Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "blamed" often relates to the assignment of responsibility or fault for a wrongdoing or sin. The notion of blame is intricately connected with themes of accountability, guilt, and the need for repentance and forgiveness.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament frequently addresses the idea of blame in the context of sin and disobedience to God's commandments. In
Genesis 3:12-13 , after Adam and Eve eat from the forbidden tree, Adam blames Eve, and Eve, in turn, blames the serpent: "The man replied, 'The woman You gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.' Then the LORD God said to the woman, 'What is this you have done?' 'The serpent deceived me,' she replied, 'and I ate.'" This passage illustrates the human tendency to shift blame rather than accept personal responsibility.
In the Law given to Moses, the Israelites are instructed on the importance of personal accountability.
Leviticus 5:17 states, "If someone sins and violates any of the LORD’s commandments even though he was unaware, he is still guilty and shall bear his punishment." This underscores the principle that ignorance does not absolve one from blame.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of blame is often discussed in the context of moral and spiritual accountability.
Romans 2:1 warns against hypocrisy and the judgment of others: "You therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on another. For on whatever grounds you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." This passage highlights the importance of self-examination and the avoidance of unjustly blaming others.
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses issues of blame within the early Christian communities. In
1 Corinthians 1:8 , Paul speaks of the blamelessness that believers are called to in Christ: "He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." Here, the emphasis is on the transformative power of Christ's grace, which enables believers to stand blameless before God.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of blame is closely tied to the doctrines of sin and redemption. Human beings, according to Christian teaching, are inherently sinful and thus subject to blame. However, through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, believers are offered forgiveness and the opportunity to be free from blame.
Ephesians 1:4 states, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence in love."
The call to live a blameless life is a recurring theme in the New Testament, urging believers to pursue holiness and integrity.
Philippians 2:14-15 exhorts, "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world."
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, the biblical teaching on blame encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions, seek forgiveness, and strive for a life that reflects the character of Christ. It also warns against the dangers of unjustly blaming others and the importance of humility and self-reflection. The pursuit of a blameless life is not about achieving perfection but about living in a manner that honors God and reflects His love and righteousness to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Blame.
Library
Herein is a Mirror to beBlamed, --If Its Clearness is Darkened...
... Hymn XVI. Herein is a mirror to beblamed,"if its clearness is
darkened"because there are spots on its substance. 1. Herein is...
And if they are not to beBlamed for So Doing...
... Chapter LI. And if they are not to beblamed for so doing? And if they are
not to beblamed for so doing, let us see whether Christians...
The Church is not to beBlamed for the Conduct of Bad Christians...
... Of the Morals of the Catholic Church. Chapter 34. "The Church is Not to BeBlamed
for the Conduct of Bad Christians, Worshippers of Tombs and Pictures. 74....
Whether Moral Good and Evil Can be Found in the Passions of the...
... Ethic. ii, 5) that "we are neither praised norblamed for our passions."
But we are praised andblamed for moral good and evil....
Whether a Human Action Deserves Praise or Blame, by Reason of Its...
... ii, 8 "it is a sin in a grammarian to write badly, and in a doctor to give the wrong
medicine." But the artist is notblamed for making something bad: because...
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke ix. 57, Etc. , Where the Case of...
... follow thee whithersoever thou goest," and was disallowed: another did not dare
to offer himself, and was aroused; the third wished to delay, and wasblamed....
Hence Neither is it Lawful to Accuse those who have Left All...
... with his mother Elisabeth. [2339] Whence these men that have withdrawn
themselves are not at all to beblamed. Balsamon. But if any...
Argument. --And Thus Unclean Animals are not to be Reproached...
... And if in it anything which it has by nature is characterized as a defilement, that
same thing is most to beblamed when it is found in man opposed to his...
Psalm LXXXII.
... If then they are justlyblamed and deservedly rebuked, who by their dissembling
suffered such a wicked deed to be committed; how must they beblamed, or rather...
But Perhaps You Will Say to Me: "Why do You Fill Your Paper with...
... He says to me: "If you have translated Origen, you are to beblamed; but I, even
if I have said the very things for which I blame him, have done well, and...
Thesaurus
Blamed (2 Occurrences)...Blamed (2 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 6:3 We give no occasion of stumbling in anything,
that our service may not be
blamed, (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT).
...Blame (14 Occurrences)
Nicolaitans (2 Occurrences)
... Their practices were strongly condemned by John, who praised the church in Ephesus
for "hating their works" (Revelation 2:6), andblamed the church in Pergamum...
Nicolaitanes (2 Occurrences)
... The church at Ephesus (Revelation 2:6) is commended for hating the "deeds" of the
Nicolaitanes, and the church of Pergamos isblamed for having them who hold...
Offense (44 Occurrences)
... God: (WBS NAS RSV). 2 Corinthians 6:3 Giving no offense in any thing, that
the ministry be notblamed: (WBS NAS). 2 Corinthians 11:7...
Obstacle (6 Occurrences)
... Christ. (See RSV). 2 Corinthians 6:3 We give no occasion of stumbling in
anything, that our service may not beblamed, (See RSV). 2...
Withstood (7 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV). Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I
withstood him to the face, because he was to beblamed. (KJV DBY WBS)....
Esau (89 Occurrences)
... Now, too late, Esau bitterly realized somewhat, at least, of his loss, though he
blamed Jacob altogether, and himself not at all (Genesis 27:34, 36)....
Ministration (33 Occurrences)
... YLT). 2 Corinthians 6:3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that
our ministration be notblamed; (ASV YLT). 2 Corinthians...
Block (22 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 2 Corinthians 6:3 We give no occasion of
stumbling in anything, that our service may not beblamed, (See NIV)....
Resources
What are boundaries, and are they biblical? | GotQuestions.orgIf the Bible teaches gender equality, why has gender inequality always been the norm? | GotQuestions.orgIs it wrong to blame God? Is blaming God a sin? | GotQuestions.orgBlamed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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