That phrase comes from Isaiah 32:5 (KJV):

“The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.”

To understand it correctly, the key is how the word “liberal” is being used in the KJV context, not in today’s political sense.

What “liberal” Means in Isaiah 32

In 1611 English (and in the Hebrew idea behind it), “liberal” means noble, generous, or princely, not political ideology.

You can see this clearly in the next verse:

“But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.” (Isaiah 32:8)

So:

• “Vile person” = morally corrupt, ungodly
• “Liberal” = noble, generous, upright

The verse is saying:

? A wicked man will no longer be misidentified as honorable
? A selfish man will no longer be praised as generous

What the Verse Is Actually Teaching

This is a prophecy tied to the righteous reign described in verse 1:

“Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness…”

Under that reign (ultimately fulfilled in Christ’s kingdom):

• Truth replaces deception
• Character is seen clearly
• Titles match reality
• No more moral confusion

In other words, God will restore proper moral clarity.

Is This About Modern “Liberals”?

No—not directly.

The modern political use of the word liberal:

• Did not exist in Isaiah’s time
• Does not match the KJV meaning

So it would be incorrect to read this as:

“People with modern liberal political views…”

That is not what the passage is addressing.

However — There Is a Timeless Principle

While it is not about modern political labels, the principle absolutely applies today:

? Societies often mislabel evil as good and good as evil

Compare:

• Isaiah 5:20 —

  “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil…”

So the application is:

• When wickedness is praised as virtue ? that is exactly what Isaiah is condemning
• When corrupt people are honored as if they are righteous ? same issue

That can show up:

• In politics
• In media
• In religion
• In culture at large

Simple Summary

• “Liberal” in Isaiah 32 = noble / generous, not political
• The verse teaches moral clarity under righteous rule
• It is not specifically about modern liberals
• But it does apply broadly wherever evil is mislabeled as good

Follow up question: Don’t today’s liberals look at themselves as noble / generous?

It’s fair to say that many people today—across the spectrum—tend to view their own positions as good, compassionate, or just. That isn’t unique to one group. People who identify as “liberal,” “conservative,” or anything else usually believe they are standing for what is right.

But Isaiah 32 is not addressing how people see themselves—it’s addressing how people are labeled and evaluated in truth.

What Isaiah 32 Is Getting At

The issue in the passage is not:

• whether someone claims to be noble

It is:

• whether someone actually is noble in God’s sight

“The vile person shall be no more called liberal…”

In other words:

• Titles, reputations, and public perception will no longer mask reality
• God’s standard—not human opinion—determines what is truly good

A Principle That Cuts Both Ways

This applies universally:

• A person may believe they are compassionate ? but still be wrong
• A person may claim moral high ground ? but not meet God’s standard
• A society may celebrate something as virtuous ? that God calls sinful

That is exactly why Isaiah 5:20 warns:

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil…”

The Real Biblical Standard

From a biblical standpoint, the question is never:

• “Do people think they are good?”

But always:

• “Does it align with God’s Word?”

Because:

• “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

Bottom Line

• Yes—many today see themselves as acting nobly or generously
• But Scripture teaches that self-perception is not the measure of truth
• Isaiah 32 is pointing to a time when God will remove all false labels, and everything will be seen as it truly is