Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Harshness refers to a severe, unkind, or cruel manner of behavior or speech. It is characterized by a lack of gentleness, compassion, or empathy. In the biblical context, harshness is often contrasted with the virtues of kindness, gentleness, and love, which are fruits of the Spirit (
Galatians 5:22-23).
Biblical References and Examples:The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings regarding harshness, often warning against it and promoting a spirit of gentleness and love instead.
1.
Proverbs on Harshness: The book of Proverbs frequently addresses the consequences of harsh words and actions.
Proverbs 15:1 states, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This highlights the destructive potential of harshness in communication and relationships.
2.
Parental Guidance: In the context of family, the Bible advises against harshness, particularly in parenting.
Ephesians 6:4 instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Similarly,
Colossians 3:21 warns, "Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged." These verses emphasize the importance of nurturing and guiding children with patience and understanding rather than with harshness.
3.
Leadership and Authority: Leaders and those in positions of authority are cautioned against harshness. In
1 Peter 5:2-3 , elders are encouraged to "shepherd the flock of God among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God's will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." This passage underscores the call for leaders to exercise their roles with humility and care, avoiding harsh or domineering behavior.
4.
Jesus’ Example: Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of gentleness and compassion. In
Matthew 11:29 , Jesus invites, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." His interactions with sinners, the sick, and the marginalized consistently reflect a spirit of love and gentleness, contrasting sharply with the harshness often exhibited by the religious leaders of His time.
5.
Paul’s Teachings: The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the need for gentleness in his epistles. In
2 Timothy 2:24-25 , he advises, "And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." Paul’s instructions highlight the importance of correcting others with a spirit of gentleness rather than harshness.
Theological Implications:Harshness is often seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature, which believers are called to put aside in favor of the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (
Ephesians 4:22-24). The call to avoid harshness is rooted in the Christian imperative to love one's neighbor as oneself (
Matthew 22:39) and to emulate the character of Christ, who embodies perfect love and gentleness.
Practical Application:Christians are encouraged to examine their own behavior and speech, seeking to eliminate harshness and cultivate a spirit of gentleness and kindness. This involves being mindful of how words and actions affect others and striving to reflect the love of Christ in all interactions. Prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit are essential in this transformative process.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The quality or state of being harsh.
Greek
663. apotomia -- sharpness, steepness... steepness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apotomia Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ot-om-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
harshness, severity Definition: (lit
...4239. praus -- meekness
... This difficult-to-translate root () means "meek." meekness is but rather refers
to exercising under -- ie demonstrating power without undueharshness....
2261. epios -- gentle, mild
... 2307 ). It describes the believer acting even-handedly, avoiding unnecessary
harshness or excess by into a situation that God reveals....
4235. praos -- meek.
... Cognate: 4235 -- , ie the necessary balance of exercising power and avoidingharshness.
See 4236 (). Word Origin variant reading for praus, qv. meek....
5544. chrestotes -- goodness, excellence, uprightness
... Hence 5544 () is listed as (Gal 5:22). With the believer, 5544 ("divine ") is the
goodness which meets the need and avoids humanharshness (cruelty)....
4236. praotes -- meekness.
... 4236 ("strength in gentleness") avoids unnecessaryharshness, yet without
compromising or being too slow to use necessary force....
4088. pikria -- bitterness
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pikria Phonetic Spelling: (pik-ree'-ah)
Short Definition: bitterness Definition: bitterness,harshness, hence met...
Strong's Hebrew
6531. perek --harshness, severity... 6530, 6531. perek. 6532 .
harshness, severity. Transliteration: perek
Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-rek) Short Definition: severity.
...2685. chatsaph -- to show insolence orharshness
... chatsaph. 2686 . to show insolence orharshness. Transliteration: chatsaph Phonetic
Spelling: (khats-af') Short Definition: urgent. Word Origin (Aramaic) a prim...
4995. na -- raw
... raw. Apparently from nuw' in the sense ofharshness from refusal; properly, tough,
ie Uncooked (flesh) -- raw. see HEBREW nuw'. 4994, 4995. na. 4996 ....
Library
Unfairness of Charging the Disciples of the New Prophecy with...
... Chapter XV."Unfairness of Charging the Disciples of the New Prophecy with
Harshness The Charge Rather to Be Retorted Upon the Psychics....
We must Observe a Right Standard Between Too Great Mildness and...
... Book II. Chapter XXII. We must observe a right standard between too great
mildness and excessiveharshness.? We must observe a...
Gentleness.
... God, by a blessed, wonderful, and successful operation of the Holy Spirit, will
take that roughness,harshness, and severity out of your nature, and instil...
Whether Evil is Properly the Motive of Mercy?
... Therefore evil does not excite mercy. Objection 2: Further, cruelty andharshness
seem to excel other evils. Now the Philosopher says (Rhet....
God's Slaves
... apparent entire want of connection with what precedes"viz., the disciples' prayer,
'Lord, increase our faith,' and the other is theharshness and severity of...
From Examples Tertullian Passes to Direct Dogmatic Teachings He...
... for fear, namely, that he contravene the Lord: for He alone shall "separate" who
has "conjoined" (separate, moreover, not through theharshness of divorce...
I have Cast About Widely to Find a Title for this Section...
... the Colonial idealism of Rhodes' and Kipling; but I do not think, as some of its
opponents do, that it is an insolent creation of Englishharshness and rapacity...
2 Cor. vii. 2, 3
... together and live together. Again he raiseth the discourse about love,
mitigating theharshness of his rebuke. For since he had...
Letter cxxxiii. (AD 412. )
... The necessity forharshness is greater in the investigation than in the infliction
of punishment; for even the gentlest men use diligence and stringency in...
Concerted Prayer
... Then our Lord was guilty ofharshness Himself, for He ends these directions by saying,
"But if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as a heathen...
Thesaurus
Severity (7 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor;
harshness; as, the severity
of a reprimand or a reproof; severity of discipline or government
...Ruthlessly (8 Occurrences)
... them serve. (WEB NIV). Leviticus 25:43 You shall not rule over him with
harshness, but shall fear your God. (See NIV). Leviticus 25...
Rule (291 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Leviticus 25:43 You shall not rule over him withharshness, but shall
fear your God. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Harshness (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceHarshness (5 Occurrences). Exodus 1:13 And the Egyptians
made the children of Israel serve withharshness; (DBY)....
Liquid (15 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Pronounced without any jar orharshness; smooth; as, l and r are liquid
letters. 5. (a.) Fluid and transparent; as, the liquid air....
Wolf (4 Occurrences)
... 7. (a.) In bowed instruments, aharshness due to defective vibration in certain
notes of the scale. 8. (n.) A willying machine. Int....
Flow (85 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To glide along smoothly, withoutharshness or asperities; as, a flowing
period; flowing numbers; to sound smoothly to the ear; to be uttered easily....
Revere (26 Occurrences)
... among you. (See NAS). Leviticus 25:43 You shall not rule over him with
harshness, but shall fear your God. (See NAS). Deuteronomy...
Easy (14 Occurrences)
... easy mind. 4. (vt) Free from constraint,harshness, or formality;
unconstrained; smooth; as, easy manners; an easy style. 5. (vt...
Embittered (12 Occurrences)
... their life with hard labour in clay and bricks, and in all manner of labour in the
field: all their labour with which they made them serve was withharshness....
Resources
Is faith in God a crutch? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean by "an eye for an eye"? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Job in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHarshness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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