Is there a double standard in the Bible about name calling?

Question

God the Son Jesus Christ says that "anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of Hell.” (Mat 5:22b) But Saint Paul can care less! He keeps calling them, “O foolish Galatians!” (Gal 3:1, 3 and so on) all the time. Why this double standard? Is it because the Galatians are skeptical about what to believe that the name calling is justifiable?

Answer 1

The Bible is packed with contradictions.

The author/s of the books attributed to Paul never met the author/s of the gospel attributed to Matthew.

Answer 2

Blame it on the use of King James English which only has a limited number of words to translate the infinitely more complex Greek. In the Galatians passage, Paul uses the word "anoaytos," which simply means "unwise." However, the word that Jesus used was "Raca," which was a personal and serious insult. It means that the person is completely worthless and beneath the speaker's contempt.

Unfortunately, the King James translates both anoaytos and Raca as "fool" or "foolish." In the first case, Paul is simply saying that the Galatians have made some pretty dumb choices. But in the second instance, Christ is saying that we are never supposed to insult our fellow human beings or feel that they are less important than we are.

Answer 3

First, you would have to know if the Greek word for "fool" is the same one that Saint Paul uses in the adjective "foolish." But even if it is, a person may do foolish things but not be a fool. Jesus is very consistent in advising us to "hate the sin but love the sinner." In this case, we would hate the foolishness but love the Galatians. And Paul did love the people of Galatia.

Answer 4

Actually the word that Jesus used, was Raca, which means much more than fool.

A term of reproach used by the Jews of our Savior's time, meaning "Meaning: vain, empty, worthless" The Jews used it as a word of contempt. It is derived from a root meaning "to spit."

Whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council.
- Matt. v. 22. This is the only time Raca was used in the Bible, so Paul used a different word.

Jesus was making a point to the Jewish people, that thought that they could live the Law externally and be just fine when they stand before our just and Holy God. Jesus was letting them know that what they say can be just as bad as murder when we stand before God.

Answer 5

There is a difference between a discerning mention of foolishness vs. a judgmental labeling, "You fool!"

That word, fool, has a Greek origin of mo-ron. That sounds a little familiar, now doesn't it? Pronounced, moe-ron, so you know. But, it was and still is a very insulting, judgmental statement.

To call someone foolish is a little like saying someone is doing something or acting stupidly, but not calling them stupid. Note the suffix, "ish".

Answer 6

There is a difference between calling someone names (insulting them) and telling someone what they are doing is not right. Read both verses in context and you will notice the difference. Is it foolish to put your hand on a hot stove? And if I told you it was would I be insulting you or trying to warn you about the consequences of your behavior?

Answer 7

Paul can care less?
Or is it that Paul can't care less?

The Galatians were not fools, but they were acting foolishly...like you!

Answer 8

you need to read all and not just pick out what you want to! that's like taking a paragraph out of a book by J.R. Tolkien and asking "Where did the Elves come from?"

Answer 9

The Bible is a book of life and can only be read as such. It is not meant to be doctrine or dead knowledge. When read as it is meant to be read, everything within flows and a connection is seen through out.

Answer 10

There are many double standards in the bible