Early Christian Teaching on Blasphemy
Early Christians taught that blasphemy, filthy speech, and corrupt talk should be avoided. Writers like the Didache, Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and Cyprian link bad speech with a bad life. Bible passages such as Ephesians 4:29, Matthew 12:32, and Mark 3:29 are used often in this teaching. They also stress humility, truth, and careful words.
165 early-church witnesses · 262 source quotations · compared with Scripture
What did early Christians believe about blasphemy and irreverent speech?
Early Christian writings clearly teach that blasphemy, filthy speech, evil-speaking, and idle or corrupt words are sins to avoid. The Didache, Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Cyprian, and others tie bad speech to a damaged life and warn that believers should speak with restraint, truth, and humility.
The Bible passages most directly used in these writings include Ephesians 4:29, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29, and several Old Testament sayings about guarding the tongue. The evidence is broad and consistent for condemning irreverent speech, but it is more mixed when writers use “blasphemy” about heresy or false doctrine rather than plain speech. Many more early Christian quotations, Bible passages, and source links are gathered below so you can study the evidence for yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Early Christians treated blasphemy and corrupt talk as serious sins, not small habits.
- They often connected bad speech with pride, anger, lying, and division.
- Bible passages about guarding the tongue were central to their teaching.
- Some later writers also used blasphemy language for heresy and false doctrine.
Questions Answered by the Sources
What did early Christians teach about blasphemous or irreverent speech?
Early Christians taught that blasphemy, filthy speech, evil-speaking, and corrupt talk were serious sins. The Didache, Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Clement of Alexandria, and Cyprian all connect bad speech with a life that should be holy, humble, and self-controlled.
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Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Direct teaching
...ese things. My child, do not be lustful, because lust leads to sexual immorality. Do not use filthy speech or have proud eyes, because adulteries come from all these things. My child, do not observe omens, since that leads to idolatry. Do not be an enchanter, an astrologer, or a purifier, and do not even be willing to look at these things, because idolatry comes from all these things. My child, do not be a liar, since a lie leads to theft. Do not love money or be vainglorious, because thefts come from all these things. My child, do not be a murmurer, since that leads to blasphemy. Do not be self-willed or evil-minded, because blasphemies come from all these things. But be meek, since the meek shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 Be patient, compassionate, innocent, gentle, and good, and always tremble at the words you have heard. You shall not exalt yourself, Luke 18:14 or give your soul too much confidence. Your soul shall not be joined to the proud, but it shall keep company with the just and lowly. Receive the things that happen to you as good, knowing that nothing comes to pass apart from God.
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Clement of Rome, First Epistle to the Corinthians Direct teaching
...are the portion of the Holy One, let us do all those things which pertain to holiness, avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, seeking after change, all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride. “For God,” says [the Scripture], “resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Let us cleave, then, to those to whom grace has been given by God. Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words. For [the Scripture] says, “He that speaks much, shall also hear much in answer. And does he that is ready in speech deem himself righteous? Blessed is he that is born of woman, who lives but a short time: be not given to much speaking.” Let our praise be in God, and not of ourselves; for God hates those that commend themselves. Let testimony to our good deeds be borne by others, as it was in the case of our righteous forefathers. Boldness, arrogance, and audacity belong to those that are accursed by God; but moderation, humility, and meekness to such as are blessed by Him.
