REPROOF (re-praf'), (Heb. Ps. xxxviii:14), answer, rejoinder, argu ment. See Job xxii:4; Prov. xxix:15.
In general it means blame or reprehension spoken to a person's face. It is distinguished from a reprimand thus: He who reproves another, points out his fault, and blames him. He who reprimands, affects to punish, and mortifies the offender.
(1) Rules for Giving Reproof. In giving re proof, the following rules may be observed : (1) We should not be forward in reproving our elders or superiors. but rather to remonstrate and suppli cate for redress. What the ministers of God do in this kind, they do by special commission, as those that must give an account ( Tim. v :1 ; Heb. xiii :17). (2) We must not reprove rashly ; there should be proof before reproof. (3) We should not reprove for slight matters, for such faults or defects as proceed from natural frailty, from inad vertency, or mistake in matters of small conse quence. (4) \Ve should never reprove unseason ably, as to the time, the place, or the circum stances. (5) \Ve should reprove mildly and sweet
ly, in the calmest manner, in the gentlest terms. (6) We should not affect to be reprehensive; per haps there is no one considered more trouble some than he who delights in finding fault with others.
(2) Rules for Receiving Reproof. In receiv ing reproof, it may be observed : (1) That we should not reject it merely because it may come from those who are not exactly on a level with ourselves. (2) \Ve should consider whether the reproof given be not actually deserved ; and that. if the reprover knew all, whether the reproof would not be sharper than what it is. (3) Whether. if taken humbly and patiently, it will not be of great advantage to us. (4) That it is nothing but pride to suppose that we are never to be the sub jects of reproof, since it is human to err.