THE GRACE OF REBUKE

2 Corinthians 13:9-10

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The title of this lesson is:  “The Grace of Rebuke.”

1.    The words “grace” and “rebuke” are not usually used together.

2.    Most would say that these two words are opposite in nature.

a.    Grace is positive.

b.    Rebuke is negative.

3.    Let’s keep in mind the definition of the word “grace.”

a.    I like to define grace as “help,” that is, “assistance.

b.    Now, the word fits perfectly with the word “rebuke.”

c.    The help or the assistance of rebuke.

d.    Even though it is thought of as a negative word, it has many positive benefits.

 

B.   2 Corinthians 13:9-10 sets forth this thought without using the word “grace” or the word “rebuke.”

 

For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong:  and this also we wish, even your perfection.  Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given unto me to edification, and not to destruction.

 

1.    Sharpness involves rebuke.

2.    Bringing one to perfection and edification are grace.

3.    NOTE:  The last four words are “…and not to destruction.”  This completely annihilates the prevailing opinion regarding rebuke, that is, that it does more harm than good.

 

C.   In this lesson, let’s look at three (3) points.

 

I.             MEANINGS

 

A.   In the New Testament, there are three different Greek words that are translated “rebuke.”

1.    The most commonly used word (7x) is the word “epitamao.”

a.    2 Timothy 4:2

 

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

1)    Strong (2008): 

a)    to tax upon, censure, admonish

b)    It is also translated “straitly charge” in the KJV.

2)    Thayer:  to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, censure severely, admonish, charge sharply

3)    Vine:  adjudge, to rebuke

2.    A second word translated “rebuke” is “elencho.”

a.    We find it four (4) times in the KJV.

b.    Titus 1:13

 

This witness is true.  Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.

 

1)    Strong (1651): 

a)    to confute, admonish

b)    Elsewhere it is translated convict, convince and reprove in the KJV.

2)    Thayer:  to convict, refute, confute, generally with a sense of shame of the person convicted, by conviction to bring to light, to find fault with, reprehend severely

3)    Vine:  to convict, rebuke, reprove

3.    The third word translated “rebuke” is “epiplesso.”

a.    It is found only once in the Greek New Testament.

b.    1 Timothy 5:1

 

Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger means brethren.

 

1)    Strong (1969):  to chastise, that is, (with words), to upbraid

2)    Thayer:  to chasten with words, upbraid, rebuke

3)    Vine:  “to strike at,” hence to rebuke

 

II.           MANIFESTATIONS

 

A.   John to the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matt. 3:7-8)

 

But when he saw many of the Pharisee and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.

 

B.   Jesus’ rebuke of Peter (Matt. 16:22-23)

 

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee hence Satan:  thou art an offence unto me:  for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

 

C.   Jesus’ rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23.

1.    “But woe unto scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matt. 23:13)

2.     Eight (8) times Jesus pronounce a woe upon them.

3.    Seven (7) times He calls them hypocrites.

 

D.   Jesus rebuked evil spirits (Luke 4:35a)

 

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

 

E.   Peter rebuked the Jews on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-23).

 

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:  him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.

 

F.    Paul rebuked Peter (Gal. 2:11).

 

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to blame.

 

G.   Jesus rebuked the churches of Asia when He found fault with them (Ex., Laodicea, Rev. 3:15-16, 19).

 

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot:  I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth….As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten:  be zealous therefore, and repent.

 

H.   These are seven examples from the New Testament.  Just think about all of the rebukes of the Old Testament:  Adam and Eve, Cain, Moses, king Saul, David, Haman, and the nations of Israel and Judah.

 

III.         MUSTS

 

A.   A deep love

1.    For the Christ (Matt. 22:37)

 

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind.

 

2.    For the gospel (1 Cor. 9:23)

 

And this I do for the gospel’s sake…

 

3.    For the person being rebuked (Pro. 27:5)

 

Open rebuke is better than secret love.

 

B.   A submissive spirit

1.    Being the person who sets forth a rebuke is not easy.

2.    One of the keys is having a submissive spirit, that is, a desire to obey the Lord Jesus Christ.

3.    We have been commanded to give rebukes (Tit. 2:15).

 

These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.  Let no man despise thee.

 

C.   A faithful life

1.    None of us live perfect lives, but we can live faithful lives.

2.    When we rebuke, we need to manifest faithfulness (1 Cor. 4:2).

3.    There is nothing worse than a person rebuking another who is either in the same sin or worse (Ex., the Jews, Rom. 2:23-24)

 

Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?  For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you.

 

D.   A sincere concern

1.    For the one in sin (2 Cor. 6:4-6)

 

But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God…by love unfeign.

 

2.    For others in the body of Christ (1 Tim. 5:20)

 

Them that sin rebuke before all, that other also may fear.

 

E.   A warm compassion (Jude 1:22)

 

And of some have compassion, making a difference.

 

F.    A courageous heart (Eph. 6:20)

For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

G.   A knowledgeable mind

1.    Know the Scriptures (1 Tim. 4:15)

 

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear unto all.

 

2.    Know the facts of the case being confronted (Prov. 18:13)

 

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

 

H.   A willing tongue (Eph. 6:19)

 

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make know the mystery of the gospel.

 

I.     A head of flint (Amos 5:10; Ezek. 3:9)

 

They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly…As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead:  fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.

 

J.    A genuine purpose (2 Tim. 2:25-26)

 

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if peradventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   Rebuke is an absolute essential part of Christianity.

 

B.   The one giving the rebuke needs to consider it a grace, that is, something that helps those who are in error.

 

C.   When the one doing the rebuking has done his part, the one being rebuked has a responsibility.

1.    Proverbs 9:8b

 

…rebuke a wise man and he will love thee.

 

2.    Example:  David when he was rebuked of Nathan the prophet (2 Sam. 12:7, 13)

 

And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man…And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD.