Topical Encyclopedia
Disputing, in the biblical context, refers to arguments, debates, or contentions that arise among individuals or groups, often concerning matters of faith, doctrine, or personal conduct. The Bible addresses the nature and consequences of disputes, offering guidance on how believers should handle disagreements.
Biblical References and Context1.
Philippians 2:14 · "Do everything without complaining or arguing." This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining a spirit of unity and peace among believers. The Apostle Paul encourages the Philippians to avoid disputes that can lead to division and instead focus on living blameless and pure lives.
2.
1 Timothy 6:3-5 · Paul warns Timothy about those who teach false doctrines and engage in "controversies and quarrels about words, which result in envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth." Here, disputing is linked to false teaching and the corrupting influence it can have on the church community.
3.
James 4:1 · "What causes conflicts and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the passions at war within you?" James identifies the root of disputes as internal desires and passions that lead to conflict. This passage calls believers to examine their hearts and seek peace.
4.
Proverbs 17:14 · "Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out." The wisdom literature of the Old Testament often highlights the dangers of disputes, advising individuals to avoid unnecessary arguments that can escalate into larger conflicts.
5.
Titus 3:9 · "But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the Law, because these are unprofitable and useless." Paul instructs Titus to steer clear of disputes that are unproductive and distract from the core message of the Gospel.
Theological ImplicationsDisputing, when it arises from selfish ambition or false teaching, is seen as detrimental to the unity and witness of the church. The New Testament frequently warns against engaging in arguments that lead to division and encourages believers to pursue peace and mutual edification. The call to avoid disputes is not a call to avoid all forms of disagreement but rather to engage in them with a spirit of love, humility, and a desire for truth.
Practical ApplicationBelievers are encouraged to handle disputes with wisdom and grace, seeking reconciliation and understanding rather than victory in argument. The biblical model for resolving disputes includes:
·
Prayer and Reflection: Seeking God's guidance and examining one's own heart before engaging in a dispute.
·
Gentle Correction: Addressing disagreements with gentleness and respect, as advised in
Galatians 6:1.
·
Seeking Counsel: Involving wise and mature believers to mediate and provide perspective, as seen in
Matthew 18:15-17.
·
Prioritizing Unity: Remembering the call to unity in the body of Christ and striving to maintain peace, as emphasized in
Ephesians 4:3.
In summary, while disputes are a natural part of human interaction, the Bible provides clear guidance on how to approach them in a manner that honors God and promotes harmony within the Christian community.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Dispute.
Greek
2757. kenophonia -- empty talk... empty talk. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kenophonia Phonetic
Spelling: (ken-of-o-nee'-ah) Short Definition: empty
disputing, worthless babble
...1261. dialogismos -- a reasoning
... Word Origin from dialogizomai Definition a reasoning NASB Word Usage argument (1),
disputing (1), dissension (1), doubts (1), motives (1), opinions (1...
3859. paradiatribe -- wrangling, constant arguing
... wrangling, constant arguing From a compound of para and diatribo; misemployment,
ie Meddlesomeness -- perversedisputing. see GREEK para. see GREEK diatribo....
Library
He Directs his Discourse Upon his Antagonist with whom He is...
... Book VI. Chapter XVIII. He directs his discourse upon his antagonist with
whom he isdisputing, and begs him to return to his senses....
Acts xix. 8, 9
... "And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months,
disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God....
"And we Beheld his Glory" --A Father's Faith.
... and talk with Jesus in the summer morning they came near the village they had left,
and found the people"among them some Jewish lawyers"disputing with the...
Acts vi. 8
... Edd. thes legomenes) Libertines, and of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians,
and of them of Cilicia and Asia,disputing with Stephen....
Two Fruitful Years
... and prophesied.7. And all the men were about twelve.8. And he went into the synagogue,
and spake boldly for the space of three months,disputing and persuading...
The Thing is Made Plain by an Example. In what Way the Matter is...
... But we say quite correctly, This person whom you perceivedisputing about geometry
is also a perfect musician, for he both remembers music, and understands...
What the Wisdom is of which we are Here to Treat. Whence the Name...
... wisdom. For they have not given over sodisputing who have professed to
be lovers of wisdom rather than wise men. 3. Indisputing...
Prologue.
... 4. Truly, I would rather take upon me the duty of exhortation to keep the Faith,
than that ofdisputing thereon; for the former means devout confession...
Whether one Ought to Dispute with Unbelievers in Public?
... I answer that, Indisputing about the faith, two things must be observed: one on
the part of the disputant; the other on the part of his hearers....
The Conversion of Apollos, his Character, and the Ministry of Paul...
... of Abraham in the place to attend to his instructions, as he was permitted "for
the space of three months" to occupy the synagogue, "disputing and persuading...
Thesaurus
Disputing (13 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Dispute. Multi-Version
Concordance
Disputing (13 Occurrences). Mark 9:14 As they came
...Libertines (1 Occurrence)
... the synagogue called (the synagogue) of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and
of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia,disputing with Stephen...
Disputes (18 Occurrences)
Questioned (57 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes having come near, having heard themdisputing,
knowing that he answered them well, questioned him, 'Which is the first...
Opponent (13 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:12 and that neither in the Temple nor in the synagogues, nor anywhere in
the city, did they find medisputing with any opponent or collecting a crowd...
Including (90 Occurrences)
... who were of the synagogue called "The Libertines," and of the Cyrenians, of the
Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose,disputing with Stephen....
Immense (11 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 9:14 As they came to rejoin the disciples, they saw an immense crowd
surrounding them and a party of Scribesdisputing with them. (WEY)....
Former (107 Occurrences)
... Acts 15:7 and there having been muchdisputing, Peter having risen up said unto
them, 'Men, brethren, ye know that from former days, God among us did make...
Freedmen (1 Occurrence)
... arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen, and of Cyrenians,
and of Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia,disputing with Stephen....
Forcible (3 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:28 Then one of the Scribes, who had heard themdisputing and well knew that
Jesus had given them an answer to the point, and a forcible one, came...
Resources
Why were Michael and Satan disputing over the body of Moses (Jude 9)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are archangels? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He instructed us to turn the other cheek? | GotQuestions.orgDisputing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
