Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of accusation is significant both in human interactions and in the spiritual realm. The act of accusing involves charging someone with a fault, offense, or crime. The Bible addresses accusation in various contexts, highlighting its implications and the attitudes believers should adopt.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, accusations often appear in legal settings. The Mosaic Law provided guidelines for handling accusations to ensure justice and fairness. For instance,
Deuteronomy 19:15 states, "A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." This principle underscores the importance of corroborating evidence before accepting an accusation as valid.
The account of Joseph and Potiphar's wife in
Genesis 39 illustrates a false accusation. Joseph, a man of integrity, was wrongfully accused of attempting to assault Potiphar's wife, leading to his imprisonment. This narrative highlights the potential for misuse of accusations and the suffering of the innocent.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, accusations take on a broader spiritual dimension. Satan, whose name means "adversary" or "accuser," is depicted as the accuser of believers.
Revelation 12:10 describes him as "the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them day and night before our God." This portrayal emphasizes the spiritual battle believers face and the need for divine protection and advocacy.
Jesus Himself faced false accusations during His earthly ministry. In
Mark 14:56-59, false witnesses accused Him of blasphemy, leading to His crucifixion. Despite these accusations, Jesus remained silent, fulfilling the prophecy of
Isaiah 53:7, "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth."
Guidance for BelieversThe Bible provides guidance for believers on how to handle accusations. In
Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus outlines a process for addressing sin within the church, emphasizing private confrontation and reconciliation before involving others. This approach seeks to resolve issues without unnecessary public exposure.
Believers are also warned against making false accusations.
Exodus 20:16 commands, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor," highlighting the moral imperative to speak truthfully.
James 4:11 cautions, "Brothers, do not slander one another," urging believers to avoid harmful speech that can lead to unjust accusations.
Role of Jesus as AdvocateIn contrast to Satan's role as accuser, Jesus is portrayed as the advocate for believers. 1
John 2:1 states, "But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." This advocacy provides believers with assurance of forgiveness and righteousness through faith in Christ.
ConclusionThe biblical treatment of accusation underscores the importance of truth, justice, and integrity. Believers are called to be cautious in making accusations, to seek reconciliation, and to rely on Christ as their advocate against the accuser.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To charge with, or declare to have committed, a crime or offense.
2. (v. t.) to charge with an offense, judicially or by a public process; -- with of; as, to accuse one of a high crime or misdemeanor.
3. (v. t.) To charge with a fault; to blame; to censure.
4. (v. t.) To betray; to show. [L.]
Greek
4811. sukophanteo -- toaccuse falsely... to
accuse falsely. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sukophanteo Phonetic Spelling:
(soo-kof-an-teh'-o) Short Definition: I
accuse falsely, defraud
...4256. proaitiaomai -- toaccuse beforehand
... toaccuse beforehand. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proaitiaomai Phonetic
Spelling: (pro-ahee-tee-ah'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I make a prior...
2723. kategoreo -- to make accusation
... to make accusation. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kategoreo Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-ay-gor-eh'-o) Short Definition: Iaccuse, charge, prosecute...
1225. diaballo -- to bring charges (usually with hostile intent)
... intent). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diaballo Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ab-al'-lo) Short Definition: I slander, complain of,accuse Definition: I thrust...
1458. egkaleo -- to call in (as a debt or demand), ie bring to...
... to account. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: egkaleo Phonetic Spelling:
(eng-kal-eh'-o) Short Definition: I bring a charge against,accuse Definition: I...
1908. epereazo -- to revile
... mistreat, falselyaccuse. From a comparative of epi and (probably) areia (threats);
to insult, slander -- use despitefully, falselyaccuse. see GREEK epi....
335. anaideia -- shamelessness
... 335 ("no shame, without embarrassment") is the shamelessness a has who is not be
halted by human fears -- even when others cry "overdone" (ieaccuse them of...
1228. diabolos -- slanderous, accusing falsely
... Devil. 1228 (from 1225 , "to slander,accuse, defame") -- properly, a slanderer;
a ; unjustly criticizing to () and to . [1228 () is...
2018. epiphero -- to bring upon or against
... From epi and phero; to bear upon (or further), ie Adduce (personally or judicially
(accuse, inflict)), superinduce -- add, bring (against), take. see GREEK epi....
Strong's Hebrew
7853. satan -- to be or act as adversary... Word Origin denominative verb from satan Definition to be or act as adversary NASB
Word Usage
accuse (1), accusers (2), act as my accusers (1), adversaries (1
...7170. qerats -- a piece
...accuse. (Aramaic) corresponding to qerets in the sense of a bit (to "eat the morsels
of" any one, ie Chew him up (figuratively) by slander) -- +accuse....
