The Bible has a lot to say about scoffers and scoffing. A scoffer is someone who treats something or someone with contempt or ridicule. Scoffing often involves mocking, jeering, scorn, or irreverence. Several verses in Scripture address the problem of scoffing and provide insight into how God views scoffers.
Old Testament warnings about scoffers
In the Old Testament, there are several verses that warn against scoffing and mockery. Proverbs 3:34 says, “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.” This indicates that God oppose scoffers. Proverbs 9:7-8 also says, “Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.” This passage shows that scoffers do not respond well to correction and are quick to lash out at anyone who tries to point out their folly. Proverbs 14:6 says “A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.” Scoffers have a pride that prevents them from finding true wisdom.
Isaiah 28:14-15 issues a stern warning to scoffers: “Therefore hear the word of the Lord, you scoffers, who rule this people in Jerusalem! Because you have said, ‘We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have an agreement, when the overwhelming whip passes through it will not come to us, for we have made lies our refuge, and in falsehood we have taken shelter.’” This passage chastises leaders in Jerusalem for arrogantly dismissing God’s word and promises.
A number of verses in Proverbs also associate scoffing with strife and contention. Proverbs 22:10 says, “Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.” Scoffers breed conflict. Proverbs 21:24 states, “Scoffer is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.” Scoffers often mock from a place of pride and arrogance.
Scoffing in the New Testament
The New Testament continues to warn against scoffers and reveals their perilous destination. 2 Peter 3:3-4 says, “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’” This passage warns that in the end times people will arrogantly mock the promise of Jesus’ return.
Jude 1:18-19 similarly prophesies, “They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.” Scoffers often create division and strife among God’s people.
Jesus himself warned about scoffers in Luke 16:14, “The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.” The proud Pharisees mocked Jesus’ teaching, revealing the condition of their hearts.
The character of scoffers
Based on these verses, we can identify some common traits among scoffers. Scoffers are often arrogant, prideful, and haughty. They reject correction and respond with insults when reproved. Scoffers frequently incite strife, divisions, and conflicts. They arrogantly dismiss God’s word and promises, trusting in their own understanding. Many scoffers are motivated by sinful desires and passions. Essentially, scoffers reflect a hardness of heart and a refusal to submit to God’s authority.
Scoffing leads to judgement
The Bible makes clear that scoffing is a dangerous sin that leads to judgment if not repented of. Proverbs 19:29 states, “Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.” Destruction awaits those who habitually mock and deride spiritual things. Isaiah 28:22 warns, “Now therefore do not scoff, lest your bonds be made strong.” Proverbs 3:34 reminds us, “Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.” God promises to oppose the proud who scoff at him and his word.
Several verses describe scoffers as fools who despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 15:12, 13:1, 9:7-8). Proverbs 29:8 says, “Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.” Scoffers breed strife and conflict that can destroy communities. But perhaps most seriously, passages like 2 Peter 3:3-7 make clear that unrepentant scoffers face eternal judgement: “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” God promises ultimate justice against unrepentant mockers.
How should believers respond to scoffers?
When facing scoffers, Scripture provides guidance on how believers should respond. We are called to honor God and avoid foolish conflicts, not escalating the scoffer’s strife. Proverbs 9:7-8 wisely counsels, “Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.” Sometimes it is best not to directly confront or correct a scoffer. Proverbs 14:7 reminds us, “Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.” We are not obligated to remain in the presence of one who only mocks truth.
But often the best response is simply to live a righteous life before scoffers and avoid indulging in anger or insults in response to their provocations (Proverbs 20:22, Matthew 5:11, Romans 12:17-21). By maintaining integrity and purity, we “heap burning coals on [their] head” (Proverbs 25:21-22). Our upright lives can convict scoffers of their sinful folly over time. But Scripture reminds us that ultimately it is God alone who can penetrate hard hearts and bring scoffers to repentance by his Spirit.
Examples of Scoffers in the Bible
There are several named individuals in Scripture who illustrate the problem of scoffing:
- The Israelites – During their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites repeatedly scoffed at God and his appointed leaders like Moses and Aaron, accusing them of bringing the people out of Egypt to die (Exodus 15:24, 16:2, 17:3, Numbers 14:2, 16:41). God sternly judged this rebellious scoffing.
- Ishmael – As a youth Ishmael scoffed and mocked his half-brother Isaac, the child of promise (Genesis 21:9). This led to Ishmael eventually being cast out of Abraham’s household.
- The people of Judah – Through his prophets, God accused the people of Judah of arrogantly scoffing at his word (2 Chronicles 36:16, Jeremiah 13:15-17). They refused to heed the prophets’ calls to repentance.
- Sanballat and Tobiah – These enemies of Israel scoffed and ridiculed Nehemiah’s attempt to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, spreading lies to hinder the work (Nehemiah 2:19, 4:1-3). But Nehemiah did not allow them to distract from God’s work.
- The Pharisees – The religious Pharisees repeatedly mocked and derided Jesus during his earthly ministry for his teachings and association with sinners (Matthew 9:24, Luke 16:14, 23:35). Jesus rebuked them for their hard-hearted scoffing.
Attributes that Contrast the Scoffer
Scripture consistently contrasts the scoffer with righteous attributes believers should demonstrate. We are repeatedly exhorted to pursue wisdom, humility, integrity, discretion, purity, righteousness, and the fear of the Lord-the very things scoffers reject. The book of Proverbs particularly emphasizes how the wise and righteous person avoids scoffing and mocking.
Proverbs highlights that “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out” (10:9); “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (13:20); “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin” (13:3); “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (17:27); and “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (18:13).
Ephesians 5:4 also instructs, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” By living wisely and righteously, believers exemplify the life scoffers lack. This spirit of humility stands in stark contrast to the pride and rebellion embodied by scoffers.
Cautions for Believers
While Scripture has many harsh words for scoffers, it also contains warnings to believers to carefully guard their speech and attitudes, lest we ourselves begin to scoff. Christians must remember that God opposes haughtiness in anyone. Passages like Obadiah 1:12-13 caution, “But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress. Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity.”
Galatians 6:7 offers a sobering reminder: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” We all will face divine justice. And James 3:5-10 cautions believers about the dangers of the tongue becoming a source of arrogant mocking that reflects a heart corrupted by sinful desires. “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” As believers, we must guard our tongues and avoid any scoffing, mockery, or careless speech.
Hope for Scoffers
While Scripture contains many stern warnings against scoffing, it also offers hope for scoffers who are willing to repent and turn to God. Passages like Ezekiel 18:30-32 plead with wicked mockers, “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”
And 2 Peter 3:9 shares God’s heart when it says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Scoffers can find new life if they humbly repent and receive Christ’s salvation. So believers should pray for God to penetrate hard scoffing hearts, remembering that he “is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”