The term "churlish" is used to describe a person who is rude, surly, or difficult to deal with. In a biblical context, it often refers to individuals who are harsh, ungracious, or lacking in generosity and kindness. The concept of churlishness is addressed in various passages of the Bible, where it is contrasted with the virtues of kindness, hospitality, and generosity that are encouraged among believers.

One of the most notable biblical references to churlish behavior is found in the account of Nabal in 1 Samuel 25. Nabal is described as a wealthy but harsh and evil man. When David, who was on the run from King Saul, sent his men to ask Nabal for provisions, Nabal responded with disdain and insult. The Berean Standard Bible describes Nabal's response: "Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters" (1 Samuel 25:10). Nabal's churlishness nearly led to disaster for his household, but his wise and discerning wife, Abigail, intervened and provided David with the requested provisions, thus averting bloodshed.

The Bible often contrasts churlishness with the virtues of wisdom and understanding. In Proverbs, wisdom is personified and extolled as a source of life and blessing, while foolishness and churlish behavior lead to ruin. Proverbs 11:17 states, "A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself." This highlights the biblical principle that kindness and generosity are not only beneficial to others but also bring blessings to the one who practices them.

In Isaiah 32, the prophet contrasts the reign of a righteous king with the behavior of the churlish. Isaiah 32:5-6 says, "No longer will a fool be called noble, nor a scoundrel be respected. For a fool speaks folly, and his mind is busy with iniquity: to practice ungodliness and speak falsely about the LORD, to deprive the hungry of food and withhold drink from the thirsty." Here, the churlish are depicted as those who act with selfishness and deceit, in stark contrast to the righteous who act with justice and compassion.

The New Testament also addresses the attitude of churlishness, particularly in the context of Christian conduct. Believers are encouraged to exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, which include kindness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently exhorts Christians to be hospitable, generous, and considerate in their dealings with others, reflecting the character of Christ.

In summary, the Bible presents churlishness as a negative trait that is contrary to the character and teachings of God. It is associated with foolishness, selfishness, and a lack of compassion. In contrast, the virtues of kindness, generosity, and hospitality are upheld as marks of true godliness and wisdom.1. (a.) Like a churl; rude; cross-grained; ungracious; surly; illiberal; stingy.

2. (a.) Wanting pliancy; unmanageable; unyielding; not easily wrought; as, a churlish soil; the churlish and intractable nature of some minerals.

7186. qasheh -- hard, severe
... stubbornness* (1). churlish, cruel, grievous, hardhearted, thing, heavy, impudent,
obstinate,. From qashah; severe (in various applications ...
/hebrew/7186.htm - 6k

God's Slaves
... prominence in them. He must be a very churlish master who never says 'Thank
you,' however faithful his servant's obedience may be. And he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gods slaves.htm

Useful Phrases
... choral chant. chronic frailties. churlish temper [churlish = boorish; vulgar; rude].
circling eddyings. circuitous information. circumscribed purpose. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section i useful phrases.htm

The Misdoings of Severian
... Your archdeacon, Serapion, the most churlish and ill-conditioned dog I ever came
across""'. Such language disgraces you,' said the Patriarch. ...
/.../chapter xlii the misdoings of.htm

Significant Phrases
... churlishness and violence [churlish = boorish or vulgar]. citation and allusion. ...
irritable and churlish [churlish = boorish or vulgar]. isolated and detached. J. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

Ancestry, Birth, Education, Environment: 1513(?)-1546
... "Of nature I am churlish, and in conditions different from many," he wrote; but
this side of his character he kept mainly for people of high rank, accustomed ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter i ancestry birth education.htm

Off to vienna
... I want to walk.". And though a peasant might often be afraid to accept the favor
from a noble, or be surly and churlish, the folk never were so with Stanislaus. ...
/.../chapter iv off to vienna.htm

The Burial
... and the silent masses line the streets, and the learned and the noble stand uncovered
around the open grave, it would be a diseased and churlish mind which did ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xxiii the burial.htm

Justus Falckner.
... Albany. Being of a churlish and quarrelsome nature, he soon fell out with
the authorities of Albany and was banished from the town. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/justus falckner.htm

Now, and Then
... If we forget it, our sympathies are soon dried up, our temper is apt to get churlish,
our opinions may be rather overbearing, and our selfishness very repulsive ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/now and then.htm

"Do Men Gather Grapes of Thorns?"
... Men and women drink often because it is considered a kind and hospitable thing
to offer it, and an ungenerous and churlish thing to refuse it. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxviii do men gather grapes.htm

Churlish (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Wanting pliancy; unmanageable; unyielding; not easily wrought; as, a churlish
soil; the churlish and intractable nature of some minerals. ...
/c/churlish.htm - 7k

Churl (6 Occurrences)
... In 1 Samuel 25:3, the word churlish denotes a man that is coarse and ill-natured,
or, as the word literally means, "hard." The same Greek word as used by the ...
/c/churl.htm - 9k

Nabal (18 Occurrences)
... He was "very great, and he had 3,000 sheep and 1,000 goats...but the man was churlish
and evil in his doings." During his wanderings David came into that ...
/n/nabal.htm - 16k

Abigail (18 Occurrences)
... (2.) The wife of the churlish Nabal, who dwelt in ... But Nabal, who was a churlish fellow,
answered the messengers insultingly and sent them away empty-handed. ...
/a/abigail.htm - 17k

Intelligent (47 Occurrences)
... of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good
understanding, and of a beautiful face: but the man was churlish and evil in ...
/i/intelligent.htm - 20k

Ill-behaved (1 Occurrence)
... of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good
understanding, and of a beautiful face: but the man was churlish and evil in ...
/i/ill-behaved.htm - 6k

Dealings (10 Occurrences)
... of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good
understanding, and of a beautiful face: but the man was churlish and evil in ...
/d/dealings.htm - 9k

Churlishness (1 Occurrence)

/c/churlishness.htm - 6k

Calebite (1 Occurrence)
... the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good
understanding, and of a beautiful countenance; but the man was churlish and evil ...
/c/calebite.htm - 6k

Ab'igail (16 Occurrences)
... of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail; and the woman was of good
understanding, and of a beautiful face: but the man was churlish and evil in ...
/a/ab'igail.htm - 10k

Churlish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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