God's Design for Marriage
- By Haak, Carl
Today, June 4, is the twenty-third Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.
If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. ~ Psalm 100:1-4
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Sem. A. Van Dyke in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. K. Koole (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Prof. D. Kuiper in Lynden PRC; Rev. S. Key (2nd week) in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Huizinga and Rev. J. Laning in Zion PRC. May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
Smits' Return from the Philippines: The R. Smits family will be leaving the Philippines Monday, June 5, and returning to the States, as the Philippines mission becomes self-governing and Rev. Smit looks to receive a call from one of the PRC congregations. May the Lord grant traveling mercies and prepare them for their transition to U.S. life and labors once again.
PRC 100th Anniversary: With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 23-27, 2025, at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI. The various committees of the 100th anniversary steering commitee are busy preparing for this historic event, including a special commemorative book. Watch for further notices and updates!
PRC Seminary Notices:
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
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"In the beginning, God made marriage as a bond of the most intimate fellowship of love between one man and one woman. The two become one flesh. Such is God's declaration in Genesis 2:24, quoted by Paul in Ephesians 5:31. There is a bodily oneness in the sexual relationship, but also a oneness of soul. Married persons share one life. The Lord Jesus stressed this in Matthew19:6: 'Wherefore they are no more twain but one flesh.' We must not think of married persons as two, but as one. This union of the two, the male and the female, is God's act in the case of every marriage. In marriage, God joins two persons together (Matt. 19:6). Although there is a uniquely rich aspect of the God-worked intimacy of marriage in the case of two believers, God joins two together as one flesh also in the world. Marriage is an institution of God in creation, like government. Whenever two people use this institution, they are joined by God. Hence, according to I Corinthians 7:12-17, the marriage of a believer and an unbeliever is a valid marriage, which must be maintained. A husband and wife experience and express the intimacy of marriage as unique love and communion.
"Marriage is a relationship for life. This is built into the institution: one man and one woman become one flesh. Since marriage is a union effected by God, man neither may nor can 'put asunder.' Only God may, and only God can, divide what He has joined. God does this in death. 'For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man' (Rom. 7:2-3). I Corinthians 7:39 teaches the same thing: 'The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.' For good reason, the marriage forms—until recently—had the couple vow to take each other as wife or husband 'till death us do part.'"
Taken from the pamphlet "Marriage and Divorce" by Prof. David Engelsma
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Today, May 28, is the twenty-second Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.
Today is Pentecost Sunday, the Lord's Day on which we remember and celebrate our Savior's blessed gift of the Holy Spirit, by which Jesus Christ bestows on His church and every believer the fullness of salvation and all the gifts necessary to serve Him and His people, as well as to go into the world with the gospel of sovereign grace for the gathering of His complete body of believers. May we in worship today raise songs and prayers of thanks to our abundant Savior.
If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. B. Huizinga in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. J. Smidstra in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Sem. A. Haveman in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. K. Koole (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. R. Hanko (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. S. Key (1st week) in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. J. Mahtani in Zion PRC. May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
Evangelism and Missions Conference: If you missed the DMC's conference earlier ths month, you may hear the speeches here:
Classis East met May 10-11 in Faith PRC (Jenison, MI). The public report of this meeting has been posted on this webpage.
PRC 100th Anniversary: With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 23-27, 2025, at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI.
At a special Friday lunch this past week, the seminary 'family' bid farewell to Sharon (Kleyn) Koerner, the secretary for the last 4 and a half years (seated front right with husband Matt to her left).
PRC Seminary Notices:
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
This Sunday we observe Pentecost, the day our Savior gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to His church. Read this resource, "Try the Spirits," to be able to discern the Spirit's true presence, power, and work from false teachings on these things.
