# Open Rebuke in Ellen White's Writings
Your question references a biblical proverb: . While Ellen White didn't directly quote this specific proverb in the provided documents, she wrote extensively about the principle of open rebuke and its importance in spiritual leadership and church discipline.
## The Practice of Open Rebuke
Ellen White held John the Baptist as the model for addressing sin directly and publicly. She wrote that "John the Baptist met sin with open rebuke in men of humble occupation and in men of high degree. He declared the truth to kings and nobles, whether they would hear or reject it" (
2SM 149.4). John didn't show favoritism based on social status—he "spoke personally and pointedly" to everyone, including confronting King Herod about his unlawful marriage to Herodias (
2SM 149.4).
This principle extended to church discipline as well. Ellen White stated clearly: "I saw that these things should meet with an open rebuke, and if there was not a change immediately in some that profess the truth, in these things, they should be put out of the camp" (
5MR 377.3). Open rebuke wasn't optional—it was a necessary responsibility.
## The Minister's Duty
Ministers and church leaders have a solemn obligation to reprove and correct the erring. Ellen White emphasized that . She quoted Paul's charge to Timothy: and .
The purpose of such rebuke is redemptive—to help people "fall on the Rock and be broken" rather than become "vexed over plain statements" and reject the truth (
8MR 317.2). Open rebuke, when given in the right spirit, "offered balm to sin-sick souls" (
SS 62.1).
## The Greater Rebuke
Interestingly, Ellen White also taught that presenting truth is itself the greatest rebuke to error: . This suggests that open rebuke isn't merely confrontational—it's about shining light into darkness.
The biblical principle you referenced—that open rebuke is better than secret love—aligns perfectly with Ellen White's counsel. True love doesn't hide sin or avoid difficult conversations. It addresses wrong openly, directly, and redemptively, trusting that honest confrontation is more loving than silent complicity.
---
💡 **You might also want to explore:**
• What did Ellen White say about how to give reproof in the right spirit?
• How should church members respond when they receive reproof or rebuke?
• What is the difference between faithful rebuke and harsh criticism in Ellen White's writings?
---
📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=open+rebuke%22+)
Ellen Chat