λοιδορέω (loidoreō)
loidoreō
to revile
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb loidoreō means to revile or abuse someone with harsh, insulting words. It describes a direct verbal attack intended to shame or demean the target. In the New Testament, this word appears in only four verses, making it a rare but potent term for hostility.
Its usage highlights both the aggression of the accuser and the dignity of the victim. John the Baptist’s followers are accused of reviling Jesus (John 9:28), while Paul instructs believers not to revile others even when abused themselves (1 Corinthians 4:12). Peter notes that Christ did not retaliate when He was reviled, setting a standard for patient endurance (1 Peter 2:23).
The word carries the weight of public disgrace. It is not merely criticism but a personal assault on character. Translators often render it as "revile" or "abuse," capturing the intensity of the speech act. The term underscores the moral choice between responding with insults or maintaining composure under attack.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word loidoreō describes a harsh, personal verbal attack meant to shame or demean someone. It is not simple disagreement but a direct assault on character, often intended to publicly disgrace the victim. In the New Testament, this rare term highlights moments of intense hostility, such as when John the Baptist’s followers accused Jesus or when early believers faced cursing for their faith.
Understanding this word brings comfort because it shows that even Jesus experienced deep personal insult. Yet He did not retaliate with insults of His own. Instead, He entrusted Himself to God who judges rightly. This offers a powerful example for our own lives: when we face unfair criticism or harsh words, we are invited to respond with patience and trust rather than returning abuse.
Paul also reminds us that those who serve Christ may face such treatment, yet they choose to bless instead of cursing back. This response is not weakness but strength rooted in faith. It reflects the character of Christ, who endured suffering without threatening revenge. We can follow this path by relying on God’s justice and grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- railed at1×
- do you insult?1×
- being reviled1×
- Being reviled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐλοιδόρησαν1×
- λοιδορούμενος1×
- λοιδορούμενοι1×
- λοιδορεῖς;1×
Key Verses
-
John 9:28
They insulted him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses.
This verse shows how loidoreō was used to pressure someone into renouncing their faith by publicly shaming them as a disciple of Jesus.
-
Acts 23:4
Those who stood by said, “Do you malign God’s high priest?”
Here the word is applied to speaking against God’s high priest, highlighting the seriousness of insulting those in spiritual authority.