In the biblical context, the term "despises" refers to a strong feeling of contempt or disdain towards someone or something. This attitude is often condemned in Scripture, as it reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's values and commands. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings regarding the consequences and spiritual implications of despising others or God's commandments.

Old Testament References

1. Despising God's Commandments: In the Old Testament, despising God's commandments is equated with rebellion against Him. In 1 Samuel 15:23, the prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul, saying, "For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and arrogance is as wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king." Here, despising God's word leads to severe consequences, illustrating the seriousness of such an attitude.

2. Despising Others: Proverbs frequently addresses the issue of despising others. Proverbs 14:21 states, "He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor." This verse highlights the moral failing of looking down on others and contrasts it with the virtue of kindness.

3. Despising Wisdom and Instruction: Proverbs 1:7 declares, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This passage underscores the folly of rejecting wisdom and instruction, which are foundational to a righteous life.

New Testament References

1. Despising the Church: In 1 Corinthians 11:22, Paul addresses the Corinthian church's improper conduct during the Lord's Supper, saying, "What! 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?" Here, despising the church is linked to disrespecting the body of Christ and failing to honor fellow believers.

2. Despising Authority: In 2 Peter 2:10, Peter warns against those who "indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority." This passage highlights the danger of rejecting divinely instituted authority, which is seen as a characteristic of false teachers and ungodly individuals.

3. Despising the Weak: Romans 14:3 advises, "The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him." This instruction calls for mutual respect among believers, regardless of differing convictions, and warns against despising those with weaker faith.

Theological Implications

Despising others or God's commandments is fundamentally a heart issue that reveals pride, arrogance, and a lack of love. It is contrary to the teachings of Christ, who emphasized humility, love, and respect for all individuals. The Bible consistently calls believers to examine their hearts and attitudes, urging them to align with God's will and to treat others with the dignity and respect that reflect His love and grace.2707. kataphrontes -- a despiser
... Cognate: 2707 -- someone who disdains (despises), viewing something as having no
worth (significance, value). It is used only in Ac 13:41 (quoting Hab 1:5). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2707.htm - 6k959. bazah -- to despise
... root Definition to despise NASB Word Usage careless (1), contempt (1), despicable
(1), despise (5), despised (32), despises (2), disdained (1), disdained* (1). ...
/hebrew/959.htm - 6k

3988a. maas -- to reject
... NASB Word Usage abhorred (1), cast them away (1), cast away (1), cast off (2),
completely rejected (1), despise (6), despised (4), despises (2), despising (1 ...
/hebrew/3988a.htm - 5k

936. buz -- to despise
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to despise NASB Word Usage despise (5),
despised (1), despises (3), scorns* (1), utterly despised (1). ...
/hebrew/936.htm - 5k

The Man who Despises the Mercy of God is Guilty of the Sin against ...
... Chapter 83."The Man Who Despises the Mercy of God is Guilty of the Sin
Against the Holy Ghost. Now the man who, not believing ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 83 the man who despises.htm

That a True Lover Despises Worldly Things and Desires Heavenly ...
... THE FIRE OF LOVE. BOOK I CHAPTER XXVIII THAT A TRUE LOVER DESPISES WORLDLY THINGS
AND DESIRES HEAVENLY: AND OF THE HATING OF PRIDE, AND HALSING OF MEEKNESS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xxviii that a true.htm

The True Gnostic is Beneficent, Continent, and Despises Worldly ...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book VII. Chapter XII."The True Gnostic is Beneficent,
Continent, and Despises Worldly Things. Let these things, then, be so. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii the true gnostic is.htm

Peter Stood Up.
... not your piety despise my frequent suggestion, having before your eyes the words
of our Lord, 'He who hears you, hears Me: and he who despises you, despises Me ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter iii peter stood up.htm

Of the Twofold Conflict of Body and Soul; and of Desiring virtue ...
... and overcome even until death, cannot fail of obtaining a reward; if no reward,
such as it deserves, is found on earth, inasmuch as it despises all things ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii of the twofold conflict.htm

The Children of the Catholic Church Ought to Adhere to the Faith ...
... of sacred and celestial grace, whoever disapproves must needs hold the profaneness
of Nestorius to have been condemned unjustly; finally, he despises as vile ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xxxiii the children of.htm

The Apostles did not Commence to Preach the Gospel, or to Place ...
... If any one do not agree to these truths, he despises the companions of the Lord;
nay more, he despises Christ Himself the Lord; yea, he despises the Father also ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter i the apostles did not.htm

Whether Presumption Relies on God, or on One's Own Power
... On the other hand: by presumption one despises the divine justice which punishes
sinners, just as by despair one despises the divine mercy on which hope relies ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article one whether presumption relies.htm

Whether Presumption Trusts in God or in Our Own Power?
... On the contrary, Just as, through despair, a man despises the Divine mercy, on which
hope relies, so, through presumption, he despises the Divine justice ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether presumption trusts in god.htm

Whether Goods of Fortune Conduce to Magnanimity?
... Objection 2: Further, no virtuous man despises what is helpful to him. But
the magnanimous man despises whatever pertains to goods ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether goods of fortune conduce.htm

Despises (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Despises (16 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 11:12 One who despises
his neighbor is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding holds his peace. ...
/d/despises.htm - 11k

Correction (26 Occurrences)
... (WEB ASV NIV). Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father's correction, but
he who heeds reproof shows prudence. (WEB JPS ASV NIV). ...
/c/correction.htm - 15k

Reproof (29 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Proverbs 15:5 A fool despises his father's
correction, but he who heeds reproof shows prudence. ...
/r/reproof.htm - 15k

Walks (51 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 14:2 He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh,
but he who is perverse in his ways despises him. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/w/walks.htm - 20k

Oppressions (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 33:15 He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the
gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe ...
/o/oppressions.htm - 8k

Gestures (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 33:15 He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the
gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe ...
/g/gestures.htm - 6k

Righteously (22 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 33:15 He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the
gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe ...
/r/righteously.htm - 12k

Respects (13 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Proverbs 13:13 Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, but
he who respects a command will be rewarded. (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/r/respects.htm - 10k

Refuses (21 Occurrences)
... honored. (WEB). Proverbs 15:32 He who refuses correction despises his own soul,
but he who listens to reproof gets understanding. (WEB). ...
/r/refuses.htm - 12k

Refusing (21 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 33:15 He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the
gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe ...
/r/refusing.htm - 12k

What is misotheism? What is a misotheist? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about black magic? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about self-hatred? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus