Questions and Answers

Can we call someone a fool or not?

When Jesus said in Matthew 5:22 that you should not call anyone a fool, contextually, He was speaking of those who were unrighteously angry. That is why Jesus mentions anger in this verse.

There is a righteous anger which is not sinful (Ephesians 4:26 - "Be angry and do not sin . . ." ) as well as unrighteous anger that is sinful (James 1:20 - "for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.").

When God is angry with someone, He is always righteous in His anger. Jesus, being God in flesh (John 1:1,14; 20:28; Colossians 2:9), can righteously be angry with people and pronounce upon them the foolishness of their deeds which He did (Matthew 23:17). Also, undoubtedly, Jesus knew Psalm 14:1 which says, "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God". Jesus didn't forget the well known verse and God is not wrong for calling someone a fool, especially when it is true.

So, we see that the condemnation by Jesus in regards to calling someone a fool is in the context of doing it out of unrighteous anger which does not fit the later citations of Jesus labeling the hypocritical Pharisees as fools.

    Calling someone a foolDo not call someone a fool
    • Matthew 5:22 - Anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell