Topical Bible: Contempt: Folly of

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Contempt, in the biblical context, refers to the attitude of disdain or scorn towards God, His commandments, or His people. The Scriptures consistently portray contempt as a manifestation of folly, highlighting its destructive nature and the spiritual blindness it reveals.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Contempt for God and His Word: The Bible warns against showing contempt for God and His commandments. In Proverbs 1:7 , it is written, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This verse underscores that contempt for divine wisdom is a hallmark of foolishness. Similarly, in Proverbs 14:9 , "Fools mock the making of amends, but goodwill is found among the upright," illustrating that contempt for repentance and reconciliation is folly.

2. Contempt for God's People: The Scriptures also address contempt directed towards God's chosen people. In 2 Samuel 6:16 , Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked upon King David with contempt as he danced before the LORD, revealing her lack of understanding and respect for David's worship. This incident highlights how contempt can blind individuals to the spiritual significance of others' actions.

3. Consequences of Contempt: The Bible outlines the consequences of contempt, often leading to one's downfall. In Proverbs 18:3 , it states, "With the wicked comes contempt, and with shame comes reproach." This verse indicates that contempt is associated with wickedness and ultimately results in shame and disgrace.

4. Contempt in the New Testament: The New Testament continues to address the folly of contempt. In Romans 2:4 , Paul writes, "Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?" Here, contempt for God's grace and patience is depicted as a failure to recognize the opportunity for repentance and salvation.

5. Jesus' Teachings on Contempt: Jesus Himself taught against contempt, particularly in the context of judgment and self-righteousness. In Matthew 5:22 , He warns, "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." This teaching emphasizes the seriousness of contemptuous attitudes towards others.

Wisdom Literature and Contempt

The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs, frequently contrasts the wise and the foolish, often associating folly with contempt. Proverbs 15:5 states, "A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent." This highlights that contempt for parental guidance is a sign of foolishness, while acceptance of correction is wise.

Contempt and Humility

The Bible advocates for humility as the antidote to contempt. In Philippians 2:3 , Paul exhorts believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." This call to humility serves as a counter to the prideful attitude that often underlies contempt.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of contempt as folly serves as a warning to believers to guard their hearts against disdain and scorn. By embracing humility, wisdom, and reverence for God and His commandments, individuals can avoid the pitfalls of contempt and live in accordance with divine wisdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 11:12
He that is void of wisdom despises his neighbor: but a man of understanding holds his peace.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Many-Sided Contrast of Wisdom and Folly
... finds confirmation of its great principle that goodness is wisdom and sin folly. ...
8 asserts that, on the whole, honour attends goodness, and contempt wickedness ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the many-sided contrast of wisdom.htm

Of Images, and the Ornaments of Temples, and the Contempt in which ...
... iv."of images, and the ornaments of temples, and the contempt in which they are
held even by ... But Flaccus, as a writer of satire, ridiculed the folly of men. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iv of images and the.htm

Folly of the Arguments Derived by the Heretics from Numbers ...
... Against Heresies: Book II Chapter XXIV."Folly of the arguments derived by the heretics
from numbers, letters, and ... [3187] [Note the manly contempt with which ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxiv folly of the arguments.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... endeavour to do (1) by describing the nature, (2) by declaring the folly of it ... those
are laid at his door, which plainly do arise from the contempt or neglect ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

Table of Contents
... Not to Be Discouraged in Their Way, by the Scoffs and Contempt of Wicked Men.
[79]29. The Extent and Reasonableness of Self-Denial. [80]09. The Folly and Danger ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/table of contents.htm

The Seventh Book Shows from Various Statements Made to The
... writings, I say, for I do not like to insert in my own work the nauseous stuff our
rhetorician utters, or to display his ignorance and folly to contempt in the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 1 the seventh book.htm

Of the Way of Error and of Truth: that it is Single, Narrow, and ...
... contains something which resembles wisdom, and they who perceive the folly of men ...
but those who either wish to follow virtue, or profess a contempt for things ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap vii of the way of.htm

Christ Crucified
... What contempt hath God poured upon the wisdom of this world! ... He has allowed
it to word out its own conclusions, and prove its own folly. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christ crucified.htm

What are Consequences of Backsliding in Heart.
... and contempt. A backslider is, indeed, the most foolish person in the world. Having
experimental knowledge of the true way of life, he has the infinite folly ...
/.../finney/the backslider in heart/iv what are consequences of.htm

Of the Errors of Certain Philosophers, and of the Sun and Moon.
... If you have so great a contempt for money, employ it in acts of kindness ... eighteen
times larger than the earth; and, as was consistent with this folly, he said ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxiii of the errors of.htm