"Related to all the above is also the (for want of a better term) self-effacing character of the Holy Spirit presented in Scripture. This factor, too, is ignored, I believe, in Pentecostalism, Neo-Pentecostalism, or whenever improper emphasis is placed upon the Spirit. I do not wish to minimize the work of the Spirit. Yet it appears that Scripture reveals that the very function of the Spirit is to reveal and magnify Father and Son. The Spirit functions not in order to reveal Who and What is the Spirit, but Who and What is God. Again, I remind you that though there are many references to the Spirit in Scripture, these are brief and serve not so much to emphasize the Person of the Spirit, as to reveal the wonder of God's work in Christ. Perhaps the Netherlands Confession has this in mind when it says that "operations of the Holy Ghost are hidden and incomprehensible" (Art. 35).
"The Netherlands Confession, Article 11, states concerning the Spirit, "We believe and confess also, that the Holy Ghost, from eternity, proceeds from the Father and Son; and therefore neither is made, created, nor begotten, but only proceedeth from both; who in order is the third person of the Holy Trinity; of one and the same essence, majesty and glory with the father, and the Son: and therefore, is the true and eternal God, as the Holy Scriptures teach us."
"That idea of procession, which is also Scriptural (John 15:26 , "...which proceedeth from the Father."), suggests this "self-effacement" of the Spirit. He eternally will reveal the Father to the Son and the Son to the Father. He proceeds from both; and through Him there is fellowship aid communion within the Trinity.
"This same "self-effacement," if you will, is seen in His work in the Church. That already follows from the Scriptural truth that He is repeatedly called the "Spirit of Christ" and the "Comforter" whom I will send unto you. Again, Jesus declares in John 16:13 , "...For Heshall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you." I would conclude, therefore, that in consideration of the work of the Holy Spirit, we first bear in mind always that His work in the church and its individual members is work as the Spirit of Christ. His work is to apply that which Christ has merited so that the full benefits of the cross may be fully ours. In doing this, His task is, on the basis of Christ's work, to gather the members of' the body of Christ to the glory of God -- not to His own glory as Third Person. Secondly, bearing in mind what I have called this "self-effacing" character of the Spirit, we will not place the wrong emphasis upon His work within the church -- an emphasis which would serve to magnify the Spirit in distinction from Father or Son."
Taken from the pamphlet "The Holy Spirit: His Presence, Power, and Fruits" by Rev. G. Van Baren
Today, May 21, is the twenty-first Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.
If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.
The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people. Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. ...Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy. ~ Psalm 99:1-3, 5
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. S. Regnerus in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. M. McGeown in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. N. Decker in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. S. Key in Loveland PRC; Rev. R. Hanko (1st week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. M. DeVries (2nd week) in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. K. Koole in Zion PRC. May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
Congregational Evangelism/Mission News
Evangelism and Missions Conference: If you missed the DMC's conference earlier ths month, you may hear the speeches here:
Classis East met May 10-11 in Faith PRC (Jenison, MI). The public report of this meeting has been posted on this webpage.
PRC 100th Anniversary: With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 23-27, 2025, at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI.
The seminary 'family' enjoyed its end-of-the-year picnic at the Griess' Saturday evening
PRC Seminary Notices:
PRC missionary work with minister training in Southern Negros (from 2018) - see the note below about Rev. Smit and Kleyn's visit there this weekend.
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
Next Sunday we will observe Pentecost, the day our Savior gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to His church. Read this resource, "Try the Spirits," to be able to discern the Spirit's true presence and work from false notions of it.
"I would suggest that Scripture presents the Spirit principally as the Spirit of Christ or the Spirit of the Son. It is striking that Scripture, though it often mentions the Spirit, does not treat extensively the work of the Spirit -- certainly not with that detail which the gospel accounts treat the work of Christ. There are chapters in Scripture which do touch somewhat upon His work, as John 14 ; Romans 8; Galatians 3 and 5; Ephesians 4 and 5; but even in these passages, a great deal is not presented about the Spirit. The same is true with our confessions. There is mention made of the Spirit in the Heidelberg Catechism (LORD'S DAY 8 and 20) and in the Netherlands Confession (especially Articles 1 and 11) ; but again, only brief reference to Him and His work is presented.
