from ὄνειδος; to defame, i.e. rail at, chide, taunt:--cast in teeth, (suffer) reproach, revile, upbraid.
Transliteration:oneidízō
Pronunciation:on-i-did'-zo
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb ὀνειδίζω (oneidízō, `{{G3679}}`) is derived from the noun ὄνειδος (oneidos, meaning reproach, disgrace, or shame). At its core, ὀνειδίζω signifies the act of casting reproach upon someone, to revile, upbraid, taunt, or defame. It implies a verbal assault intended to shame, accuse, or belittle. The semantic range includes:
* **To cast in one's teeth:** To bring up past faults or present deficiencies in a critical or accusatory manner.
* **To revile/insult:** To speak abusively or contemptuously to or about someone.
* **To upbraid/chide:** To find fault with, to rebuke severely, often implying a sense of disappointment or indignation.
* **To suffer reproach:** In the passive voice, it denotes the experience of being reviled, shamed, or insulted.
The word carries a strong connotation of public shaming or verbal abuse, aiming to inflict disgrace or dishonor upon the recipient.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ὀνειδίζω appears frequently in the New Testament, often highlighting the experience of suffering for Christ or, conversely, the act of righteous rebuke.
One prominent usage is in the context of **persecution for righteousness' sake**:
* In the Beatitudes, Jesus declares, "Blessed are you when others ὀνειδίζω (revile) you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account" [[Matthew 5:11]]. This is echoed in [[Luke 6:22]], emphasizing that suffering such reproach for the Son of Man is a mark of blessedness, not misfortune.
* The early church understood this principle, as seen in [[1 Peter 4:14]]: "If you are ὀνειδίζω (insulted) for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." Here, reproach is not merely endured but is a sign of divine favor and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
* Paul quotes from Psalm 69:9 in [[Romans 15:3]] to illustrate Christ's selflessness: "For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, 'The ὀνειδίζω (reproaches) of those who reproached you fell on me.'" This highlights Jesus's vicarious suffering, bearing the insults directed at God.
* In [[1 Timothy 4:10]], the apostle Paul states that believers "toil and strive" because they have their hope set on God, and in some translations (e.g., KJV), this striving is linked to suffering ὀνειδίζω (reproach), underscoring the cost of faithful witness.
Conversely, ὀνειδίζω can also describe **righteous indignation or rebuke**:
* Jesus himself ὀνειδίζω (upbraids) the unrepentant cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their lack of faith despite witnessing His mighty works [[Matthew 11:20]]. This is not malicious shaming but a divine lament and a just condemnation of their spiritual obduracy.
* Perhaps one of the most profound uses is found in [[James 1:5]]: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without ὀνειδίζω (reproaching)." This verse beautifully portrays God's gracious character, demonstrating that His giving is unconditional, devoid of any fault-finding, shaming, or "I told you so" attitude.
Finally, the word is used to describe the **unjust reproaches against Jesus**:
* Both the robbers crucified alongside Jesus ὀνειδίζω (reviled) Him [[Matthew 27:44]], a detail also noted in [[Mark 15:32]]. This underscores the depths of Christ's humiliation and the universal contempt He endured.
### Related Words & Concepts
ὀνειδίζω is semantically related to other Greek terms signifying verbal abuse or accusation:
* λοιδορέω (loidoreō, `{{G3058}}`): To revile, insult, or rail at someone, often with abusive language. While similar, ὀνειδίζω tends to focus more on the casting of shame or disgrace, whereas λοιδορέω emphasizes abusive speech.
* βλασφημέω (blasphēmeō, `{{G987}}`): To blaspheme, speak evil of, or slander. This word often carries a stronger sense of impious or sacrilegious speech.
* κατηγορέω (katēgoreō, `{{G2723}}`): To accuse, to bring a charge against someone. This is more formal and legalistic than the direct shaming implied by ὀνειδίζω.
In the Hebrew Bible, conceptual parallels include:
* חָרַף (charaph, `{{H2778}}`): To reproach, taunt, defy, or scorn. This term frequently appears in the Psalms and Prophets, describing the insults leveled against God or His people (e.g., [[Psalm 69:9]], quoted in [[Romans 15:3]]).
* גָּדַף (gadaph, `{{H1442}}`): To revile, blaspheme, or speak contemptuously, often against God.
The concept of suffering ὀνειδίζω is intrinsically linked to broader biblical themes such as persecution, suffering for righteousness, humility, patience, and the cost of discipleship.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ὀνειδίζω is multifaceted:
1. **Identification with Christ's Suffering:** The New Testament consistently portrays Jesus as one who endured profound ὀνειδίζω. His suffering on the cross was not merely physical but also involved immense public shame and verbal abuse. Believers are called to participate in this suffering, understanding that to be ὀνειδίζω-ed for Christ's name is to share in His experience and is a mark of true discipleship. This transforms what the world sees as disgrace into a badge of honor in God's eyes.
2. **The Blessedness of Persecution:** Paradoxically, Jesus pronounces a blessing upon those who are ὀνειδίζω-ed for His sake. This teaches that suffering for righteousness is not a sign of God's displeasure but rather an affirmation of one's alignment with divine truth and a pathway to deeper spiritual blessing and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
3. **God's Gracious Character:** The most striking theological insight comes from [[James 1:5]], which states that God gives wisdom generously "without ὀνειδίζω." This reveals a core aspect of God's nature: He is not a fault-finder or one who gives with strings attached, later bringing up our past failures or current inadequacies. His grace is pure, unadulterated, and freely given, contrasting sharply with human tendencies to give conditionally or with subtle reproaches. This verse provides immense comfort and encouragement for those seeking God's wisdom and help.
4. **Righteous Rebuke:** While often used in the context of suffering, Jesus's use of ὀνειδίζω against the unrepentant cities demonstrates that it can also be an act of righteous, divine rebuke. This is not arbitrary shaming but a just pronouncement of judgment against spiritual stubbornness, intended to bring about repentance.
### Summary
ὀνειδίζω (oneidízō, `{{G3679}}`) is a potent Greek verb signifying the act of casting reproach, reviling, or upbraiding, often with the intent to shame or accuse. Its root, ὄνειδος, underscores the core meaning of disgrace. In the New Testament, the word illuminates two primary theological truths:
1. **The blessedness of suffering:** Believers are called to expect and even embrace ὀνειδίζω for Christ's sake, as it signifies their identification with His suffering and is a mark of divine favor. Jesus himself endured profound ὀνειδίζω, setting the pattern for His followers.
2. **God's unreserved grace:** Crucially, God gives generously "without ὀνειδίζω," highlighting His perfect, unconditional grace and His nature as a Giver who does not find fault or shame those who seek Him.
The term also describes righteous rebuke from God or His representatives against impenitence, demonstrating its capacity to convey both unjust suffering and divine correction.
TRV