Topical Bible

What Does the Bible Say About Rebuking?

Here are 17 Bible verses about rebuking, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.

  1. #1Proverbs 27:5

    Open rebuke is better than secret love.

    BSBBetter an open rebuke than love that is concealed.

  2. #2Matthew 18:15-17

    Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

    BSBIf your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

  3. #31 Timothy 5:20

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

    BSBBut those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.

  4. #4Galatians 6:1

    Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

    BSBBrothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

  5. #5Titus 2:15

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

    BSBSpeak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

  6. #62 Timothy 4:2

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

    BSBPreach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

  7. #72 Timothy 3:16-17

    All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

    BSBAll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

  8. #8James 5:20

    Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

    BSBconsider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

  9. #9Luke 17:3-4

    Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

    BSBWatch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

  10. #10Proverbs 27:6

    Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

    BSBThe wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

  11. #11Proverbs 1:23

    Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

    BSBIf you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.

  12. #12Revelation 3:19

    As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

    BSBThose I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.

  13. #131 Timothy 5:1

    Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;

    BSBDo not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers,

  14. #14Hebrews 4:12

    For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

    BSBFor the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

  15. #15Proverbs 29:15

    The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

    BSBA rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

  16. #162 Timothy 3:16

    All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

    BSBAll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

  17. #17Proverbs 9:8-9

    Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

    BSBDo not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.

Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).

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