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ReproachAid to Bible Understanding
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God has seemingly forsaken his people, others conclude that he is not protecting or blessing them and so they heap reproach upon them. (Ps. 31:9-11; 42:10; 74:10, 11; 79:4, 5; 102:8, 9; Joel 2:17-19) But eventually Jehovah demonstrates his saving acts and thereby silences those who reproach.—Neh. 1:3; 2:17; 4:4; 6:16.
BEARING REPROACH FOR SAKE OF CHRIST
Also, in carrying out their commission, Jehovah’s servants have been reproached by those to whom they were sent. This was the experience of Jeremiah (Jer. 6:10; 15:15-18; 20:8) and of Christ Jesus (Matt. 27:44; Mark 15:32; Rom. 15:3) and his followers. (Heb. 10:33) For an individual to be reproached for the sake of Christ gives him reason for rejoicing, as it leads to a great reward in the heavens (Matt. 5:11; Luke 6:22, 23) and constitutes a proof of his having God’s spirit. (1 Pet. 4:14) Therefore, reproach should not be feared. To those knowing righteousness, Jehovah said: “Do not be afraid of the reproach of mortal men, and do not be struck with terror just because of their abusive words.’”—Isa. 51:7.
Although knowing the great reproach that would come upon him, Jesus voluntarily submitted to the doing of his Father’s will to the point of dying a shameful death on a torture stake. (Isa. 53:3-7; John 10:17, 18; Heb. 12:2; 13:12, 13) To render good to others, he did not seek to please himself but was willing to take reproach from persons who by word and deed reproached Jehovah God. The apostle Paul pointed to this when highlighting the right attitude toward spiritually weak ones: “We, though, who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong, and not to be pleasing ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor in what is good for his upbuilding. For even Christ did not please himself; but just as it is written: ‘The reproaches of those who were reproaching you have fallen upon me.’” (Rom. 15:1-3) In the previous chapter (14), Paul had discussed the weaknesses of some who had conscientious scruples regarding certain foods or the observance of a certain day; he had shown the need to avoid being a cause for stumbling such ones, and the need to build them up. This would likely mean that those strong in understanding, faith and conscience would have to restrict themselves in the exercise of their rights, and this might be somewhat unpleasant to them. Nevertheless, they must “bear” (the verb here allowing both the sense of “carry” and “put up with or endure” [compare Galatians 6:2; Revelation 2:2]) whatever burdens such weaknesses might cause them, imitating Christ. (Compare Matthew 17:17-20; also Moses’ expression at Numbers 11:10-15.) Also, they should not simply forge ahead in their own pursuit of God’s favor, blessings and rewards, while shunting aside as an encumberment these spiritually weak ones or allowing them to be lopped off by the adversary due to lack of consideration and help from these strong ones.—Compare 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 10:23-33.
AVOID BRINGING REPROACH BY WRONGDOING
While expecting reproach for righteousness’ sake, a Christian should never “suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a busybody in other people’s matters.” (1 Pet. 4:15, 16) One of the qualifications for an overseer in the Christian congregation is that he “have a fine testimony from people on the outside, in order that he might not fall into reproach.” This would prevent bringing dishonor to the position and would avoid the spread of unfavorable talk about true Christians because of the conduct of one of the prominent members of the congregation.—1 Tim. 3:7.
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ReptilesAid to Bible Understanding
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REPTILES
A reptile is a cold-blooded, vertebrate, air-breathing animal. The Hebrew verb za·hhalʹ means “to glide away,” “to crawl away.” From this root is drawn the word designating reptiles generally. (The same verb was used at Job 32:6 by Elihu when he spoke of ‘drawing back.’) As stated at Deuteronomy 32:24, among the things bringing trouble upon idolatrous Israel was to be “the venom of reptiles of the dust,” evidently referring there to poisonous snakes. (Compare Jeremiah 8:17.) At Micah 7:17, the nations that are overwhelmed by God’s power are spoken of as coming out of their defensive positions like excited reptiles.
In addition to serpents, other reptiles mentioned in the Bible are the chameleon, the gecko and other lizards, and the newt, which see under their individual names.
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Repurchase, RepurchaserAid to Bible Understanding
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REPURCHASE, REPURCHASER
The Hebrew word go·ʼelʹ, appearing first in Genesis 48:16 (“the [one] . . . recovering”), in time took on the meaning of “kinsman with the right to repurchase (or redeem)”; that is, to recover, redeem or buy back the person, property or inheritance of the next of kin; and was given an application to a blood avenger. The next of kin having the obligation of being a repurchaser evidently fell in this order: (1) brother, (2) uncle, (3) son of an uncle, (4) any other male blood relative of the family.—Lev. 25:48, 49; compare the order in Numbers 27:5-11; see AVENGER OF BLOOD.
