Blame or reprehension spoken to a person’s face. It is distinguished from a reprimand thus. He who reproves another, points out his fault, and blames him. He who reprimands, affects to punish, and mortifies the offended. In giving reproof, the following rules may be observed:
1. We should not be forward in reproving our elders or superiors, but rather to remonstrate and supplicate for redress. What the ministers of God do in this kind, they do by special commission, as those that must give an account, 1Ti 5:1. Heb 13:17.
2. We must not reprove rashly; there should be proof before reproof.
3. We should not reprove for slight matters for such faults or defects as proceed from natural frailty, from inadvertency, or mistake in matters of small consequence.
4. We should never reprove unseasonably, as to the time, the place, or the circumstances.
5. We should reprove mildly and sweetly, in the calmest manner, in the gentlest terms.
6. We should not affect to be reprehensive: perhaps there is no one considered more troublesome than he who delights in finding fault with others. In receiving reproof it may be observed,
1. That we should not reject it merely because it may come from those who are not exactly on a level with ourselves.
2. We should consider whether the reproof given be not actually deserved; and that, if the reprover knew all, whether the reproof would not be sharper than what it is.
3. Whether, if taken humbly and patiently, it will not be of great advantage to us.
4. That it is nothing but pride to suppose that we are never to be the subjects of reproof, since it is human to err.
All Things That Are Reproved
Eph_5:13-14.
GOD Reproving
Psa_50:7-8; Psa_50:16-21.
Reproofs Of Instruction
Pro_6:23.
Reproving
2Ti_4:2-3.
The Comforter Reproving The World Of Sin
Joh_16:7-11.
The Reward For Reproving A Wise Man
Pro_9:8-9; Pro_19:25.
Those That Hate Reproof
Pro_12:1; Pro_15:10.
Those That Hear Reproof
Pro_15:31-32.
Those That Refuse Reproof
Pro_10:17; Pro_29:1.
Those That Regard Reproof
Pro_13:18; Pro_15:5.
Those That Reprove A Scorner
Pro_9:7-10; Pro_15:12.
What Is Profitable For Reproof
2Ti_3:16-17.
What Reproof Gives
Pro_29:15.
What Shall Reprove You
Jer_2:19.
What To Reprove
Eph_5:11.
Who Despises Reproof
Pro_1:20-30.
Who Reproof Enters Into
Pro_17:10.
Wise Reprovers Upon An Obedient Ear
Pro_25:12.
The subject of reproof, i.e. the refutation of error, the discovery of sin, the convincing and convicting of the wrongdcer (ἐëåãìüò, ἔëåã÷ïò, ἐëÝã÷ù: Septuagint for. úּåֹáַçָä, úּåֹáַçַú, äåֹáִéçַ), is mentioned frequently in the Bible. Reproof is used generally in the sense of rebuke. Rules are laid down for its administration, and advice given as to its reception. It is necessary, beneficial, and not to be despised. The great and constant dangers to be avoided are these-reproving unskilfully, withholding reproof unfaithfully, and resenting reproof administered in love. Christians in general are exhorted to reprove ‘the unfruitful works of darkness’ (Eph_5:11; Eph_5:13; cf. Mat_18:15-18), and Christian ministers in particular must regard reproof as an important duty of their office (1Ti_5:20, 2Ti_4:2, Tit_1:9; Tit_1:13; Tit_2:15).
Reproof may be administered (a) by word, in which case there is the underlying idea of severe rebuke and admonition. The offender must be called upon to give an explanation of his conduct and his fault must be made plain to him (1Ti_5:20, 2Ti_4:2, Jud_1:15; cf. Mat_18:15, Luk_3:19); (b) by deed, in a two-fold sense: (i.) by deeds of light being manifested in a way that will be a virtual reproof of deeds of darkness (Eph_5:13; cf. Joh_3:19-21); (ii.) by chastening or punishment (Heb_12:5; cf. Psa_37:2; Psa_94:12; Psa_119:67; Psa_119:75, Pro_3:11, Jer_31:18-19, Rev_3:19, Wis_12:2, Tob_11:15; Tob_13:5; Tob_13:9, Jdt_8:27); (c) by the Scriptures (2Ti_3:16). Behind the censure lies the fundamental idea of the conviction of sin, The verb ἐëÝã÷ù signifies ‘prove, refute, expose, convict.’ It is used with these meanings in classical writers from the time of Euripides. Many scholars hold the opinion that it means rather more than ‘reprove’ and rather less than ‘convince.’ For ‘reprove’ in the sense of ‘bring to the proof’ see 2Ti_4:2 Revised Version margin; cf. Psa_38:14 Revised Version margin. For reproof in relation to sin, see 1Co_14:24, Jam_2:9, Jud_1:15; cf. Joh_8:9; Joh_8:46; Joh_16:8; Aristoph. Plut. 574. For reproof of false teachers, see Tit_1:9; Tit_1:13; Tit_2:15.
H. Cariss J. Sidnell.