[Greek] αἰσχύνη (aischynē), [Latin] offensio, [Latin] rubor, [Latin] confusio, [German] scham: shamefulness, what causes shame, disgrace, dishonesty; Lk.14:9, 2Cor.4:2, Heb.12:2, Jud.1:13
Unfortunately, many people do not fully realize that they will be held accountable for their actions before God!
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means shame, dishonor, insult, being ashamed, and disgrace.
Sophocles’ Trachiniae 66: “That since your father has been gone so long, it is disgraceful for you to not to seek him.”
Sophocles’ Trachinaie 597: “Please keep my secret! Even shameful deeds, when done in darkness, never bring disgrace.”
Euripides’ The Suppliants 164: “I am ashamed to throw myself upon the ground and clasp your knees.”
Xenophon’s Hellenica 7.3.9: “But those who are corrupted by money in violation of the right not only suffer damage, but at the same time shame.”
Old Testament: This term, meaning disgrace and shame, comes from the shame brought about by God’s divine judgment. Sources and cause of shame can come from nakedness, indecency, desire, coveting, scorn, and idols.
New Testament: This term means embarrassment, shamefulness, indecent behavior, and dishonesty.
In His teaching on humility, Jesus speaks about the parable of the invited guests and host. By first assuming the lowest position, one will avoid embarrassment by having to move to a lower status. Paul’s ministry renounced the hidden things of enemies who hide, deceive, and falsify the Word. The enemies of God (and the cross) show their glory as their shame. Jesus endured the shame of the cross before receiving the triumph of glory. The false teachers are like wild waves forming their shameless deeds (indecent behavior).
Scripture:
Lk.14:9: “The host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man’, and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.” (Jesus instructs us about humbleness. Shame is felt when one moves from the highest place to the lowest place. The humble person who moves from the lowest place to the highest is highly esteemed.)
2Cor.4:2: “Rather, we [Paul] have renounced shameful, hidden things; not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God, but by open declaration of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (Integrity, confidence in ministry are rightly praised. Paul states that dogma, doctrine, and faith must be defended and stated clearly. Truth never needs tricks, deception, innovations, misdirection, or nuance.)
Php.3:19: “Their end is destruction. Their god is their stomach; their glory is their shame. Their minds are occupied with earthly things.” (These are enemies of the cross. They serve (worship) their own appetites. Sinning essentially becomes as mundane (ordinary) as eating food. These people are self-seeking, self-indulgent, and self-gratifying. They boast (glory) in their actions. They indulge in confusion.)
αἰσχύνομαι (aischynomai): to be ashamed, to be put to shame
1Pet.4:16: “But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.” (One should not be surprised that you may face a trial. One should rejoice to the extent that you may share in the suffering Christ. You can also rejoice in that you are blessed for that the Spirit of Glory and glory and of God rests upon you.)
1Jn.2:28: “Reman in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by Him at His coming.” (Our confidence at His judgment is based on the daily assurance of salvation. Our actions reflect our true relationship with Him.)
καταισχύνω (kataischynō): to put to shame, to confound
Lk.13:17: “When He said this, all His adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by Him.” (Jesus points out the Jews’ misplaced priorities about caring and helping others (people and animals) on the sabbath. The Jews had no problem caring for the animals on the sabbath. But caring for man on the sabbath is a sabbath violation.)
1Pet.3:15-16:”Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.” (If one should suffer because of righteousness, that is a blessing. By giving an explanation in kindness and reverence, your accusers will be put to shame. It is better to suffer for good, if that is God’s will.)
1Cor.1:27: “God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong.”
Foolish of the world: Those who reject the world’s values and focus on God’s values.
Shaming the strong: God’s wisdom is quite often inversely proportional to the world’s wisdom. God’s wisdom may appear foolish to man. The world’s wisdom may appear foolish to God.
Rubor: This is a redness of the skin. This can be associated with blushing, embarrassment, and shame.
Rubric: This is a red word or text traditionally written or printed for emphasis. Rubric originates in Medieval illuminated manuscripts from the 13th century and earlier. Red letters were used to highlight initial capitals of psalms, section heading, and names of religious significance.
Conclusion:
Rubor, rubrics, offense, offensive, shame, shameful, confusion
The Old Testament reminds us that shame can come from both one’s actions and through God’s divine judgment of one’s actions.
Jesus continually reminds us that those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Both Jesus and Paul point out that the Word (gospel message) must be clear and simple. Jesus states one must hate the sin but love the sinner. Paul states that there should be no deceit in the gospel. (Jesus and Paul couldn’t have stated this more simply!)
It is interesting to note dishonesty can convey faithlessness, fraud, deception, wickedness, lack of trust, and confusion. Much of this dishonesty and confusion are often found in belief systems and teaching institutions.
Those more concerned with worldly affairs continually to glorify themselves in their shameful behavior. They boast in their actions, rights, and indulgences. We are now living in a world where one has a right to be offended. If you do not accept their thinking, then you may be perceived as intolerant.
Crucifixion was a cruel and shameful punishment for slaves and barbarians.
Update: Many support gay marriage, homosexuality, gender ideology, transgenderism, puberty blockers, sex reassignment surgery, abortion, while opposing traditional Catholic (Christian) teachings.
In this confusing culture, it is a shame that oftentimes it becomes difficult for one to define what a woman is.
It is a shame that the LGBT community, who often continue to narrowly define themselves by their sexual inclinations, expect the Church to make accommodations for their lifestyle preferences. Sadly, the Modernists in the Church will gladly accommodate them and give their behavior a pass. Now, we have “non-liturgical blessings for same sex (“irregular”) couples.
The Los Angeles Dodgers organization shamefully honored the ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’ (who mock Catholicism [and Christianity].
It is shameful that Gay Pride parades and drag queen shows often show indecency and nakedness. They have no shame in their sense of decency. It is also a shame why some parents would take their kids to such events.
Questionable, misleading, and shameful decisions by the Catholic Church:
The Catholic Church and the media often give a pass to the unacceptable behavior of the LGBTQ community (often seen as a protected class).
The Vatican appoints a pro-abortion woman to the Pontifical Academy.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles refused to protest against the Los Angeles honoring the ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’.
It is a shame that only a handful of bishops condemned or protested against the ‘Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence’. (Are other bishops succumbing to the pressure of identity politics?)
The Vatican restricts the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) while permitting Pride Masses. Why is this permitted in certain locations and regions?
The Catholic Church has to explain why its World Youth Day website contains an endorsement of the UN’s abortion and pro-contraception agenda.
In light of the confusion of gender ideology, the Vatican has not promoted John Paul II’s Theology of the Body (understanding God’s design for the male and female body). This is very revealing and confusing, but perhaps not surprising.
It is shameful that the Synod of Synodalities refused to address the moral character (sexual inclinations) of priests. This probably hits too close to home with the LGBTQ agenda and existing homosexual lifestyle of some priests . Shocker!
Clergy (cardinals, bishops, and priests) are called to bring souls into heaven. Yet it is shameful that there remains cowardly and silent clergy. Yet their remains clergy who will not say anything about sins. You will be accountable for your actions before God.
Parents are called to bring their children into heaven. Spouses are called to bring their husbands\wives into heaven. You will also be accountable for your actions before God.
“So strong is tradition that later generations will dream of what they have never seen.” GK Chesterton
“We don’t want a church that moves with the world. We want a church that moves the world.” GK Chesterton
Next posts: waking up
June 21: wake-up call: seeing the culture around us
June 25: wake-up call: stop sinning