“He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.”
The specification that the qualified person does not slander with his tongue and does not do evil to his neighbor establishes restraint in speech as criterion. The prohibition on slandering suggests that the qualified person refrains from spreading falsehood and damaging reputation, a discipline crucial in community life. The refusal to do evil to neighbor suggests that righteousness extends to interpersonal relationships and excludes willful harm. This verse emphasizes that holiness involves refraining from specific behaviors that damage community.
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
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