Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Importance:Reputation refers to the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something. In the biblical context, reputation is often linked to one's character, integrity, and the way one is perceived by others. A good reputation is considered valuable and is often associated with wisdom and righteousness.
Biblical References:1.
Proverbs 22:1 · "A good name is more desirable than great riches; favor is better than silver and gold." This verse highlights the value of a good reputation, suggesting that it is more precious than material wealth. A good name, or reputation, is associated with favor and respect in the community.
2.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 · "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth." Here, the emphasis is on the enduring nature of a good reputation, which, like fine perfume, leaves a lasting impression. The verse also suggests that a life well-lived, resulting in a good reputation, is more significant than the mere fact of being born.
3.
1 Timothy 3:7 · "Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil." In this passage, the Apostle Paul outlines the qualifications for church leaders, emphasizing the necessity of a good reputation even among non-believers. This underscores the importance of integrity and the witness of one's life to those outside the faith.
4.
Acts 6:3 · "Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty." The early church prioritized selecting leaders with a good reputation, indicating that character and the perception of others were crucial for those in positions of responsibility.
Theological Insights:·
Character and Witness: A good reputation is often seen as a reflection of one's character and a testament to one's faith. It serves as a witness to others, demonstrating the transformative power of a life lived in accordance with God's principles.
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Community and Influence: Reputation affects one's influence within the community. A person with a good reputation can lead effectively and inspire others, while a poor reputation can hinder one's ability to serve and impact others positively.
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Guarding Reputation: Believers are encouraged to live lives that uphold their reputation, as it not only affects their personal witness but also the reputation of the church and the name of Christ. This involves living with integrity, honesty, and consistency in one's actions and words.
Practical Application:·
Pursuing Integrity: Christians are called to pursue integrity in all aspects of life, ensuring that their actions align with their professed beliefs. This involves being truthful, reliable, and consistent in one's dealings with others.
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Building a Good Name: Building a good reputation requires intentional effort and a commitment to living out biblical values. This includes showing love, kindness, and respect to others, as well as being accountable for one's actions.
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Restoring a Damaged Reputation: For those who have damaged their reputation, the Bible offers hope for restoration through repentance and a renewed commitment to living according to God's standards. The process involves seeking forgiveness, making amends, and demonstrating genuine change over time.
In summary, reputation in the biblical sense is deeply connected to one's character and the way one is perceived by others. It is a valuable asset that reflects one's faith and integrity, impacting both personal witness and communal influence.
Topical Bible Verses
1 Peter 2:12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Topicalbible.orgEcclesiastes 7:1
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
Topicalbible.org
Proverbs 22:1
A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The estimation in which one is held; character in public opinion; the character attributed to a person, thing, or action; repute.
2. (n.) The character imputed to a person in the community in which he lives. It is admissible in evidence when he puts his character in issue, or when such reputation is otherwise part of the issue of a case.
3. (v. t.) Specifically: Good reputation; favorable regard; public esteem; general credit; good name.
4. (v. t.) Account; value.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
REPUTATIONrep-u-ta'-shun: the King James Version uses "reputation" where modern English would use "repute," as connoting prominence rather than moral character. Hence, the Revised Version's change to "repute" inGalatians 2:2 (for dokeo, "seem," perhaps with a slightly sarcastic touch). The Revised Version's alteration of "reputation" into "have in honor" (Acts 5:34Philippians 2:29) is to secure uniformity of translation for the derivatives of time, "honor," but the Revised Version (British and American) retains "reputation" in Susanna, verse 64. The King James Version's "made himself of no reputation" inPhilippians 2:7 is a gloss. SeeKENOSIS. OnEcclesiastes 10:1 see the commentaries.
Greek
1380. dokeo -- to have an opinion, to seem... to have an opinion, to seem NASB Word Usage deem (1), expect (1), has a mind (1),
inclined (1), recognized (1), regarded (1),
reputation (3), reputed (1), seem
...3686. onoma -- a name, authority, cause
... cause. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: onoma Phonetic Spelling:
(on'-om-ah) Short Definition: name, character,reputation Definition: name...
3141. marturia -- testimony
... marturia Phonetic Spelling: (mar-too-ree'-ah) Short Definition: witness, evidence,
testimony Definition: witness, evidence, testimony,reputation....
3140. martureo -- to bear witness, testify
... 1), attested (1), bear...witness (1), bear witness (1), continued to testify (1),
gained approval (2), given (1), gives (1), goodreputation (1), having a...
987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely...
... 987 (from , "sluggish, slow" and 5345 , "reputation, fame") -- properly, to acknowledge
good (worthy of respect, veneration); hence, to which moral values....
