Disreputable
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The term "disreputable" refers to someone or something lacking respectability in character or behavior, often associated with dishonor or disgrace. In the context of the Bible, individuals or actions deemed disreputable are often contrasted with the virtues of righteousness and integrity that are upheld by God's commandments.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, disreputable behavior is frequently highlighted in narratives and laws that underscore the importance of living a life pleasing to God. For instance, the account of Rahab, the prostitute in Jericho, illustrates how someone with a disreputable profession can still play a pivotal role in God's plan. Despite her occupation, Rahab's faith and actions in hiding the Israelite spies led to her being spared during the conquest of Jericho (Joshua 2:1-21). Her inclusion in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5) further emphasizes the transformative power of faith and redemption.

The Proverbs often contrast the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, highlighting behaviors that lead to a disreputable life. Proverbs 6:12-15 describes a "worthless person, a wicked man" who "walks with a perverse mouth," warning that such a person will face sudden calamity. This passage underscores the biblical view that disreputable behavior ultimately leads to destruction.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently interacted with those considered disreputable by society, such as tax collectors and sinners. His association with these individuals was often criticized by the religious leaders of the time. In Matthew 9:10-13 , Jesus dines with tax collectors and sinners, prompting the Pharisees to question His disciples. Jesus responds, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick... For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." This interaction highlights the redemptive mission of Christ and His willingness to reach out to those marginalized by society.

The Apostle Paul also addresses disreputable behavior in his epistles, urging believers to live lives that reflect their faith. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , Paul warns that "the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God," listing behaviors such as sexual immorality, idolatry, and theft as disreputable actions that separate individuals from God's kingdom. However, he also emphasizes the transformative power of Christ, stating in verse 11, "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Cultural and Social Implications

The Bible's treatment of disreputable individuals and actions often reflects the cultural and social norms of the time. However, it also transcends these norms by offering a message of hope and redemption. The biblical narrative consistently points to the possibility of transformation through faith and repentance, regardless of one's past or societal status.

In the early Christian community, believers were encouraged to live above reproach, setting an example for others. In 1 Timothy 3:7 , Paul advises that a church leader "must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil." This instruction underscores the importance of maintaining a life that reflects the values of the Christian faith, avoiding disreputable conduct that could harm the witness of the church.

Conclusion

The concept of being disreputable in the Bible serves as a reminder of the call to live a life of integrity and righteousness. While the Bible acknowledges the reality of disreputable behavior, it also offers a path to redemption and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Not in esteem; dishonorable; disgraceful; tending to bring into disesteem; as, it is disreputable to associate familiarly with the mean, the lewd, and the profane.
Library

But Let us See what those Statements of his are which Follow Next ...
... show themselves off." Observe, now, how he slanders us in these words, comparing
us to those who in the market-places perform the most disreputable tricks, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter l but let us.htm

Lateranus, as You Say, is the God and Genius of Hearths...
... to introduce some pretended deities for this only, not to do them reverence with
fitting honours, but to appoint them over base things, and disreputable actions ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/6 lateranus as you say.htm

Observe Now with Regard to the Following Statement of Celsus...
... Observe now with regard to the following statement of Celsus, "We see also those
persons who in the market-places perform most disreputable tricks, and collect ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lii observe now with.htm

State of Affairs in 311
... lust," and tyranny (Paneg. [313] c.4). He was the most disreputable of
all,"unmitigatedly disreputable. With all due allowance ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 3 state of affairs.htm

Rom. xiii. 11
... And if thou leave it never so much money, both the son of an harlot, and that of
a servant-maid, is disreputable at home, disreputable in the city ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxiv rom xiii 11.htm

The Two Debtors.
... A woman, coming in while the company sat at meat, and such a woman, habit and repute
disreputable; and besides all this, the ardency of her emotions, and the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xvi the two debtors.htm

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
... near to hear him. I dare say it was a queer-looking assembly, a disreputable
rabble, which made the Lord Jesus its centre. I am not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/the parable of the lost.htm

Are we Not, in Like Manner, Enjoined to Put Away from us all ...
... On this ground, again, we are excluded from the theatre, which is immodesty's own
peculiar abode, where nothing is in repute but what elsewhere is disreputable ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xvii are we not.htm

The Psychology of Contemplation
... stuff. That is why great sinners make great saints and why our Lord preferred
disreputable people to the respectable righteous. ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/vii the psychology of contemplation.htm

With whom we are to Associate.
... over the temples, sacrificing and practising divination day by day, spending their
time with fortune-tellers, and begging priests, and disreputable old women ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iv with whom we are.htm

Thesaurus
Disreputable (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) Not in esteem; dishonorable; disgraceful; tending to bring into disesteem;
as, it is disreputable to associate familiarly with ...Disreputable (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/disreputable.htm - 6k

Leg (24 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A bow, esp. in the phrase to make a leg; probably from drawing the leg backward
in bowing. 5. (n.) A disreputable sporting character; a blackleg. ...
/l/leg.htm - 19k

Exorcist (1 Occurrence)
... Many of these professional exorcists were disreputable Jews, like Simon in Samaria
and Elymas in Cyprus (8:9; 13:6)." Other references to exorcism as practised ...
/e/exorcist.htm - 15k

Disrepute (3 Occurrences)

/d/disrepute.htm - 7k

Disregards (3 Occurrences)

/d/disregards.htm - 7k

Discreditable (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not creditable; injurious to reputation; disgraceful;
disreputable. Multi-Version Concordance Discreditable (1 Occurrence). ...
/d/discreditable.htm - 6k

Calumniate (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To accuse falsely and maliciously of a crime
or offense, or of something disreputable; to slander; to libel. ...
/c/calumniate.htm - 7k

Adullam (10 Occurrences)
... In our current speech "cave of Adullam" suggests an aggregation of ill-assorted
and disreputable men. This is not justified by the Bible record. ...
/a/adullam.htm - 16k

Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... This disreputable ruler had to pay tribute to Rome as well as to find means whereby
to gratify his own passion for luxury, and was correspondingly rapacious in ...
/t/taxing.htm - 35k

Tax (43 Occurrences)
... This disreputable ruler had to pay tribute to Rome as well as to find means whereby
to gratify his own passion for luxury, and was correspondingly rapacious in ...
/t/tax.htm - 47k

Resources
What is the ragamuffin gospel? | GotQuestions.org

Should Christian women wear makeup or jewelry? | GotQuestions.org

What is a vagabond in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Disreputable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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