Under the Mosaic law, if an Israelite, because of economic circumstances, had sold himself into slavery, the repurchaser could buy him back out of slavery. (Lev. 25:47-54) Or, if he had sold his land inheritance, his repurchaser could buy back the property, and he could return to his possession. (Lev. 25:25-27) However, no thing “devoted,” “devoted to destruction,” not even a man’s life, could be repurchased.—Lev. 27:21, 28, 29; see DEVOTE.
An example of the transaction of repurchase by a go·ʼelʹ is found in the book of Ruth. When Ruth reported that she had gleaned in the field of Boaz, her mother-in-law Naomi exclaimed: “The man is related to us. He is one of our repurchasers.” (Ruth 2:20) Boaz accepted this obligation and concluded a covenant of repurchase before judges and witnesses, but only after another relative more closely related than Boaz had turned down this privilege.—Ruth 3:9, 12, 13; 4:1-17.
JEHOVAH AS REPURCHASER
By the sacrifice of his only-begotten Son, Jehovah as Repurchaser provided for the recovery of mankind from sin and death and the power of the grave. This Son had to come to earth, becoming “like his ‘brothers’ in all respects,” partaking of blood and flesh, thereby being a near relative of mankind. (Heb. 2:11-17) The apostle Paul writes to Christians: “By means of him we have the release by ransom through the blood of that one.”—Eph. 1:7; compare Revelation 5:9; 14:3, 4; see RANSOM
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ResenAid to Bible Understanding
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RESEN
(Reʹsen).
A city in Assyria built by Nimrod between Nineveh and Calah. Its location is otherwise unknown.—Gen. 10:10-12.
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ReshephAid to Bible Understanding
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RESHEPH
(Reʹsheph) [flame, blazing].
An Ephraimite; one of Joshua’s ancestors.—1 Chron. 7:22-27.
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Resinous TreeAid to Bible Understanding
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RESINOUS TREE
[Heb., goʹpher].
This tree from the wood of which the ark was constructed by Noah cannot be identified with any degree of certainty. (Gen. 6:14) The Authorized Version simply transliterates the Hebrew name. On the basis of the similarity between the Hebrew name and the Hebrew term for “tar” (“pitch,” AV; Heb., koʹpher) some have related it to the resinous trees of the pine family, particularly to the cypress, which is a very durable tree, extremely resistant to decay.—See CYPRESS.
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RespectAid to Bible Understanding
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RESPECT
The giving of particular attention or deference to one judged worthy of esteem; a recognition and due regard for a thing or, especially, another person, his qualities, achievements, or his office, position or authority. To manifest respect is to “honor.” Various original-language words convey the thought of according honor, respect or wholesome fear to others.
TOWARD JEHOVAH AND HIS REPRESENTATIVES
By reason of his being Creator, Jehovah God is worthy of the greatest honor from all his intelligent creatures. (Rev. 4:11) Such honor calls for individuals to render faithful obedience to him, obedience based on love for him and an appreciation for what he has done in their behalf. (Mal. 1:6; 1 John 5:3) It also includes the use of one’s valuable things on behalf of true worship.—Prov. 3:9.
One who appropriates to himself that which belongs to the Creator shows disrespect for sacred things. This was done by Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of High Priest Eli. They seized the best of every offering made to Jehovah. And Eli, by failing to take firm measures against his sons for this, honored them more than Jehovah.—1 Sam. 2:12-17, 27-29.
Whereas the honor given by men to Jehovah God is manifest by faithful obedience to him and furthering the interests of his worship, God honors humans by blessing and rewarding them. (1 Sam. 2:30) Thus King David, who served Jehovah faithfully and desired to build a temple for housing the sacred ark of the covenant, was honored or rewarded with a covenant for a kingdom.—2 Sam. 7:1-16; 1 Chron. 17:1-14.
As Jehovah’s spokesmen the prophets, especially God’s Son Christ Jesus, were deserving of respect. But instead of being accorded such by the Israelites, they were abused verbally and physically, even to the point of being put to death. Israel’s disrespect for Jehovah’s representatives reached its climax in their killing his Son. For this reason Jehovah used the Roman armies to execute his vengeance upon unfaithful Jerusalem in 70 C.E.—Matt. 21:33-44; Mark 12:1-9; Luke 20:9-16; compare John 5:23.
In the Christian congregation
Those entrusted with special responsibilities as teachers in the Christian congregation deserved the support and cooperation of fellow believers. (Heb. 13:7, 17) They were “worthy of double honor,” including voluntary material assistance for their hard work in behalf of the congregation.—1 Tim. 5:17, 18: see OLDER MAN.
However, all Christians were entitled to honor from fellow believers. The apostle Paul counseled: “In showing honor to one another take the lead.” (Rom. 12:10) As the individual Christian knows his own weaknesses and failings better than fellow believers, it is only right that he put others ahead of himself, honoring or highly valuing them on account of their faithful work. (Phil. 2:1-4) Needy and deserving widows were honored by receiving material assistance from the congregation.—1 Tim. 5:3, 9, 10.
