Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "doubtful" often refers to a state of uncertainty or lack of conviction regarding faith, God's promises, or His will. This concept is addressed in various passages, highlighting both the human tendency to doubt and the call to trust in God's faithfulness.
Biblical Instances of Doubt:1.
Thomas the Apostle: One of the most well-known instances of doubt in the New Testament is that of Thomas, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. After Jesus' resurrection, Thomas expressed skepticism about the reports of Jesus being alive. In
John 20:25 , Thomas states, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe." Jesus later appears to Thomas, inviting him to touch His wounds, leading Thomas to believe and exclaim, "My Lord and my God!" (
John 20:28).
2.
Peter Walking on Water: Another example is Peter's experience of walking on water. In
Matthew 14:29-31 , Peter steps out of the boat to walk toward Jesus but becomes frightened by the wind and begins to sink. Jesus immediately reaches out to save him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" This incident illustrates the struggle between faith and doubt, even among those closest to Jesus.
3.
The Father of the Demon-Possessed Boy: In
Mark 9:24 , a father seeking healing for his son cries out to Jesus, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" This plea reflects the internal conflict between belief and doubt, a common experience for many believers.
Teachings on Doubt:1.
Faith and Assurance: The Bible encourages believers to have faith and not be swayed by doubt.
James 1:6-8 warns, "But let him ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." This passage underscores the importance of unwavering faith in prayer and reliance on God.
2.
God's Faithfulness: Scripture reassures believers of God's steadfastness and reliability. In
Hebrews 10:23 , it is written, "Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." This verse encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in God's promises despite circumstances that may cause doubt.
3.
Encouragement to Seek Understanding: The Bible also acknowledges the human struggle with doubt and encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage highlights the importance of relying on God's wisdom rather than one's own limited perspective.
Practical Implications:Believers are encouraged to confront doubt through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other Christians. Engaging with the Word of God and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit can strengthen faith and provide clarity in times of uncertainty. Additionally, sharing experiences of doubt and faith within a community can offer support and encouragement, helping individuals to grow in their spiritual journey.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure.
2. (a.) Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain; questionable; not decided; not easy to be defined, classed, or named; as, a doubtful case, hue, claim, title, species, and the like.
3. (a.) Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; as, a doubtful expression; a doubtful phrase.
4. (a.) of uncertain issue or event.
5. (a.) Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious.
Greek
1365b. distazo -- to duplicate, waver, doubt... Word Origin from dis Definition to duplicate, waver, doubt NASB Word Usage doubt
(1),
doubtful (1). 1365a, 1365b. distazo. 1366 . Strong's Numbers.
3349. meteorizo -- to raise on high, fig. to be in suspense
... of airo or perhaps rather aer (compare "meteor"); to raise in mid-air, ie (figuratively)
suspend (passively, fluctuate or be anxious) -- be ofdoubtful mind....
1261. dialogismos -- a reasoning
... From dialogizomai; discussion, ie (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose),
or (external) debate -- dispute,doubtful(-ing), imagination, reasoning...
Strong's Hebrew
5204. niy -- wailing... wailing A
doubtful word; apparently from nahah; lamentation -- wailing. see
HEBREW nahah. 5203, 5204. niy. 5204a . Strong's Numbers.
2992. yabam -- to perform the duty of a husband's brother
... A primitive root ofdoubtful meaning; used only as a denominative from yabam; to
marry a (deceased) brother's widow -- perform the duty of a husband's brother...
1718. dadah -- perhaps to move slowly
... 1), wander (1). go softly, with. Adoubtful root; to walk gently -- go (softly,
with). 1717, 1718. dadah. 1719 . Strong's Numbers.
4336. Meshak -- a Bab. name
... Meshak. (Aramaic) of foreign origin anddoubtful significance; Meshak, the Babylonian
name of Miysha'el -- Meshak. see HEBREW Miysha'el. 4335, 4336....
5868. ayam -- perhaps a glow
... 1). mighty. Ofdoubtful origin and authenticity; probably meaning strength --
mighty. 5867b, 5868. ayam. 5869 . Strong's Numbers.