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Ignatius, Epistles of Ignatius Direct teaching
...leness should eat, so they don't become a wanderer and a whoremonger. Let drunkenness, anger, envy, reviling, clamor, and blasphemy "not even be mentioned among you." Widows should not live a life of pleasure, or they may turn against the word. Be subject to Caesar in everything that poses no spiritual danger. Do not provoke those who rule over you to anger, so that you do not give an opportunity to those who are looking for one. It is unnecessary to write to you about practices like magic, impure love of boys, or murder, as such vices are forbidden even by the Gentiles. I am not issuing commands on these points as if I were an apostle; rather, as your fellow servant, I remind you of them.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Direct teaching
...r, following the same course with both, clothes those children who are engaged in the struggle with words of modesty, as guards for the ears, so that the pulsation of fornication may not break in to bruise the soul. And He directs the eyes to the sight of what is honorable, saying that it is better to slip with the feet than with the eyes. The apostle beats back this filthy speech, saying, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good." Ephesians 4:29 And again, "As becomes saints, let not filthiness be named among you, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which things are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." Ephesians 5:3-4 And if he who calls his brother a fool is in danger of the judgment, what shall we say about him who speaks what is foolish? Is it not written about such a person, "Whoever shall speak an idle word, shall give an account to the Lord in the day of judgment"? And again, "By your speech you shall be justified," He says, "and by your speech you shall be condemned." Matthew 12:37 What, then, are the saving guards for the ears, and what are the regulations for slippery eyes? Conversations with the righteous, filling the ears beforeha
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Tertullian, On Modesty Direct teaching
...s, the general affliction, of the flesh, he would obtain pardon, therefore did in fact obtain it. Clearly, the same apostle delivered Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan, that they might be emended into not blaspheming, as he writes to Timotheus. But he also says that "a stake was given to me, an angel of Satan," by which he was to be buffeted, lest he should exalt himself. If they bring up this example too, in order to make us understand that those delivered by him to Satan were delivered with a view to emendation, not to perdition, what likeness is there between blasphemy and incest, and a soul entirely free from these things, indeed, lifted up from no other source than the highest sanctity and all innocence? That exaltation of soul in the apostle was being restrained by buffetings, if you will, by means, as they say, of pain in the ear or head. Incest, however, and blasphemy deserved to have the whole persons of men handed over to Satan himself as a possession, not to an angel of his. And there is yet another point. About this it makes a difference. Rather, with regard to this very thing, it is of the utmost consequence that we find those men delivered by the apostle to Satan, b
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Cyprian, Epistles Direct teaching
...learly prove that they did not formerly serve religion, but rather their own belly and profit, with profane greed. From this also we see and believe that this rebuke has come from God’s searching judgment, so that they might not continue to stand at the altar; nor, as unchaste persons, have anything to do with modesty; nor, as faithless persons, with faith; nor, as profane persons, with religion; nor, as earthly persons, with divine things; nor, as sacrilegious persons, with sacred things. So that such people may not return again to the profaning of the altar and to the corruption of the brothers, we must watch with all our power and strive with all our strength. As far as it lies in us, we must keep them back from this boldness in their wickedness, so that they may no longer try to act as priests. For after being cast down into the deepest pit of death, they have rushed headlong, under the weight of a greater destruction, beyond the falls of the laity.
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
V. Let every widow be meek, quiet, gentle, sincere, free from anger, not talkative, not clamorous, not hasty of speech, not given to evil-speaking, not captious, not double-tongued, not a busybody.
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Arnobius, Against the Heathen Supporting witness
vilely spoken of, and what is quite pure is related in filthy language, so that that which vice formerly concealed from shame, is now meanly and basely spoken of, the mode of speech which was fitting being changed.
More related quotations from this section 10 shown
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
Filthy speech is the way to effrontery; and the end of both is filthy conduct.
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Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Supporting witness
so is also our walk in life required to be more circumspect, when we are directed not merely to abstain from evil actions, but even from evil thoughts, and from idle words, and empty talk, and scurrilous language: thus also the punishment of those who do not believe the Word of God, and despise His advent, and are turned away backwards, is increased;
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness
...e money be put into the bank, accurately tested, to accumulate interest. Therefore he adds, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth"—that is corrupt communication which proceeds out of conceit—"but that which is good for the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers." And the word of the good God must necessarily be good. And how is it possible that He who saves should not be good?
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Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness
...poke against your brother, and slandered your own mother's son." Also, as the apostle says: "Let no corrupt communication proceed from your mouth, but only what is good for the edifying of faith, so that it may minister grace to the hearers." Further, we show what the right course of conduct is, if, when such things are written by the slanderous rashness of some people, we do not allow them to be read among us. And therefore, dearest brother, when letters of this kind came to me against you, although they were letters from your fellow presbyter who sits with you, because they breathed a spirit of reverent simplicity and did not ring with the barking of curses and insults, I ordered them to be read to the clergy and the people.
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Polycarp, Epistle to the Philippians Supporting witness
“not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing,” or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being mindful of what the Lord said in His teaching: “Judge not, that ye be not judged;
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Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness
Now hear also about those who turned in branches that were half-withered and cracked. Those whose branches were half-withered to that same degree are the wavering. For they are neither alive nor dead. And those whose branches were half-withered and cracked are both wavering and slanderers, speaking abusively against those who are absent, and never at peace with one another, but always in conflict. And yet repentance is possible for these also, he continued. You see, he said, that some of them have repented, and there still remains in them, he continued, a hope of repentance. And all of them, he added, who have repented will have their dwelling in the tower. And those among them who have been slower to repent will dwell within the walls. And all who do not repent at all, but remain in their deeds, will utterly perish. And those who turned in their branches green and cracked were always faithful and good, though they were jealous of one another about the chief places and about fame. Now all these are foolish for giving in to such rivalry. Yet they also, being naturally good, when they heard my commandments, purified themselves and quickly repented. So their dwelling was in the tower.
