In biblical terms, a flatterer is someone who uses insincere praise or excessive compliments to gain favor or manipulate others. The Bible frequently warns against the dangers of flattery, highlighting its potential to deceive and lead individuals away from truth and righteousness.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides several warnings about the perils of flattery. In the book of Proverbs, flattery is often associated with deceit and manipulation. Proverbs 26:28 states, "A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin." This verse underscores the destructive nature of flattery, equating it with falsehood and harm.

Proverbs 29:5 further warns, "A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet." Here, flattery is depicted as a trap, suggesting that those who engage in it may have ulterior motives, seeking to ensnare or exploit others.

The Psalms also address the issue of flattery. Psalm 12:2-3 laments, "They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks proud things." This passage highlights the duplicity often involved in flattery and calls for divine intervention against those who use it deceitfully.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of flattery in his letters. In 1 Thessalonians 2:5, Paul writes, "As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!" Paul emphasizes the integrity of his ministry, contrasting his honest approach with those who might use flattery for personal gain.

Jude 1:16 also warns against flatterers, describing them as "grumblers and faultfinders who follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage." This verse highlights the self-serving nature of flattery and its association with other sinful behaviors.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, flattery is seen as contrary to the values of truth and sincerity upheld in Scripture. It is often linked with pride, deceit, and manipulation, all of which are condemned in the Bible. Flattery can lead individuals away from genuine relationships and hinder their spiritual growth by fostering a false sense of security or self-worth.

The Bible encourages believers to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to let their words be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6). In contrast to flattery, Christians are called to build one another up with sincere and edifying speech, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions.

Practical Considerations

In practical terms, Christians are advised to be wary of flattery and to discern the motives behind it. While encouragement and affirmation are important aspects of Christian fellowship, they should be grounded in truth and authenticity. Believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and discernment from the Holy Spirit to recognize and resist the temptations of flattery.

Ultimately, the biblical perspective on flattery serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and honesty in all forms of communication, urging believers to align their words and actions with the truth of God's Word.(n.) One who flatters.2850. kolakeia -- flattery
... advantage or gain. Word Origin akin to kolax (flatterer) Definition flattery
NASB Word Usage flattering (1). flattering. From a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2850.htm - 6k

Whether Flattery is a Mortal Sin?
... a gloss on Ps.69:4, "Let them be presently turned away blushing for shame that say
to me: 'Tis well, 'Tis well," says: "The tongue of the flatterer harms more ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether flattery is a mortal.htm

Whether Quarreling is a More Grievous Sin than Flattery?
... Objection 2: Further, there appears to be a certain amount of deceit in flattery,
since the flatterer says one thing, and thinks another: whereas the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether quarreling is a more.htm

Letter xx. To Leontius the Sophist.
... The chief difference between a friend and a flatterer is this; the flatterer speaks
to please, the friend will not leave out even what is disagreeable. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter xx to leontius the.htm

Whether Flattery is a Sin?
... of our Ruler, we are often allowed to be rent by detractions but are uplifted by
immoderate praise, so that whom the voice of the flatterer upraises, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether flattery is a sin.htm

Of Flattery.
... form that which wise men have judged the most essential part of Learning, the knowledge
of himself, from which tis the main business of the Flatterer to divert ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section viii of flattery.htm

The Ministry.
... in an error. Did not the shepherds bid us beware of the flatterer?" Thus
they lay bewailing themselves in the net. At last they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxii the ministry.htm

Concerning the Lord's Supper
... Have you here, wretched flatterer, anything to gabble? ... Donatus, whose broken
cup how dully does this wretched flatterer try to get rid of. ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/concerning the lords supper.htm

Useful Phrases
... adolescent youth. adorable vanity. adroit flatterer. adulated stranger. adventitious
way [adventitious = not inherent; added extrinsically]. adventurous mind. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section i useful phrases.htm

Holy Song from Happy Saints
... for us, there was a time when we watched not our steps, but went astray, when the
flatterer led us from the strait road that leads to heaven, and brought us ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/holy song from happy saints.htm

Patriotic Hymns.
... He was a man of grand ideas and inspirations, but he was a time server and a flatterer
of the Emperor Nero, who, nevertheless, caused his death when he had no ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter ix patriotic hymns.htm

Flatterer (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Flatterer (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 28:23 Whoso is reproving
a man afterwards findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue. ...
/f/flatterer.htm - 6k

Flattereth (6 Occurrences)

/f/flattereth.htm - 7k

Flattered (1 Occurrence)

/f/flattered.htm - 6k

Reproving (2 Occurrences)
... good blessing. (YLT). Proverbs 28:23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards
findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue. (YLT). ...
/r/reproving.htm - 7k

Daub (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To flatter excessively or glossy. 5. (vt) To put on without taste;
to deck gaudily. 6. (vi) To smear; to play the flatterer. ...
/d/daub.htm - 8k

Thessalonians (6 Occurrences)
... "We would fain have come unto you," he says, "I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered
us." Some also were saying that Paul was a flatterer (1 Thessalonians 2 ...
/t/thessalonians.htm - 46k

Findeth (66 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Proverbs 28:23 Whoso is reproving a man afterwards
findeth grace, More than a flatterer with the tongue. (YLT). ...
/f/findeth.htm - 26k

Paul (207 Occurrences)
... "We would fain have come unto you," he says, "I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered
us." Some also were saying that Paul was a flatterer (1 Thessalonians 2 ...
/p/paul.htm - 101k

Consist (7 Occurrences)
... "We would fain have come unto you," he says, "I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered
us." Some also were saying that Paul was a flatterer (1 Thessalonians 2 ...
/c/consist.htm - 80k

What does the Bible say about flattery? | GotQuestions.org

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What does the Bible say about friends? | GotQuestions.org

Flatterer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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