[Greek] καταφρονέω (kataphroneō), [Latin] contemnere: to show contempt for, to think little of, to despise, to look down upon; Mt.6:24, Mt.18:10, Lk.16:13, Rom.2:4, 1Cor.11:22, 1Tim.4:12, 1Tim.6:2, Heb.12:2, 2Pet.2:10
Mammon: painting by George Frederic Watts (1885) Bowing down and serving at the altar of Mammon, god of riches. We have become like little pagans bowing down to the “gods” of wealth, money, fame, technology, and social media status.
Background information:
Mammon (painting by George Frederic Watts): He was a British painter associated with Symbolist movement. He said “I paint ideas, not things.” This picture shows a scene in which Mammon, the embodiment of greed, crushes the weak through his indifference to their plight. This reflected Watt’s belief that wealth was taking the place of religion in modern society, and the worship of riches was leading to social deterioration (decay). Watts wrote, “Material prosperity has become our real god, but we are surprised that the worship of the visible does not make us happy.”
Greek Hellenism: This term means to look down upon, to think slightly of, to despise, to think contemptuously, and to presume.
Isocrates’ Archidamus 6.108: “Let us therefore challenge one another to pay back to our fatherland the price of our nurture, and not suffer to be outraged or contemned.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 4.134: “Darius asked about the clamor among the enemy; he said to those whom he was accustomed to speak, ‘These men hold us in deep contempt.”
Euripides’ Bacchae 199: “Having been mortal, I do not scorn the gods.”
Xenophon’s On Hunting 1.18: “Therefore I charge the young not to despise hunting or any other schooling. For these are the means by which mean become good in war and in all things out of which come excellence in thought and word and deed.”
Plato’s Euthydemus 273d: “I saw they despised me for it, and they both laughed.”
Lysias’ Against Eratosthenes 12.78: “Twice over did he enslave you, despising what was present, and longing for what was absent, setting himself as instructor in most monstrous acts.”
Old Testament: This term means to act treacherously, to offend, to despise, to hold in contempt, to be vile, and to ridicule.
New Testament: This term means to despise (hate), to take lightly, to take advantage of, and to endure. Jesus points out that one cannot serve two masters (God and Mammon). He will either hate one or love the other. One must not hate the little ones who have angels on their sides. One, who abuses or desecrates church functions, ultimately shows contempt for the Church of God. Although Paul calls upon others to show respect for the youth, he also calls upon the youth not to provide reasons for others to despise them. Do not take lightly the blessings that God bestows on you. Slaves and masters are called to both respect each other. The false teachers show contempt for institutions. Christ endured the shame of the cross so as to receive the glory of redemption.
Scripture:
“No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or to be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Mt.6:24
Loving/being devoted is contrasted with hating/despising. Jesus states that it is not possible to be devoted to both masters (God and wealth).
“Do you not have houses in which you can eat and drink? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and make those who have nothing feel ashamed? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I do not praise you.” 1Cor.11:22
Paul rebukes the Corinthians for the disorder and abuse of the church gatherings. The Church of God is not designed to be a place of feasting, riots, and taking advantage of the poor (needy). These actions show contempt for the Church of God.
“While keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before Him, he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has take His set at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb.12:2
Jesus had to endure the shame of the cross before receiving the glory of His Triumph.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of My Heavenly Father.” Mt.18:10
These little ones make reference to lost sheep. It is important that they not be allowed to stray. Efforts must be made to bring them back into the community. Angels before God are looking out for these little ones.
Conclusion:
Contemn, contempt, contemptible, condemn, condemned
This is a very interesting picture which depicts “paying homage” or “worship” at the ‘altar of wealth’. To be dependent on wealth is opposed to what Jesus says in being dependent on the Father. Both Matthew and Luke present Mammon as if it were a god. The Greek mammonas refers to a Syrian god of riches. Abundantia is the Roman goddess of riches. Plutus is the Greek god of riches.
Human nature shows that there are numerous examples of how some show contempt for others. Xenophon shows that the young people can and should be deserving of respect. However, their actions may sometimes be also deserving of contempt or shame. Isocrates points out that is it good to have respect, not contempt for one’s country. (Too many sheepish people today who are easily outraged, offended, or triggered by something they do not like!)
In the Old Testament, this term takes on several meanings. It is interesting to note that contempt is also associated with ridicule, foolishness, and a lack of sense.
For many years, the Church has been beset with the child sex scandal which has harmed countless generations of children. Contempt for the Church of God can come from within or from the outside. False teachers will quite often despise institutions. Jesus had to endure the shame of the cross so as to seek redemption for all.
Update: Teachers and educators have been indoctrinating students with gender/sex education and CRT. It is only recently that parents have been illustrating and protesting this indoctrination.
Young kids are now pressured by teachers, doctors, and even parents to consider gender change, puberty blockers, and sex reassignment surgery. Fortunately, parents are rising up in arms about this.
This current generation now calls Catholics, Christians, and Conservatives as extreme and hateful because of their pro-life beliefs. Taking this argument to its logical conclusion, one must state that God’s views are hateful.
This current generation now feels that the right to be offended should precede all other concerns.
Conservative speakers now are often not allowed to state their viewpoints because of the woke cancel mob.
Achievement and meritocracy are now being criticized for fear of hurting others’ feelings. Equity has now become more important than achievement.
High crime and murder rates now occur because of no cash bail, equity justice, and feckless prosecutors.
History and statues are being removed because of the simplistic and infantile woke attitudes (judging history by today’s standards).
In the name of equity justice, African Americans are now often discriminating against other cultures.
Churches and pro-life centers are being destroyed by abortion right activists.
If you accept the current woke narrative, if you don’t support or acknowledge transgenders’ causes and pronouns, then you are intolerant.
In England, “protesters” are being arrested for praying before abortion centers.
Church attendance along with church closing have occurred in the secular world.