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
...it is written, "Hedge your ears about with thorns, and refuse to hear a wicked tongue." And again, "Evil communications corrupt good manners." 1 Corinthians 15:33 The Lord teaches and warns us to depart from such people. He says, "They are blind leaders of the blind; and if the blind lead the blind, they shall both fall into the ditch." Matthew 15:14 Such a person must be turned away from and avoided, whoever he may be, if he is separated from the Church. Such a one is perverted and sins, and is condemned by his own self. Does he think that he has Christ, when he acts in opposition to Christ's priests and separates himself from the company of His clergy and people? He bears arms against the Church. He fights against God's appointment. He is an enemy of the altar, a rebel against Christ's sacrifice, faithless toward the faith, profane toward religion, a disobedient servant, an impious son, a hostile brother. He despises the bishops and forsakes God's priests. He dares to set up another altar, to offer another prayer with unauthorized words, to profane the truth of the Lord's offering by false sacrifices, and not to know that whoever struggles against God's appointment is punished
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Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness
Demetrianus, I had often treated with contempt your abusive and noisy shouting, spoken with a sacrilegious mouth and impious words against the one true God. I thought it more modest and better to silently scorn the ignorance of a mistaken man than, by speaking, to stir up the fury of a senseless one. Nor did I do this without the authority of divine teaching, since it is written, "Do not speak in the ears of a fool, lest when he hears you he should despise the wisdom of your words," Proverbs 23:9. And again, "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him," Proverbs 26:4. We are also commanded to keep what is holy within our own knowledge, and not expose it to be trampled by swine and dogs, since the Lord says, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and tear you," Matthew 7:6. For when you often came to me with a desire to contradict rather than a wish to learn, and shamelessly preferred to insist on your own opinions, which you shouted out with noisy words, instead of patiently listening to mine, it seemed foolish to me to argue with you. It would be easier and a
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
...not the things that go into the mouth that defile a man, but the things that come out of it. I mean blasphemies, evil-speaking, and anything else of that kind. But eat the fat of the land with righteousness. For if there is anything pleasant, it is His; and if there is anything good, it is His. "Wheat for the young men, and wine to cheer the maids." For who can eat or who can drink without Him? Wise Ezra also warns you and says, "Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and do not be sorrowful." Nehemiah 8:10
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Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness
The Prohibition of Evil-Speaking and Passion, of Deceitful Conduct, or Idle Words, Lies, Covetousness, and Hypocrisy.
Did early Christians also use blasphemy language for heresy or false teaching?
Yes. Some early writers used blasphemy language for heresy, false claims about God, and attacks on Christian teaching. Victorinus, Novatian, Hippolytus, Dionysius of Alexandria, and Cyprian use the word this way, so the term is broader than just rude speech in these texts.
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Direct teaching
...Jews thought this hateful, and believed it to be blasphemous, because He had shown Himself in these speeches to be God, they therefore rushed at once to stone Him, and passionately set to work to hurl stones. He strongly refuted His adversaries by the example and witness of the Scriptures. “If,” He said, “He called them gods to whom the words of God were given, and the Scripture cannot be broken, do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified, and sent into this world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?” By these words He did not deny Himself to be God, but rather He confirmed the claim that He was God. For because, without doubt, they are called gods to whom the words of God were given, much more is He God who is found to be above all these. And nevertheless He refuted the false charge of blasphemy in a fitting manner and with lawful tact. For He wishes to be understood as God in this way, as the Son of God, and He would not wish to be understood as the Father Himself. Thus He said that He was sent, and showed them that He had displayed many good works from the Father. From this He desired that He should not be understood to be the Father, but the Son. And in
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Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Direct teaching
...lled gods, much more is He God who is found to be above them all. And yet He answered the charge of blasphemy in a fitting way and with lawful tact. For He wished to be understood as God in this way, as the Son of God, and He did not wish to be understood as the Father Himself. So He said that He was sent, and showed them that He had shown many good works from the Father. From this He wished them to understand that He was not the Father, but the Son. And in the later part of His defense He mentioned the Son, not the Father, when He said, "You say, 'You blaspheme,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God.'" Thus, as far as the charge of blasphemy is concerned, He calls Himself the Son, not the Father. But as to His divinity, by saying, "I and the Father are one," He proved that He is the Son of God. Therefore He is God, but God in such a way as to be the Son, not the Father.
