Topical Bible: Slander: Priests

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Slander, defined as the act of making false and damaging statements about someone, is a sin that is addressed multiple times in the Bible. When it comes to priests, who are called to be spiritual leaders and mediators between God and His people, slander takes on a particularly grievous nature due to the high calling and responsibility of the priestly office.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Old Testament Context: In the Old Testament, priests were chosen by God to serve in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, performing sacrifices and teaching the Law. The sanctity of their role made them targets for slander, which was seen as an attack not only on the individual but on the divine order established by God. Leviticus 21:6 emphasizes the holiness required of priests: "They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. For they present the offerings made by fire to the LORD, the food of their God. So they must be holy."

2. Slander Against Aaron and Moses: A notable instance of slander against a priestly figure is found in Numbers 12, where Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses because of his Cushite wife. Although Moses is not a priest in the traditional sense, he holds a unique mediatory role. God responds to this slander by affirming Moses' unique position and punishing Miriam with leprosy, highlighting the seriousness of speaking against His chosen leaders.

3. Eli and His Sons: In 1 Samuel 2, the sons of Eli, who were priests, are described as corrupt, and their actions led to slander against the priesthood. Their behavior caused the people to despise the offerings of the LORD. This narrative illustrates how the misconduct of priests can lead to slander, affecting the entire community's perception of the priestly office.

4. New Testament Teachings: The New Testament continues to uphold the importance of integrity among spiritual leaders. In 1 Timothy 3:2-3 , Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers, which include being "above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money." While this passage addresses overseers, the principles apply to all spiritual leaders, including priests.

5. Jesus and the High Priests: In the Gospels, Jesus Himself faces slander from the religious leaders, including the high priests. In Matthew 26:59-61 , the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin seek false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death. This act of slander against the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, underscores the depth of sin involved in bearing false witness.

6. James on the Tongue: The Epistle of James provides a broader teaching on the power of the tongue, which can be applied to the issue of slander. James 3:6 states, "The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." This passage serves as a warning against the destructive power of slander, especially against those in spiritual authority.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Slander against priests not only harms the individuals involved but also undermines the community's trust in spiritual leadership. The Bible consistently calls for respect and honor towards those whom God has appointed to lead His people. Slander, therefore, is not merely a personal offense but a spiritual one, disrupting the harmony and order that God desires for His people. The call to holiness and integrity for priests and all spiritual leaders is paramount, as their lives are to reflect the character of God and lead others in truth and righteousness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 15:3
And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

He Adds Also S. John Chrysostom.
... plague of a Catholic and holy people, do you dare to stand and teach in the Church
of God, and with your wild and blasphemous words slander the priests of an ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xxx he adds also.htm

Hatred Without Cause
... At other times that hatred showed itself in words of slander, such as these ... wanted
an equal quantity of loaves and fishes offered by the priests, to develop it ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/hatred without cause.htm

ecce Iterum Crispinus!'
... then began to defame Isidore, and appealed to the four Brothers to support his slander. ...
He is accustomed to treat his bishops, priests, and monks as the merest ...
/.../chapter xliii ecce iterum crispinus.htm

The World Turned Upside Down
... of a kingdom and which would disturb the evil practices of false priests, but they ...
touched, if a harsh word be spoken against him, or one slander uttered he is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the world turned upside down.htm

John vii. 9, 10
... Methinks the first of these opinions was that of the many, the other that of the
rulers and priests. For to slander Him suited their malice and wickedness. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlix john vii 9.htm

Pope Anterus.
... saith he, "and spakest against thy brother; and thou didst slander thine own ... the
ancient law, that whoever has not given obedience to the priests should either ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/pope anterus.htm

Acts VI
... was greatly multiplied, and that a great multitude of the priests became obedient. ...
of error are defeated in discussion, they always resort to slander, or to ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vi.htm

Letter cxxvii. To Principia.
... art in the way with him." [3526] Who ever heard a slander of Marcella ... It was from
some priests of Alexandria, and from pope Athanasius, and subsequently from ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxvii to principia.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... Lastly, not to dwell on other instances, the chief priests and Pharisees ... which seem
intended in the text, unkind censure, carping, slander, ridicule, cold looks ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

How Saints May Help the Devil
... If sinners slander us, it is because we make them uneasy. ... Remember thou the time
of thy purity, when thy priests were glorious, and thy sons and daughters were ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/how saints may help the.htm