The term "scandalous" refers to actions or behaviors that cause public outrage or offense, often due to their immoral or unethical nature. In a biblical context, scandalous behavior is typically associated with sin, leading others astray, or causing a stumbling block to faith. The Bible addresses such conduct, emphasizing the importance of living a life that reflects God's holiness and righteousness.

Biblical References:

1. Stumbling Blocks: The concept of causing others to stumble is a significant theme in Scripture. Jesus warns against leading others into sin, particularly the vulnerable. In Matthew 18:6 , Jesus states, "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." This severe warning underscores the gravity of scandalous behavior that leads others away from faith.

2. Hypocrisy and Public Sin: The Bible often criticizes religious leaders and individuals who engage in hypocritical or scandalous behavior. In Matthew 23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, highlighting their outward appearance of righteousness while being inwardly corrupt. Such behavior is scandalous as it misleads others and tarnishes the witness of God's people.

3. Moral Conduct: The apostle Paul frequently addresses the need for believers to live above reproach, avoiding scandalous behavior that could damage the reputation of the church. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , Paul lists behaviors that are scandalous and incompatible with inheriting the kingdom of God: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God."

4. Gossip and Slander: Scandalous behavior is not limited to actions but also includes speech. Gossip and slander are condemned in Scripture as they can cause division and harm within the community. Proverbs 16:28 states, "A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip separates close friends." Such behavior is scandalous as it undermines trust and unity among believers.

5. Repentance and Restoration: While the Bible condemns scandalous behavior, it also offers a path to repentance and restoration. In 1 John 1:9 , believers are assured, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This promise highlights God's grace and the opportunity for those who have engaged in scandalous behavior to be restored to fellowship with Him and the community.

Theological Implications:

Scandalous behavior is antithetical to the Christian call to holiness and can have far-reaching consequences for both individuals and the broader community of faith. It is a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle against sin and the need for vigilance in maintaining a life that honors God. Believers are called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16), living in a way that reflects the transformative power of the Gospel and avoids causing scandal or offense.1. (a.) Giving offense to the conscience or moral feelings; exciting reprobation; calling out condemnation.

2. (a.) Disgraceful to reputation; bringing shame or infamy; opprobrious; as, a scandalous crime or vice.

3. (a.) Defamatory; libelous; as, a scandalous story.

Denunciation of Dangerous and Scandalous Association with Maidens.
... The First Epistle of the Blessed Clement, the Disciple of Peter the Apostle. Chapter
X."Denunciation of Dangerous and Scandalous Association with Maidens. ...
/.../two epistles concerning virginity/chapter x denunciation of dangerous and.htm

The Truth Probably Is, that the Scandalous Tales are True, While ...
... Section 17. The truth probably is, that the scandalous tales are true, while the
divine attributes ascribed to them are due to the flattery of the poets. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 17 the truth probably.htm

Of Martyrs, and their Intercession on Behalf of Scandalous ...
... Chapter XXII."Of Martyrs, and Their Intercession on Behalf of Scandalous Offenders.
But you go so far as to lavish this "power" upon martyrs withal! ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xxii of martyrs and their.htm

The Life of Mr. John Craig.
... next Lord's day, he told the people what he had said before the council, and took
heaven and earth to witness, that he detested that scandalous marriage, and ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 2.htm

Whether There Can be virtue and vice in Connection with Outward ...
... iii, 12) that "among the ancient Romans it was scandalous for one to wear a cloak
with sleeves and reaching to the ankles, whereas now it is scandalous for ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be virtue.htm

Whether There Can be Sin in the Excess of Play?
... i, 29), is stated to be "discourteous, insolent, scandalous, and obscene," when
to wit a man, for the purpose of jesting, employs indecent words or deeds, or ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be sin 2.htm

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ...
... Paul did not exhort any to separate from the worship at Corinth, because of the
presence of scandalous persons at it and yet he charges them not to converse ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iv that it is.htm

The Life of Mr. George Gillespie.
... With the malignant are to be joined the profane and scandalous, from all which,
as from heresy and error, the Lord, I trust, is about to purge his church. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr george 3.htm

Of the Subject to whom to the Key of Church Priviledge, Power, or ...
... This power or priviledge of the Church in dealing in this sort with a scandalous
offender, may not be limited only to a private brother offending, but may ...
/.../chap iiii of the subject.htm

How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots ...
... 8. Though Christ's blood be strong enough to purge from all sin, even the greatest,
yet they should know, that scandalous spots, or a deep stain, may cost them ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter ix how to make.htm

Scandalous (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Disgraceful to reputation; bringing shame or infamy; opprobrious; as, a
scandalous crime or vice. 3. (a.) Defamatory; libelous; as, a scandalous story. ...
/s/scandalous.htm - 7k

Scant (4 Occurrences)

/s/scant.htm - 8k

Infamous (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Causing or producing infamy; deserving detestation; scandalous to the last
degree; as, an infamous act; infamous vices; infamous corruption. ...
/i/infamous.htm - 7k

Finger (35 Occurrences)
... The scandalous person is thus described in Proverbs 6:13 as "teaching" or "making
signs with his fingers." Such insulting gestures (compare eg the gesture of ...
/f/finger.htm - 22k

Folly (68 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Scandalous crime; sin; specifically, as applied to a woman, wantonness.
4. (n.) The result of a foolish action or enterprise. Int. ...
/f/folly.htm - 39k

Flagrant (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Reprehensible; scandalous; glaringly wicked;
as, a flagrant foul; inflamed; glowing; burning; ardent. ...
/f/flagrant.htm - 7k

Scandal (1 Occurrence)

/s/scandal.htm - 7k

Eucharist
... 3) Pauline: The Pauline-account, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (the earliest written down,
circa 55 AD), was called forth in rebuke of the scandalous profanation of ...
/e/eucharist.htm - 38k

Supper (17 Occurrences)
... 3) Pauline: The Pauline-account, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (the earliest written down,
circa 55 AD), was called forth in rebuke of the scandalous profanation of ...
/s/supper.htm - 44k

Hophni (5 Occurrences)
... his office. By their scandalous conduct they brought down a curse on their
father's house (2:22, 12-27, 27-36; 3:11-14). For their ...
/h/hophni.htm - 10k

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Scandalous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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