Q: What is the meaning of rebuking others, and how is it different from judging?

There is a difference between judging someone and rebuking them. Some will quote Matthew 7:1 ("Do not judge lest you be judged yourself") and claim that we should never correct anyone's behavior. After all, since we are all sinners, what gives us the right to judge and speak out against someone else?

However, rebuking someone is not the same as judging him. Scripture actually tells us we are to correct and rebuke those who are sinning:

If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.. (Luke 17:3)

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear (1 Tim. 5:20)

Scripture also teaches us that we must rebuke those teaching false doctrines (e.g. people distorting God's truth for personal gain; people manipulating the Bible to say what they want it to say, etc.):

Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you (Titus 2:15)

Rebuking is to be done in an act of caring for them in the hope that they will believe, repent and follow Jesus. If you view it this way, the act of rebuking is actually one of the most loving things a person can do for another.

Here is an excerpt from a blog entry I found quite helpful.

"Rebuking is not judging. We are called to rebuke one another out of love and concern for one another’s godliness. That’s one of the reasons we are part of the church and not just individuals. We need each other to encourage and also to rebuke. 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 says we are on occasion to put unrepentant offenders out of fellowship but with the hope that they will stop doing what they are doing and will be welcomed back again."

The author admits that sometimes it difficult to discern whether you are rebuking in love or judging in pride, but one thing makes clear is that rebuking IN LOVE is necessary and commanded by Scripture.

"The trouble is I often don’t know whether I am rebuking or judging. I guess the key test is whether I’m doing it out of love for that person, that I want the best for them, but quite often I’m doing it out of anger and hurt. So I guess that’s judging. It is very, very hard that’s for sure."

[Answered by Pastor HM, who has been rebuked many times over his life]