Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, a dispute refers to a disagreement or argument between individuals or groups. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings regarding disputes, emphasizing the importance of resolving them in a manner that aligns with God's will and promotes peace and unity among His people.
Old Testament ContextDisputes are a common theme in the Old Testament, often arising from issues of justice, inheritance, and interpersonal relationships. The Mosaic Law provided guidelines for resolving disputes among the Israelites. For instance,
Exodus 18:16 describes how Moses judged disputes among the people: "Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions."
The Book of Proverbs offers wisdom on handling disputes, highlighting the value of avoiding unnecessary quarrels.
Proverbs 17:14 advises, "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles address disputes within the early Christian community, emphasizing reconciliation and forgiveness. Jesus teaches in
Matthew 5:23-24, "Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift."
The Apostle Paul also provides guidance on resolving disputes among believers. In
1 Corinthians 6:1-7, Paul admonishes the Corinthian church for taking their disputes to secular courts rather than resolving them within the church. He writes, "If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people?"
Principles for Resolving DisputesThe Bible encourages believers to pursue peace and unity, offering several principles for resolving disputes:
1.
Seek Reconciliation: Believers are urged to seek reconciliation with those they have disputes with, as seen in
Matthew 18:15-17, where Jesus outlines a process for addressing grievances within the church.
2.
Exercise Humility and Patience:
Ephesians 4:2-3 encourages believers to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
3.
Avoid Quarrels: The Scriptures warn against engaging in foolish and unnecessary arguments.
2 Timothy 2:23 advises, "But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling."
4.
Seek Wise Counsel:
Proverbs 15:22 highlights the importance of seeking wise counsel in resolving disputes: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."
ConclusionWhile disputes are an inevitable part of human relationships, the Bible provides clear guidance on how to handle them in a way that honors God and fosters harmony among His people. By following biblical principles, believers can navigate disputes with grace and wisdom, reflecting the love and unity that Christ desires for His church.
Topical Bible Verses
Romans 12:19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place to wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, said the Lord.
Topicalbible.org1 Peter 2:11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Topicalbible.org
Romans 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another; to discuss; to reason; to debate; to altercate; to wrangle.
2. (v. t.) To make a subject of disputation; to argue pro and con; to discuss.
3. (v. t.) To oppose by argument or assertion; to attempt to overthrow; to controvert; to express dissent or opposition to; to call in question; to deny the truth or validity of; as, to dispute assertions or arguments.
4. (v. t.) To strive or contend about; to contest.
5. (v. t.) To struggle against; to resist.
6. (v. i.) Verbal controversy; contest by opposing argument or expression of opposing views or claims; controversial discussion; altercation; debate.
7. (v. i.) Contest; struggle; quarrel.
Greek
4802. suzeteo -- to examine together, hence todispute... to examine together, hence to
dispute. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: suzeteo
Phonetic Spelling: (sood-zay-teh'-o) Short Definition: I seek together
...485. antilogia -- gainsaying, contradiction
... 485 (from 483 , "todispute," derived from 473 , "opposite to" and 3004 , "speaking
to a conclusion") -- properly, a conclusion which closely "," but does so...
5379. philoneikia -- love of strife
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: philoneikia Phonetic Spelling:
(fil-on-i-kee'-ah) Short Definition: love ofdispute, contention Definition...
4820. sumballo -- to throw together, hence to discuss, consider...
... with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sumballo Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-bal'-lo) Short Definition: I ponder, encounter, confer ordispute with Definition...
2213. zetema -- an inquiry
... an inquiry. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: zetema Phonetic Spelling:
(dzay'-tay-mah) Short Definition: a question,dispute Definition: a question...
3164. machomai -- to fight
... Phonetic Spelling: (makh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I engage in battle, fight,
strive Definition: I engage in battle, fight; hence: I strive, contend,dispute...
3948. paroxusmos -- stimulation, provocation
... paroxusmos Phonetic Spelling: (par-ox-oos-mos') Short Definition: incitement,
irritation Definition: stimulation, provocation, irritation, angrydispute....
2051. erizo -- to wrangle, strive
... to wrangle, strive. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: erizo Phonetic Spelling:
(er-id'-zo) Short Definition: I contend,dispute Definition: I contend...
483. antilego -- to speak against, hence to contradict, oppose
... opposite to" and 3004 , "speaking to a conclusion") -- properly, voicing opposition;
to , especially in a hostile (argumentative) way -- ie todispute in order...
1256. dialegomai -- to discuss, to address, to preach
... reasoned (2), reasoning (4), talking (2).dispute, preach unto, reason with.
Middle voice from dia and lego; to say thoroughly, ie...
