Topical Encyclopedia
The term "contend" in the Bible often refers to the act of striving, struggling, or engaging in a dispute or argument, whether in a physical, verbal, or spiritual context. It is a concept that appears in various forms throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both the human experience of conflict and the divine call to uphold truth and righteousness.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "contend" is "riyb" (רִיב), which can mean to strive, dispute, or plead. One notable instance is found in the book of Isaiah, where God calls His people to reason together with Him: "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD" (
Isaiah 1:18). Here, the idea of contending is not merely about conflict but about engaging in a dialogue aimed at reconciliation and understanding.
Another significant usage is in the context of God contending with His people due to their disobedience. In
Jeremiah 2:9, God declares, "Therefore I will contend with you again, declares the LORD, and I will contend with your children’s children." This highlights God's role as a righteous judge who holds His people accountable.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the Greek word "epagonizomai" (ἐπαγωνίζομαι) is used in
Jude 1:3, where believers are exhorted to "contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" . This passage underscores the importance of defending the core truths of the Christian faith against false teachings and heresies.
The Apostle Paul also uses the concept of contending in a spiritual sense. In
1 Corinthians 9:25, he writes, "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one" . Here, the metaphor of athletic competition is used to describe the Christian life as one of disciplined striving towards spiritual goals.
Spiritual WarfareContending is also a key theme in the context of spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" . This passage calls Christians to be vigilant and to equip themselves with the full armor of God to stand firm against spiritual adversaries.
Interpersonal and Legal ContextsIn addition to spiritual and theological contexts, contending can also refer to interpersonal disputes and legal matters.
Proverbs 25:9 advises, "Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence" , emphasizing the importance of integrity and discretion in resolving conflicts.
God as the Ultimate ContenderThroughout Scripture, God is portrayed as the ultimate contender who fights on behalf of His people. In
Isaiah 49:25, the LORD declares, "I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children" . This assurance of divine intervention provides comfort and hope to believers facing opposition.
In summary, the biblical concept of contending encompasses a range of meanings, from engaging in disputes to defending the faith and participating in spiritual warfare. It calls believers to stand firm in truth, exercise discernment, and rely on God's strength in the face of challenges.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.
2. (v. i.) To struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.
3. (v. i.) To strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.
4. (v. t.) To struggle for; to contest.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CONTEND; CONTENTIONkon-tend', kon-ten'-shun: The meeting of effort by effort, striving against opposition; sometimes physically, as in battle (Deuteronomy 2:9), or with horses (Jeremiah 12:5), sometimes orally (Nehemiah 13:11), sometimes spiritually (Isaiah 57:16). In the New Testament diakrinein, for the hostile separation of one from another, dispute (Jude 1:9), or epagonizomai (Jude 1:3), descriptive of the strain to which a contestant is put. The noun is almost universally used with an unfavorable meaning, and as worthy of condemnation, for an altercation arising from a quarrelsome disposition. "By pride cometh only contention" (Proverbs 13:10). The contentions at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:11) called forth the rebukes of Paul. Where used in the King James Version in a good sense (1 Thessalonians 2:2) the Revised Version (British and American) has "conflict." InActs 15:39, the noun has a peculiar force, where English Versions of the Bible translates paroxusmos (whence English "paroxysm") by "sharp contention." The Greek word refers rather to the inner excitement and irritation than to its outward expression.
H. E. Jacobs
Greek
1864. epagonizomai -- tocontend with or for... to
contend with or for. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epagonizomai Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I
contend earnestly for
...75. agonizomai -- tocontend for a prize, struggle
... tocontend for a prize, struggle. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: agonizomai
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I strive,contend...
118. athleo -- tocontend, wrestle
... tocontend, wrestle. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: athleo Phonetic Spelling:
(ath-leh'-o) Short Definition: I compete Definition: I engage, compete, in...
2051. erizo -- to wrangle, strive
... to wrangle, strive. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: erizo Phonetic Spelling:
(er-id'-zo) Short Definition: Icontend, dispute Definition: Icontend...
3054. logomacheo -- to strive with words
... to strive with words. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: logomacheo Phonetic
Spelling: (log-om-akh-eh'-o) Short Definition: Icontend about words Definition...
4754. strateuo -- to make war, hence to serve as a soldier
... lusts against the soul. 4754 -- properly, tocontend, like a soldier in ;
(figuratively) to engage in . Word Origin from stratos...
1252. diakrino -- to distinguish, to judge
... issue (1), waver (1).contend, discern, doubt, judge, be partial. From
dia and krino; to separate thoroughly, ie (literally and...
4170. polemeo -- to make war
... to make war. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: polemeo Phonetic Spelling:
(pol-em-eh'-o) Short Definition: I make war,contend Definition: I make war...
1264. diamachomai -- to struggle against
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diamachomai Phonetic Spelling: (dee-am-akh'-
om-ahee) Short Definition: I strive greatly,contend fiercely Definition: I...
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...
Strong's Hebrew
7378. rib -- to strive,contend... 7377, 7378. rib or rub. 7379 . to strive,
contend. Transliteration: rib or
rub Phonetic Spelling: (reeb) Short Definition:
contend. Word Origin a prim.
...3377. Yareb -- "let himcontend," the name of an Assyrian king
... 3376, 3377. Yareb. 3378 . "let himcontend," the name of an Assyrian king.
