Despise
Despise
DESPISE
1. .(1) The primary signification of the word is to render or consider invalid (), to set aside something laid down ( ), to bear oneself toward a thing as if it were not, to ignore: Mar 7:9 . . (Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 reject), to set aside the command of God, replacing it by tradition, and thus to deprive it of its force, by teaching and practice (cf. Isa 24:16, Jud 1:8). Hence (2) to thwart the efficacy of anything: Luk 7:30 . . (Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 reject), to set at nought as superfluous and invalid (cf. Gal 2:21; Gal 3:15, Heb 10:28). Hence (3) of persons, to ignore, bear oneself towards them as if they were not, or as if they need not be regarded or honoured: Mar 6:26 (Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 rejeet), break faith with, and then disappoint (Field, Ot. Norv. in loc; cf. Psalms 14 :(15) 4), Luk 10:18 ( Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 reject), to ignore, to treat with contempt as deserving no recognition (cf. 1Th 4:8). To ignore the messenger is to ignore the Son whose message he bears, and this is to ignore the Father who has sent the Son (Joh 12:48, Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 reject). To ignore Christ and refuse His word is not to escape responsibility, or to disprove His claims. Denial is not disproof. The word cannot he banished. It still clings to the hearer as his judge. Spiritual judgment is a consequence involved in the rejection of the revelation: it is self-fulfilled: it cannot but be carried out. Though rejected now, the word of Christ must justify itself (Westcott); cf. Isa 33:1.
2. (-, – [see WH [Note: H Westcott and Horts text.] , App. P. 106]), to hold or treat as of no account, despise utterly, set at nought: Luk 18:9 ( Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 set at nought). The Pharisees invented the most high-flown designations for each other, such as Light of Israel, Glory of the Law, etc., but they described the vast mass of their fellow-countrymen as aecursed for not knowing the Law (Joh 7:49), and spoke of them as empty cisterns (Farrar, in loc., cf. Rom 14:3; Rom 14:10, 1Co 16:11, Gal 4:14 etc., Pro 1:7). The same word translation by both Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 set at nought, is used of the contempt and mockery with which Jesus was treated by the rulers (Mar 9:12 ; Luk 23:11 . ), where the special significance of the word is that He was treated not even as a criminal, deserving examination of his case and righteous judgment, but as a mere cypher, to be utterly despised; cf. Act 4:11, Psa 21:6, Isa 53:3 [Symm. [Note: Symmachus.] ], Eze 22:8.
3. , to look down upon from a position of superiority, whether assumed or real, to think lightly of, to neglect, to disdain, with more or less actively hostile design (cf. Herod, i. 5. 66, viii. 10). Mat 6:24 || Luk 16:13 : two masters, with opposing interests, cannot be served by the same person, the esteem in which they are held will very according to the reward offered; one will be actively honoured and diligently served, the other will be thought lightly of and his interests will be neglected. Mat 18:10 : are not to be held in disdain. (1) They are under the special care of God. Adopting the current Jewish doctrine of angels as guardian spirits, our Lord tells His hearers that children have friends in the court of heaven, in close nearness to the King Himself, whose Face they always see; there they are not thought lightly of, here they must not be despised. (2) Accepting the order of the verses, there is a close connexion between despising and offending. No hostile action must be taken towards them, even unconsciously, no carelessness as to conduct or example which might hurt them; hindrances to the life of young disciples, despised because of their weakness, are sins against His love to them. (3) If the connexion with Mat 18:1-4 is original, the young are not to be despised, because the childlike disposition is the true way to eternal life; the humility which is essential for entering into the Kingdom of heaven has its symbol in the consciousness of weakness and imperfection that belongs to children, who are therefore not to be despised but received (cf. Pro 13:13, Gen 27:12).
The active hostility implied in the word is seen in Rom 2:4 . : Gods longsuffering not only treated with contempt, but also opposed by being sinned against (cf. 1Ti 4:12). In Heb 12:2 ., the simply passive sense is givenenduring with the resignation that arises from the disdain of real superiority. What men count shame was seen by Christ in another light. From His position, raised infinitely above them, He could disregard their judgment (Westcott, in loc.).
and are not used by classical writers, is in constant use from Herodotus onwards.
R. Macpherson.