Jesus' Attitude Towards Those Who Despise the Name Christian
The term "Christian" was initially applied to followers of Jesus by Greeks or Romans, likely as a derogatory label, first appearing in Antioch around A.D. 43 [1, 2]. Before this, disciples referred to themselves as "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," or "believers" [1, 2, 8]. The name "Christian" appears only three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), and in the latter two instances, it carries a contemptuous connotation [2].
Jesus' attitude toward those who despise the name "Christian" can be inferred from his teachings and the experiences of his early followers. The name itself, like "Nazarene" for Jesus, became a term of reproach, alluding to prophecies that spoke of Christ as "despised of men" [3]. Jesus himself was called "Jesus of Nazareth" by way of reproach, yet this name was later embraced by angels and apostles [9].
The New Testament indicates that suffering for the name of Christ is to be expected and even embraced. Peter writes, "If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" [7]. He further states, "But if someone suffers as a Christian, he must not be ashamed, but must glorify God with this name" [5]. John Gill notes that suffering "as a Christian" means suffering because one is a Christian and professes to be one [10]. This suffering is "for my name's sake," meaning because they are called by his name, profess his name, and believe in him [11].
The concept of blaspheming the "worthy name" by which believers are called is also addressed in James 2:7 [4]. John Gill suggests this could refer to unbelieving rich individuals who blasphemed Christ's name or even professing Christians whose inconsistent behavior caused Christ's name to be blasphemed [12]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown primarily interpret this as referring to rich heathens who directly blasphemed Christ's name, noting that few rich Jewish Christians existed in Jerusalem [13].
Jesus' teachings suggest that those who despise his followers and his name are rejecting him. He warned his disciples that the world would hate them because it first hated him (John 15:18). The prophet Jeremiah also spoke of those who diligently say "Peace is for you" to those despising the word of the Lord, even as they walk in the stubbornness of their hearts [6]. This implies a divine judgment against those who scorn God's message and his people.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Christian — The name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name "Christian" came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16).”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Christian — The disciples, we are told, (Acts 11:26) were first called Christians at Antioch on the Orontes, somewhere about A.D. 43. They were known to each other as, and were among themselves called, brethren, (Acts 15:1,23; 1 Corinthians 7:12) disciples, (Acts 9:26; 11:29) believers, (Acts 5:14) saints, (Romans 8:27; 15:25) The name "Christian," which, in the only other cases where it appears in the New Testament, (Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16) is used contemptuously, could not have been applied by the early disciples to themselves, but was imposed upon them by the Gen”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Nazarene — This epithet (Gr. Nazaraios) is applied to Christ only once (Matt. 2:23). In all other cases the word is rendered "of Nazareth" (Mark 1:24; 10:47; 14:67, etc.). When this Greek designation was at first applied to our Lord, it was meant simply to denote the place of his residence. In course of time the word became a term of reproach. Thus the word "Nazarene" carries with it an allusion to those prophecies which speak of Christ as "despised of men" (Isa. 53:3). Some, however, think that in this name there is an allusion to the Hebrew netser, which signifies ”
- James “Don’t they blaspheme the honorable name by which you are called? -- James 2:7”
- I Peter “I Peter 4:16 (LEB) — But if someone suffers as a Christian, he must not be ashamed, but must glorify God with this name.”
- Jeremiah “Jeremiah 23:17 (YLT) — Saying diligently to those despising The word of Jehovah: Peace is for you, And <FI>to<Fi> every one walking in the stubbornness of his heart they have said: Evil doth not come in unto you.”
- 1 Peter “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. -- 1 Peter 4:14”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 4:16: a Christian--the name given in contempt first at Antioch. Act 11:26; Act 26:28; the only three places where the term occurs. At first believers had no distinctive name, but were called among themselves "brethren," Act 6:3; "disciples," Act 6:1; "those of the way," Act 9:2; "saints," Rom 1:7; by the Jews (who denied that Jesus was the CHRIST, and so would never originate the name Christian), in contempt, "Nazarenes." At Antioch, where first idolatrous Gentiles (Cornelius, Act 10:1-2, was not an idolater, but a proselyte) were converted, and wide missio”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 16:6: Jesus of Nazareth - The Jews had given this name to Christ by way of reproach, Mat 2:23; but as it was under this name that he was crucified, Joh 19:19, the angel here, and the apostles after, have given him the same name, Act 4:10, etc. Names which the world, in derision, fixes all the followers of God, often become the general appellatives of religious bodies: thus Quakers, Puritans, Pietists, and Methodists, have in their respective times been the nicknames, given in derision by the world, to those who separated themselves from its corruptions. Our Lord, by continu”
- 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 4:16: Yet if any man suffer as a Christian,.... Because he is one, and professes himself to be one. This name was first given to the disciples at Antioch, either by themselves, or by the Gentiles; however, it being agreeable to them, was retained; it is only mentioned here, and in Act 11:26, let him not be ashamed; neither of Christ, and his Gospel, for which he suffers, nor of the name he bears, nor of the punishment he endures, however ignominious and shameful it may be among men; but let him, as his Lord and master did, endure the cross, and despise the shame, Heb 12:”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 15:19: But all these things will they do unto you,.... Christ here signifies, that all the hatred and persecutions raised against his people by the world, would not be on their own account, for any evil actions done by them; they would not suffer as thieves, murderers, and evildoers, but as Christians; or as he says, for my name's sake: because they were called by his name, and called upon his name; because they professed his name, and confessed him to be the Messiah and Redeemer; because they loved his name Jesus, a Saviour, believed in his name, and hoped in him for etern”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 2:7: Of Christ, or Christians; by the which ye are called? and which, as before, may design either unbelieving rich men, whether among Jews, or Gentiles, who blasphemed and cursed the name of Christ, and compelled others to do so likewise; or such who professed the Christian religion, who by their supercilious and disdainful treatment of their poor brethren, and by their dragging of them to the tribunals of the Heathens, and distressing them with vexatious law suits there, caused the name of Christ, after which they were called Christians, to be blasphemed and evil spoken ”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 2:7: "Is it not they that blaspheme?" &c. as in Jam 2:6 [ALFORD]. Rich heathen must here chiefly be meant; for none others would directly blaspheme the name of Christ. Only indirectly rich Christians can be meant, who, by their inconsistency, caused His name to be blasphemed; so Eze 36:21-22; Rom 2:24. Besides, there were few rich Jewish Christians at Jerusalem (Rom 15:26). They who dishonor God's name by wilful and habitual sin, "take (or bear) the Lord's name in vain" (compare Pro 30:9, with Exo 20:7). that worthy name--which is "good before the Lord's sa”