In the Bible, a scorner is someone who treats God’s word and truths with contempt, mocks at righteousness and scoffs at those who seek to live according to God’s ways. The scorner is often contrasted with the wise and upright person who fears the Lord and pursues holiness.
The Book of Proverbs has the most to say about scorners. Proverbs 9:7-8 warns, “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 scorners do not receive correction well. When confronted with their sin, they respond with insults and mistreatment rather than humility and repentance.
Proverbs 21:24 says, “Scoffer is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.” The scorner’s problem is pride. He thinks too highly of himself and too little of God. This pride expresses itself in insolence and disdain for that which is holy.
According to Proverbs 14:6, “A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.” The scorner may claim to seek truth, but because of his arrogance, he remains ignorant and fails to attain real wisdom.
Proverbs 19:29 declares, “Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.” Here, the fate of the unrepentant scorner is clear. If he persists in his proud, mocking ways, judgment awaits him. Only by humbling himself and fearing the Lord can he find life.
Psalm 1:1 contrasts the blessed righteous man who delights in God’s law with the ungodly who “sits in the seat of scoffers.” The scorner positions himself against God’s ways and keeps company with others who deride the holy. This shows that scorning often has a social dimension.
Isaiah 29:20 warns, “For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off.” Along with the ruthless oppressor, the insensitive mocker will face destruction. The prophet has no patience for those who show contempt toward the needy and the Word of the Lord.
So in summary, the biblical scorner is someone who:
- Scoffs at God’s ways
- Rejects correction and responds with pride and insults
- Keeps company with the ungodly and unrighteous
- Remains willfully ignorant rather than seeking true wisdom
- Faces judgment if he persists in his insolent ways
Jesus reserved some of his harshest rebukes for the Pharisees and religious leaders of his day who were acting as proud scorners. In Matthew 23, he pronounces woe upon woe for their hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and lack of mercy. Although they claimed expertise regarding Scripture, they did not live according to its true meaning. As a result, they earned Jesus’ stern reproof rather than praise.
The scorner is contrasted throughout Scripture with the humble, wise person who trembles at God’s word (Isaiah 66:2) and finds life through faith in the Messiah. Jesus endured the scorn of men to pay for the sins of scorners and bring them redemption (Psalm 69:9, Romans 15:3). And he warned that whoever is ashamed of him and his words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in glory (Mark 8:38).
So the biblical message to those tempted to scorn what is holy is clear: beware. Scoffing leads only to alienation from God and eventual judgment. But for mockers who repent, there is mercy, restoration, and joy to be found in Jesus.
Hebrews 10:29 warns, “…how much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?” To scorn Christ by mocking the gospel and persisting in unbelief puts a person in eternal peril.
2 Peter 3:3-4 predicts, “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.’” Just as there were scorners in ancient times, so also the end times will have those who mock the truth.
But Proverbs 19:25 gives hope, saying, “Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.” The scorner’s mind may be made up in pride, but humble onlookers can still learn from a wise person’s corrections.
Psalm 1:5 reveals the end that awaits the unrepentant mocker: “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” Only by forsaking contempt and embracing godly wisdom can the scorner become secure.
So in summary, the Bible’s perspective on scorners is multifaceted. Scripture urges discernment regarding those who ridicule holy things, reserves harsh warnings for the unrepentant mocker, and offers hope of redemption to those scorners who humble themselves before God. Beneath the sins of mocking and pride, the human heart still longs for meaning and joy, which can only be found through restored relationship with the Creator.
The book of Proverbs provides the most direct teaching on dealing with scorners:
Proverbs 9:7-8 – Don’t try to correct or rebuke a scorner, as they will only hate you more for it. Focus efforts instead on correcting the wise, who will appreciate it.
Proverbs 14:6 – Knowledge and wisdom can’t penetrate a scorner. Seeking truth is futile for them.
Proverbs 15:12 – Scorners don’t take kindly to correction. They stay entrenched in their scoffing mindset.
Proverbs 19:25 – There is hope for correcting and teaching those observing the scorner being reprimanded.
