Bible Dictionaries
Rebuke

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

primarily, "to put honor upon," then, "to adjudge," hence signifies "to rebuke." Except for 2 Timothy 4:2; Jude 1:9 , it is confined in the NT to the Synoptic Gospels, where it is frequently used of the Lord's rebukes to (a) evil spirits, e.g., Matthew 17:18; Mark 1:25; 9:25; Luke 4:35,41; 9:42; (b) winds, Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:39; Luke 8:24; (c) fever, Luke 4:39; (d) disciples, Mark 8:33; Luke 9:55; contrast Luke 19:39 . For rebukes by others see Matthew 16:22; 19:13; 20:31; Mark 8:32; 10:13; 10:48 , RV , "rebuke" (AV, "charged"); Luke 17:3; 18:15,39; 23:40 . See CHARGE , C, No. 7.

"to convict, refute, reprove," is translated "to rebuke" in the AV of the following (the RV always has the verb "to reprove"): 1 Timothy 5:20; Titus 1:13; 2:15; Hebrews 12:5; Revelation 3:19 . See CONVICT , No. 1.

Note: While epitimao signifies simply "a rebuke" which may be either undeserved, Matthew 16:22 , or ineffectual, Luke 23:40 , elencho implies a "rebuke" which carries conviction.

"to strike at" (epi, "upon" or "at," plesso, "to strike, smite"), hence, "to rebuke," is used in the injunction against "rebuking" an elder, 1 Timothy 5:1 .

Note: In Philippians 2:15 , the best texts have amomos, "without blemish" (a, negative, momos, "a blemish, a moral disgrace"), RV, "without blemish;" some mss. have amometos (a, negative, and momaomai, "to blame"), AV, "without rebuke." Contrast amemptos in the same verse, "blameless on account of absence of inconsistency" or "ground of reproof," whereas amomos indicates "absence of stain or blemish." We may have blemish, with freedom from blame.

akin to A, No. 2, denotes "rebuke;" in 2 Peter 2:16 , it is used with echo, "to have," and translated "he was rebuke," lit., "he had rebuke." In the Sept., Job 21:4 , "reproof;" Job 23:2 , "pleading."