htm - 7k

Greed (19 Occurrences)
... that you were not to associate with any one bearing the name of "brother," if he
was addicted to fornication or avarice or idol-worship or abusive language or ...
/g/greed.htm - 12k

Greedy (24 Occurrences)
... that you were not to associate with any one bearing the name of "brother," if he
was addicted to fornication or avarice or idol-worship or abusive language or ...
/g/greedy.htm - 13k

Avaricious (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written to you, if any one called brother be
fornicator, or avaricious, or idolater, or abusive, or a drunkard, or rapacious ...
/a/avaricious.htm - 7k

Addicted (9 Occurrences)
... that you were not to associate with any one bearing the name of "brother," if he
was addicted to fornication or avarice or idol-worship or abusive language or ...
/a/addicted.htm - 9k

Gain (142 Occurrences)
... that you were not to associate with any one bearing the name of "brother," if he
was addicted to fornication or avarice or idol-worship or abusive language or ...
/g/gain.htm - 39k

Harsh (20 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) disagreeable to the ear. 5. (a.) Unpleasant and repulsive to the sensibilities;
austere; crabbed; morose; abusive; abusive; severe; rough. ...
/h/harsh.htm - 12k

Villainy (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Abusive, reproachful language; discourteous speech; foul talk. 3.
(n.) The act of a villain; a deed of deep depravity; a crime. ...
/v/villainy.htm - 7k

Opposing (13 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:6 But upon their opposing him with abusive language, he shook his clothes
by way of protest, and said to them, "Your ruin will be upon your own heads. ...
/o/opposing.htm - 10k

How do we honor an abusive parent? | GotQuestions.org

What is spiritual abuse? | GotQuestions.org

Is abuse an acceptable reason for divorce? | GotQuestions.org

Abusive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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