Proverbs 21:11 – Attempting to reform a scorner through punishment is futile. Only avoiding them improves one’s wisdom.
Proverbs 22:10 – Remove scorners from your social circle and company to avoid trouble and strife.
The consistent advice regarding scorners is to avoid wasting energy and wisdom on them directly. Rebuke and correction only produce more scorn. Efforts are better spent on equipping and instructing those willing to learn.
First Peter 3:15-16 provides a model for how believers can respond to scoffers in a wise yet honoring way: “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
The example of Jesus shows that while scoffing should be avoided, there are still times to confront it – especially when the mockery is damaging others’ faith. Jesus fearlessly exposed and rebuked the proud religious leaders who were misleading people (Matthew 23). Yet he responded with grace when personally insulted, “like a lamb that is led to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7).
The apostles also faced their share of scorners. When mocked for speaking in tongues at Pentecost, Peter preached boldly yet lovingly (Acts 2). Paul reasoned with the Greek philosophers rather than returning insult for insult (Acts 17). They took scorn in their stride, staying faithful to embody and share truth.
So in our interactions with scorners today, the Bible advises prudent avoidance rather than conflict, focusing efforts instead on reaching amenable hearts. Scorn says more about the insecurity and pride of the scorner than the target. Yet there may still be times for gentle yet firm truth-telling to restrain harmful mocking and subvert scoffing with modeled grace.
Examples of scorners in the Bible
The Pharisees
The Pharisees treated Jesus with scorn and derision, even as they claimed to be experts and zealous adherents of Scripture (Matthew 9:11, Luke 16:14). Jesus rebuked them for outwardly appearing righteous while being full of greed and self-indulgence within (Matthew 23:25-28).
Haman
The book of Esther tells how Haman “disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone” after Mordecai refused to bow to him. “So Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus” (Esther 3:5-6). His scorn led to destructive hatred.
Sanballat and Tobiah
When Nehemiah began rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls, neighboring rulers Sanballat and Tobiah “mocked and treated [the Jews] with contempt” (Nehemiah 4:1-3). But Nehemiah persevered in the work despite their scoffing.
The thieves on the cross
While one criminal crucified with Jesus humbled himself and asked for mercy, the other “railed at him” saying “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39). His scorn contrasted with the other thief’s faith.
Elymas the sorcerer
When Elymas tried to dissuade a Roman proconsul from faith, Paul rebuked him saying “you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?” (Acts 13:9-10).
These examples illustrate how scorn manifested itself against Jesus, God’s people, and the gospel message. Yet divine purposes were fulfilled despite scorners’ efforts. In the end, the scorner faces judgment while the humble of heart find favor with God.
How should Christians respond to scorners today?
When engaging skeptics, scoffers and critics of the faith today, Christians should:
- Avoid foolish quarrels and arguments over unimportant disputes (2 Timothy 2:23, Titus 3:9-11)
- Speak the truth in love and with gentleness (Ephesians 4:15, 1 Peter 3:15-16)
- Avoid returning insult for insult (1 Peter 3:9)
- Correct opponents with care, hoping God grants them repentance (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
- Let speech always be gracious and worthwhile (Colossians 4:6)
- Pray for and bless those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:14)
- Expect scorners, be prepared to respond well, and stand firm (2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Corinthians 16:13)
- Trust God will ultimately cut off all who remain in contempt (Isaiah 29:20)
Most importantly, believers must exemplify love, grace, truth and humility that reflects the heart and mind of Christ. As 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us, always be prepared to give an answer for the hope within you, with gentleness and respect.
When contending for the faith against scoffers, the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) – must mark our speech and conduct. While scorners tend to respond to loving truth with contempt, some may still be won over.
Charles Spurgeon wisely said of engaging unbelievers, “The love of Jesus, manifested by his disciples, may yet touch the hearts of those who revile both the Prince of Love and his followers.” With prayer and Spirit-led discernment, the biblical message of life can overcome even scorners’ contempt.