“Revile” is to speak in an insulting way towards another.
The Pharisees reviled the blind man that Jesus healed because he questioned if they wanted to become disciples of Christ after they continued to ask him how he was healed, John 9:28. This man was blind from birth and Jesus healed him on the Sabbath as a sign to the Jews that those who do not see will see. After hearing his story, the Pharisees again call him back to recount what happened to them. They revile him because the man who was blind calls them out for not listening to him and the fact that no one has ever been healed in this manner before; therefore, Jesus has to be from God. In response, the Pharisees claim to be Moses’ disciples, insult him, and cast him out of the synagogue.
In Jerusalem, while Paul was being accused by the Jews so that the Romans would put him to death, after stating that he has lived in all good conscience before God, Ananias commanded the ones nearby to strike him. Paul calls him out for his unrighteous action, referring to him as a whitewashed wall. Paul is then rebuked for reviling the High Priest, Acts 23:4. However, Paul was not aware that Ananias was the High Priest at that time and apologetically quotes Scripture, which states they are not to speak bad concerning a ruler of the people, Acts 23:5. Although what Paul stated was not inaccurate, it was intended to be an insult and therefore not appropriate for him to say against the High Priest.
In response to being reviled, Paul speaks well of others, 1 Corinthians 4:11. Just as Christ, when He suffered for righteousness, did not return revile when He was berated, we are to commit ourselves to God, Who is the righteous judge, 1 Peter 2:22. Satan will take every opportunity he can to accuse the saints before God. This is why it is very important for younger widows to marry, bear children, and tend to the household so that they give their adversary no opening to revile them, 1 Timothy 5:4. In addition, we are not to keep company with those who habitually revile others, for they are not ones who inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10. Therefore, in being reviled, we are to counter with speaking well of, knowing that we are called to suffer for righteousness, 1 Peter 3:9.
