**Is It An Insult?: How I See It.**
Galatians 3
KJV
1+ O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
I was approached recently by a young man asking to know if the Apostle Paul was “ insulting “ the Galatians because he used the word “foolish!”
I am sure most readers of that verse see, understand and believe exactly what the young man believes the verse to be saying! To him it was an insult.
How we understand words to a large extent is influenced by our environment, how they are used in our environment is the standard usage. Words truly take not only their usage but also their meanings from the environment!
In my “learned” opinion , Paul was not “ insulting “ his audience but rather “ describing “ them. Foolish, stupid etc are not insults. But descriptions. They described conduct, attitude or behaviour!
Have you not said to yourself before “ oh how foolish or stupid I was ?” Were you insulting yourself, or describing an act you’ve done? It is a “harmless” description but unfortunately most don’t see it like that hence the negative outcome , response etc.
When we act unwisely we have acted foolishly! Or stupidly.
So, you may ask “What then is an insult?” When can I say I’ve been insulted?
An insult is a lie, when you are credited with something you didn’t do! Something that does not truly describe you. A picture of you which is not truly who you are. A fake, false. Etc.
This is the reason why insults annoy, provoke etc; which leads us to fight, quarrel etc
An insult is therefore a lie and not a fact.
For example, if you call me “Ayigbe man!” You’ve not insulted me, why because what you said is true , it describes me! I am an Anyigbe man ! I’ll not get angry or annoyed with you you’ve said the truth, a fact.
Or I did something wrong when I knew what I should have done, and you looked at me and said, “You are stupid or foolish”. You are stating facts based on evidence.
(Paul’s usage is based on facts, read the verse and you’ll see what reasons he gave for calling them as such)
Several men in the scriptures admitted and called themselves foolish read a few!
Numbers 12
KJV
11+ And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
1 Samuel 13
KJV
13+ And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.
2 Samuel 24
KJV
10+ And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the Lord, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O Lord, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
2 Corinthians 11
KJV
21+ I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
2 Corinthians 11
KJV
17+ That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
1 Samuel 26
KJV
21+ Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
Need I post more?
It is only here in Ghana ( perhaps in other countries !) that these words are understood or taken as insults. These only describe your action , you’ve acted foolishly or stupidly!
Having said these please be cautious where and to whom you say these to. Ninety-nine (99%) per cent will take it as an insult, so don’t use them.
My thoughts to share