Definition and Meaning:
Revilings refer to abusive or contemptuous language directed at someone, often characterized by insults, mockery, or slander. In the biblical context, reviling is considered a serious sin, as it reflects a heart that is not aligned with the love and righteousness of God. The act of reviling is condemned throughout Scripture, as it is contrary to the character of Christ and the teachings of the Bible.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament Context:
The Old Testament frequently addresses the issue of reviling, often in the context of warnings against speaking evil or bearing false witness. In Leviticus 19:16, the Israelites are commanded, "You must not go about spreading slander among your people." This command underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and respect in speech.

2. New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament continues to emphasize the sinfulness of reviling. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about the importance of controlling one's speech and the dangers of harboring anger and contempt. Matthew 5:22 states, "But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell."

The Apostle Paul also addresses reviling in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 6:10, Paul lists revilers among those who "will not inherit the kingdom of God." This strong language highlights the severity with which reviling is viewed in the Christian faith. Additionally, in Ephesians 4:31, Paul exhorts believers to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice."

3. Example of Christ:
Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of how to respond to reviling. Despite being subjected to mockery and insults, Jesus did not retaliate or revile in return. 1 Peter 2:23 states, "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." This passage encourages believers to follow Christ's example of patience and trust in God's justice.

4. Practical Application for Believers:
Christians are called to avoid reviling and instead to bless those who persecute them. Romans 12:14 instructs, "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse." This teaching aligns with the broader biblical principle of loving one's enemies and overcoming evil with good.

Theological Implications:
Reviling is not merely a matter of improper speech but is indicative of a deeper spiritual issue. It reveals a heart that is not fully submitted to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls believers to be set apart in their conduct, including their speech, as a testimony to the world of God's love and holiness.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not condone reviling, it offers a path to redemption and transformation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Believers are encouraged to seek the Holy Spirit's help in cultivating speech that edifies and glorifies God, reflecting the character of Christ in all interactions.1421. gidduph -- revilings, reviling words
... 1420, 1421. gidduph. 1422 . revilings, reviling words. Transliteration: gidduph
Phonetic Spelling: (ghid-doof') Short Definition: revilings. ...
/hebrew/1421.htm - 6k

5007b. neatsah -- contempt, blasphemy
... Word Origin from naats Definition contempt, blasphemy NASB Word Usage blasphemies
(2), revilings (1). 5007a, 5007b. neatsah. 5008 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5007b.htm - 5k

Read Now the Most Profuse Revilings which He Has Poured Forth ...
... Book III. Chapter 15. " 17. Read now the most profuse revilings which
he has poured forth whilst puffed? "17. Read now the ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 15 17 read.htm

Then Hades, Receiving Prince Satan, Said to Him, with Vehement ...
... Part II."Christ's Descent into Hell. Latin. First Version. Chapter 7 (23). Then
Hades, receiving Prince Satan, said to him, with vehement revilings? ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 7 23 then hades.htm

Hear Therefore, all Ye who have Read his Revilings...
... Book III. Chapter 2. " 3. Hear therefore, all ye who have read his
revilings? "3. Hear therefore, all ye who have read his ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 2 3 hear.htm

Celsus, in Adopting the Character of a Jew, could not Discover any ...
... For in the writings of the law and the prophets God makes use of threats and revilings,
when He employs language of not less severity than that found in the ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxvi celsus in adopting.htm

Of the Gods and Sacred Rites of the Barbarians.
... [1474] Lindus is a town of Rhodes, where sacred rites in honour of Hercules
are celebrated with revilings. For when Hercules had ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiii of the gods and.htm

Being Able to Read, Petilianus, I have Read Your Letter...
... was in a certain sense of public interest, you should have been led by private
animosity to attack the life of an individual with malicious revilings, just as ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 1 1 being.htm

Whether Reviling Arises from Anger?
... Objection 2: Further, it is written (Prov.20:3): "All fools are meddling with revilings
[Douay: 'reproaches']." Now folly is a vice opposed to wisdom, as ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether reviling arises from anger.htm

Of Certain Deities Peculiar to Barbarians, and their Sacred Rites ...
... of which differs widely from all other rites; for they are not celebrated with words
of good omen [96] (as the Greeks term it), but with revilings and cursing. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxi of certain deities peculiar.htm

Pythagoras Taught, Accordingly, that He had Himself Been ...
... I come now to your Epilogue, (that is to the revilings which you pour upon me,)
in which you exhort me to repentance, and threaten me with destruction unless I ...
/.../40 pythagoras taught accordingly that.htm

Matt. xxvi. 67, 68
... endured. These things Paul puts forward in every way, the cross, the death,
the sufferings, the revilings, the insults, the scoffs. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxv matt xxvi 67.htm

Revilings (5 Occurrences)
...Revilings (5 Occurrences). ... Isaiah 43:28 And I pollute princes of the sanctuary,
And I give Jacob to destruction, and Israel to revilings! (YLT). ...
/r/revilings.htm - 8k

Reviling (47 Occurrences)
... 51:7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my
law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings...
/r/reviling.htm - 21k

Taunt (38 Occurrences)
... 7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law;
fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye dismayed at their revilings. ...
/t/taunt.htm - 18k

Revised

/r/revised.htm - 12k

Quarrels (10 Occurrences)
... with pride and has no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies
about words which give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured ...
/q/quarrels.htm - 9k

Quarrelling (5 Occurrences)
... with pride and has no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies
about words which give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured ...
/q/quarrelling.htm - 8k

Overtaken (36 Occurrences)
... unto the voice of Jehovah thy God to observe to do all His commands, and His statutes,
which I am commanding thee to-day, that all these revilings have come ...
/o/overtaken.htm - 18k

Ill-natured (3 Occurrences)
... with pride and has no true knowledge, but is crazy over discussions and controversies
about words which give rise to envy, quarrelling, revilings, ill-natured ...
/i/ill-natured.htm - 7k

Insulted (18 Occurrences)
... Zephaniah 2:8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, And the revilings of the sons of
Ammon, Wherewith they reproached My people, And magnify 'themselves' against ...
/i/insulted.htm - 11k

Taunted (18 Occurrences)
... Zephaniah 2:8 I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children
of Ammon, wherewith they have reproached my people, and magnified themselves ...
/t/taunted.htm - 12k

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