Topical Encyclopedia
The term "suppose" in the context of the Bible often relates to assumptions, hypothetical situations, or considerations of possibilities. It is used to explore scenarios that may not be immediately evident or to challenge the understanding of the listener or reader. The use of "suppose" can be found in various passages, where it serves to provoke thought, illustrate a point, or teach a lesson.
Biblical Usage and Context1.
Teaching and Parables: Jesus frequently used hypothetical situations in His teachings to convey deeper spiritual truths. For example, in the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus challenges the assumptions of His audience about who qualifies as a "neighbor" (
Luke 10:29-37). Although the word "suppose" is not directly used in this parable, the underlying method of challenging assumptions is evident.
2.
Moral and Ethical Considerations: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus often presents scenarios that challenge conventional wisdom or legalistic interpretations of the law. For instance, in
Matthew 5:21-22, He expands the understanding of the commandment "You shall not murder" by addressing the attitudes of anger and contempt, prompting His listeners to consider the broader implications of their actions and thoughts.
3.
Faith and Doubt: The Bible addresses the human tendency to doubt or question God's promises. In
Romans 4:18-21, Paul discusses Abraham's faith, highlighting that despite circumstances that might lead one to suppose otherwise, Abraham believed in God's promise. This passage encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness even when situations seem contrary to His promises.
4.
Logical Reasoning: The Apostle Paul often uses logical reasoning in his epistles to address theological issues or correct misunderstandings. In
Romans 6:1-2, Paul poses a rhetorical question: "What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?" Here, he anticipates a possible misinterpretation of grace and uses it to clarify the relationship between sin and grace.
5.
Warnings and Exhortations: The Bible also uses hypothetical situations to warn believers against complacency or false security. In
1 Corinthians 10:12, Paul warns, "So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall." This serves as a caution against overconfidence in one's spiritual state.
Key Verses·
Luke 12:51: "Do you suppose that I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division." Here, Jesus challenges the assumption that His mission was solely to bring peace, highlighting the divisive nature of His message as it confronts sin and demands allegiance.
·
John 11:50: "You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish." Caiaphas, the high priest, uses a form of supposition to justify the plot against Jesus, unwittingly prophesying the redemptive purpose of Christ's death.
·
Acts 17:29: "Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not suppose that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man's skill and imagination." Paul challenges the Athenians' assumptions about the nature of God, urging them to recognize the true, living God.
Theological ImplicationsThe use of "suppose" in Scripture often serves to deepen understanding, challenge preconceived notions, and encourage believers to align their thoughts with divine truth. It invites introspection and a reevaluation of one's beliefs and actions in light of God's revelation. By considering hypothetical scenarios, believers are prompted to examine their faith, ethics, and understanding of God's character and purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To represent to one's self, or state to another, not as true or real, but as if so, and with a view to some consequence or application which the reality would involve or admit of; to imagine or admit to exist, for the sake of argument or illustration; to assume to be true; as, let us suppose the earth to be the center of the system, what would be the result?
2. (v. t.) To imagine; to believe; to receive as true.
3. (v. t.) To require to exist or to be true; to imply by the laws of thought or of nature; as, purpose supposes foresight.
4. (v. t.) To put by fraud in the place of another.
5. (v. i.) To make supposition; to think; to be of opinion.
6. (n.) Supposition.
Greek
3633. oiomai and oimai -- tosuppose, expect... to
suppose, expect. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: oiomai and oimai Phonetic
Spelling: (oy'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I think,
suppose Definition: I
...2233. hegeomai -- to lead,suppose
... to lead,suppose. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hegeomai Phonetic Spelling:
(hayg-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I lead, think Definition: (a) I lead, (...
3543. nomizo -- to practice, consider
... to practice, consider. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: nomizo Phonetic Spelling:
(nom-id'-zo) Short Definition: I think,suppose Definition: I practice...
5282. huponoeo -- to suspect, conjecture
... suspect, conjecture. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: huponoeo Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-on-o-eh'-o) Short Definition: I conjecture,suppose Definition: I...
1380. dokeo -- to have an opinion, to seem
... 1380 ("suppose") directly reflects the (values) of the person making the , ie showing
what they (or ) as an .... be of reputation, seem good,suppose, think....
5274. hupolambano -- to take or bear up, to receive, to assume
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupolambano Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ol-am-ban'-
o) Short Definition: I take up, receive, answer,suppose, welcome Definition...
3049. logizomai -- to reckon, to consider
... Spelling: (log-id'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I reckon, count, decide Definition:
I reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think,suppose....
1487. ei -- forasmuch as, if, that
... sometimes used with a command or as an indirect question, etc.) NASB Word Usage
although* (1), if (341), no (1), only (1), only* (11),suppose* (1), though (7...