Strong's Hebrew
7379. rib -- strife,disputerib or rib. 7378, 7379. rib or rib. 7380 . strife,
dispute. Transliteration:
rib or rib Phonetic Spelling: (reeb) Short Definition: strife.
...3198. yakach -- to decide, adjudge, prove
... Usage adjudicates (1), appointed (2), argue (3), argument prove (1), chastened
(1), cleared (1), complained (1), correct (2), decide (3),dispute (1), make a...
1697. dabar -- speech, word
... 1), conversation (1), counsel (1), custom (1), customs (1), dealings (2), decree
(2), deed (2), deeds (3), defect* (1), desires (1),dispute (5), disputes (1...
1777. din -- to judge
... root Definition to judge NASB Word Usage administer (1), defend (1),dispute (1),
execute judgment (1), govern (1), judge (9), judges (2), plead (2), pled (1...
7378. rib -- to strive, contend
... root Definition to strive, contend NASB Word Usage argue (2), complain (2), contend
(22), contended (9), contends (1),dispute (1), ever strive (1), filed (1...
Library
Dispute with Whitefield
... Chapter 4. Preaching Incidents; Wesley's Labor Colony;Dispute with Whitefield;
Curious Interruptions; The Mother of the WesleysDispute with Whitefield. 1741....
Whether one Ought toDispute with Unbelievers in Public?
... OF UNBELIEF IN GENERAL (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether one ought todispute with unbelievers
in public?... Therefore one ought not todispute publicly with unbelievers....
Hear, O Freedom, theDispute of Two Servants: How they are...
... Hymn LIV. Hear, O Freedom, thedispute of two servants: how they are convicted
by each other, that they are powerless. 1. Hear, O...
TheDispute of Arius with Alexander, his Bishop.
... The ECCLESIASTICAL HistorY, BY SOCRATES SCHOLASTICUS. Book I. Chapter
V."TheDispute of Arius with Alexander, his Bishop. After...
TheDispute Between the Empress and John. Arrival of Theophilus...
... Book VIII. Chapter XVI."TheDispute between the Empress and John. Arrival
of Theophilus from Egypt. Cyrinus, Bishop of Chalcedon....
On what Grounds aDispute Can Arise among Spiritual Persons.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter VIII. On what grounds adispute can
arise among spiritual persons. For as our enemy separates...
Return to Capernaum. --Dispute among the Disciples for Precedence....
... Section 189. Return to Capernaum."Dispute among the Disciples for
Precedence."The Child a Pattern."Acting in the Name of Christ....
For Should any Attempt toDispute against These Two Last Opinions....
... Book XII Chapter XXII For should any attempt todispute against these two
last opinions? For should any attempt todispute against...
Concerning theDispute Between Constantine and Licinius his...
... Book I. Chapter VII."Concerning theDispute between Constantine and Licinius his
Brother-In-Law about the Christians, and how Licinius was conquered by Force...
Dispute Between Theophilus and Peter Leading to an Attempt on the...
... Book VI. Chapter IX."Dispute between Theophilus and Peter leading to an Attempt
on the Part of the Former to depose John Bishop of Constantinople....
Thesaurus
Dispute (37 Occurrences)... attempt to overthrow; to controvert; to express dissent or opposition to; to call
in question; to deny the truth or validity of; as, to
dispute assertions or
...Wrangle (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To argue; to debate; todispute. 2. (vi) Todispute
angrily; to quarrel peevishly and noisily; to brawl; to altercate....
Contest (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To make a subject ofdispute, contention, litigation, or emulation; to contend
for; to call in question; to controvert; to oppose; todispute....
Question (153 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Discussion; debate; hence, objection;dispute; doubt; as, the story
is true beyond question; he obeyed without question....
Quarrel (22 Occurrences)
... concord, amity, or obligation; a falling out; a difference; a disagreement; an
antagonism in opinion, feeling, or conduct; esp., an angrydispute, contest, or...
Decision (174 Occurrences)
... Thus the questions ofdispute were decided between Israel and the surrounding tribes,
between Israel and Assyria, between Israel and Egypt, and later between...
Contend (56 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To strive in opposition; to contest; to
dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight. 2. (vi) To struggle...
Syriac (2 Occurrences)
... Whereas the authorship of the Latin Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) has
never been indispute, almost every assertion regarding the authorship of...
Variance (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Change of condition; variation. 2. (n.) Difference that producedispute
or controversy; disagreement; dissension; discord;dispute; quarrel....
Word (8118 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Verbal contention;dispute.... 9. (vi) To use words, as in discussion; to
argue; todispute. 10. (vt) To express in words; to phrase. 11....
Resources
What does it mean that Jesus is our mediator? | GotQuestions.orgWhy were Michael and Satan disputing over the body of Moses (Jude 9)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.orgDispute: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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