"I would suggest that all of this fits in with the idea that the Spirit is revealed not simply as Spirit, but as the Spirit of Christ.
"His relationship to Christ is evident in Christ's sojourn on this earth. Christ's conception is through the overshadowing of the Holy Ghost (Luke 1:35 ). The Spirit descends upon Jesus in the form of a dove after His baptism (Matthew 3:16). He is led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Luke 4:1 ). Christ was directed and led by the Spirit in His ministry (Luke 4:14 , "And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee ...."). He has the Spirit given Him without measure (John 3:34 ). In Christ's exaltation, He receives the "promise of the Holy Ghost" which, Peter explains, accounts for what is seen and heard at Pentecost -- for Jesus pours out of that Spirit upon the church (Acts 2:33 ).
"But also Christ in His teaching and in directing the writing of the apostles, identifies the Spirit as HIS Spirit. His function is, centrally, to reveal God through Christ: to apply His work, to guide in His Word, to protect the whole of the church of Jesus Christ. Though Scripture does speak of the Spirit simply by that name "Holy Spirit" (cf. Romans 8:18 ), or the "Spirit of God" (cf. Romans 15:19 ) , it appears evident that the Holy Spirit in the church functions always as the Spirit of Christ."
Taken from the pamphlet "The Holy Spirit: His Presence, Power, and Fruits" by Rev. G. Van Baren
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Today, May 14, is the twentieth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.
If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. ~ Psalm 98:1-3
Ascension Day Service: This week Thursday, May 18, the PR congregations will observe Ascension Day by gathering in worship to remember and reflect on the glorious going up to heaven of our living and victorious Savior Jesus Christ forty days after he rose from the dead. You are cordially invited to join us in worshiping the Lamb who is worthy of all honor and glory and blessing. Most services begin at 7 p.m. but check the website of the church near you.
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Prof. R. Cammenga in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. C. Griess and Rev. C. Haak in Georgetown PRC; Rev. D. Noorman (2nd week) in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Huizinga and Prof. R. Dykstra in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. J. Engelsma (2nd week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. J. Marcus (2nd week) in Lynden PRC; Rev. M. DeVries in Randolph PRC; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. W. Langerak in Zion PRC. May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
Congregational Evangelism/Mission News
Evangelism and Missions Conference: If you missed the DMC's conference earlier ths month, you may hear the speeches here:
Classis East met this past week in Faith PRC (Jenison, MI). The public report of this meeting has been posted on this webpage.
PRC 100th Anniversary: With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 23-27, 2025, at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI.
On the final day of class this past Friday, May 12, the church history students from Covenant CHS visited the seminary as part of their annual local PRC history tour (see note below).
PRC Seminary Notices:
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
In this week in which we commemorate the glorious ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ, we encourage you to read this fine article by Rev. J. Kortering - "Christ Entered into Heaven Itself."
"...Why did God create and why did God give marriage? The answer is: His own glory! Marriage was given by God, as all things were made by God, for one purpose: God’s glory. He made all things for His own glory. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever” (Rom. 11:36).
But how is marriage for God’s glory? The answer to that question is: marriage is for God’s glory because marriage is the bond that displays God’s beautiful covenant. In Genesis 2:24 God is speaking of a union: a man shall be joined unto his wife and they two shall be one flesh. A man shall cleave to his wife.
What kind of relationship is this? Is this a 50-50 relationship between a man and a woman? Why are they to hold to one another? Why can they not walk away from this? Why cannot they go from spouse to spouse to spouse? Why is adultery sin? And why may not marriage be rooted in romance? Why can you not fall in and out of love and fall in and out of marriage? Why is marriage a lifelong bond? Because marriage is given by God to point to something far deeper, something true about Himself. It points to something more permanent, far more glorious! It points to a sacred covenant that God makes with us His people in Jesus Christ. Our marriages are sacred covenants. They are commitments to weather the storms of life together because we are called in our marriage to reflect God and His commitment and covenant toward us.
