What is the Definition of Indignation?
Indignation is righteous or moral anger. In Scripture indignation often times refers to the Lord's holy anger against sin or sinful activity.
Table of Contents
What does indignation mean in the Bible?
Meanings of The Word Indignation- A good indignation meaning from the Bible is anger aroused by something unjust, or wrong
- Indignation also means anger that brings about justice
- Another meaning of Indignation in the Bible is zeal for the things of God.
- Indignation is a just displeasure or contempt.
- Resentment is also a working definition of indignation.
Early Church Fathers on the Indignation (Wrath) of God
| Father & Work | Summary of View | Biblical basis referenced |
|---|---|---|
| Augustine – City of God, On Grace and Free Will | God’s wrath is not arbitrary passion but a just and ordered response to sin, meant to uphold righteousness. | Romans 1–2; Psalms |
| John Chrysostom – Homilies on Romans, Homilies on Genesis | God’s anger functions as discipline, aimed at restraining evil and guiding people back to salvation. | Romans; Isaiah; Psalms |
| Origen – On First Principles, Homilies | Divine indignation is educational, like a father’s chastisement, intended to heal rather than destroy. | Hebrews 12; Prophets |
| Tertullian – Apology, On Patience | God’s wrath is deserved by the guilty, righteous in its cause, and terrifying to those who resist repentance. | Psalms; Exodus; Romans |
| Irenaeus – Against Heresies | God’s anger expresses His justice as Judge and is fully consistent with His goodness. | Genesis; Prophets |
| Athanasius – On the Incarnation | God’s wrath is directed against sin, yet His mercy is revealed in Christ who saves from judgment. | Isaiah; Psalms |
| Cyril of Alexandria – Commentaries (Isaiah, etc.) | Divine indignation defends the covenant and removes threats that endanger God’s people. | Jeremiah; Ezekiel; Psalms |
| Gregory of Nyssa – On God and Man, Homilies | Wrath serves as a corrective force, instilling fear to lead souls toward repentance and healing. | Hebrews 12; Prophets |
| Jerome – Commentaries on Isaiah & Jeremiah | God’s threats and wrath in the prophets are solemn warnings that affirm His righteousness. | Isaiah; Jeremiah |
| Ambrose – On the Duties of the Clergy, Sermons | God’s vengeance is real, but His mercy surpasses His wrath, which targets sin rather than human ruin. | Psalms; Isaiah |
| Cyprian of Carthage – Letters, On the Lord’s Prayer | God’s anger chastens His people in order to produce repentance and restore them. | Hebrews 12; Psalms |
| Lactantius – Divine Institutes | Divine wrath is the instrument of God’s justice, ensuring the wicked receive their due. | Prophets; Romans |
| Clement of Alexandria – Stromata, Instructor | God’s indignation is medicinal, correcting vice and leading the soul back to virtue. | Wisdom; Proverbs; Pauline texts |
| Justin Martyr – Dialogue with Trypho, First Apology | God’s righteous anger is displayed in Israel’s history and prophetic judgments as warnings for all. | Exodus; Prophets |
| Theodoret / Theodore of Mopsuestia – Commentaries & Ecclesiastical Histories | References to divine wrath should be read in their historical and covenantal context, as corrective actions of God. | Prophets; Psalms |
Scriptures That Define Indignation
- Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
- Psalm 69:9 Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up,
And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.
Quick Fact: Indignant meaning in the Scriptures- Righteously Angered
- Mark 3:5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
- John 2:14-17 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”
Indignation Definition Cont'd from The Scriptures
- Ephesians 4:26-27 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.
- Mark 11:15-18 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, 'Is it not written,'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a'den of thieves.'' And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.
