Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "convict" primarily refers to the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing awareness of sin, righteousness, and judgment to individuals. This concept is rooted in the New Testament, where the role of the Holy Spirit is described as one who convicts the world of sin.
Biblical References:1.
John 16:8-11 : "And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned."
In this passage, Jesus explains to His disciples the work of the Holy Spirit. The term "convict" here is used to describe the Spirit's role in exposing the truth about sin, the need for righteousness, and the reality of judgment. The conviction of sin is particularly tied to unbelief in Christ, highlighting the necessity of faith for salvation.
2.
Acts 2:37 : "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'"
This verse follows Peter's sermon at Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit's convicting power is evident. The phrase "cut to the heart" indicates a deep conviction of sin and a realization of the need for repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ.
3.
Hebrews 4:12 : "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
While not using the word "convict" directly, this verse illustrates the convicting power of God's Word. The Word acts as an instrument of conviction, revealing the true nature of the human heart and prompting individuals to recognize their need for God's grace.
Theological Implications:The conviction of the Holy Spirit is a crucial aspect of the process of salvation. It is through conviction that individuals become aware of their sinful state and their need for a Savior. This awareness leads to repentance, a turning away from sin, and a turning toward God. Conviction is not merely a feeling of guilt but a profound realization of one's standing before a holy God.
Role of the Believer:Believers are called to respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit with repentance and faith. Additionally, they are to be instruments through which the Spirit can work, sharing the Gospel and living lives that reflect the righteousness of Christ. The conviction of the Holy Spirit is a continuous process in the life of a believer, leading to sanctification and spiritual growth.
Practical Application:Understanding the role of conviction in the Christian life encourages believers to remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. It also underscores the importance of Scripture in revealing truth and guiding believers in righteousness. Christians are encouraged to pray for the Spirit's convicting work in their own lives and in the lives of others, recognizing that true conviction leads to transformation and a deeper relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p.a.) Proved or found guilty; convicted.
2. (n.) A person proved guilty of a crime alleged against him; one legally convicted or sentenced to punishment for some crime.
3. (n.) A criminal sentenced to penal servitude.
4. (v. t.) To prove or find guilty of an offense or crime charged; to pronounce guilty, as by legal decision, or by one's conscience.
5. (v. t.) To prove or show to be false; to confute; to refute.
6. (v. t.) To demonstrate by proof or evidence; to prove.
7. (v. t.) To defeat; to doom to destruction.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CONVICT; CONVICTIONkon-vikt', kon-vik'-shun (elegcho and compounds, "to prove guilty"): Usual translation of English Versions of the Bible, where the King James Version has "convince," as inJohn 8:46Titus 1:9James 2:9; once also replacing the King James Version "reprove" (John 16:8), while the Revised Version (British and American) changes the King James Version "convince" into "reprove" in1 Corinthians 14:24. It always implies the presentation of evidence. It is a decision presumed to be based upon a careful and discriminating consideration of all the proofs offered, and has a legal character, the verdict being rendered either in God's judgment (Romans 3:19), or before men (John 8:46) by an appeal to their consciences in which God's law is written (Romans 2:15). Since such conviction is addressed to the heart of the guilty, as well as concerning him externally, the word "reprove" is sometimes substituted. To "convict. in respect of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8), refers to the conviction of the inadequacy and perversity of the ordinary, natural standards of righteousness and judgment, and the approval of those found in Christ, by the agency of the Holy Spirit, as the great interpreter and applier of the work of Christ.
H. E. Jacobs
Greek
1651. elegcho -- to expose,convict, reprove... to expose,
convict, reprove. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: elegcho Phonetic
Spelling: (el-eng'-kho) Short Definition: I rebuke, expose Definition: (a) I
...1827. exelegcho -- convince.
... 1827 (from 1537 , "completely out from" intensifying 1651, "convict") -- properly,
convict; (figuratively) God offering to bring people their sin and...
