Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "spin" is not directly mentioned as it is understood in modern vernacular, particularly in relation to media or political manipulation. However, the concept of "spin" can be explored through biblical themes of truth, deception, and the use of words to influence or mislead.
Truth and DeceptionThe Bible places a strong emphasis on truth and the dangers of deception. In the Old Testament, the Ninth Commandment explicitly states, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (
Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of honesty and integrity in communication, which stands in contrast to the idea of "spin," where information may be presented in a misleading or biased manner.
Proverbs frequently addresses the power of words and the importance of truthfulness.
Proverbs 12:22 states, "Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight" . This verse highlights God's disdain for deceit and His pleasure in those who speak truthfully, suggesting that any form of manipulation or "spin" is contrary to divine principles.
Jesus and TruthIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the embodiment of truth. In
John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" . This statement emphasizes the centrality of truth in the Christian faith and the expectation that followers of Christ should also be committed to truthfulness.
Jesus frequently confronted the religious leaders of His time for their hypocrisy and manipulation of the law for personal gain. In
Matthew 23, He pronounces a series of woes against the scribes and Pharisees, accusing them of being "blind guides" and "hypocrites" (
Matthew 23:16, 23). These rebukes illustrate the dangers of distorting truth for self-serving purposes, akin to the modern concept of "spin."
The Apostles and IntegrityThe apostles continued to emphasize the importance of truth and integrity in their teachings. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often warned against false teachings and the distortion of the gospel. In
2 Corinthians 4:2, Paul writes, "Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God" . This passage reflects the apostolic commitment to transparency and honesty, rejecting any form of manipulation or "spin."
The Role of BelieversBelievers are called to be people of truth, reflecting the character of God in their speech and actions.
Ephesians 4:25 exhorts Christians, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another" . This call to truthfulness is foundational to Christian community and witness, opposing any inclination towards deceit or "spin."
In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly address the modern concept of "spin," its teachings on truth, integrity, and the power of words provide a clear framework for understanding the ethical implications of manipulating information. The biblical call to honesty and transparency stands in stark contrast to any practice that seeks to distort or mislead.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To draw out, and twist into threads, either by the hand or machinery; as, to spin wool, cotton, or flax; to spin goat's hair; to produce by drawing out and twisting a fibrous material.
2. (v. t.) To draw out tediously; to form by a slow process, or by degrees; to extend to a great length; -- with out; as, to spin out large volumes on a subject.
3. (v. t.) To protract; to spend by delays; as, to spin out the day in idleness.
4. (v. t.) To cause to turn round rapidly; to whirl; to twirl; as, to spin a top.
5. (v. t.) To form (a web, a cocoon, silk, or the like) from threads produced by the extrusion of a viscid, transparent liquid, which hardens on coming into contact with the air; -- said of the spider, the silkworm, etc.
6. (v. t.) To shape, as malleable sheet metal, into a hollow form, by bending or buckling it by pressing against it with a smooth hand tool or roller while the metal revolves, as in a lathe.
7. (v. i.) To practice spinning; to work at drawing and twisting threads; to make yarn or thread from fiber; as, the woman knows how to spin; a machine or jenny spins with great exactness.
8. (v. i.) To move round rapidly; to whirl; to revolve, as a top or a spindle, about its axis.
9. (v. i.) To stream or issue in a thread or a small current or jet; as, blood spins from a vein.
10. (v. i.) To move swiftly; as, to spin along the road in a carriage, on a bicycle, etc.
11. (n.) The act of spinning; as, the spin of a top; a spin a bicycle.
12. (n.) Velocity of rotation about some specified axis.
Greek
3514. netho -- tospin... 3513, 3514. netho. 3515 . to
spin. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: netho
Phonetic Spelling: (nay'-tho) Short Definition: I
spin Definition: I
spin.
...1909. epi -- on, upon
... 1909 ("upon") naturally looks to the response (effect) that goes with the
envisioned , ie its apt result ("spin-offs," effects)....
