Railed
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The term "railed" in the context of the Bible refers to the act of speaking abusively or insultingly. It is often associated with mockery, scorn, or blasphemy, particularly directed towards God, His servants, or sacred matters. This behavior is condemned in Scripture as it reflects a heart of disrespect and rebellion against divine authority.

Biblical Instances:

1. 2 Kings 19:22 : "Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!" This verse captures the essence of railing against God, as it describes the Assyrian king's blasphemous attitude towards the God of Israel. The act of railing here is seen as a direct affront to God's holiness and sovereignty.

2. Matthew 27:39-40 : "And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, 'You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!'" In this passage, the onlookers at Jesus' crucifixion railed against Him, mocking His claims and divine mission. This act of railing is portrayed as a fulfillment of prophecy and a demonstration of human unbelief and hardness of heart.

3. 1 Peter 2:23 : "When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." Here, the Apostle Peter highlights Jesus' response to being railed against. Despite the insults and abuse, Jesus exemplified patience and trust in God's righteous judgment, setting a model for believers to follow.

Theological Implications:

Railing is more than just harsh words; it is indicative of a deeper spiritual issue. It reveals a heart that is resistant to God's truth and authority. In the biblical worldview, words are powerful and reflect the condition of the heart (Matthew 12:34). Therefore, railing is not merely a social faux pas but a sin that requires repentance and transformation through the Holy Spirit.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral standpoint, railing is contrary to the Christian virtues of love, kindness, and respect. Believers are called to speak words that edify and build up others (Ephesians 4:29). The act of railing is antithetical to the command to love one's neighbor and to honor God with one's speech.

Practical Application:

Christians are encouraged to guard their tongues and to avoid participating in or condoning railing. Instead, they are to follow the example of Christ, who responded to insults with grace and forgiveness. This involves cultivating a heart that is aligned with God's will and seeking to reflect His character in all interactions.

In summary, railing is a serious offense in the biblical context, reflecting a heart that is opposed to God's ways. It is condemned in Scripture and serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's speech with the values of the Kingdom of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(imp. & p. p.) of Rail.
Library

The Crucifixion.
... And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Thou that
destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the crucifixion.htm

The Crucifixion.
... [The scene had an awful fascination which they could not resist.] ^a 39 And they
that passed by [Jesus was evidently crucified near the highway] railed on him ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxiii the crucifixion 2.htm

Synoptical Table
... Mark. 29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying,
Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of peter/synoptical table.htm

Arrangement and Furniture of the Church
... the Holy Eucharist is celebrated. It is raised several steps above the
level of the choir and is railed in. Covering the Altar is ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/arrangement and furniture of the.htm

The Penitent Thief
... under conviction: "And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on
Him, saying, If thou be Christ, save Thyself and us. But ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/vii the penitent thief.htm

Crucified, Dead and Buried
... And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, "And he was numbered with the
transgressors." And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm

The Penitent Thief. Ch. 23:39-43
... CHS. 22 TO 24 I. The Penitent Thief. Ch. 23:39-43. 39 And one of the malefactors
that were hanged railed on him, saying, Art not thou the Christ? ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/i the penitent thief ch.htm

Christian Worship,
... At the upper end of the nave, a place called the "Choir" was railed in for the singers;
and then, last of all, came the raised part or "chancel", which has ...
/.../chapter xviii christian worship.htm

The Death which Gives Life
... And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, Thou
that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, 30. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the death which gives life.htm

Christ Crucified
... And with Him they crucify two robbers; one on His right hand, and one on His left.
And they that passed by railed on Him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ha! ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 15 21-32 christ crucified.htm

Thesaurus
Railed (6 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Rail. Multi-Version Concordance Railed (6 Occurrences). Matthew
27:39 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, (ASV). ...
/r/railed.htm - 8k

Rail (8 Occurrences)
... in the Old Testament as the translation of charaph (2 Chronicles 32:17, "letters
to rail on Yahweh"), and of `it (1 Samuel 25:14, of Nabal, "he railed at them ...
/r/rail.htm - 11k

Railer (1 Occurrence)
... in the Old Testament as the translation of charaph (2 Chronicles 32:17, "letters
to rail on Yahweh"), and of `it (1 Samuel 25:14, of Nabal, "he railed at them ...
/r/railer.htm - 8k

Railing (9 Occurrences)
... in the Old Testament as the translation of charaph (2 Chronicles 32:17, "letters
to rail on Yahweh"), and of `it (1 Samuel 25:14, of Nabal, "he railed at them ...
/r/railing.htm - 10k

Nabal's (7 Occurrences)
... 14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, "Behold, David sent
messengers out of the wilderness to Greet our master; and he railed at them ...
/n/nabal's.htm - 8k

Insults (34 Occurrences)
... 14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, "Behold, David sent
messengers out of the wilderness to Greet our master; and he railed at them ...
/i/insults.htm - 15k

Flew (10 Occurrences)
... 14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent
messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed at them ...
/f/flew.htm - 9k

Destroyest (10 Occurrences)
... Mark 15:29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying,
Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, (KJV ASV ...
/d/destroyest.htm - 9k

Malefactors (3 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed
on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/m/malefactors.htm - 7k

Resources
Does the Bible support eugenics? | GotQuestions.org

What happened in the intertestamental period? | GotQuestions.org

Who was John Chrysostom? | GotQuestions.org

Railed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Railed (6 Occurrences)

Matthew 27:39
And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads,
(ASV)

Mark 15:29
And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
(KJV ASV WBS)

Luke 23:39
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
(KJV ASV WBS RSV)

John 9:28
Then they railed at him, and said, "You are that man's disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.
(WEY DBY)

1 Corinthians 4:12
and labour, working with our own hands. Railed at, we bless; persecuted, we suffer it;
(DBY)

1 Samuel 25:14
But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, "Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to Greet our master; and he railed at them.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV)

Subtopics

Railed

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Rail
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