Among family members
A wife is rightly to manifest wholesome fear or deep respect for her husband as head of the family. (Eph. 5:33) This harmonizes with the preeminence given to the man in God’s arrangement. Not the woman, but the man, was created first, and he is “God’s image and glory.” (1 Cor. 11:7-9; 1 Tim. 2:11-13) Sarah was a notable example of a woman who had deep respect for her husband. Her respect came from the heart, for Sarah referred to her husband as “lord,” not merely for others to hear, but even “inside herself.”—1 Pet. 3:1, 2, 5, 6; compare Genesis 18:12.
On the other hand, husbands are admonished: “Continue dwelling in like manner with [your wives] according to knowledge, assigning them honor as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one, since you are also heirs with them of the undeserved favor of life.” (1 Pet. 3:7) Thus spirit-anointed Christian husbands were to take into consideration that their wives had an equal standing as joint heirs of Christ (compare Romans 8:17; Galatians 3:28) and should be treated in an honorable way because of their having less strength than men.
In relation to their children, parents are God’s representatives, authorized to train, discipline and direct them. Parents are therefore entitled to honor or respect. (Ex. 20:12; Eph. 6:1-3; Heb. 12:9) This would not be limited to a child’s obedience and his manifesting a high regard for his parents. When necessary, it would include lovingly caring for parents in later life. (Compare Matthew 15:4-6.) In the Christian congregation, one who failed to provide for an aged and needy parent was considered as being worse than a person without faith. (1 Tim. 5:8) As the apostle Paul pointed out to Timothy, the congregation was not to take on the burden of caring for widows who had children or grandchildren that were able to render material assistance.—1 Tim. 5:4.
TOWARD RULERS AND OTHERS
Honor or respect is also due men in high governmental station. A Christian shows such respect, not to gain some favor, but because it is God’s will. Personally these men may be corrupt. (Compare Luke 18:2-6; Acts 24:24-27.) But respect is rendered to them out of regard for the position of responsibility that their office stands for. It is not a matter of rendering respect because of the persons of these men. (Rom. 13:1, 2, 7; 1 Pet. 2:13, 14) Similarly, slaves were to consider their owners worthy of full honor, doing their assigned work and not giving cause for bringing reproach upon God’s name.—1 Tim. 6:1.
When others demanded that a Christian give a reason for his hope, he was to do so “with a mild temper and deep respect.” Though questions might be propounded in an insulting manner, the Christian would present his reasons with calmness and gentleness not responding in an irritated, angry or resentful way. Though not cowed by fear of men, the Christian would manifest deep respect or a wholesome fear, as if in the presence of Jehovah God. (1 Pet. 3:14, 15) In this regard he could take as an example the angels, who, though greater in strength and power, do not present accusations in abusive terms.—2 Pet. 2:11.
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RestorationAid to Bible Understanding
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RESTORATION
The Greek word a·po·ka·taʹsta·sis occurs only once in the Scriptures, at Acts 3:21. Peter there speaks of the “times of restoration of all things of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old time,” until which times heaven must hold within itself the “Christ appointed,” Jesus.
The Authorized Version here renders a·po·ka·taʹsta·sis as “restitution.” The Greek word itself comes from a·poʹ, meaning “back” or “again,” and ka·thiʹste·mi, meaning “to set in order.” (Compare the use of the verb form, uniformly translated “restore(d)” at Matthew 12:13; Mark 3:5; Luke 6:10.) The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, edited by G. Kittel, states that the basic meaning of the term is “restitution to an earlier state” or “restoration.” (Vol. I, p. 389) It was used by Jewish historian Josephus in referring to the return of the Jews from exile. In papyrus writings it is used of the repair of certain buildings, the restoration of estates to rightful owners, and a balancing of accounts.
The text itself does not specify what the things to be restored are, hence the “all things” must be ascertained by the study of God’s message spoken through his prophets.
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ResurrectionAid to Bible Understanding
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RESURRECTION
[Gr., a·naʹsta·sis, a raising up, or rising (from a·naʹ, up, and hiʹste·mi, to cause to stand)] .
The word is used frequently in the Christian Greek Scriptures referring to the resurrection of the dead. The Hebrew Scriptures at Hosea 13:14, quoted by the apostle Paul (1 Cor. 15:54, 55), speak of the abolition of death and the rendering powerless of Sheol (Heb., sheʼohlʹ; Gr., haiʹdes). Sheʼohlʹ is rendered in various versions as “grave” and “pit.” The dead are spoken of as going there. (Gen. 37:35; 1 Ki. 2:6; Eccl. 9:10) Its usage in the Scriptures, along with
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