Ridicule, Insult, Mocking

Most of the times when these words are used there is a reference to insult or mockery against the Lord Jesus or us, as His followers, rather than warnings against our temptation to insult others.  Yet, if this was wrong for others against Jesus, it definitely would be sinful for us to engage in such verbal abuse ourselves  Children often ridicule another child because of some physical defect, such as not being attractive, having too large a nose or ears, having strange hair, or being overweight or underweight or too short.  However, adults can also be guilty of mocking someone, insulting a friend or stranger, or ridiculing someone because of his or her ignorance, appearance, awkwardness, or that one made a mistake.

The Greek empaizo denotes “mocking or making sport of,” and is frequently employed with reference to the mockery of Christ.^[1]  Jesus was mocked by those who arrested Him (Luke 22:63), by Herod and his soldiers (Luke 23:11), by soldiers of the governor (Matthew 27:29, 31; Mark 15:20; Luke 23:36), and by the chief priests (Matthew 27:41; Mark 15:31).^[2]  Chleuazo means “to jest, mock, jeer at,” and this is what some in Paul’s audience in Athens did after he spoke on the creation by God and Christ’s resurrection (Acts 17:22-31 with v. 32).  Empaiktes means “a mocker” and empaigmone means “mockery.” This is the response of certain false teachers as they mock Christ’s return in judgment (cf. 2 Peter 3:3; Jude 18).

Another term of note is loidoreo, meaning “verbal abuse,” and loidoria and loidoros.  Paul said that when he was “reviled,” he blessed (1 Corinthians 4:12). Peter tells us that when Jesus was “being reviled, He did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:23). He also says that the Christian is not to return “evil for evil or insult for insult” (3:9).  We are not to “insult” those who “insult” us or make fun of us because of our faith in Christ.  In another place, Paul wants young widows to conduct themselves honorably so that “the enemy” has “no occasion for reproach” (1 Timothy 5:14).  He wrote, in the first Corinthian letter, that the believers are “not to associate with” a so-called brother who is a “reviler” (loidoros).  This must not be found in the believing body.  In fact, reviling is so serious that “revilers” (loidoroi) will not “inherit the kingdom of God” (6:10).

As Christians, we must be prepared to be insulted.  One word used in such a context is oneidizo from oneidismos, words that “indicate being publicly reviled and insulted.”^[3]  Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me” (Matthew 5:11). He also assured His disciples, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man” (Luke 6:22).  We accept these insults as God’s will and part of our walk with the Lord.  We have the Lord’s comforting assurance, “If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed” (1 Peter 4:14a).  The Hebrew writer said that some of his readers were “made a public spectacle through reproaches [oneidismois] and tribulations” (10:33a). This is the shameful response we should accept if we are followers of Jesus.

Other words would be hybrizo, enybrizo and hybris. The idea here is the “harm done to another by mistreatment or by insults meant to shame.”^[4]  Paul said that he was “well content with weakness, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake” (2 Corinthians 12:10).  Insults and other forms suffering can be endured with Christ’s help and strength!  Let’s accept the ill-treatment for Jesus’ sake.  The apostle also said that he was “mistreated” in Philippi (1 Thessalonians 2:2) and the unbelievers in Antioch of Pisidia attempted to “mistreat” Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:5).  This is a serious sin, for Paul says that “slanderers” (katalalous) are worthy of death (Romans 1:30, 32).

These terms for insult and mockery mean “an active and vindictive attempt to slander and thus to harm the person insulted.”^[5]  If insult is condemned in no uncertain terms, believers must be careful not to insult, mock or ridicule another person.  Rather, we must express love and kindness to every person, whether he is a believer or unbeliever.  Although sometimes we must strongly condemn and denounce those who are guilty of sin and false teaching (cf. Acts 13:10; Titus 1:13), we must make sure our heart is filled with genuine love for them.

 

[1] Mounce, Expository Dictionary.

[2] W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary.

[3] Richards, Expository Dictionary.

[4] Richards, Expository Dictionary.

[5] Ibid.