“Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave; yes, strife and reproach will cease” (Proverbs 22:10).
“Scoffers set a city aflame, but wise men turn away wrath” (Proverbs 29:8).
“He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself…Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you” (Proverbs 9:7-8).
“A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke” (Proverbs 13:1).
“A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; he acts with arrogant pride (Proverbs 21:24).
Three significant characteristics of a scoffer are identified in these five passages:
- He is argumentative (Prov. 22:10) and provocative (Prov. 29:8).
- Correcting a scoffer is foolish (Prov. 9:7-8), because he refuses to listen to rebuke (Prov. 21:24).
- He is proud, haughty, and arrogant (Prov. 21:24).
The New Testament penmen Peter and Jude explain the ultimate motivation of a scoffer: he intends to live according to his own ungodly lusts (2 Pet. 3:3; Jude 18). Therefore, God and His word are pre-emptively eliminated from consideration. Jehovah would demand priority over a scoffer’s fleshly and worldly lusts. Such an arrangement is categorically unacceptable to a scoffer.
