The term "surly" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of surliness, characterized by a bad-tempered or unfriendly demeanor, can be explored through various scriptural principles and examples. The Bible frequently addresses attitudes and behaviors that align with what might be considered surly, emphasizing the importance of kindness, patience, and humility.

Biblical Principles Against Surliness

1. Kindness and Gentleness: The Bible consistently encourages believers to exhibit kindness and gentleness, which are contrary to a surly disposition. In Ephesians 4:31-32 , Paul writes, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This passage highlights the call to replace negative attitudes with positive, Christ-like behaviors.

2. Patience and Self-Control: Proverbs 15:18 states, "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms a dispute." This proverb underscores the value of patience and self-control, virtues that counteract a surly temperament. The fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23 , includes "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control," all of which are antithetical to surliness.

3. Humility and Servanthood: Philippians 2:3-4 advises, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." A surly attitude often stems from pride and self-centeredness, whereas humility and servanthood foster a spirit of cooperation and peace.

Examples of Surliness in Scripture

1. Nabal: In 1 Samuel 25, Nabal is described as "harsh and evil in his dealings" (1 Samuel 25:3). His surly behavior towards David's men nearly leads to disaster for his household, illustrating the destructive potential of such an attitude. Abigail, Nabal's wife, intervenes with wisdom and humility, averting the crisis and exemplifying the virtues that counteract surliness.

2. Jonah: The prophet Jonah exhibits a surly attitude in his reluctance to preach to Nineveh and his displeasure at God's mercy towards the city. Jonah 4:1-3 describes his anger and frustration, revealing a heart resistant to God's compassion and grace. Jonah's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of harboring a surly spirit against God's will.

3. The Elder Brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Son: In Luke 15:28-30 , the elder brother's surly reaction to his father's celebration of the prodigal son's return highlights his resentment and lack of compassion. His attitude contrasts with the father's joy and forgiveness, emphasizing the importance of grace and reconciliation.

Admonitions for Believers

Believers are called to reflect the character of Christ, who embodies love, patience, and humility. James 1:19-20 advises, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." This instruction serves as a guide for overcoming surliness and cultivating a spirit that honors God and fosters harmonious relationships.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "surly," it provides ample guidance on avoiding such attitudes through the cultivation of virtues that reflect the heart of Christ.1. (a.) Arrogant; haughty.

2. (a.) Gloomily morose; ill-natured, abrupt, and rude; severe; sour; crabbed; rough; sullen; gloomy; as, a surly groom; a surly dog; surly language; a surly look.

3. (a.) Rough; dark; tempestuous.

The Son of the Murket
... tutors because thou couldst sing. Thou wast a stubborn lad, as pretty as
a mimosa and as surly as a caged lion. I can see thee now ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xvii the son of.htm

Off to vienna
... I want to walk.". And though a peasant might often be afraid to accept the favor
from a noble, or be surly and churlish, the folk never were so with Stanislaus. ...
/.../chapter iv off to vienna.htm

Miscellaneous Phrases
... A keenly receptive and intensely sensitive temperament. A kind of fantastic
patchwork. A kind of surly reluctance. A laudable stimulus. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section xi miscellaneous phrases.htm

The Courage of the Saviour
... He is confident in his own strength, he is rough and hard, and does not care for
pain; and when he thrusts his head into a fight, like a surly dog, he does it ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxv the courage of.htm

"His Chains Fell Off. " Acts xii. 7
... What a blessed change! How the chains of winter have fallen off, and that surly
east-wind jailer been dismissed without noise or clamour. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/vi his chains fell off.htm

The Martyrdom
... In two days Secundus and Cythegius, with their quaternion of soldiers, arrived,
and issued the surly order that next morning the journey to Pityus must be begun ...
/.../chapter lxviii the martyrdom.htm

God's Promises Tests
... We do not know how long his Egyptian bondage had lasted, nor how long before that
his endurance of the active ill-will of his surly brothers had gone on. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/gods promises tests.htm

Building in Troublous Times
... Now, it is easy to represent this as a piece of impolitic narrowness, and to say
that its surly bigotry was rightly punished by the evils that it brought down ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/building in troublous times.htm

Psalm 93:3. 3D M. As the Old 122D Psalm. The Same.
... 3 In vain the noisy crowd, Like billows fierce and loud, Against thine empire rage
and roar; In vain, with angry spite, The surly nations fight, And dash like ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 93 3 0 3d m as.htm

Wesley in St. Albans Abbey
... things before. And they were not helped by two surly, ill-mannered clergymen,
who seemed to be just as wise as themselves. The congregation ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley in st albans abbey.htm

Surly (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Gloomily morose; ill-natured, abrupt, and rude; severe; sour; crabbed; rough;
sullen; gloomy; as, a surly groom; a surly dog; surly language; a surly...
/s/surly.htm - 7k

Surging (10 Occurrences)

/s/surging.htm - 9k

Growl (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To express by growling. 3. (n.) The deep, threatening sound made by a surly
dog; a grumbling sound. Multi-Version Concordance Growl (11 Occurrences). ...
/g/growl.htm - 9k

Grumble (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To murmur or mutter with discontent; to make
ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner. ...
/g/grumble.htm - 10k

Ill-natured (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Of habitual bad temper; surly; peevish;
fractious; cross; crabbed; as, an ill-natured person. ...
/i/ill-natured.htm - 7k

Frown (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To contract the brow in displeasure, severity,
or sternness; to scowl; to put on a stern, grim, or surly look. ...
/f/frown.htm - 7k

Rugged (7 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Rough to the ear; harsh; grating; -- said of sound, style, and the like.
7. (n.) Sour; surly; frowning; wrinkled; -- said of looks, etc. ...
/r/rugged.htm - 9k

Mizar (1 Occurrence)
... in the district (za`ura, wady za`arah, and Khirbet Mazara) may be a reminiscence
of the name of a hill in the district called Mits`ar; and surly none other ...
/m/mizar.htm - 8k

Churl (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A rustic; a countryman or laborer. 2. (n.) A rough, surly, ill-bred man;
a boor. 3. (n.) A selfish miser; an illiberal person; a miser. ...
/c/churl.htm - 9k

Churlish (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Like a churl; rude; cross-grained; ungracious;
surly; illiberal; stingy. 2. (a.) Wanting pliancy ...
/c/churlish.htm - 7k

Am I my brother's keeper? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Abigail in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of David and Nabal? | GotQuestions.org

Surly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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