The Blessed Reviled

Matthew 5:11-13 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

We finish up this short study of the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ found in Matthew chapter five. Looking up the word “revile” in the Strong’s Dictionary of Bible words, we find that the Greek word is “Oneidizo”, which translates as “rail at, chide, or taunt and signifies in the active voice to reproach or upbraid. Oneidízō (from a primitive root meaning "to upbraid, revile, like in showing one's teeth,") – properly, to disgrace (insult), reproach; mock (curse); insult, cast blame (create shame). The 1828 Webster’s dictionary defines the word “revile” as: To reproach; to treat with opprobrious and contemptuous language - contumely. 

Reverend Don Friederichsen explains that man’s contention with Christianity and the ministry thereof is not ultimately with Christians, but with Jesus Christ. The Lord tells us in this final beatitude that while being reviled is a difficult part of the faithful life, it is also reason for great rejoicing. It’s not a matter of “if”, but “when” contention will take place. We will be reviled and persecuted by the God-rejecting world system. We will have all manner of evil falsehoods spoken against us. We will be verbally assaulted, physically accused, and defamed on account of Christ. In it, we can feel a light joy because in a very small way we are able to rejoice in suffering on account of the One who suffered for us.

John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

Rev. Friederichsen makes the point that being reviled, persecuted, or falsely accused may not seem avenues for blessing, but there are at least three reasons to rejoice when it comes upon us. (1) If we are reviled on account of Christ, then rejoice because it is a sign that we are in Christ. (2) Rejoice because faithfully enduring persecution for the sake of Christ gives us reason to be counted among the heroes of the faith and the whole company of saints who have gone before us. (3) We can rejoice because in being reviled we are promised a great reward in heaven. While Christians may experience some blessings of God’s grace in this life, we are ultimately told to look to heaven for our reward.

Romans 12:14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

The late Theologian Dr. RC Sproul stated that for the Christian to resist the seduction of this world, he must risk going against the tide. He must be willing to risk the loss of human approval to gain God’s approval. Hence, Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.” The key words in this beatitude are “for My sake.” The nonconformity we are called to is not simply nonconformity for nonconformity’s sake. Anyone can call attention to himself or herself by being a maverick. It is the “for My sake” that separates cheap nonconformity from the genuine article. There is no virtue in being “out of it” indiscriminately. Our nonconformity must be selective. It must be at the points that matter.

Matthew 5:44-45 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

We can rejoice because the reviling of man becomes the praise of Christ. Dishonor becomes glory. Reproach becomes blessing.

Blessings in Christ.