The term "contemptible" refers to something or someone that is deserving of scorn or disdain. In the biblical context, it often describes actions, attitudes, or individuals that are morally or spiritually reprehensible. The concept of contemptibility is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting the contrast between righteousness and wickedness.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of contempt is frequently associated with those who reject God's commandments and live in opposition to His will. For instance, in Malachi 1:6-7 , God addresses the priests of Israel, saying, "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me? says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ By presenting defiled food on My altar." Here, the priests' actions are deemed contemptible because they fail to honor God appropriately.

The Psalms also reflect on the contemptible nature of the wicked. Psalm 15:4 describes a righteous person as one "who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD." This verse underscores the biblical principle that contempt is rightly directed towards those who act wickedly, while honor is reserved for those who revere God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of contemptibility is often linked to hypocrisy and false teaching. Jesus frequently rebukes the Pharisees and scribes for their contemptible behavior. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." Their outward appearance of piety is deemed contemptible because it masks inner corruption.

The Apostle Paul also addresses contemptible behavior in the church. In 1 Corinthians 11:22 , he admonishes the Corinthians for their conduct during the Lord's Supper: "Do you not have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Of course not!" Here, the contemptible actions of the wealthier members of the church are highlighted as they disregard the needs of the poorer members.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The Bible consistently portrays contemptible behavior as that which is contrary to God's nature and commands. It is often associated with pride, hypocrisy, and a lack of reverence for God. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists things that are detestable to the Lord, including "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community." These actions are contemptible because they violate the moral order established by God.

In contrast, believers are called to live lives that are honorable and pleasing to God. Romans 12:9 exhorts, "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This call to detest evil and embrace good reflects the biblical mandate to reject contemptible behavior and pursue righteousness.

Conclusion

The biblical understanding of what is contemptible serves as a guide for believers to discern between actions and attitudes that honor God and those that do not. By aligning with God's standards, Christians are encouraged to live lives marked by integrity, humility, and reverence for the Lord.1. (a.) Deserving of scorn or disdain; mean; vile; despicable.

2. (a.) Despised; scorned; neglected; abject.

3. (a.) Insolent; scornful; contemptuous.

1848. exoutheneo -- to despise, treat with contempt
... Word Origin from exoudeneo Definition to despise, treat with contempt NASB Word
Usage contemptible (1), despise (3), despised (1), no account (1), regard with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1848.htm - 8k7052. qeloqel -- contemptible, worthless
... 7051, 7052. qeloqel. 7053 . contemptible, worthless. Transliteration: qeloqel
Phonetic Spelling: (kel-o-kale') Short Definition: miserable. ...
/hebrew/7052.htm - 6k

7043. qalal -- to be slight, swift or trifling
... root Definition to be slight, swift or trifling NASB Word Usage abated (2), accursed
(1), brought a curse (1), contempt (1), contemptible (1), curse (15 ...
/hebrew/7043.htm - 6k

959. bazah -- to despise
... despises (2), disdained (1), disdained* (1). despise, disdain, contemptible,
think to scorn, vile person. A primitive root; to disesteem ...
/hebrew/959.htm - 6k

How Contemptible it is to be Overcome by Covetousness.
... Prolegomena. Chapter XX. How contemptible it is to be overcome by covetousness.
And so if we want to strive lawfully in our spiritual ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xx how contemptible it.htm

The Christians are not the Only Contemners of the Gods Contempt of ...
... of Them Often Displayed by Heathen Official Persons. Homer Made the Gods
Contemptible. [604] Pour out now all your venom; fling ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter x name christians are.htm

Moab is My Washpot
... MOAB, which had threatened Israel, was to be so completely subdued, and become so
utterly contemptible as to be likened to a washpot or basin in which men wash ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/moab is my washpot.htm

He Says, Indeed, that "We Ridicule the Egyptians, Although they ...
... He says, indeed, that "we ridicule the Egyptians, although they present many by
no means contemptible mysteries [3485] for our consideration, when they teach ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xix he says indeed.htm

Ephesians v. 15, 16, 17
... Wine has been given us for cheerfulness, not for drunkenness. Whereas now it appears
to be an unmanly and contemptible thing for a man not to get drunk. ...
/.../homily xix ephesians v 15.htm

We are not Binding Heavy Burdens and Laying them Upon Your ...
... Nor hath he said, "If then ye have secular law-suits, bring them before us;" or,
"Appoint us to judge them;" but, "Them which are contemptible in the Church ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 37 we are not.htm

Bad Ecclesiastics and Base Plots
... He appointed the worthless Severian of Gabala to fulfil this function, and Severian
of Gabala was a contemptible intriguer of the most vulgar description. ...
/.../chapter xxxix bad ecclesiastics and.htm

As the Rind of a Pomegranate are Thy Cheeks, Besides that which is ...
... But I reply, that this is the very thing that most subjects her to humiliation,
God making use of it to render the soul more contemptible because of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/6 as the rind of.htm

Self-Contempt.
... humiliations. Contemptible as they are in the eyes of others, the souls raised
by God to this state are far more contemptible in their own. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section iii self-contempt.htm

Concerning the Three Kinds of Theology According to Varro, Namely ...
... served men; in a word, in this all manner of things are attributed to the gods,
such as may befall, not merely any man, but even the most contemptible man." He ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 5 concerning the three kinds.htm

Contemptible (14 Occurrences)
...Contemptible (14 Occurrences). ... Psalms 31:11 Because of all my adversaries I have
become utterly contemptible to my neighbors, A fear to my acquaintances. ...
/c/contemptible.htm - 11k

Ahasu-e'rus (30 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:17 For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make
their husbands contemptible in their eyes, when it will be said: The king ...
/a/ahasu-e'rus.htm - 15k

Contempt (55 Occurrences)
... Psalms 31:11 Because of all my adversaries I have become utterly contemptible
to my neighbors, A fear to my acquaintances. Those ...
/c/contempt.htm - 23k

Polluted (80 Occurrences)
... altar. You say,'How have we polluted you?' In that you say,'Yahweh's table
contemptible.' (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Malachi ...
/p/polluted.htm - 31k

Queen's (3 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:17 For this deed of the queen will come abroad unto all women, to make
their husbands contemptible in their eyes, when it will be said: The king ...
/q/queen's.htm - 7k

Vile (59 Occurrences)
... Ordinarily, however, the idea of contemptible, despicable, is read into the word.
William Evans. Multi-Version Concordance Vile (59 Occurrences). ...
/v/vile.htm - 26k

Villany (4 Occurrences)
... Ordinarily, however, the idea of contemptible, despicable, is read into the word.
William Evans. VILLANY. See VILE. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/v/villany.htm - 9k

Nobody (21 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) No person; no one; not anybody. 2. (n.) A person of no influence or importance;
an insignificant or contemptible person. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/n/nobody.htm - 12k

Neighbors (40 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 31:11 Because of all my adversaries I have become
utterly contemptible to my neighbors, A fear to my acquaintances. ...
/n/neighbors.htm - 18k

Little (2458 Occurrences)
... little air or water. 4. (a.) Small in dignity, power, or importance; not
great; insignificant; contemptible. 5. (a.) Small in force ...
/l/little.htm - 8k

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Contemptible: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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