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Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Direct teaching
... blasphemy against the Father. How careful he is! He is a senseless and knavish fellow, who invents blasphemies in every direction only so that he may not seem to speak against the truth. And he is not ashamed to be exposed at one time as falling into the teaching of Sabellius, and at another time into the doctrine of Theodotus.
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Dionysius of Alexandria, Epistles and Epistolary Fragments Direct teaching
3. For since of the doctrine, which lately has been set on foot at Ptolemais, a city of Pentapolis, implores and full of blasphemy against Almighty God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ;
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Cyprian, Seventh Council of Carthage Direct teaching
...mned with complete hatred, because from their mouth comes poison, not life; not heavenly grace, but blasphemy of the Trinity. And so it is clear that heretics who come to the Church must be baptized with the sound and Catholic baptism, so that, being purified from the blasphemy of their presumption, they may be remade by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
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Dionysius of Alexandria, Epistles and Epistolary Fragments Direct teaching
...ulse Novatian, who has torn the Church apart and has drawn away some of the brothers to impiety and blasphemies. He has brought into the world a most impious doctrine concerning God, and he slanders our most merciful Lord Jesus Christ as if He were unmerciful. Besides all these things, he holds the sacred laver as having no effect, and rejects it. He overturns the faith and confession that are set before baptism, and utterly drives the Holy Spirit away from them, even if any hope remains either that He would abide in them, or that He should return to them.
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Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness
... truth does not require anything like that. I will not admit to you that there is a root of such an evil tree, whose fruit no one has ever tasted. But just as, when a man wants to buy something, he does not pay the money until he first tests the item by tasting it, to learn whether it is dry or moist, so I will not admit to you that the tree is evil and completely corrupt unless the quality of its fruit is first shown. For it is written that the tree is known by its fruits. Therefore tell us, Manes, what fruit is produced by that tree which is called evil, or what kind of fruit it is, and what power it has, so that we too may believe with you that the root of that tree is of the kind you say it is." Manes said, "The root is evil indeed, and the tree is utterly corrupt, but its growth is not from God. Also, sexual immoralities, adulteries, murders, greed, and all evil deeds are the fruits of that evil root." Archelaus said, "So that we may believe you when you say that these are the fruits of that evil root, give us a taste of these things. For you have declared the substance of this tree to be unbegotten, and its fruits are produced after its own likeness." Manes said, "The unri
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Victorinus, Commentary on the Apocalypse Supporting witness
...ey deny that the Son of God is God? If as the Father, why do they not follow those who seem to hold blasphemies of that kind? Unless perhaps, in this dispute with them about the truth, this is enough for us for the present: that, being convinced in some way, they should confess Christ to be God, since they have even wished to deny that He is God. He says through Habakkuk the prophet: “God shall come from the south, and the Holy One from the dark and dense mountain.” Whom do they wish this to mean as coming from the south? If they say that it is Almighty God the Father, then God the Father would come from a place and be confined within the narrow limits of some dwelling. And so, by such men as these, as we have said, the sacrilegious heresy of Sabellius is embodied. Since Christ is believed to be not the Son, but the Father, and since by them He is declared to be, strictly speaking, a mere man, then in a new way, by those same men, Christ is proved to be God the Father Almighty. But if Christ is born in Bethlehem, the region of which by its location looks toward the southern part of heaven, and if the Scriptures also say that He is God, then this God is rightly described as comin
Common Questions
Did early Christians think irreverent speech was a sin?
Yes. They warned against filthy speech, evil-speaking, idle words, and blasphemy, and they tied these to a life that should be holy.
Did early Christians quote Bible verses about blasphemy?
Yes. They often used passages like Ephesians 4:29, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Matthew 12:32, and Mark 3:29.
Did early Christians also use blasphemy language for false teaching?
Yes. Some writers used blasphemy to reject heresies and wrong teaching, not just rude speech.
Source Index for Blasphemy and irreverent speech
The guided sections above show the strongest quotations. This compact index highlights 160 ranked source links from 262 compiled sources for deeper study.
Source index 160 ranked links shown
Early Christian Writings 80 shown of 165
Primary-source quotations from early Christian writers and church documents.
Bible Passages 80 shown of 97
Related Bible passages saved for comparison with the early Christian quotations.