This becomes very plain in the apostle Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:31, 32. In verse 31, as Paul has been speaking about marriage and the calling of a husband and a wife, he, too, quotes from Genesis 2:24: “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” And then in verse 32 he adds: “This is a great mystery [what I have been talking about—this joining of a man and a woman]: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Now that is the most staggering and profound thing that could ever be said about marriage. In other words, marriage is patterned after Christ’s commitment to His church. When God created man in the beginning as male and female and brought them into a union called marriage, He was patterning that after Christ and His bride, the church—not the other way around. God did not first make marriage and then say, “Well, hm-m-m, how illuminating it would be if I would pattern My relationship in Christ toward My people after this marriage. I’ll pattern Christ and the church after what I have done here in the beginning.” No! That is not the way it is! But God said, “It was first Christ and the church. It is first Me, in My love to My elect in Jesus Christ. That is first. And now I’ll make marriage to display that.”
It was first Christ (Rev. 13:8), who was slain from the foundation of the world. It was first God’s eternal grace flowing through Jesus Christ unto His elect, before there was an Adam, before there was an Eve. And, in His own heart, because this is who He is (He is faithful, He is a God of covenant faithfulness), He designed marriage after the very relationship that abides in His eternal breast and heart toward us in Christ.
So, your marriage exists for the glory of God. Do you know why God gave you a wife? Do you know why God gave you a husband? To display to the world the truth about the faithful love of God. That is why. God brings us together not first of all for ourselves. Of course we enjoy blessings from the hand of our God and Creator. But God brought us together, first of all, to display His Son’s grace and love to His church. God called us together in this bond of marriage in order that He might display Christ’s sacrificing for His bride, in order that He might display His own precious love, in order that He might show that Christ loves with a forgiving love and never forsakes His own bride. The highest purpose for marriage is to put the covenant relationship of Christ and the church on display before the world, so that others may see it in concrete terms and reality.
Taken from the radio message "God's Design for Marriage" by Rev. C. Haak
May 2023 Classis East Report
Classis East convened Wednesday May 10, 2023 at Faith PRC in Jenison, MI. Rev. McGeown served as chairman. Eight elders served at classis for the first time and signed the Formula of Subscription, a vow to uphold the teaching of Scripture summarized in the Reformed Confessions.
The routine matters treated by classis included approving the work of its Stated Clerk and Classical Committee (this committee does work on behalf of classis when classis is not in session). A schedule for classical appointments for Georgetown, Hudsonville, and Zion PRCs was adopted. The expenses for the meeting of $3,065 were approved.
Classis appointed two moderators for churches that currently do not have pastors, Rev. McGeown for Zion, and Prof. Dykstra for Georgetown.
One consistory requested the advice of classis regarding a discipline case. The elders representing the consistory summarized the work done with a member walking impenitently in sin. Classis advised the consistory to proceed in its work of discipline and announce the name of the impenitent member to the congregation (Article 77 of the Church Order). This matter was treated in closed session.
Classis treated one appeal of an individual against a consistory regarding a sensitive matter in closed session. Classis upheld the appeal and directed a previously appointed special committee of classis to continue to assist the consistory in working with the individual.
Classis treated seven protests against a decision taken in March not to approve of the overture of Providence PRC, which overture proposes that synod hire an independent third party to investigate the incidents of child sexual abuse in the PRCA. In January of 2023 classis appointed a committee to look further into certain matters and bring a recommendation to classis in March. The committee was divided and presented a majority and minority report. Classis adopted the majority report that recommended that classis not approve the overture. Two of the seven protests contended that classis should have rejected the majority report and declared that it did not fulfill the mandate given to it by classis in January. Classis did not sustain the protests on this point. Six of the protests argued that the four grounds of the majority report adopted by classis were erroneous. Classis sustained these protests. Classis then approved a recommendation to “inform synod that it erred in adopting the four grounds of the majority report and forward the…decision to Synod 2023.” Classis did not treat requests to approve the overture of Providence PRC since the overture has been submitted for the consideration of synod in June. A motion to acknowledge and apologize for any harm done to victims of abuse and their families caused by the March decision failed.