1246. diakatelegchomai -- to confute completely
... Ac 18:28). 1246 ("powerfully confute") is an "intensive form of , 'toconvict'
(, 'through,' , 'down,' both intensive). Ac 18:28...
Strong's Hebrew
3198. yakach -- to decide, adjudge, prove... A primitive root; to be right (ie Correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to
decide, justify or
convict -- appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion
...Library
On the Same Words of the Gospel, John xvi. 8, "He WillConvict the...
... Sermon XCIV. On the same words of the Gospel, John xvi. 8, "He willconvict the
world in respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement.". [CXLIV. Ben.]...
The Power of God's Word toConvict Men of Sin.
... Chapter Nine. The Miraculous Power of the Bible Shows Forth That its Inspirer Is
the Almighty I. The Power of God's Word toConvict Men of Sin....
Psalm CXLI.
... 7. "The righteous One shall amend me in mercy, andconvict me" (ver.5).
Behold the sinner confessing. He desireth to be amended...
He Has Endeavoured, Indeed, to Brand us with the Stain of this...
... But, whether I have erred or acted prudently, he at all events can lay
his finger on no act of mine by which he canconvict me....
The Holy Spirit Convicting the World of Sin, of Righteousness and...
... We read in John 16:8-11, RV, "And He, when He is come, willconvict the world in
respect of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they...
Twelfth Day for the Spirit to Convince the World of Sin
... And He, when He is come, willconvict the world in respect of sin."="John
16:7, 8.... Pray for the power of the Spirit toconvict of sin....
Petilianus Said: "Yet Some Will be Found to Say...
... For this proposition of yours binds you to as much as this, that if you shall fail
to-day toconvict us, with whom you are arguing, of being traditors and...
The Prejudices of Faustus Rather on the Side of Simon than on that...
... You promised that you wouldconvict Peter of error in maintaining the unity of God;
but if one undertakes toconvict of error him who maintains the unity of God...
He Interprets the Scriptures which the Pelagians Make Ill Use Of.
... As if, when they heard the Lord saying, "Without me ye can do nothing," [2659] they
wouldconvict Him by saying, "Behold without Thee we can prepare the heart...
But There is Danger of Expanding My Treatise Too Far and Becoming...
... It might mean beloved ones.' c27 a. I ask whether you can produce anything which
I have written, by which you mayconvict me of having fallen into heresy even...
Thesaurus
Convict (12 Occurrences)... prove. 7. (vt) To defeat; to doom to destruction. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CONVICT; CONVICTION. kon
... substituted. To "
convict. in
...Convince (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To confute; to prove the fallacy of. 4. (vt) To prove guilty; toconvict.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONVINCE. kon-vins...
Refute (6 Occurrences)
... Instead of eleate, "have mercy," the reading elegchete, "refute," "convict," has
the powerful support of Codex Alexandrinus, Codex Ephraemi, the best cursives...
Conviction (10 Occurrences)
... one's conscience. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.CONVICT; CONVICTION.
kon-vikt', kon... is sometimes substituted. To "convict. in respect...
Ungodlily (1 Occurrence)
... Jude 1:15 to execute judgment against all; and toconvict all the ungodly of them
of all their works of ungodliness, which they have wrought ungodlily, and of...
Ungodly (41 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:15 to execute judgment on all, and toconvict all the ungodly of all their
works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the...
Ungodliness (9 Occurrences)
... Jude 1:15 to execute judgment on all, and toconvict all the ungodly of all their
works of ungodliness which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the...
Goel
... of the Jordan. The congregation has judgment over the murderer. There must
be more than one witness toconvict a man. If he is found...
Gainsay (1 Occurrence)
... Gainsayer, antilego (Titus 1:9, "exhort and convince (the Revised Version
(British and American) "convict") the gainsayers"). Gainsaying...
Infamy (8 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) That loss of character, or public disgrace, which aconvict incurs, and
by which he is at common law rendered incompetent as a witness....
Resources
What does it mean that the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the conviction of sin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? | GotQuestions.orgConvict: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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