Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Rebuking?

12 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Rebuking in the Bible

What does the Bible say about rebuking? Browse 16 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.

12
Total Verses
5
Old Testament
7
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Rebuking

  1. 1
    Proverbs 1:23
    Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Proverbs 9:8
    Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Proverbs 27:5
    Open rebuke is better than secret love.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Proverbs 27:6
    Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. deceitful: or, earnest, or, frequent
    KJV
  5. 5
    Proverbs 29:15
    The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Matthew 18:15
    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.
    KJV
  7. 7
    Luke 17:3
    Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
    KJV
  8. 8
    Galatians 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. if: or, although
    KJV
  9. 9
    Titus 2:15
    These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
    KJV
  10. 10
    Hebrews 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.
    KJV

Subtopics of Rebuking

rebuking evil

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Rebuking? (5 Verses)

Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Open rebuke is better than secret love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. deceitful: or, earnest, or, frequent
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Rebuking? (7 Verses)

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.
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
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. if: or, although
These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
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.
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.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Rebuking

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about rebuking. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about rebuking and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about rebuking is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on rebuking needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about rebuking with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about rebuking, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Rebuking?

You have studied 12 verses about rebuking. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about rebuking?
What does the Bible say about rebuking? Browse 16 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme. The Bible contains 12 key verses about rebuking spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about rebuking are there?
There are 12 key Bible verses about rebuking compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about rebuking?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about rebuking is Proverbs 1:23 — "Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you."
Where in the Bible does it talk about rebuking?
Rebuking is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 12 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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