3060. loidoros -- abusive, subst. railer
... abuser. Cognate: 3060 -- reproach (reviling); used of another'sreputation
by denigrating, abusive insults (, 4:293). See 3058 ()....
486. antiloidoreo -- to revile in turn
... 486 (from 3060 , "revile" and 473 , "corresponding") -- properly, to abusive insults;
reproach, denigrate; detract from someone's honor (reputation)....
2758. kenoo -- to empty
... From kenos; to make empty, ie (figuratively) to abase, neutralize, falsify -- make
(of none effect, of noreputation, void), be in vain. see GREEK kenos....
3470. momos -- blame, disgrace, blemish
... 3470 -- literally, a blemish (spot, blot); (figuratively) what spoils areputation,
causing undue blame (disgrace, censure). Word Origin a prim....
5195. hubrizo -- to run riot, to outrage, insult
... from 5196 , "an injury, reproach") -- properly, to seize (steal); (figuratively)
to injure, bring loss, especially to damage someone'sreputation (good name...
Strong's Hebrew
5082. nedibah -- nobility, nobleness... soul. Feminine of nadiyb; properly, nobility, ie
Reputation -- soul. see HEBREW
nadiyb. 5081, 5082. nedibah. 5083 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
An Unanswerable Question.
... Nearly all men are keen about thereputation of their society, about the name
it bears, about the way in which men think and speak of it....
Of Detraction.
... becomes insensible. This vice (above all others) seems to have maintained
not only its Empire, but itsreputation, too. Men are...
Introduction
... They have earned areputation, and thatreputation adheres to them: they
are cold and uninspiring. Such is theirreputation, not...
But Now, Since My Pleading Has Steered Its Course Out of These...
... I ask him to name a single person whosereputation I have disparaged, or whom,
according to an art practised by my opponent, I have galled by pretended praise....
Chapter v.
... as it was said to our Lord, "Say we not the truth [46] that thou art a Samaritan,
and hast a devil?" [47] and another thing, when ourreputation is injured in...
No one ever Afterwards Quite Knew How the Crowd in the Church...
... "Byreputation merely," replied the Marquis, setting a chair for his fair visitor,
"And as the uncle of Donna Sovrani.". "Oh,reputation...
The British Collapse, 1760-1801.
... "In a variety of publications," said the London Chronicle, "he removed every aspersion
against the Brethren, and firmly established theirreputation." He was...
What are Consequences of Backsliding in Heart.
... He will be anxious about himself, about his business, about hisreputation, about
everything.... He loses much of his time. He loses his Christianreputation....
Miracles.
... was, a magician, named Simon, acquired an almost divine character by his
illusions.[2] Afterward, when it was sought to establish thereputation of Apollonius...
The Natural Supremacy of Reflection
... be equally indifferent to the disgrace of poverty, the several neglects and kinds
of contempt which accompany this state, and to thereputation of riches, the...
Thesaurus
Reputation (12 Occurrences)... It is admissible in evidence when he puts his character in issue, or when such
reputation is otherwise part of the issue of a case.
...REPUTATION.
...Fame (38 Occurrences)
... fam (shem, shema`; akoe, pheme): "Fame" has the twofold meaning, (1) of report or
rumor, (2) of renown orreputation (in the Old Testament it is not always...
Credit (39 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.)Reputation derived from the confidence of others; esteem; honor;
good name; estimation. 3. (n.) A ground of, or title to...
Repute (12 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Character reputed or attributed;reputation, whether good or bad;
established opinion; public estimate. 3. (n.) Specifically...
Slander (34 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A false tale or report maliciously uttered, tending to injure thereputation
of another; the malicious utterance of defamatory reports; the...
Name (10157 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Reputed character;reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially,
illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction....
Blemish (71 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To tarnish, asreputation or character; to defame. 3. (n.) Any mark
of deformity or injury, whether physical or moral; anything...
Cloud (119 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A dark vein or spot on a lighter material, as in marble; hence, a blemish
or defect; as, a cloud upon one'sreputation; a cloud on a title....
Shame (412 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt or impropriety,
or of having done something which injuresreputation, or of the exposure of...
Spot (42 Occurrences)
... place discolored. 2. (n.) A stain on character orreputation; something that
soils purity; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish. 3. (n...
Resources
What does the Bible say about reputation? | GotQuestions.orgWhen is it right to criticize my pastor? | GotQuestions.orgHow should Christian parents handle a teen daughter who has become pregnant? | GotQuestions.orgReputation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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