Are There Really Curse Words In The Bible?
Good Morning Friends,
Ok yesterday a friend was sharing about a book she was reading that had some course language but a really compelling spiritual message. I blurted out that I should write a devotional on the subject regarding the foul language in the Holy Bible. So here I am true to my word and better judgement writing on a topic sure to offend someone. Swearing is a clearly taboo topic within the context of Christian ministry. But honestly, if you have ever hit your thumb with a hammer you may have mumbled one of the seven word we are not supposed to say. Why seven? God only knows. Maybe it has something to do with George Carlin and the FCC. The reality is that the words that shall not be named are more numerous than we realize and somehow have taken on an almost mystical quality with code words and substitutions offered to reduce the offence. But employing this strategy really fools few. Of course, except for the most pious, even ministers might catch themselves in a weak moment expressing to others what Jack does not know or offering an emphatic letter instead of a whole word of profanity. Interestingly one can offend another without using the curse words. For example, tell a native from Alaska that they are an Eskimo and you might get punched in the face. Still, somehow certain words have somehow become equated with the biblical commands against perverse language that goes beyond taking the Lord’s name in vain. Suffice to say that today we offer penance on the topic for I imagine we have all sinned in this regard if only in our minds. So forgive me in advance if I approach the topic a little less contrite than you might desire me to be. For there is some situational humor in all this that is perhaps designed to help us live together in spite of our flaws, even as I honestly ask: Are There Really Curse Words In The Bible?
Scripture: Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.
Ephesians 4:29 (NRSV)
I will not violate my covenant, or alter the word that went forth from my lips.
Psalms 89:34 (NRSV)
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.
Exodus 20:7 (NRSV)
Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan. He said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness?
1 Samuel 20:30 (NRSV)
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.
James 3:1-10 (NRSV)
More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Philippians 3:8 (NRSV)
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food,” and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is meant not for fornication but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that whoever is united to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For it is said, “The two shall be one flesh.” But anyone united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Shun fornication! Every sin that a person commits is outside the body; but the fornicator sins against the body itself. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:12-6:20 (NRSV)
Message: Some words are profane because of social convention and the intent to be offensive in the act of using them not strictly because of their definition. For example dung is a perfectly good word that is used by entomologist all the time in reference to a particular beetle. Scatology is a perfectly good word as well. It is a great way to discover what animals are consuming. The NRSV in Philippians uses the word rubbish but the KJV uses the word dung. Think about it for a moment and it might come to you what Paul was saying was a little more graphic than the word rubbish. Only a harsher term than dung would indicate the utter uselessness that Paul had in mind, for dung can be used as fertilizer. Now look at the scripture from Samuel and the passage that uses the phrase: “Son of a perverse rebellious woman!” Sure, that’s the literal translation, but think. Saul’s really angry, and he’s shouting at his son, but the English translators of many Bible translations seem to be beating around the bush here. What Saul says here, ben ‘avah marduwth, is a Hebrew colloquialism. Modern English has a very similar vulgar colloquialism with an equivalent meaning and I am guessing that you might know what it is. Here is the message. The Bible did not bleep out Jesus when he insulted people calling them dogs or foxes. It did not bleep out King Saul or Paul either. Now I am not advocating the unbridled use of course language but let’s face it sometimes these words are only wrong if they are used in a way to harm. I would say that the Bible is real about life’s situations and honestly expects us to be authentic in our expression as well. For sure the Bible contains some rugged language not for us to emulate but to convey the story and drama and authenticity of the situation…and sometimes it helps us to see ourselves more clearly and maybe even laugh at the careful euphemisms we use to avoid the ever changing list of what must never be said but is anyway.
Pray we not be afraid of expressing our emotions. Pray we not offend and be slow to be offended. Pray we not consider purity a curse word. Pray we realize that our lives and our lips betray our hearts. Pray we realize, even though we might use some of those words from time to time, that they are most probably rarely beneficial to our cause for Christ. Pray we not lead others astray. Pray we understand the context and interpretation of words before we use them for emphasis or even humor. Pray we realize that though we might have the right to say a word, exercising this right might be a stumbling block for many while helpful only to a few.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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