1926. epidechomai -- to accept as true, to receive besides
... 9,10). This envisions all the "nastyspin-offs" that went with Diotrephes
to "aptly welcome" people into his local church. [1926...
1437. ean -- if
... 1437 (a conjunction, derived from 1487 , "if" and 302 , a particle showing a statement
is ) -- , referring to a extending to its "spin-off" -- ie that happen...
1925. epideiknumi -- to show, to prove
... 1925 (from 1909 , ", fitting" and 1166 , "to show") -- properly, show , ie
demonstrating something in terms of its natural "spin-offs" (effects)....
Strong's Hebrew
2901. tavah -- tospin... tavah. 2902 . to
spin. Transliteration: tavah Phonetic Spelling: (taw-vaw') Short
Definition: spun.
... root Definition to
spin NASB Word Usage spun (2).
spin.
...1523. gil -- to rejoice
... Or (by permutation) guwl {gool}; a primitive root; properly, tospin round (under
the influence of any violent emotion), ie Usually rejoice, or (as cringing...
Library
Anxious About Earth, or Earnest About the Kingdom
... Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, theyspin not; and yet I say unto
you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.28....
The Preaching of Nature.
... He never neglects to clothe the ground with grass, or to nourish the lilies,
which neither toil norspin. Yet we who both toil and...
Matt. vi. 28, 29
... Homily XXII. Matt. VI. 28, 29. Matt. VI.28, 29. "Consider the lilies of the
field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do theyspin....
Flimsy Garments
... He has been pouring out swift, indignant denunciation on the evil-doers in Israel;
and, says he, 'they hatch cockatrice's eggs andspin spiders' webs,' pointing...
An Old Subscription List
... Such sentences as these occur over and over again"'And every man with whom was found'
so-and-so 'brought it'; 'And all the women didspin with their hands...
The Life of Faith.
... you by the divine action. Thus you willspin your silk in secret, doing what
you can neither see nor feel. You will condemn in yourself...
Providence
... And why be anxious about clothing? 'Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
they toil not, neither do theyspin; and yet Solomon in all his glory was...
Anxious Care
... The 'fowls of the air,' the lilies of the field,' 'they toil not, neither do they
spin'; and then, with what an eye for the beauty of God's universe,"'Solomon...
Growth
... The lilies grow, He says, of themselves; they toil not, neither do theyspin....
The lily may grow; the man must fret and toil andspin....
To the Right Hon. Henry Pelham, First Lord Commissioner of the...
... Defy the dangers of the field and flood,. Or, spider-like,spin out our
precious all,. Our more than vitalsspin (if no regard. To...
Thesaurus
Spin (4 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To draw out, and twist into threads, either by the hand or machinery; as,
to
spin wool, cotton, or flax; to
spin goat's hair; to produce by drawing out
...Spindle (2 Occurrences)
... slender. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SPINDLE.spin'-d'-l. See SPINNING.
Multi-Version Concordance Spindle (2 Occurrences). 2...
Labor (181 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:28 and about clothing why are ye anxious? consider well the lilies of
the field; how do they grow? they do not labour, nor do theyspin; (See NIV)....
Labour (119 Occurrences)
... consider well the lilies of the field; how do they grow? they do not labour,
nor do theyspin; (YLT).... They neither labour norspin....
Lilies (15 Occurrences)
... Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither
do theyspin, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Grow (139 Occurrences)
... Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil, neither
do theyspin, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Toil (66 Occurrences)
... clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil,
neither do theyspin, (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Luke...
Consider (178 Occurrences)
... clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don't toil,
neither do theyspin, (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV). Matthew...
Spider (3 Occurrences)
... The abdomen is large and not segmented, with two or three pairs of spinnerets near
the end, by means of which theyspin threads of silk to form cocoons, or...
Spinning
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofSpin. 2. (a. & n.) from
Spin. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SPINNING.spin'-ing...
Resources
What are the greatest promises in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Mithraism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the International Church of Christ (ICOC), and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.orgSpin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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