Topical Encyclopedia
Rebuking is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting the divine and human response to sin, error, and disobedience. It is an act of correction intended to bring about repentance, restoration, and alignment with God's will. The concept of rebuking is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating its importance in the life of believers and the community of faith.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, rebuking is often associated with God's correction of His people. The Hebrew word for rebuke, "yākah," implies a form of correction or chastisement. God frequently rebukes Israel for their idolatry and disobedience, calling them back to covenant faithfulness. For example, in
Psalm 39:11 , it is written, "You discipline a man with punishment for iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor."
Prophets also played a crucial role in delivering God's rebuke to the people. They were tasked with calling out sin and urging repentance. In
Isaiah 1:18-20 , the prophet Isaiah conveys God's invitation to reason together, promising forgiveness if the people are willing to repent, but warning of consequences if they refuse.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, rebuking takes on a more personal and communal dimension within the body of Christ. Jesus Himself rebuked His disciples when necessary, as seen in
Mark 8:33 , where He rebukes Peter: "But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, 'Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'"
The apostolic writings emphasize the importance of rebuking as a means of maintaining doctrinal purity and moral integrity within the church. In
2 Timothy 4:2 , Paul instructs Timothy, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction." This highlights the necessity of rebuking as part of pastoral responsibility.
Purpose and Principles of RebukingRebuking serves several purposes in the biblical narrative. It is a tool for correction, intended to lead individuals and communities back to righteousness.
Proverbs 27:5 states, "Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed," underscoring the value of honest correction over hidden affection.
The process of rebuking should be carried out with love, humility, and a desire for restoration.
Galatians 6:1 advises, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." This verse emphasizes the need for gentleness and self-awareness when correcting others.
Rebuking and Church DisciplineRebuking is also integral to church discipline, a practice aimed at preserving the holiness and unity of the church. In
Matthew 18:15-17 , Jesus outlines a process for addressing sin within the community, beginning with private rebuke and, if necessary, escalating to involve the church. This process underscores the goal of winning back the erring brother or sister.
Titus 1:13 further illustrates the role of rebuking in church leadership: "This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith." Here, rebuking is seen as a means to ensure sound doctrine and faithfulness among believers.
ConclusionRebuking, as presented in the Bible, is a vital aspect of spiritual growth and community life. It is a practice that, when done in accordance with biblical principles, leads to repentance, restoration, and a deeper relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Rebuke.
Greek
3640. oligopistos -- little faith... applications) of. 3640 () occurs five times in the NT, each time with Jesus
rebuking the problem of (cf. Jn 10:3,4,27). "Little-faith
...2008. epitimao -- to honor, to mete out due measure, hence to...
... Word Origin from epi and timao Definition to honor, to mete out due measure, hence
to censure NASB Word Usage rebuke (6), rebuked (13),rebuking (3), sternly...
Library
Ci. Foretelling his Passion.Rebuking Ambition.
... Bethany. (Time: One Year Less One Week.) CI. Foretelling His Passion.
Rebuking Ambition. (Per??a, or Jud??a, Near the Jordan.) ^A...
The Patient Teacher, and the Slow Scholars
... So taken up were they with this petty trouble that they twisted the Master's words
as they fell from His lips, and thought that He wasrebuking them for what...
John Chapter viii. 19, 20
... 3. "For if ye knew me, ye would perhaps know my Father also." He who knows all
things is not in doubt when He says perhaps, butrebuking....
Rom. xiv. 14
... After firstrebuking the person who judgeth his brother, and moving him to leave
off this reproaching, he then explains himself further upon the doctrinal part...
A Letter to Origen from Africanus About the History of Susanna.
... For, not satisfied withrebuking them through the Spirit, he placed them apart,
and asked them severally where they saw her committing adultery....
Christ Manifesting Himself to his People
... He lets them put the simplest questions to him, and instead ofrebuking them for
their familiarity, he condescends to answer everything they please to ask him....
Rom. xiv. 1, 2
... of a zeal to put everything right at once, before the fit opportunity was come,
should do mischief on vital points, so by this continualrebuking setting them...
Father and Child
... Does that seem strange? Why should it seem strange, my friends, to us, if we are
in the habit of training our children, andrebuking our children, as we ought?...
The Kingdome Apperteineth to Ovr God.
... then were the auncient prophetes of God very fooles, who did not better prouide
for their owne quietnes, then to hasard their liues forrebuking of vices, and...
Psalm XXXI.
... 14. "For I have heard therebuking of many dwelling by in a circuit"
(ver.13). For I have heard manyrebuking me, in the pilgrimage...
Thesaurus
Rebuking (9 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Rebuke. Multi-Version
Concordance
Rebuking (9 Occurrences). Mark 10:13 And they were
...Kindly (57 Occurrences)
... Mark 10:48 and many wererebuking him, that he might keep silent, but the more
abundantly he cried out, 'Son of David, deal kindly with me.' (YLT)....
Recab (12 Occurrences)
Crying (247 Occurrences)
... Luke 4:41 Demons also came out from many, crying out, and saying, "You are the Christ,
the Son of God!"Rebuking them, he didn't allow them to speak, because...
Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... In Luke 4:27, Jesus,rebuking Jewish exclusiveness, mentions "Naaman the Syrian."
(2) A son of Benjamin (Genesis 46:21, 6). Fuller and more precise is the...
Usury (17 Occurrences)
... were numerous among the Jews in Christ's day, and, in the parable of the Talents,
He represents the lord of the unprofitable servant asrebuking the sloth in...
Rebuketh (5 Occurrences)
Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... Bible represents the Hebrew father as commanding (Genesis 50:16 Jeremiah 35:6 Proverbs
6:20), instructing (Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 4:1), andrebuking (Genesis 37...
Agag (6 Occurrences)
... He disregarded the Divine command, sparing the best of the spoil, and saving Agag
the king alive (1 Samuel 15:8, 9). Afterrebuking Saul, Samuel had Agag put...
Abundantly (73 Occurrences)
... Mark 10:48 and many wererebuking him, that he might keep silent, but the more
abundantly he cried out, 'Son of David, deal kindly with me.' (YLT)....
Resources
What does it mean to rebuke the devourer in Malachi 3:11? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is sola scriptura? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the dictation theory? | GotQuestions.orgRebuking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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