Transliteration: Yareb Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rabe') Short Definition: Jareb....
3380. Yerubbesheth -- "shame willcontend," a name of Gideon
... "shame willcontend," a name of Gideon. Transliteration: Yerubbesheth Phonetic
Spelling: (yer-oob-beh'-sheth) Short Definition: Jerubbesheth....
3378. Yerubbaal -- "let Baalcontend," a name of Gideon
... Yerubbaal. 3379 . "let Baalcontend," a name of Gideon. Transliteration: Yerubbaal
Phonetic Spelling: (yer-oob-bah'-al) Short Definition: Jerubbaal....
6229. asaq -- tocontend
... asaq. 6230 . tocontend. Transliteration: asaq Phonetic Spelling: (aw-sak) Short
Definition: contended.... root Definition tocontend NASB Word Usage contended (1...
1624. garah -- to stir up (strife), engage in strife
... root Definition to stir up (strife), engage in strife NASB Word Usagecontend (1),
engaged in conflict (1), mobilize (2), provoke (5), stirs (3), strive (1...
3401. yarib -- opponent, adversary
... 3400, 3401. yarib. 3402 . opponent, adversary. Transliteration: yarib
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rebe') Short Definition:contend....
7379. rib -- strife, dispute
... Word Origin from rib Definition strife, dispute NASB Word Usage adversary (1), case
(11), cause (9), complaint (2),contend (1), contention (1), contentions (3...
8199. shaphat -- to judge, govern
... avenge, that condemn,contend, defend, execute judgment, be a judgment.
A primitive root; to judge, ie Pronounce sentence (for or...
8474. tacharah -- habergeon
... habergeon A facitious root from charah through the idea of the heat of jealousy;
to vie with a rival -- close,contend. see HEBREW charah. 8473, 8474....
Library
To those whoContend that the Spirit Because He is Called the...
... Book III. Chapter IV. To those whocontend that the Spirit because He
is called the Finger is less? To those whocontend that...
The PelagiansContend that the Grace, which is Neither the Law nor...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 26."The PelagiansContend that the Grace,
Which is Neither the Law Nor Nature, Avails Only to the Remission of...
Preparation for Passover. DisciplesContend for Precedence.
... DisciplesContend for Precedence.... They thought that Jesus was about to set up
his kingdom, and began at once tocontend for the chief places....
Come, Let us Hear How theyContend for victory: the Guilty Ones...
... Hymn LIII. Come, let us hear how theycontend for victory: the guilty ones
who never have conquered, nor will conquer. 1. Come, let...
In the Next Place, Celsus, after Referring to the Enthusiasm with...
... Chapter XLVIII. In the next place, Celsus, after referring to the enthusiasm
with which men willcontend? In the next place, Celsus...
CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... Ver.4. "Contend with your mother,contend; for she is not my wife, and I am not
her husband: and let her put away her whoredoms from her face, and her adultery...
Psalm LXV.
... For now while there begin in use the first-fruits of the mind, from whence is the
longing for Jerusalem, many things of corruptible flesh docontend against us...
Introduction.
... In the opposing influences with which John had tocontend as a preacher of the Gospel,
properly understood, we shall see prefigured the very same which...
As Regards Our Reverend Friend Epiphanius, this is Strange...
... It is as if you were tocontend that he would not be dead if a short time before
he had been alive, or as if it were not equally certain that he had first...
Love's Labours
... warn the most loving-hearted that they have entered upon a war for peace, a strife
for love: they are born to hate hatred, and tocontend against contention....
Thesaurus
Contend (56 Occurrences)... 4. (vt) To struggle for; to contest. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CONTEND;
CONTENTION.
... HE Jacobs. Multi-Version Concordance
Contend (56 Occurrences).
...Fight (265 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To strive orcontend for victory, with armies or in single combat; to attempt
to defeat, subdue, or destroy an enemy, either by blows or weapons; to...
Baal's (6 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:31 And Joash said unto all that stood against him: 'Will yecontend
for Baal? or will ye save him? he that willcontend...
Contended (24 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) ofContend.... (DBY NIV). 2 Timothy 2:5 And if also a mancontend in the
games, he is not crowded, except he have contended lawfully. (ASV)....
Fights (9 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:31 Joash said to all who stood against him, "Will youcontend for Baal?...
He who willcontend for him, let him be put to death while it is yet morning....
Breaks (35 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:31 Joash said to all who stood against him, "Will youcontend for Baal?...
He who willcontend for him, let him be put to death while it is yet morning....
Ba'al (55 Occurrences)
... RSV). Judges 6:31 But Jo'ash said to all who were arrayed against him,
"Will youcontend for Ba'al? Or will you defend his cause?...
Contends (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Judges 6:31 But Jo'ash said to all who were arrayed against him,
"Will youcontend for Ba'al? Or will you defend his cause?...
Defend (38 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:31 But Jo'ash said to all who were arrayed against him, "Will youcontend
for Ba'al? Or will you defend his cause?... My Lord,contend for me! (WEB)....
Pulled (84 Occurrences)
... RSV). Judges 6:31 But Jo'ash said to all who were arrayed against him,
"Will youcontend for Ba'al? Or will you defend his cause?...
Resources
What does it mean to contend for the faith? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is apostasy and how can I recognize it? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is Gideon referred to as Jerubbaal? | GotQuestions.orgContend: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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