399. akal -- to eat, devour
...accuse, devour, eat. (Aramaic) corresponding to 'akal -- +accuse, devour, eat.
see HEBREW 'akal. 398, 399. akal. 400 . Strong's Numbers.
3960. lashan -- to use the tongue, slander
...accuse, slander. A primitive root; properly, to lick; but used only as a denominative
from lashown; to wag the tongue, ie To calumniate --accuse, slander....
6030a. anah -- to answer, respond
... root Definition to answer, respond NASB Word Usageaccuse (1), accused (1), agrees
to make (1), answer (94), answer* (1), answered (102), answering (1...
Library
Whether a Man is Bound toAccuse?
... OF MATTERS CONCERNING UNJUST ACCUSATION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether a man is bound to
accuse? Objection 1: It would seem that a man is not bound toaccuse....
Inconsistency of those whoAccuse the Christians.
... Chapter XIV."Inconsistency of Those WhoAccuse the Christians. Then, as
to the other complaint, that we do not pray to and believe...
The PhariseesAccuse Christ of Sabbath-Breaking and Blasphemy....
... CHRIST'S SECOND JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM. Section 144. The Phariseesaccuse Christ of
Sabbath-breaking and Blasphemy."His Justification. (John, v., 10, 17-19.)....
"Accuse not Thyself Overmuch, Deeming that Thy Tribulation and Thy...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXXVII "Accuse not thyself overmuch, deeming that
thy tribulation and thy woe is all thy fault." "All thy living is penance...
Why the Pelagians FalselyAccuse Catholics of Maintaining Fate...
... Book II. Chapter 10."Why the Pelagians FalselyAccuse Catholics of Maintaining
Fate Under the Name of Grace. But, as I was somewhat...
Hence Neither is it Lawful toAccuse those who have Left All...
... Canon XIII. Hence neither is it lawful toaccuse those who have left
all? Hence neither is it lawful toaccuse those who have...
The Resurrection of Christ did not Convert the Jews but through...
... Chapter CVIII."The resurrection of Christ did not convert the Jews But through
the whole world they have sent men toaccuse Christ....
In the Next Place, Forgetting that his Object is toAccuse Both...
... Chapter LXXVII. In the next place, forgetting that his object is toaccuse
both Jews and Christians? In the next place, forgetting...
Phasaelus is Too Hard for Felix; Herod Also Overcomes Antigonus in...
... Phasaelus Is Too Hard For Felix; Herod Also Overcomes Antigonus In Rattle; And The
JewsAccuse Both Herod And Phasaelus But Antonius Acquits Them, And Makes...
The Synod not Having Come to the Emperor, the Partisans of...
... Book I. Chapter XXXV."The Synod not having come to the Emperor, the Partisans of
Eusebiusaccuse Athanasius of having threatened to divert the Corn supplied...
Thesaurus
Accuse (34 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) to charge with an offense, judicially or by a public process; -- with of;
as, to
accuse one of a high crime or misdemeanor.
...Accuse (34 Occurrences).
...Whereof (94 Occurrences)
... that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have
found no fault in this man touching those things whereof yeaccuse him: (KJV...
Cesar (20 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:2 And they began toaccuse him, saying, We found this man perverting the
nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cesar, saying, that he himself is...
Charges (58 Occurrences)
... perverts the people, and see, I have examined him before you, and found no basis
for a charge against this man concerning those things of which youaccuse him....
Accusing (13 Occurrences)
... (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofAccuse.... John 5:45 Do not think that I willaccuse you unto the
Father; there is who is accusing you, Moses -- in whom ye have hoped; (YLT)....
Nation (192 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:2 They began toaccuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting the nation,
forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ...
Caesar (25 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:2 They began toaccuse him, saying, "We found this man perverting the nation,
forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ...
Appeal (30 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To charge with a crime; toaccuse; to institute a private criminal prosecution
against for some heinous crime; as, to appeal a person of felony....
Persons (156 Occurrences)
... what should we do? And he said to them, Oppress no one, noraccuse falsely,
and be satisfied with your pay. (DBY). Luke 4:40 And...
Implead (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To institute and prosecute a suit against, in
court; to sue or prosecute at law; hence, toaccuse; to impeach....
Resources
Is God a moral monster? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Spider-Man fallacy? | GotQuestions.orgHow can we express our doubt to God without offending Him (Malachi 2:17; 3:14-15)? | GotQuestions.orgAccuse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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