Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:To confront is to face someone or something, often with the intention of addressing a problem or challenge. In the biblical context, confrontation can involve addressing sin, resolving conflicts, or standing firm in one's faith. It is an act that requires courage, wisdom, and often, a reliance on divine guidance.
Biblical Instances of Confrontation:1.
Nathan and David: One of the most notable confrontations in the Bible is between the prophet Nathan and King David. After David's sin with Bathsheba, Nathan confronts him with a parable that reveals David's wrongdoing. Nathan's confrontation leads to David's repentance. This account is found in
2 Samuel 12:1-7. Nathan's approach is a model of how to confront with truth and grace.
2.
Paul and Peter: In
Galatians 2:11-14, the Apostle Paul confronts Peter (Cephas) for his hypocrisy in withdrawing from Gentile believers. Paul’s confrontation is direct and public, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the truth of the Gospel. This incident highlights the necessity of confronting even leaders when they err.
3.
Jesus and the Pharisees: Jesus frequently confronted the Pharisees and religious leaders of His time. In
Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a series of "woes" to the Pharisees, confronting their hypocrisy and legalism. His confrontations were aimed at revealing truth and calling for genuine repentance.
Principles of Biblical Confrontation:1.
Seek God’s Guidance: Before confronting someone, it is essential to seek God’s wisdom and guidance.
James 1:5 encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, which is crucial in handling confrontations appropriately.
2.
Speak the Truth in Love:Ephesians 4:15 instructs believers to speak the truth in love. Confrontation should not be about winning an argument but about restoring relationships and encouraging spiritual growth.
3.
Aim for Restoration: The goal of confrontation should be restoration, not condemnation.
Galatians 6:1 advises believers to restore those caught in sin gently, keeping watch on themselves to avoid temptation.
4.
Be Humble and Gentle: Confrontation should be approached with humility and gentleness.
2 Timothy 2:24-25 emphasizes the importance of being kind and patient, correcting opponents with gentleness.
5.
Be Prepared for Resistance: Not all confrontations will be received well. Jesus warned His disciples that they would face opposition (
John 15:18-20). Believers should be prepared for resistance but remain steadfast in truth.
Confrontation in Church Discipline:Matthew 18:15-17 outlines a process for confronting a fellow believer who sins. The steps include private confrontation, bringing one or two others if necessary, and finally involving the church if the person remains unrepentant. This process underscores the importance of addressing sin within the community while seeking reconciliation.
Conclusion:Confrontation, when done biblically, is an act of love and obedience. It requires courage, wisdom, and a heart aligned with God’s purposes. Through confrontation, believers can uphold truth, promote healing, and strengthen the body of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To stand in opposition; to oppose with firmness.
2. (v. t.) To put face to face; to cause to face or to meet; as, to confront one with the proofs of his wrong doing.
3. (v. t.) To set in opposition for examination; to put in contrast; to compare.
Greek
2051. erizo -- to wrangle, strive... wrangle, strive. Cognate: 2051 -- to contend; to
confront (engage) in heated
debate that results in discord (needless strife). This
...Strong's Hebrew
5921. al -- upon, above, over... 1), bordered* (1), care (1), carried (1), charge (31), charge* (1), command (1),
committed (1), concerning (97), concerning* (5),
confront (1),
confront* (1
...5046. nagad -- to be conspicuous
... root Definition to be conspicuous NASB Word Usage answered (3), another (1), certainly
told (1), confess (1),confront* (1), declare (46), declared (13...
6923. qadam -- to come or be in front, meet
... come or be in front, meet NASB Word Usage anticipate (1), before (2), come (2),
come to meet (1), come before (3), comes before (1),confront (3), confronted (4...
6440. panim -- face, faces
... 3), attitude (2), awaits (1), battle* (1), because* (80), before (868), before the
in front (1), before* (137), condition (1),confront* (1), corresponding* (2...
Library
You Say that You are not the Defender or the Champion of Origen...
... 15. You say that you are not the defender or the champion of Origen; but I will
at onceconfront you with your own book of which you spoke in that notorious...
Gottlieb Shober.
... own reputation when they speak many evil things of me, in order to render me ridiculous,
and an object of persecution, and yet are unwilling toconfront me and...
Joseph of Arimathea
... Others who are engaged in business, or in professional affairs, have sometimes to
confront doubtful practices which, though sanctioned by custom...
Tennessee Justifying Her Procedure.
... Now as they have neglected to endeavor to convince us, why do they warn the people
against us, especially since they are not willing toconfront us in a public...
Lorimer -- the Fall of Satan
... to hell"; and yet these comparatively lucid passages suggest a world of mist and
shadow, which becomes filled with strange images when weconfront the picture...
All Mankind Guilty; Or, Every Man Knows More than He Practises.
... This being so, it is plain that we canconfront the ungodly pagan with the same
statements with which weconfront the ungodly nominal Christian....
Public Speaking Phrases
... Among many examples. Among the distinguished guests who honor. Among the problems
thatconfront us.... But, gentlemen, I must be done. But grave problemsconfront us...
The Shout of Faith
... Our enemies are giants now just as truly as they were in Israel's day; and cities
as great as Jericho, with walls as high,confront us in our heavenly pathway....
The Negative Side
... What differences of opinion exist concerning Church-truth and the ordinances!
What a variety of interpretations of prophecy nowconfront us!...
Preliminary
... No doctrine of inerrancy, however, can explain away the puzzles whichconfront us,
for example, in the accounts of the creation as given us in the early...
Thesaurus
Confront (15 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To put face to face; to cause to face or to meet; as, to
confront one
with the proofs of his wrong doing.
...Confront (15 Occurrences).
...Face (780 Occurrences)
... 17. (vt) To meet in front; to oppose with firmness; to resist, or to meet for the
purpose of stopping or opposing; toconfront; to encounter; as, to face an...
Oppose (29 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To resist or antagonize by physical means, or by arguments, etc.; to contend
against; toconfront; to resist; to withstand; as, to oppose the king in...
Front (327 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To appear before; to meet. 11. (vt) To face toward; to have the front
toward; toconfront; as, the house fronts the street. 12....
Tekoa (12 Occurrences)
... 20:20) as the extreme edge of the inhabited area; here Jehoshaphat took counsel
before advancing into the wilderness of Judea toconfront the Ammonites and...
Encounter (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (v.) To come against face to face; to meet; toconfront, either by chance, suddenly,
or deliberately; especially, to meet in opposition or with hostile...
Disappoint (2 Occurrences)
... changes the translation of the King James Version wherever "disappoint" is used
with an object: Job 5:12, "frustrateth"; Psalm 17:13, "confront him," the...
Meet (281 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To come in collision with; toconfront in conflict; to encounter hostilely;
as, they met the enemy and defeated them; the ship met opposing winds and...
Confronted (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofConfront. Multi-Version Concordance
Confronted (7 Occurrences). Luke 20:1 It happened on...
Confounding (1 Occurrence)
Resources
What does the Bible say about confrontation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is toxic masculinity? | GotQuestions.orgHow should sin in the church be handled? | GotQuestions.orgConfront: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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