Topical Encyclopedia
Condemning, in the biblical context, refers to the act of declaring someone guilty or worthy of punishment. It is a significant theme throughout Scripture, reflecting both divine judgment and human interactions. The concept of condemnation is closely tied to sin, justice, and redemption.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, condemnation often appears in the context of God's judgment against nations and individuals who violate His commandments. For instance, in
Deuteronomy 27:26 , it is written, "Cursed is he who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out." This reflects the idea that failing to adhere to God's law results in a curse, or condemnation.
The prophets frequently spoke of condemnation as a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness.
Isaiah 5:20 warns, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter." Here, condemnation is pronounced on those who pervert moral order.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the theme of condemnation is expanded to include the ultimate judgment of humanity. Jesus Christ's teachings often addressed the issue of condemnation, emphasizing both the reality of divine judgment and the possibility of redemption. In
John 3:18 , Jesus states, "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the concept in
Romans 8:1 , declaring, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This verse highlights the transformative power of faith in Christ, which removes the believer from the state of condemnation.
Condemnation and the LawThe law, as given in the Old Testament, serves as a standard by which individuals are judged.
Romans 3:20 states, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." The law reveals human sinfulness and the consequent condemnation, underscoring the need for a savior.
Judgment and MercyWhile condemnation is a reality for those who reject God's grace, the Bible also emphasizes God's mercy and desire for repentance. In
Ezekiel 18:23 , God declares, "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?" This reflects God's preference for repentance over condemnation.
Human CondemnationScripture also addresses the issue of humans condemning one another. Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment in
Matthew 7:1-2 , "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." This teaching encourages believers to exercise humility and mercy in their interactions with others.
Final JudgmentThe Bible speaks of a final judgment where all will stand before God.
Revelation 20:12 describes this scene: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and there were open books. And one of them was the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books." This ultimate act of divine judgment will result in eternal condemnation for those not found in the book of life.
In summary, condemnation in the Bible is a multifaceted concept involving divine justice, human sinfulness, and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It serves as a warning of the consequences of sin while simultaneously pointing to the hope of salvation through faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Condemn.
Greek
1341. dikaiokrisia -- righteous judgment... 1341 (a feminine noun derived from 1342 , "righteous" and 2920 , "judgment") --
properly, the brand of based on standard (His own justice),
condemning what is
...2919. krino -- to judge, decide
... verb Definition to judge, decide NASB Word Usage act as...judge (1), concluded
(1), condemn (1),condemning (1), considered (1), decided (8), determine (1...
Strong's Hebrew
7561. rasha -- to be wicked, act wickedly... act wickedly NASB Word Usage act wickedly (3), acted wickedly (6), been wicked
(1), behaved wickedly (1), condemn (10), condemned (2),
condemning (1), condemns
...Library
ChristCondemning Sin
... ROMANS CHRISTCONDEMNING SIN. 'For what the law could not do, in that it
was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the...
After This, Celsus, WithoutCondemning Circumcision as Practised...
... Chapter XXII. After this, Celsus, withoutcondemning circumcision as practised
by the Jews? After this, Celsus, withoutcondemning...
How they be Deceived that Follow the Fervour of Spirit in...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER How they be deceived that follow
the fervour of spirit incondemning of some without discretion....
How those are to be Admonished who Praise the Unlawful Things of...
... How those are to be admonished who praise the unlawful things of which they are
conscious, and those who whilecondemning them, in no wise guard against them....
The Number of Good Things in those Natures which Manich??us Places...
... I, you see, join with you incondemning the evils you attribute to them; join you
with me in praising the good things which you ascribe to them: so it will...
Acts xiii. 16, 17
... and their rulers, because they knew Him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets
which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them incondemning Him....
The Sinner's Excuses Answered
... These convictions the Bible outrages. It represents God as creating men and then
condemning them for another's sin. Indeed, said I, and where?...
Jesus and his Secret Friends.
... We are told also that he was a good man and devout, and had not consented
to the counsel and deed of the court incondemning Jesus....
The Cases of Servants and Other Officials. What Offices a...
... the head of power), neither sitting in judgment on any one's life or character,
for you might bear with his judging about money; neithercondemning nor fore...
Translated by the Rev. ...
... Nay, for that part of it, will not their absolute supremacy be more conspicuous
in theircondemning her, even after she has made her plea?...
Thesaurus
Condemning (6 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Condemn. Multi-Version Concordance
Condemning (6 Occurrences).
... Romans 8:34 who 'is' he that is
condemning?
...Condemnation (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act ofcondemning or pronouncing to be wrong;
censure; blame; disapprobation.... 4. (n.) The ground or reason ofcondemning....
Nicolaitans (2 Occurrences)
... chosen to serve at the tables (Acts 6:5). Irenaeus, as also Clement of Alexandria
(Strom., ii.20), Tertullian and others, unite incondemning their practices...
Justifying (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:32 then hear in heaven, and do, and judge your servants,condemning the
wicked, to bring his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous, to...
Condemns (11 Occurrences)
Law (670 Occurrences)
... Christ incondemning the flippant oaths allowed by the rabbis was really asserting
the authority of that 3rd command; lie was enforcing its spirituality and...
Voices (76 Occurrences)
... in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn't know him, nor the voices of
the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them bycondemning him....
Utterances (9 Occurrences)
... in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn't know him, nor the voices of
the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them bycondemning him....
Innocence (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:32 then hear in heaven, and do, and judge your servants,condemning the
wicked, to bring his way on his own head, and justifying the righteous, to...
Recognizing (10 Occurrences)
... in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn't know him, nor the voices of
the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them bycondemning him....
Resources
Why is "You shall not covet" in the Ten Commandments? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happens to those who have never heard about Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Pontius Pilate? | GotQuestions.orgCondemning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