More from biblical scholars on Indignation
| Scholar | Paraphrased Interpretation |
|---|
| John Chrysostom (c. 347–407) Homilies on 2 Corinthians, Homily 14 | Chrysostom explains that “indignation” reveals the soul’s revolt against sin and former negligence. It is the inward pain of a conscience newly awakened to righteousness. |
| Theodoret of Cyrus (c. 393–458) Commentary on 2 Corinthians | He interprets Paul’s term as a spiritual disturbance directed against one’s own failures. It is a wholesome anger that purifies repentance and renews zeal for holiness. |
| Ambrosiaster (4th century) Commentary on Paul’s Epistles | He says “indignation” marks the emotional depth of true repentance. The Corinthians’ grief matured into passionate resistance to their previous sin. |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Enchiridion; Letters | Augustine notes that holy indignation is sorrow sharpened by love for righteousness. It transforms shame into strength of virtue. |
| Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Summa Theologica II–II, Q.158 | Aquinas connects “indignation” with just anger arising from love of good and hatred of evil. It is not sinful wrath but a motion of the will toward moral correction. |
| Nicholas of Lyra (1270–1349) Postillae Perpetuae in Universam S. Scripturam | Lyra interprets Paul’s “indignation” as zeal against former fault. The heart, once indifferent, becomes vehemently opposed to sin. |
| John Wycliffe (c. 1328–1384) Commentary on 2 Corinthians | Wycliffe teaches that indignation shows repentance that touches the affections, not merely the intellect. It is evidence of renewed obedience. |
| Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536) Annotationes in Epistolas Paulinas | Erasmus renders aganaktēsis as “just displeasure” or “pain of soul.” It shows the Corinthians’ intense moral awareness stirred by Paul’s rebuke. |
| Martin Luther (1483–1546) Lectures on 2 Corinthians | Luther interprets “indignation” as hatred toward sin rooted in faith’s awakening. Such anger is God’s work in the conscience, producing repentance. |
| Philip Melanchthon (1497–1560) Loci Communes | He sees “indignation” as a necessary passion accompanying true contrition. It renews the soul’s moral judgment and love of virtue. |
| John Calvin (1509–1564) Commentary on 2 Corinthians | Calvin writes that the Corinthians’ indignation was displeasure with themselves for their negligence. It is a sign that repentance has moved from sorrow to moral energy. |
| Theodore Beza (1519–1605) Annotationes Maior | Beza explains that Paul’s word expresses “grievous detestation” of one’s own sin. He calls it the vigorous reaction of a heart purified by grace. |
| Cornelius à Lapide (1567–1637) Commentaria in Sacram Scripturam | He defines indignation as zeal against vice born from contrition. The sinner grows severe toward himself in judgment, yet renewed in virtue. |
| Joseph Mede (1586–1638) The Apostasy of the Latter Times | Mede remarks that “indignation” is moral heat that follows repentance. It purges complacency and stirs obedience to God’s order. |
| Matthew Poole (1624–1679) Synopsis Criticorum | Poole interprets indignation as holy anger against sin. He sees it as the moral echo of godly sorrow producing reform. |
| Matthew Henry (1662–1714) Commentary on the Whole Bible | Henry writes that indignation is sorrow transformed into zeal and hatred for sin. True repentance, he says, cannot exist without this holy passion. |
| John Locke (1632–1704) Paraphrase and Notes on the Epistles of St. Paul | Locke calls it a “displeasure mixed with shame” for former misdeeds. It shows the moral awakening of reason joined with conscience. |
| Bengel, Johann Albrecht (1687–1752) Gnomon of the New Testament | Bengel defines “indignation” as “anger against oneself for sin.” It reveals inward purification and the zeal of a renewed mind. |
| John Gill (1697–1771) Exposition of the New Testament | Gill says “indignation” means a holy anger and detestation of evil. It marks the deep sincerity of the Corinthians’ repentance. |
| Philip Doddridge (1702–1751) The Family Expositor | Doddridge calls it a virtuous resentment against past misconduct. He stresses that such emotion is proof of inward renewal. |
| John Wesley (1703–1791) Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament | Wesley paraphrases “indignation” as grief mixed with holy anger against sin. He sees it as the heart’s moral protest against evil. |
| Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) Religious Affections | Edwards views holy indignation as an effect of divine grace moving the affections. It is the soul’s energetic hatred of sin that confirms true conversion. |
| John Fletcher of Madeley (1729–1785) Checks to Antinomianism | Fletcher describes it as the passion of the regenerate heart against former corruption. It animates repentance with zeal and self-abhorrence. |
| Thomas Scott (1747–1821) Commentary on the Holy Bible | Scott interprets “indignation” as strong displeasure at past sin and at whatever offends God. It converts remorse into moral vigilance. |
| Charles Hodge (1797–1878) Commentary on 2 Corinthians | Hodge explains that indignation means hatred of their own sin and shame for tolerating it. It demonstrates repentance as an active moral change. |
| Albert Barnes (1798–1870) Notes on the New Testament: 2 Corinthians | Barnes paraphrases it as grief mingled with anger over sin. It reflects repentance that is emotional, not merely intellectual. |
| Frederic Godet (1812–1900) Commentary on 2 Corinthians | Godet interprets “indignation” as moral agitation born from conscience awakened. It is the ethical fruit of divine grace acting on emotion. |
| Henry Alford (1810–1871) The Greek Testament, Vol. 3 | Alford says indignation expresses the vehemence of a heart aroused against wrongdoing. It is an affective sign of genuine penitence. |
| John Eadie (1810–1876) Commentary on the Greek Text of 2 Corinthians | Eadie notes that the word denotes deep moral resentment at sin. He says it proves their repentance to be heartfelt and not superficial. |
| J.P. Lange (1802–1884) Lange’s Commentary on 2 Corinthians | Lange defines it as the movement of a conscience purified by sorrow. The soul, once cold, grows fervent against its own guilt. |
| Hermann Olshausen (1796–1839) Biblical Commentary on the New Testament | Olshausen views it as a lively self-condemnation and zeal for restoration. The term, he argues, bridges feeling and moral will. |
| Richard C. Trench (1807–1886) Synonyms of the New Testament | Trench compares aganaktēsis to righteous anger that protects virtue. He emphasizes its purity as distinct from vindictive wrath. |
| Bishop Charles Ellicott (1819–1905) Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles | Ellicott defines “indignation” as the moral emotion that follows genuine contrition. It is a spiritual energy that safeguards moral integrity. |
| William Kelly (1821–1906) Notes on 2 Corinthians | Kelly says indignation is the inward recoil from sin’s defilement. It manifests the restored harmony between conscience and faith. |
| Hermann Cremer (1834–1903) Biblico-Theological Lexicon of New Testament Greek | Cremer lists aganaktēsis as “painful displeasure against moral evil.” He calls it a sanctified emotion born of repentance. |
| Alexander MacLaren (1826–1910) Expositions of Holy Scripture | MacLaren writes that indignation is a mark of earnest repentance. It shows that sorrow has become a passionate resolve for holiness. |
| Joseph Parker (1830–1902) The People’s Bible | Parker interprets it as spiritual heat against evil within. He says indignation cleanses the moral atmosphere of the soul. |
| B.F. Westcott (1825–1901) The Epistles of St. Paul | Westcott notes that indignation stands midway between grief and zeal. It marks the transition from remorse to moral renewal. |
| H. A. W. Meyer (1800–1873) Kritisch-Exegetischer Kommentar über das Neue Testament | Meyer defines it as vehement displeasure directed at sin. He stresses its role as a psychological stage of repentance. |
| Franz Delitzsch (1813–1890) Commentary on the Psalms | Though writing on the Psalms, Delitzsch connects Paul’s usage to Hebrew concepts of holy wrath. It is the sanctified passion that guards righteousness. |
| Brooke Foss Westcott (1825–1901) St. Paul and His Epistles | Westcott says indignation expresses moral awakening and spiritual vitality. It reflects the conscience fully engaged in the service of truth. |
| Henry Parry Liddon (1829–1890) Explanatory Lectures on St. Paul’s Epistles | Liddon interprets indignation as the soul’s ardent recoil from evil. It is repentance charged with moral courage. |
| Alfred Plummer (1841–1926) Commentary on 2 Corinthians | Plummer (straddling pre-1920 scholarship) says indignation means pain of conscience intensified into moral energy. It evidences the thorough sincerity of the Corinthians’ reform. |
| Marcus Dods (1834–1909) Expositor’s Greek Testament | Dods views indignation as moral anger arising from awakened faith. It converts guilt into moral effort and restoration. |
| William Sanday (1843–1920) St. Paul and His Companions | Sanday defines it as the emotional protest of the renewed heart against sin. It is both sorrow and self-rebuke fused into zeal for purity. |
| James Hastings (1852–1922) Dictionary of the Bible | Hastings includes aganaktēsis under moral emotions expressing repentance. He calls it the feeling that turns remorse into reform. |
| E.H. Plumptre (1821–1891) Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges: 2 Corinthians | Plumptre interprets indignation as a deep stirring of moral sensibility. It is the affective proof that repentance is real and fruitful. |
Meaning of indignant in the Bible
What is the definition of indignant?
As an adjective, indignant means one who has or embodies indignation. So using the Bible meaning for indignation as righteous or morally persuaded anger, an indignant person is one who is angry for a righteous cause.
General Synonyms of Indignation:
- anger
- ire
- pique
- resentment
- displeasure
- choler
- animosity
- animus
- outrage
- disdain
- irateness
- fury
- rage
- umbrage
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