Will one be sent to hell for calling someone a fool?
We all use the word fool every day. It's part of our daily vocabulary. We call people fools when someone does something we do not like, and we use it often times in jest toward one another. Are there times when we should not call someone a fool?
In 1 John 3;15 we read these sobering words, "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
It cannot be made any clearer than that.
Listen to the command of the Lord through Paul, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men (Rom 12:18)."
Finally, let's examine our attitudes and our tongues toward all.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Rom 12:12).
I would like to examine that in this article.
The word fool has several meanings. One Hebrew word is nabal. This is a person who is a deviant in their behavior, who is ungodly and plots evil. In the Proverbs, the fool is primarily described as one who lacks wisdom because they despise instruction - they act without thinking. This Hebrew word is ewil. Another Hebrew word is kesil. This person is obstinate, arrogant, has no desire for wisdom, Godly wisdom - they not only commit evil, they enjoy wickedness. They also refuse rebuke. That type of person is a wrecking ball and should be avoided. They are incorrigible.
In Matthew 5:21-22 we read, "You have heard that the ancients were told, "You shall not commit murder, and whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court, and whoever says to his brother, "You good-for-nothing', shall be guilty before the supreme court, and whoever says, 'You fool', shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. The word fool here is the Greek word moros - where we get our English word moron.
Jesus is the one speaking in these verses. Why is his language here so severe? To get the import of the meaning, we must understand the context.
Jesus began by saying one that is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court. Committing murder violated the sixth commandment (Ex 20:13) and was punishable by death (Ex 21:12). Here, Jesus said if one is angry with his brother shall be guilty (italics mine) before the court. Jesus is equating anger with murder - not just any anger, but a murderous anger based on an internal hatred. Remember murder is the context in these verses.
Jesus takes it a step further. He says if one calls his brother. "you good-for-nothing" (or "Raca") shall be guilty before the counsel or the supreme court. If you call your brother a moron, your guilt is at its worst because your hatred of your brother is wicked enough to send you to hell. That person has exceeded the court of men and has caught the attention of God Almighty.
I do not know about you, but to me that warning is terrifying! And anyone that knows me well know I do not scare easily.
I do not know about you, but to me that warning is terrifying! And anyone that knows me well know I do not scare easily.
When one calls someone a moron in this sense, we are insulting a person at the lowest possible level. We are calling them a worthless, stupid person. It's the worst character assassination. Jesus sees this type of verbal abuse against one's brother morally repugnant.
Why?
The problem is not just the words, but the attitude behind the words. If it were just the words, that brought condemnation, then Jesus would be guilty as well - for he called the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites and blind fools (Matt 23).
Paul also rebuked the Galatians and called them foolish. Why? Because they became duped into believing their justification was by the works of the law rather than the law of faith (Gal 3). They knew better for Paul had taught them their salvation came as a result of the atoning work of Christ and their belief in that work and not by their own efforts. So, in these two instances, it was justified and actually loving for both Christ and Paul to rebuke their audience and explain to them why they were foolish. Turning away from being a fool and embracing Godly wisdom will save your soul.
But, when one has venomous hatred against another human being without a cause, that evil Jesus regards as bad as the act of murder itself, and if someone does not repent of it, could lead to actual murder. Do you understand what Jesus was teaching to his audience? He not only taught the written law, but he amplified its meaning on a level far more revelatory than Moses could have done. For in this context he tells us a man's anger based on an internal hatred is as if he committed homicide! Why? Because of the wickedness in the person. This is clearly a loving and severe warning from our Lord how we are not to treat one another.
Another point that I must make is when one maligns a fellow human being, it is an attack on God himself. How? All men no matter how scandalous their character are made in the image of God (James 3;8-9).
Why?
The problem is not just the words, but the attitude behind the words. If it were just the words, that brought condemnation, then Jesus would be guilty as well - for he called the Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites and blind fools (Matt 23).
Paul also rebuked the Galatians and called them foolish. Why? Because they became duped into believing their justification was by the works of the law rather than the law of faith (Gal 3). They knew better for Paul had taught them their salvation came as a result of the atoning work of Christ and their belief in that work and not by their own efforts. So, in these two instances, it was justified and actually loving for both Christ and Paul to rebuke their audience and explain to them why they were foolish. Turning away from being a fool and embracing Godly wisdom will save your soul.
But, when one has venomous hatred against another human being without a cause, that evil Jesus regards as bad as the act of murder itself, and if someone does not repent of it, could lead to actual murder. Do you understand what Jesus was teaching to his audience? He not only taught the written law, but he amplified its meaning on a level far more revelatory than Moses could have done. For in this context he tells us a man's anger based on an internal hatred is as if he committed homicide! Why? Because of the wickedness in the person. This is clearly a loving and severe warning from our Lord how we are not to treat one another.
Another point that I must make is when one maligns a fellow human being, it is an attack on God himself. How? All men no matter how scandalous their character are made in the image of God (James 3;8-9).
In 1 John 3;15 we read these sobering words, "Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
It cannot be made any clearer than that.
Listen to the command of the Lord through Paul, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men (Rom 12:18)."
Finally, let's examine our attitudes and our tongues toward all.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer (Rom 12:12).
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