In the context of the Bible, "despisers" refers to individuals who hold contempt or disdain for God, His commandments, or His people. This term is often used to describe those who reject divine authority and moral standards, leading to a life contrary to the teachings of Scripture.

Old Testament References

The concept of despising God and His commandments is prevalent throughout the Old Testament. In Proverbs 1:7, the fear of the Lord is described as the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. This highlights the attitude of despisers who reject divine wisdom. Similarly, in 1 Samuel 2:30, God declares, "Those who honor Me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained." This passage underscores the reciprocal nature of honor and contempt between God and individuals.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, despisers are often associated with the rejection of Christ and His message. In Acts 13:41, Paul quotes the prophet Habakkuk, saying, "Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish! For I am doing a work in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you." Here, "scoffers" can be understood as despisers who refuse to accept the Gospel.

The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, warns of the perilous times in the last days, describing people who will be "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:2-5). Among these characteristics, despisers of good are highlighted, indicating a broader rejection of moral and divine principles.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, despisers are seen as those who consciously choose to reject God's authority and the moral order He has established. This rejection is not merely intellectual but is often accompanied by a lifestyle that contradicts biblical teachings. The Bible warns that such an attitude leads to spiritual peril and separation from God.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to guard against the influence of despisers by remaining steadfast in their faith and commitment to God's Word. In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul advises, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This serves as a reminder to Christians to be discerning about the influences they allow into their lives and to seek fellowship with those who honor God.

Conclusion

While the Bible acknowledges the existence of despisers, it also offers hope for transformation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The call to believers is to remain faithful, to pray for those who despise God, and to be a light in a world that often rejects divine truth.

The Christians are not the Cause of Public Calamities: There were ...
... or such visitations). [599] I suppose it is as despisers of your gods that
we call down on us these strokes of theirs. As we have ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter ix name christians are.htm

2 Timothy iii. 4-Jan
... blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection,
truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those ...
/.../homily viii 2 timothy iii.htm

Acts xiii. 16, 17
... Then too he adds the terrifying words: "Beware therefore, lest that come upon you,
which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxix acts xiii 16.htm

Of those who Maintain that they Worship the Gods not for the Sake ...
... things being so, if the age itself of those who worshipped the goddess Juventas
should be characterized by remarkable vigor, whilst her despisers should either ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 1 of those who maintain.htm

Fathers and Children'
... Paul speaks in 2 Timothy 3:4"when men 'shall be disobedient to parents, unthankful,
boasters, heady, high-minded, despisers of those who are good, lovers of ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon i fathers and children.htm

Forgiveness
... Next, these persons were despisers of religion, for observe the language of the
same verse:""Thou hast been weary of me, O Israel." And may I not say to some ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/forgiveness.htm

On his Father'S Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail.
... while, but with the blow which the Lord has inflicted upon us, Who says, And thou,
O heart, be stirred and shaken, [3106] and gives to the despisers the spirit ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xvi on his fathers.htm

Preface
... It has been charged by the despisers of truth that the text has been modified and
even falsified in many places, which has shocked and startled many simple ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/an open letter on translating/preface.htm

Introduction.
... They also endeavoured to commend Christianity to "the cultured among its despisers,"
by showing that it is philosophy as well as revelation, that it can supply ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/introduction.htm

Of Love to God
... They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God."
Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/of love to god.htm

Despisers (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Despisers (3 Occurrences). Acts 13:41 Behold,
ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in ...
/d/despisers.htm - 7k

Despises (16 Occurrences)

/d/despises.htm - 11k

Utterly (170 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 13:41 Behold, you despisers, be astonished and perish, because I am
carrying on a work in your time--a work which you will utterly refuse to believe ...
/u/utterly.htm - 39k

Lover (55 Occurrences)
... 1:8), "given to"; for "covetous" (Luke 16:14 2 Timothy 3:2), "lovers of money";
for "not covetous" (1 Timothy 3:3), "no lover of money"; for "despisers of them ...
/l/lover.htm - 24k

Incontinent (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good, (KJV WBS YLT). ...
/i/incontinent.htm - 7k

Truce-breakers (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (WBS). ...
/t/truce-breakers.htm - 6k

Trucebreakers (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, (KJV). ...
/t/trucebreakers.htm - 6k

Refuse (103 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:41 Behold, you despisers, be astonished and perish, because I am carrying
on a work in your time--a work which you will utterly refuse to believe ...
/r/refuse.htm - 36k

Despiser (1 Occurrence)

/d/despiser.htm - 6k

Describe (11 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:41 See, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish, because a work I -- I do work
in your days, a work in which ye may not believe, though any one may ...
/d/describe.htm - 11k

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