Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, a "brawler" refers to an individual who is prone to fighting, quarreling, or engaging in physical or verbal altercations. The concept of a brawler is addressed in various passages of the Bible, often highlighting the negative attributes and consequences associated with such behavior. The Bible consistently encourages believers to pursue peace and avoid strife, making the role of a brawler antithetical to Christian virtues.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament provides foundational teachings on the importance of peace and the dangers of contentious behavior. Proverbs, a book known for its wisdom literature, frequently addresses the folly of strife and the value of peace.
Proverbs 20:3 states, "It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel." This verse underscores the wisdom in avoiding unnecessary conflict and the foolishness inherent in being a brawler.
New Testament ContextThe New Testament further elaborates on the characteristics and consequences of being a brawler. In the pastoral epistles, the Apostle Paul provides guidance on the qualifications for church leaders, emphasizing the need for them to be peaceable and not given to brawling. In
1 Timothy 3:3 , Paul instructs that an overseer must be "not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free from the love of money." Similarly,
Titus 1:7 reiterates that an overseer must not be "arrogant or quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, violence, or dishonest gain."
These qualifications highlight the expectation that leaders within the Christian community should exemplify self-control and a peaceful demeanor, avoiding the contentiousness associated with brawlers. The emphasis on peace and gentleness reflects the broader Christian teaching that believers are called to live in harmony with one another.
Moral and Spiritual ImplicationsThe Bible's admonitions against brawling are rooted in the moral and spiritual implications of such behavior. Brawling is often associated with a lack of self-control, pride, and a quick temper, all of which are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit as described in
Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Furthermore, brawling can lead to division and discord within the community, undermining the unity that believers are called to maintain.
Ephesians 4:3 urges Christians to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." This call to unity and peace is central to the Christian life, and brawling stands in direct opposition to this ideal.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, Christians are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of gentleness and to seek reconciliation rather than conflict.
James 1:19-20 advises, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." This passage highlights the importance of controlling one's temper and avoiding the impulsive reactions that can lead to brawling.
By striving to embody the virtues of peace, patience, and self-control, believers can avoid the pitfalls of brawling and instead contribute to a harmonious and loving community.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) One that brawls; wrangler.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BRAWLERbrol'-er (Qere midhyanim; Kethibh midhwanim, "quarrelsomeness"; amachos, "not fighting"): Spoken of the quarrelsome woman; "a contentious (the King James Version "brawling") woman" (Proverbs 21:9). He who seeks the office of a bishop should be "no brawler" (paroinos the King James Version "given to wine,"Titus 1:7); "not contentious" (the King James Version "not a brawler,"1 Timothy 3:3Titus 3:2).
Greek
269. amachos -- abstaining from fighting... uncontentious, peaceable. From a (as a negative particle) and mache; peaceable --
not a
brawler. see GREEK a. see GREEK mache. (amachon) -- 1 Occurrence.
...4131. plektes -- a striker
... Masculine Transliteration: plektes Phonetic Spelling: (plake'-tace) Short Definition:
a contentious person Definition: a striker, contentious person,brawler....
Strong's Hebrew
1993. hamah -- to murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous... root Definition to murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous NASB Word Usage aroused (1),
become disturbed (2), boisterous (4),
brawler (1), disturbed (2), growl (1
...Library
1 Timothy iii. 4-Jan
... sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine,
no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not abrawler, not covetous...
Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas.
... what kind of man the bishop ought to be, says, "For the bishop must be blameless
as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry, nobrawler, no striker, not...
The Date of the Beginning of Noonday.
... of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; "not given to wine, no striker,
not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not abrawler, not covetous; one...
On Examining Candidates for the Episcopal Office.
... Let him therefore be sober, prudent, decent, firm, stable, not given to wine; no
striker, but gentle; not abrawler, not covetous; "not a novice, lest, being...
That the Eyes of the Soul must be Purged Ere God Can be Seen.
... not corrupt boys; whether you are not insolent, or a slanderer, or passionate, or
envious, or proud, or supercilious; whether you are not abrawler, or covetous...
A String of Pearls
... 'Abrawler,' or, as Delitzsch renders it, 'boisterous'"look into a liquor-store
if you want to verify that, or listen to a drunken party coming back from an...
The Almost Christian
... returns evil for evil. he is no railer, nobrawler, no scoffer, either
at the faults or infirmities of his neighbour. he does not...
On the Character and Teaching of the Bishop.
... nor rapacious; no purloiner; no admirer of the rich, nor hater of the poor; no
evil-speaker, nor false witness; not given to anger; nobrawler; not entangled...
The Levites Ought to be Utterly Free from all Earthly Desires. ...
... the Apostle, when he said: "A bishop should be sober, modest, of good behaviour,
given to hospitality, apt to teach, not covetous, nor abrawler, one that...
Letter Lxix. To Oceanus.
... of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach,
not given to wine, no striker...but patient, not abrawler, not covetous...
Thesaurus
Brawler (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One that brawls; wrangler. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia.
BRAWLER.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Brawler (3 Occurrences).
...Lover (55 Occurrences)
... voice. (BBE). 1 Timothy 3:3 nobrawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious,
no lover of money; (ASV BBE YLT RSV NIV). Titus 1...
Lucre (5 Occurrences)
... Lucre (5 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of
filthy lucre; but patient, not abrawler, not covetous; (KJV WBS YLT)....
Filthy (22 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT NIV). 1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy
lucre; but patient, not abrawler, not covetous; (KJV WBS YLT)....
Riotous (10 Occurrences)
... nothing. (See JPS). Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink abrawler;
And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise. (See JPS). Proverbs...
Reeleth (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Reeleth (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker,
strong drink abrawler; And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise. (See JPS)....
Erreth (5 Occurrences)
... erreth. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink abrawler;
And whosoever erreth thereby is not wise. (ASV DBY)....
Mocker (11 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, and beer is abrawler. Whoever is led
astray by them is not wise. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Patient (34 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). 1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy
lucre; but patient, not abrawler, not covetous; (KJV WBS)....
Bravest (2 Occurrences)
Resources
How should a Christian view alcoholics? What does the Bible say about drunkards? | GotQuestions.orgBrawler: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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