Biblical Teaching on Speaking Evil of Dignitaries and Authorities
Biblical teaching strongly condemns speaking evil, particularly against those in positions of authority. This prohibition is rooted in both Old and New Testament passages, emphasizing respect for God-ordained structures and the destructive nature of slander [1, 5].
The concept of "evil-speaking" encompasses a range of verbal offenses, including slander, backbiting, whispering, tale-bearing, and defaming [2]. It is considered an abomination to God, stemming from an evil heart [2, 3]. The book of Proverbs warns that a wicked ruler can be like a "roaring lion or a charging bear" over helpless people, yet even in such contexts, the Bible generally discourages reviling authorities [4, 5].
Specific biblical texts forbid speaking evil of rulers. Exodus 22:28 states, "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people," a command echoed in Acts 23:4-5 when Paul, unaware he was speaking to the high priest, apologized for his words [5]. The apostle Peter also admonishes believers not to revile or reproach, specifically mentioning that even angels do not bring "railing accusation" against dignities before the Lord [5, 6]. Jude similarly highlights that certain individuals "speak evil of dignities" [5].
John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, explains that rulers are considered "ambassadors of God" and that insulting them is an insult to God himself, whose "sacred tribunals they pollute" [7]. He clarifies that "evil-speaking" is distinct from constructive rebuke, judicial accusation, or public censure aimed at correction or safety [12]. Instead, it refers to "odious crimination which springs from a malicious and p" [12].
The New Testament further reinforces this teaching. Titus 3:2 instructs believers to "speak evil of no one," and James 4:11 explicitly states, "Speak not evil one of another, brethren" [1, 8]. John Gill, commenting on James 4:11, notes that this includes raising false reports, aggravating infirmities, or depreciating others' characters [8]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown connect evil-speaking to a spirit of self-exaltation and a violation of the law to "love thy neighbor as thyself" [10]. Adam Clarke suggests this exhortation might address general slander or specific contentions and calumnies among early Christians [11].
The Bible also presents consequences for those who engage in such behavior. Psalms 50:19 states, "You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue frames deceit" [3]. Furthermore, the wicked are described as those who "set their mouth against the heavens," speaking against God's being, perfections, and providence [9].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Evil-speaking — Is expressly forbidden (Titus 3:2; James 4:11), and severe punishments are denounced against it (1 Cor. 5:11; 6:10). It is spoken of also with abhorrence (Ps. 15:3; Prov. 18:6, 7), and is foreign to the whole Christian character and the example of Christ.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Slander — An abomination to God -- Pr 6:16,19. Forbidden -- Ex 23:1; Eph 4:31; Jas 4:11. Includes Whispering. -- Ro 1:29; 2Co 12:20. Backbiting. -- Ro 1:30; 2Co 12:20. Evil surmising. -- 1Ti 6:4. Tale-bearing. -- Le 19:16. Babbling. -- Ec 10:11. Tattling. -- 1Ti 5:13. Evil speaking. -- Ps 41:5; 109:20. Defaming. -- Jer 20:10; 1Co 4:13. Bearing false witness. -- Ex 20:16; De 5:20; Lu 3:14. Judging charitably. -- Jas 4:11,12. Raising false reports. -- Ex 23:1. Repeating matters. -- Pr 17:9. Is a deceitful work -- Ps 52:2. Comes from the evil heart -- Mt 15:19; Lu 6:45.”
- Psalms ““You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue frames deceit. -- Psalms 50:19”
- Proverbs “As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people. -- Proverbs 28:15”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reviling and Reproaching — Forbidden -- 1Pe 3:9. Of rulers specially forbidden -- Ex 22:28; Ac 23:4,5. The wicked utter, against God. -- Ps 74:22; 79:12. God, by opposing the poor. -- Pr 14:31. Christ. -- Mt 27:39; Lu 7:34. Saints. -- Ps 102:8; Zep 2:8. Rulers. -- 2Pe 2:10,11; Jude 1:8,9. Of Christ, predicted -- Ps 69:9; Ro 15:3; Ps 89:51. The conduct of Christ under -- 1Pe 2:23. Saints Endure. -- 1Ti 4:10; Heb 10:33. Endure for God's sake. -- Ps 69:7. Endure for Christ's sake. -- Lu 6:22. Should expect. -- Mt 10:25. Should not fear. -- Isa 51:7. Sometimes depressed ”
- 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 2:11: which are--though they are. greater--than these blasphemers. Jude instances Michael (Jde 1:9). railing accusation--Greek, "blaspheming judgment" (Jde 1:9). against them--against "dignities," as for instance, the fallen angels: once exalted, and still retaining traces of their former power and glory. before the Lord--In the presence of the Lord, the Judge, in reverence, they abstain from judgment [BENGEL]. Judgment belongs to God, not the angels. How great is the dignity of the saints who, as Christ's assessors, shall hereafter judge angels! Me”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 102: animated to duty when they hear that they are the ambassadors of God, to whom they must one day render an account of the province committed to them. This admonition ought justly to have the greatest effect upon them; for if they sin in any respect, not only is injury done to the men whom they wickedly torment, but they also insult God himself, whose sacred tribunals they pollute. On the other hand, they have an admirable source of comfort when they reflect that they are not engaged in profane occupations, unbefitting a servant of ”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 4:11: Speak not evil one of another, brethren,.... The apostle here returns to his former subject, concerning the vices of the tongue, he had been upon in the preceding chapter, Jam 3:6, and here mentions one, which professors of religion were too much guilty of, and that is, speaking evil one of another; which is done either by raising false reports, and bringing false charges; or by aggravating failings and infirmities; or by lessening and depreciating characters, and endeavouring to bring others into discredit and disesteem among men: this is a very great evil, and what t”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 73:9: They set their mouth against the heavens,.... Against God in heaven, see Dan 4:26, against his being, saying, there is no God; against his perfections, thinking him to be such an one as themselves; against his purposes and decrees, replying against him, and charging him with insincerity, cruelty, and unrighteousness; and against his providence, either denying it, or affirming it to be unequal; and against his doctrines, ordinances, and ministers. Aben Ezra interprets it also of the angels of heaven, who are spoken against, when it is denied that there are any such bei”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 4:11: Having mentioned sins of the tongue (Jam 3:5-12), he shows here that evil-speaking flows from the same spirit of exalting self at the expense of one's neighbor as caused the "fightings" reprobated in this chapter (Jam 4:1). Speak not evil--literally, "Speak not against" one another. brethren--implying the inconsistency of such depreciatory speaking of one another in brethren. speaketh evil of the law--for the law in commanding, "Love thy neighbor as thyself" (Jam 2:8), virtually condemns evil-speaking and judging [ESTIUS]. Those who superciliously”
- James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 4:11: Speak not evil one of another - Perhaps this exhortation refers to evil speaking, slander, and backbiting in general, the writer having no particular persons in view. It may, however, refer to the contentions among the zealots, and different factions then prevailing among this wretched people, or to their calumnies against those of their brethren who had embraced the Christian faith. He that speaketh evil of his brother - It was an avowed and very general maxim among the rabbins, that "no one could speak evil of his brother without denying God, and becoming an atheis”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 44: God takes an interest in it. Wherefore, evil-speaking in general is undoubtedly 354 condemned. Moreover, by evil-speaking, we understand not the rebuke which is administered with a view of correcting; not accusation or judicial decision, by which evil is sought to be remedied; not public censure, which tends to strike terror into other offenders; not the disclosure made to those whose safety depends on being forewarned, lest unawares they should be brought into danger, but the odious crimination which springs from a malicious and p”