Speaking down conveys the idea of words that are spoken against another person. It is derived from a word that focuses on the act of speaking, not directly on the content being spoken, with a preposition that adds the element of being contrary to or against. Thus, it implies speaking in a slanderous or defamatory manner.
In 1 Peter 2:12, Peter is encouraging the grace believers who were scattered among the Gentiles to abstain from fleshly strong desires that war against the soul—our emotions—while having an honorable conduct among them, for they will be spoken of as those who do wrong because they refuse to participate in the debauchery of the unbelievers. These Gentiles will speak against them as doers of wrong, but their proper works are to display an appropriate opinion of God.
Brethren, I encourage you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly strong desires that war against the soul, having your proper conduct among the Gentiles, in order that in when they slander you as wrong doers, out from your proper works they observe, they may express an appropriate opinion of God in the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:11–12).
We are to set apart Christ as Lord—Master—in our lives and always be ready to give a defense for the hope that we have with objectivity of mind and respect, so that when others speak down about us as though we are the ones doing wrong, our good conduct in Christ will put them to shame (1 Peter 3:16).
But set apart Christ as Lord in hearts, and always be ready towards a defense to all the ones asking you a word concerning your hope, with objectivity of mind and respect, having a good conscience in order that in that which they slander you as a wrong doer, the ones maligning you may be put to shame by your good conduct in Christ (1 Peter 3:15–16).
When it comes to fellow brethren in the Church, we are not to speak against them in a slanderous or defamatory manner, for in doing so, we set ourselves up as a judge of their motives. Thus, the one who speaks down towards other saints sets himself up as a judge of the law and is then not a doer of the law (James 4:11). James is not referring to the Mosaic law; rather, his focus is on the law regarding the standards for Christian conduct.
Stop speaking down of one another, brethren. The one speaking defamatory words concerning brethren and judging his brother, speaks down concerning law and judges law. But if you judge law, you are not a doer of law, but a judge (James 4:11).
We are to lay aside all slander, along with wrong, deceit, hypocrisy, and envy, as we desire the pure milk of the word so that we may grow (1 Peter 2:1–2). Let none among us be contentious, jealous, burning with anger, tale-bearers, conceited, or disorderly, for all of these things relate to the flesh and come from carnal Christians who do not walk in the light (2 Corinthians 12:20–21).
Therefore, lay aside all wrong, and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy, and all speaking down, as newborn babes, you desire the unadulterated, logical milk, in order that by it you may grow (1 Peter 2:1–2).
