Topical Bible: Being Rude

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and General Understanding:
Being rude is generally understood as displaying disrespectful or impolite behavior towards others. It involves actions or words that are inconsiderate, offensive, or lacking in courtesy. In the context of Christian teachings, rudeness is often seen as contrary to the virtues of love, kindness, and humility that are encouraged throughout Scripture.

Biblical References and Teachings:

1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 : "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." This passage from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians highlights that love, a central tenet of Christian life, is incompatible with rudeness. Love does not dishonor others, which implies that being rude is a failure to love as Christ commands.

2. Ephesians 4:29 : "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." This verse emphasizes the importance of speaking in a way that edifies and encourages others, rather than tearing them down. Rude speech is considered unwholesome and contrary to the call to build up the body of Christ.

3. Proverbs 15:1 : "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." The wisdom literature of the Old Testament often contrasts gentle and harsh speech. Rudeness, characterized by harsh words, is seen as provoking anger and conflict, whereas gentleness promotes peace and understanding.

4. Colossians 4:6 : "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." This instruction from Paul to the Colossians underscores the importance of graciousness in communication. Rudeness is antithetical to the grace-filled speech that Christians are called to exhibit.

5. Philippians 2:3-4 : "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Rudeness often stems from pride and self-centeredness, whereas humility and consideration for others are virtues that prevent rude behavior.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, being rude is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that Christians are called to overcome through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Rudeness can damage relationships and hinder the witness of the Gospel. Christians are encouraged to reflect the character of Christ, who exemplified perfect love and humility.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, which includes kindness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). By doing so, they can avoid rudeness and instead promote harmony and respect in their interactions with others. Engaging in regular self-examination and prayer can help believers identify and address areas where they may struggle with rudeness, seeking God's help to grow in love and grace.

Topical Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,
Topicalbible.org

Greek

2399. idiotes -- a private or unskilled person
... properly, of one's ; used of a person who lacks education or status -- hence, easily
misunderstood as being uninstructed (unrefined ... ignorant, rude, unlearned. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2399.htm - 7k

Library

When the Nation of the Picts Received the Faith of Christ. [565 AD ...
... Resurrection of our Lord, which happened on the first day of the week, was always
to be celebrated on the first day of the week; but being rude and barbarous ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap iv when the nation.htm

Chapter xxxiii
... These booths are described by travelers as something still occupied by the Bedouin
of the Jordan valley, and as being "rude huts of reeds, sometimes covered ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiii.htm

How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not ...
... How the rude in sacred learning, and those who are learned but not humble, are ... Lord,
when, in the more obscure sayings, the husk of the letter being drawn off ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxiv how the rude.htm

The True Doctrine of God the Creator the Heretics Pretended to a ...
... He was a very rude heretic. He was disobedient; but yet he did not blaspheme his
Creator, nor blame that Author of his being, Whom from the beginning of his ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter ii the true doctrine of.htm

Dream and Reality
... people standing round, the sudden flash of awe and yet of gladness which ran through
them, the tumultuous outcry, which, being in their rude dialect, was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/dream and reality.htm

The Preface. First Advertisement.
... nothing, and that the goodness and beauty of her beloved, infinitely surpasses all
their knowledg, being perswaded that all Creatures are too rude to inform her ...
/.../the preface first advertisement.htm

Aaron, his Office no Palliation of his Sin, 61.
... of the word of God essential to his work, [307]64; panegyric on his life and labours,
[308]66, [309]67; what is meant by his being "rude in speech", [310]67 ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/aaron his office no palliation.htm

The Great Offence in the Christians Lies in their Very Name. The ...
... harmless men even the harmless name we bear, which is not inconvenient for the tongue,
nor harsh to the ear, nor injurious to a single being, nor rude for our ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter iii name great offence.htm

Mahomet.
... Instead of being ignorant, rude, and savage, they were learned, courtly, and
keen-witted; but their sharpness was a snare to them, for what they were afraid ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxix mahomet.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... printed consists of one hundred pages in crown octavo, with a very rude cut of ... having
been printed on very bad paper, and worn out by use, being so generally ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm