The meaning of Evil-speaking in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

e-v'-l-spek'-ing: Occurs twice in English Versions: (1) I Peter 2:1 it is the translation of katalalia, "a speaking against," rendered "backbiting" in II Corinthians 12:20; compare katalalos, "backbiter" (Romans 1:30); the verb katalaleo is rendered to "speak against" (I Peter 2:12; James 4:11; I Peter 3:16); (2) of blasphemia, "what is hurtful to the good name of anyone," "detraction," "slander" (Ephesians 4:31 the Revised Version (British and American), "railing"; compare I Timothy 6:4; Judges 1:9; Colossians 3:8); the verb blasphemeo is rendered to "speak evil of" (Romans 14:16; I Corinthians 10:30; Titus 3:2, etc.); to "speak evil" occurs in Mark 9:39 as the translation of kakologeo, "lightly (the Revised Version (British and American) "quickly") speak evil of me"; Acts 19:9 the King James Version "spake evil of that way." In Psalms 140:11, we have "evil-speaker" as the translation of 'ish lashon, "a man of tongue"; so the Revised Version (British and American). The wrong thing condemned as evil-speaking seems to be essentially detraction, what is hurtful to the reputation, and it is often too lightly regarded even among Christians.

See BLASPHEMY; RAILING; SLANDER.

W. L. Walker

See more on the meaning of Evil-speaking in the Bible:
Evil-speaking {Easton's Bible Dictionary}

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