6217. ashuqim -- oppression, extortion
... Or mashuq {aw-shook'}; passive participle of ashaq; used in plural masculine as
abstractly, tyranny -- oppressed(-ion). (Doubtful.). see HEBREW ashaq....
Library
Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch.
... Part I."Exegetical.Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch. Preface. In the name
of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God....
Manich??us Promises the Knowledge of Undoubted Things, and Then...
... Fundamental. Chapter 14. "Manich??us Promises the Knowledge of Undoubted
Things, and Then Demands Faith inDoubtful Things. In...
There Is, Again, an Ambiguity Arising Out of theDoubtful Sound of...
... Book 3 Chapter 7. There is, again, an ambiguity arising out of thedoubtful
sound of syllables? 7. There is, again, an ambiguity...
Argument: C??cilius Begins his Argument First of all by Reminding...
... Chapter V."Argument: C??cilius Begins His Argument First of All by Reminding Them
that in Human Affairs All Things areDoubtful and Uncertain, and that...
it is Safer to Explain aDoubtful Passage by Other Passages of...
... Book III. Chapter 28." It is Safer to Explain aDoubtful Passage by Other
Passages of Scripture Than by Reason. 39. When, however...
When, However, a Meaning is Evolved of Such a Kind that what is...
... Book 3 Chapter 39. When, however, a meaning is evolved of such a kind that
what isdoubtful? 39. When, however, a meaning is evolved...
Certain Neutral Character, Then, and Undecided andDoubtful Nature...
... Book II. 31 A certain neutral character, then, and undecided anddoubtful
nature of the soul? A certain neutral character, then...
Of the Fact that the Question Suggested Ought to be Included among...
... Chapter V. Of the fact that the question suggested ought to be included
among those things to be held in a neutral ordoubtful way....
How a Soul is to Behave Herself to Obtain Light inDoubtful Cases...
... INTERNAL CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE. CHAPTER VII. How a soul is to behave herself
to obtain light indoubtful cases of moment.? Sec. Sec. 1, 2...
Argument: C??cilius at Length Concludes that the New Religion is...
... Chapter XIII."Argument: C??cilius at Length Concludes that the New Religion is to
Be Repudiated; And that We Must Not Rashly Pronounce UponDoubtful Matters....
Thesaurus
Doubtful (4 Occurrences)... wavering; hesitating in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its
action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are
doubtful of a fact, or
...Debir (12 Occurrences)
... 1. The Meaning of the Name: (1) Debir is usually accepted as meaning "back," but
this isdoubtful; the word debhir is used to denote the "holy of holies" (1...
Coral (3 Occurrences)
... rubies" (the Revised Version, margin "red coral" or "pearls"); piTedhah, "topaz."
While the real meaning of some of these terms isdoubtful (see STONES...
South (170 Occurrences)
... Songs 4:16). (4) yam, literally, "sea" (Psalm 107:3). (5) darom, etymology
doubtful (Deuteronomy 33:23 Ezekiel 40:24). (6) midhbar...
Selah (76 Occurrences)
... A word frequently found in the Book of Psalms, and also in Habakkuk 3:9, 13, about
seventy-four times in all in Scripture. Its meaning isdoubtful....
Scrupulous (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Full of scruples; inclined to scruple; nicelydoubtful; hesitating to
determine or to act, from a fear of offending or of doing wrong....
Wild (147 Occurrences)
... the King James Version; Acts 11:6, tetrapodon, the Revised Version (British and
American) "four-rooted beast." (1), (2) and (3) are ofdoubtful etymology, but...
Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)
... It isdoubtful whether, at that early date, the Chaldeans had entered Babylonia
and founded settlements there, though the record mentions Arameans somewhat...
Burden (111 Occurrences)
... The reading isdoubtful, but probably the reference is to the speaker's
country-"Jakeh, of Massa" (compare Genesis 25:14), "Lemuel king of Massa." Other...
Beast (243 Occurrences)
... the King James Version; Acts 11:6, tetrapodon, the Revised Version (British and
American) "four-rooted beast." (1), (2) and (3) are ofdoubtful etymology, but...
Resources
Who was John Calvin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Christianization? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Hebrews - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgDoubtful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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Bible Encyclopedia •
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