5101. tis -- who? which? what?
... NASB Word Usage anything (1), how (7), how* (2), person (1), something (3),suppose
one (2), what (266), what each (1), what* (5), which (24), which one (3...
1161. de -- but, and, now, (a connective or adversative particle)
... moreover (1), moreover* (1), nevertheless (1), now (267), or (6), other (1), other
hand (4), others* (3), partly (1), rather (1), so (12),suppose* (1), then (6...
Strong's Hebrew
559. amar -- to utter, say... speak (29), speak to you saying (1), speaking (2), speaks (2), specifically say
(1), specified (1), spoke (77), spoken (15), still say (1),
suppose (1), tell
...194. ulay -- perhaps
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition perhaps NASB Word Usage if (1), perhaps (35),
should (1),suppose (8). if so be, may be, peradventure, unless....
Library
ForSuppose that it had Occurred to Us, Moved Either by Suitable...
... Book IV. 16 Forsuppose that it had occurred to us, moved either by suitable
influence or violent? Forsuppose that it had occurred...
Suppose a River
... THE SECOND CENTURY 67Suppose a river.Suppose a river, or a drop of water,
an apple or a sand, an ear of corn, or an herb: God knoweth...
ButSuppose that the Deity was Present in that Very Stone...
... Book VII. 51 Butsuppose that the deity was present in that very stone?... Remembering
this, we may wellsuppose that we have only the first draught of them....
We have Therefore -- as ISuppose -- Shown Sufficiently...
... Book VI. 8 We have therefore " as Isuppose " shown sufficiently? We
have therefore"as Isuppose"shown sufficiently, that...
And Yet, Lest You ShouldSuppose that None but Yourselves Can Make...
... Book II. 52 And yet, lest you shouldsuppose that none but yourselves can
make use of conjectures? And yet, lest you shouldsuppose...
ButSuppose they be One, as You Wish, and not Different in any...
... Book I. 35 Butsuppose they be one, as you wish, and not different in
any power of? Butsuppose they be one, as you wish, and...
Of those whoSuppose that this World Indeed is not Eternal, but...
... Chapter 11."Of Those WhoSuppose that This World Indeed is Not Eternal, But that
Either There are Numberless Worlds, or that One and the Same World is...
NowSuppose Man to Come Thus into the World...
... [Way-1-71] Nowsuppose man to come thus into the world? Nowsuppose man
to come thus into the world, with this chief difference...
We have Shown Sufficiently, as ISuppose, that victims...
... Book VII. 13 We have shown sufficiently, as Isuppose, that victims? We
have shown sufficiently, as Isuppose, that victims, and...
But we are not toSuppose that it is against Rule to Mingle These....
... Book 4 Chapter 51. But we are not tosuppose that it is against rule to
mingle these? 51. But we are not tosuppose that it is...
Thesaurus
Suppose (47 Occurrences)... reality would involve or admit of; to imagine or admit to exist, for the sake of
argument or illustration; to assume to be true; as, let us
suppose the earth
...Presume (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To take orsuppose to be true, or entitled to belief, without examination
or proof, or on the strength of probability; to take for granted; to infer...
Nay (92 Occurrences)
... it." (WEY). Luke 12:51Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth?
I tell you, Nay; but rather division: (KJV ASV DBY). Luke...
Rameses (5 Occurrences)
... Delta. Dr. Budge takes the same view, while Dr. Naville and otherssuppose
that the site of Raamses has still to be found. 3. Situation...
Raamses (1 Occurrence)
... Delta. Dr. Budge takes the same view, while Dr. Naville and otherssuppose
that the site of Raamses has still to be found. 3. Situation...
Ramses
... Delta. Dr. Budge takes the same view, while Dr. Naville and otherssuppose
that the site of Raamses has still to be found. 3. Situation...
Almug (2 Occurrences)
... Somesuppose it to have been the white sandal-wood of India, the Santalum album
of botanists, a native of the mountainous parts of the Malabar coasts....
Assume (2 Occurrences)
... unjustly. 2. (vt) To take for granted, or without proof; tosuppose as a
fact; tosuppose or take arbitrarily or tentatively. 3. (vt...
Supposed (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofSuppose. Multi-Version Concordance
Supposed (19 Occurrences). Matthew 20:10 When the first...
Consist (7 Occurrences)
...Suppose Aquila and Priscilla (eg) to have recently returned (Acts 18:2) to Rome
from Ephesus, andsuppose similar migrations from Greece or from Asia Minor to...
Resources
How does creationism vs. evolution impact how a person views the world? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I know for sure that I will go to heaven when I die? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of importunity? | GotQuestions.orgSuppose: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