Trinity PRC will host the next meeting of Classis East on September 13, 2023.
Pastor Clayton Spronk
Stated Clerk, Classis East
For the full public Minutes and Supplements, visit this link:
Today, May 7, is the nineteenth Lord's Day of this year of our Lord 2023. Below you will find special highlights of PRC and sister-church news. It is our hope that these reports not only inform you but also give you opportunity to pray for the needs of these churches and mission fields throughout the world.
If you are new to this website and the PRCA, we invite you to join us in worship today or on any of the Sunday's of this year at one of our local congregations near you, or listen online.
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. ...The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. ...Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD. ...Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. ~ Psalm 97:1,2,6,8,9,12
Classical appointments and pulpit supply for today in the vacant PRCs: Rev. S. Key in Doon (IA) PRC; Prof. B. Huizinga and Prof. R. Cammenga in Georgetown PRC; Rev. T. Miersma in Hosanna PRC, Edmonton, AB; Prof. B. Gritters and Rev. C. Spronk in Hudsonville PRC; Rev. J. Engelsma (1st week) in Loveland PRC; Rev. J. Marcus (1st week) in Lynden PRC; Elder-led in Randolph PRC; Prof. R. Cammenga and Rev. W. Langerak in Zion PRC. May we count it a blessing of our church federation that we can help one another in these needs. Let us remember to pray for the men who supply these pulpits and for the vacant congregations. And may we continue to pray for men to hear the call to serve as pastors and missionaries!
Congregational Evangelism/Mission News
Evangelism and Missions Conference: If you missed the DMC's conference this past weekend, you may hear the speeches here:
Classis East will meet this Wednesday, May 10, in Faith PRC (Jenison, MI) beginning at 8 a.m. Most of the agenda involves matters relating to sexual abuse. May God give the delegates wisdom to make decisions that please Jesus the King of the church and are for the wellbeing of the churches.
PRC 100th Anniversary: With gratitude to our faithful God, the PRCA look forward to our 100th anniversary. The celebration is planned for June 23-27, 2025, at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI.
PRC Minister/Teacher Scholarship Fund: Information for the 2023 PR Scholarship Fund essay competition is now available. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to receive the essay topics and submission requirements. Completed essays must be submitted by this Friday, May 12.
PRC Seminary Notices:
Listen to the Reformed Witness Hour each Sunday - on a radio station near you, on Sermonaudio, or on your favorite podcast - wherever you are!
MAY BOOK SALE!
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"Revile is an ugly biblical word, and one we hardly use. The sin it describes, however, occurs far too frequently in our covenant conversations, marriages, homes, schools, and churches. And the words we use—name-calling, trash-talking, teasing, kidding, losing our cool, bullying or even verbal abuse—all minimize the despicable, destructive, malicious, and vicious nature of reviling. And often, then, so does any medicine we prescribe. Rather than treat the reviler’s stone-cold heart, we instead patch up the bruised and bloodied victim with the three T’s, “take it, turn the other cheek, and tough it out,” which in covenant relationships are the spiritual equivalent of “be warm and be full” (James 2:16). And so the vile murder continues.
"...Certainly, a child of God can fall into this sin. He has a depraved heart too. But he will not and may not let it characterize his life. Not if he loves Christ, who was reviled to forgive the repentant reviler (the thief on the cross comes to mind); and not if he has the mind of Christ, who when He was reviled, reviled not again but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously (I Pet. 2:23). And Christ never reviles those He loves. And neither may we. Yes, as Christians, we may expect to be reviled for His sake. As Christians, being reviled, we must bless; and being persecuted, we must suffer it, likewise committing our souls to the righteous Judge (I Cor. 4:12). But woe unto him who reviles even one little one whom Christ loves and for whom He died. If so, repent. Say, “I’m so sorry.” Pray for forgiveness. And revile not again. For Christ’s sake."
Taken from the word study "Revile" by Rev. W. Langerak
Classis East
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Classis West
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