God’s Image • Commandment 9: Do Not Bear False Witness
After examining partiality, we return to the commandments with a responsibility that concerns what we say about another person:
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
— Exodus 20:16, LSB
Our words can influence whether someone is heard, trusted, welcomed, or condemned. We must therefore examine both the accusation and the basis on which it is made.
What Does the Commandment Say?
The Hebrew includes עֵד — ʿēḏ (H5707), witness, and שֶׁקֶר — šeqer (H8267), falsehood.
The wording concerns false testimony against one’s neighbor. It directs attention to whether the witness given is truthful. Examine Exodus 20:16 in Hebrew.
An accusation does not become true because the speaker holds a position of authority or sincerely believes it.
Reproof and Rebuke Remain Necessary
The commandment does not require silence about wrongdoing.
Paul instructs Timothy to preach the word and to:
“reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and teaching.”
— 2 Timothy 4:2, LSB, excerpt
Keep those instructions together. Reproof and rebuke appear alongside patience and teaching.
In the same letter, Paul identifies a specific teaching that has departed from the truth: the claim that the resurrection has already taken place. He explains that it is upsetting the faith of some. The error is stated so that it can be examined. Read 2 Timothy 2:16–18.
This gives us an important distinction:
Rebuke addresses wrongdoing. False witness gives an untrue account. Calling an accusation “rebuke” does not establish its truth.
What Has Actually Been Established?
Consider someone who questions a teaching accepted by a religious group.
The disagreement can be identified. The relevant passages can be examined. Each person can explain what they understand and why.
But has disagreement with the group established opposition to God?
Before describing someone as a heretic or an apostate against God, we must examine what the accusation means and what supports it. A label cannot take the place of showing the actual error.
Questions belong here:
What did the person say, and have I represented it accurately?
Which passage establishes the conflict I am identifying?
Have I added a motive or conclusion that the evidence does not establish?
Am I repeating another person’s account as though I witnessed it myself?
Have I allowed clarification before making the accusation public?
Truthful Testimony Must Also Be Preserved
Accurately describing harmful conduct is different from inventing wrongdoing or misrepresenting someone’s words.
Paul himself describes harm done to him and warns Timothy about opposition he encountered. Read 2 Timothy 4:14–15.
The commandment must not become an excuse to prevent truthful testimony. It calls us to be faithful in the account we give.
Correction with Care
Second Timothy 2:24–26 places teaching and correction alongside kindness, patience, and gentleness, with repentance and recognition of truth in view. Read 2 Timothy 2:24–26.
We carry both responsibilities into this study: address what is wrong, and speak truthfully about the person involved.
Threads to Follow
False reports: Examine Exodus 23:1–3 alongside pressure from a crowd.
Careful inquiry: Follow Deuteronomy 19:15–19 into the examination of a witness.
Misrepresented words: Consider the testimony brought against Jesus in Mark 14:55–59.
The books were opened…
🌿Studies by Maria Emilia ~ 🗺️Continue exploring: Visit Bible Books to find studies organized by book of the Bible, along with related studies and links.
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