The term "frowardly" is derived from the word "froward," which is used in the Bible to describe a person who is stubbornly contrary, disobedient, or rebellious. In a biblical context, it often refers to an attitude or behavior that is perverse or obstinately opposed to what is right or good. The concept of frowardness is frequently associated with a heart that is not aligned with God's will and commands.

Biblical Usage and Context

The word "froward" appears in several passages throughout the Bible, often in the context of wisdom literature and moral instruction. It is used to describe individuals who deviate from the path of righteousness and who resist correction or guidance.

Proverbs 2:12-15 :
"To deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity, from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness, from those who enjoy doing evil and rejoice in the twistedness of evil, whose paths are crooked and whose ways are devious."

In this passage, the term "perversity" is closely related to frowardness, highlighting the moral deviation and the delight in wrongdoing that characterize the froward individual. The froward person is depicted as one who has abandoned the "straight paths" for "crooked" and "devious" ways.

Proverbs 4:24 :
"Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech."

Here, the admonition to avoid perverse speech underscores the importance of aligning one's words and actions with truth and righteousness. Frowardness is often expressed through speech that is deceitful or corrupt, reflecting a heart that is not submitted to God's authority.

Proverbs 6:12-14 :
"A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord."

This description of a "worthless person" includes the characteristic of having a "perverse mouth," indicating that frowardness is not only a matter of external actions but also of internal disposition. The froward individual is one who sows discord and devises evil, driven by a heart that is deceitful.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, frowardness is indicative of a heart that is in rebellion against God. It is the antithesis of the humility and obedience that God desires from His people. The froward person is contrasted with the righteous, who seek to live in accordance with God's commandments and who are open to His correction and guidance.

Psalm 18:26 :
"To the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd."

This verse highlights the principle of divine reciprocity, where God responds to individuals according to their character. The "crooked" or froward person experiences God's shrewdness, suggesting that God's dealings with them are marked by a form of judgment or discipline that corresponds to their own perverse ways.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

In practical terms, frowardness is a warning against the dangers of pride, stubbornness, and moral compromise. It serves as a call to self-examination and repentance, urging believers to align their hearts and actions with the teachings of Scripture. The Bible consistently encourages the pursuit of wisdom, humility, and righteousness as antidotes to the froward spirit.

Proverbs 11:20 :
"Those with perverse hearts are an abomination to the LORD, but the blameless in their walk are His delight."

This verse encapsulates the moral dichotomy between the froward and the blameless, emphasizing God's delight in those who walk in integrity and His abhorrence of those who harbor perverse hearts. The call to avoid frowardness is ultimately a call to live in a manner that is pleasing to God, characterized by a heart that seeks after His righteousness.7726. shobab -- turning back, recusant, apostate
... backsliding, turn away from. From shuwb; apostate, ie Idolatrous -- backsliding,
frowardly, turn away (from margin). see HEBREW shuwb. 7725, 7726. ...
/hebrew/7726.htm - 6k

Psalm XLIV.
... ver.17). What is meant by, "have not forgotten Thee"? "Neither have we
behaved ourselves frowardly in Thy covenant.". "Our heart ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xliv.htm

The Broken and Contrite Heart
... For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and
was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xvii the broken and.htm

That God is to be Loved and Worshipped in Diseases: and Also of ...
... Have mind also that in all diseases and need and poverty thou never grumble, nor
speak fondly nor frowardly"but in all things give thanks to God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter ix that god is.htm

The Difference Betwixt God's Lovers and the World's: and their ...
... shall not be lessened, nor shall the sorrow of their damnation be put aback; because
they wilfully walk in lusts and sin, and have frowardly, for false love ...
/.../rolle/the fire of love/chapter iv the difference betwixt.htm

Dedication
... But since it has been the pleasure of our gracious God, against whom it does not
become us frowardly to contend, to call our father from this miserable valley ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/dedication.htm

"Behold Your God!"
... sores? See Isaiah 1:6. He who had been walking frowardly in the way of his
heart might find healing by turning to the Lord. "I have ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 26 behold your god.htm

Latimer -- on Christian Love
... "Love doth not frowardly, she is not a provoker"; as there are some men who will
provoke their neighbor so far that it is very hard for them to be in charity ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/latimer on christian love.htm

Divine Sovereignty.
... For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and
was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.18. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlv divine sovereignty.htm

Christ the Believer's Husband
... Under our first love, what promises did we make to him? But how frowardly have we
behaved ourselves in this covenant? How little have we reverenced him? ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the believers husband.htm

Knox's Writings from Abroad: Beginning of the Scottish Revolution ...
... 1559 (the treaty of Cateau Cambresis), the Regent "began to spew forth and disclose
the latent venom of her double heart." She looked "frowardly" on Protestants ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter viii knoxs writings from.htm

Frowardly (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Frowardly (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 57:17 For the
iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I ...
/f/frowardly.htm - 6k

Froward (21 Occurrences)

/f/froward.htm - 11k

Frowardness (4 Occurrences)

/f/frowardness.htm - 8k

Wroth (65 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 57:17 For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I
hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. ...
/w/wroth.htm - 26k

Frowardly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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