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Definitions:
H8433 - Reproof - from
Brown-Driver-Briggs
1) rebuke, correction, reproof, punishment, chastisement
2) argument, reproof
2a) argument, impeachment
2b) reproof, chiding
2c) correction, rebuke
G1650 - Reproof - from Strong's
1) proof, conviction: - evidence, reproof.
Reproof - from Webster's
1. Blame expressed to the face; censure for a fault;
reprehension. "Those best can bear reproof, who merit
praise." He that hateth reproof is brutish. Prov 12.
2. Blame cast; censure directed to a person.
Quote:
"When the most insignificant person tells us we are in
error, we should listen, and examine ourselves, and see if
it is so. To believe it possible we may be in error, is the
first step toward getting out of it."
General Scriptures:
Now to the scriptures. I want you notice both the context of
the scriptures and the use of the Godly principle,
Gentleness:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof,
for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the
man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all
good works.
Job 26:11 The pillars of
heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
Scriptures from Proverbs.
Note: Proverbs is
Solomon speaking to his son and he warns of sinners he might
encounter. He continually describes both the sinners way;
those refusing instruction, correction and reproof with
those that do.
He says in verse 10 of Chapter 1:
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Notice
these verses from Proverbs:
Proverbs 1:23 Turn you
at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I
will make known my words unto you.
Proverbs 1:25 But ye
have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my
reproof:
Proverbs 1:30 They would
none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Proverbs 5:12 And say,
How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof.
Proverbs 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he
hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Proverbs 10:17 He is in
the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that
refuseth reproof erreth.
Proverbs 12:1 Whoso
loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth
reproof is brutish.
Proverbs 13:18 Poverty
and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he
that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Proverbs 15:5 A fool
despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth
reproof is prudent.
Proverbs 15:10
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and
he that hateth reproof shall die.
Proverbs 15:31 The ear
that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.
Proverbs 15:32 He that
refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that
heareth reproof getteth understanding.
Proverbs 17:10 A reproof
entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a
fool.
Proverbs 19:25 Smite a
scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that
hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.
Proverbs 29:15 The rod
and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself
bringeth his mother to shame.
Ecclesiastes 7:5 It is
better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to
hear the song of fools.
Commentary:
It is better to hear the rebuke of the
wise ---To listen to it diligently, receive it cordially, and act
according to it; though it may be disagreeable to the flesh,
and give present pain, yet the effect and issue will be
good, and show that man to be wise that hears it, as well as
he that gives it;. - John
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Amos 5:10 They hate him
that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh
uprightly.
Commentary:
They hate him that rebuketh in the
gate ----Openly and publicly in the courts of judicature: wicked
judges hated the prophets of the Lord, such as Amos, who
faithfully reproved them for the perversion of justice, even
when they were upon the bench. - John
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Now to Chapter 4 of Galatians. The design of this chapter
is, to show the effect of being under the Law, and the
inconsistency of that kind of bondage or servitude with the
freedom which is vouchsafed to the true children of God by
the gospel. It is, in accordance with the whole drift of the
Epistle, to recall the Galatians to just views of the
gospel; and to convince them of their error in returning to
the practice of the Mosaic rites and customs.
He says in Galatians 4:16:
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the
truth?
Commentary:
Am I therefore become your enemy
---- Is my telling you the
truth in regard to the tendency of the doctrines which you
have embraced, and the character of those who have led you
astray, and your own error, a proof that I have ceased to be
your friend? How apt are we to feel that the man who tells
us of our faults is our enemy! How apt are we to treat him
coldly, and to “cut his acquaintance,” and to regard him
with dislike! The reason is, he gives us pain; and we cannot
have pain given to us, even by the stone against which we
stumble, or by any of the brute creation, without momentary
indignation, or regarding them for a time as our enemies.
Besides, we do not like to have another person acquainted
with our faults and our follies; and we naturally avoid the
society of those who are thus acquainted with us. Such is
human nature; and it requires no little grace for us to
overcome this. and to regard the man who tells us of our
faults, or the faults of our families, as our friend.
We love to be flattered, and to have our friends flattered;
and we shrink with pain from any exposure, or any necessity
for repentance. Hence, we become alienated from him who is
faithful in reproving us for our faults. Hence, people
become offended with their ministers when they reprove them
for their sins. Hence, they become offended at the truth.
Hence, they resist the influences of the Holy Spirit, whose
office it is to bring the truth to the heart, and to reprove
men for their sins. There is nothing more difficult than to
regard with steady and unwavering affection the man who
faithfully tells us the truth at all times, when that truth
is painful. Yet he is our best friend. “Faithful are the
wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are
deceitful,” Proverbs 27:6. If I am in danger of falling down
a precipice, he shows to me the purest friendship who tells
me of it; if I am in danger of breathing the air of the
pestilence, and it can be avoided, he shows to me pure
kindness who tells me of it. So still more, if I am
indulging in a course of conduct that may ruin me, or
cherishing error that may endanger my salvation, he shows me
the purest friendship who is most faithful in warning me,
and apprising me of what must be the termination of my
course. ~Barnes
1 Thessalonians 5:12-15
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour
among you, and are over you in the Lord, and
admonish you; And to esteem
them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at
peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn
them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the
weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil
for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good,
both among yourselves, and to all men.
Now notice what it says here in verse, "We exhort you,
BRETHREN, warn them that are unruly.
Commentary:
Warn them - The same word which in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 is
rendered “admonish.” It is the duty of every church member,
as well as of the ministers of the gospel, affectionately to
admonish those whom they know to be living contrary to the
requirements of the gospel. One reason why there is so
little piety in the church, and why so many professors of
religion go astray, is, that the great mass of church
members feel no responsibility on this subject. They suppose
that it is the duty only of the officers of the church to
admonish an erring brother, and hence many become careless
and cold and worldly, and no one utters a kind word to them
to recall them to a holy walk with God.
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