Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being persuasive is an important theme in the Bible, reflecting the ability to influence others through speech, conduct, and the presentation of truth. Persuasiveness is often associated with wisdom, eloquence, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Biblical Examples of Persuasiveness:1.
Paul the Apostle: The Apostle Paul is a prime example of a persuasive figure in the New Testament. His missionary journeys and epistles demonstrate his ability to communicate the Gospel effectively. In
Acts 17:2-4 , it is recorded, "As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. 'This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,' he declared. Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women."
2.
Apollos: Another example is Apollos, described as "an eloquent man, well-versed in the Scriptures" (
Acts 18:24). His ability to speak and teach effectively is noted in
Acts 18:28 : "For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ."
3.
King Solomon: Known for his wisdom, Solomon's ability to persuade is evident in his writings. Proverbs, attributed to Solomon, is filled with exhortations to seek wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 16:21 states, "The wise in heart will be called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning."
The Role of the Holy Spirit:The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in empowering believers to be persuasive. In
Acts 1:8 , Jesus promises, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This empowerment is not merely for boldness but also for the ability to communicate the Gospel effectively.
Persuasiveness in Preaching and Teaching:The New Testament emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine and persuasive teaching. In
2 Timothy 4:2 , Paul instructs Timothy, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction." The ability to persuade is linked with the responsibility to teach truthfully and with integrity.
Warnings Against Deceptive Persuasion:While persuasion is a valuable tool for spreading the Gospel, the Bible also warns against deceptive and manipulative persuasion.
Colossians 2:4 cautions, "I say this so that no one will deceive you by fine-sounding arguments." Believers are encouraged to discern truth from falsehood and to rely on the wisdom that comes from God.
Conclusion:Persuasiveness, when aligned with truth and empowered by the Holy Spirit, is a powerful means of advancing the Kingdom of God. It requires wisdom, integrity, and a deep understanding of Scripture. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on how to be persuasive in a manner that honors God and effectively communicates His message.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Tending to persuade; having the power of persuading; as, persuasive eloquence.
2. (n.) That which persuades; an inducement; an incitement; an exhortation.
Greek
4086. pithanologia --persuasive speech...persuasive speech. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pithanologia
Phonetic Spelling: (pith-an-ol-og-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
persuasive speech
...3981. peithos --persuasive
...persuasive. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: peithos Phonetic Spelling:
(pi-thos') Short Definition:persuasive Definition:persuasive, enticing...
3849. parabiazomai -- to force against (nature)
... 3849 (from 3844 , ", close-beside" and 971 , "to compel by force") -- properly,
using words that powerfully "hit home" and hence arepersuasive (successful)....
1730. endeigma -- an indication, a proof
... 1730 (a neuter noun) -- A plain (undeniable) demonstration or display which is
conspicuously , ie as a token of that is adequate (persuasive, validating)....
Library
APersuasive to Steadfastness
... APersuasive to Steadfastness. A Sermon (No.1042). Delivered on Thursday Evening,
February 29th, 1872, by. CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington...
A SeriousPersuasive to Such a Method of Spending Our Days as is...
... THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF RELIGION IN THE SOUL. CHAPTER XX. A SERIOUSPERSUASIVE
TO SUCH A METHOD OF SPENDING OUR DAYS AS IS REPRESENTED IN THE FORMER CHAPTER....
That the Same God, by the Same Word, Restrains from Sin by...
... Consider these. The good (to kalon) belongs to the panegyrical form of speech,
the useful to thepersuasive. For the hortatory and...
History of Public Speaking
... Indeed, it is the highly sensitive nature that often produces the mostpersuasive
orator, but only when he has learned to conserve and properly use this...
Match-Making.
... authority of the parent ceases. His interposition then should not involve
coercive, butpersuasive measures. Then a mere mechanical...
In Every Style the Orator Should Aim at Perspicuity, Beauty, and...
... ago [2007] as necessary to be fulfilled by any one who wishes to speak with wisdom
and eloquence, viz., perspicuity, beauty of style, andpersuasive power, we...
Now in Regard to the Three Conditions I Laid Down a Little While...
... perspicuity, beauty of style, andpersuasive power, we are not to understand that
these three qualities attach themselves respectively to the three several...
George Whitefield.
... conduct, and in his eagerness to obtain popularity, he preached not only in prisons,
but in the open fields, and by a strongpersuasive eloquence, multitudes...
With Respect to the Question, "How is He Incapable of Persuading...
... them properly, to do his utmost to persuade, and yet appear to fail, because he
cannot overcome the will of him who ought to yield to hispersuasive arts....
The Dramatic Element in Speaking
... which pervade his soul; in addressing his fellow men in the spirit of an ambassador
of Christ, the gentle yet earnest spirit ofpersuasive action will be...
Thesaurus
Persuasive (4 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Tending to persuade; having the power of
persuading; as,
persuasive eloquence.
...Persuasive (4 Occurrences).
...Eloquence (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Fluent, forcible, elegant, andpersuasive speech in public; the power of
expressing strong emotions in striking and appropriate language either spoken...
Flattering (11 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 7:21 Withpersuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering
of her lips, she seduced him. (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS)....
Fair (147 Occurrences)
... Pure, free of defilement, the Revised Version (British and American) "clean," Tahor
(Zechariah 3:5). (3) "Fair speech," plausible,persuasive (leqah, Proverbs 7...
Followers (37 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:1 If then I can appeal to you as the followers of Christ, if there
is anypersuasive power in love and any common sharing of the Spirit, or if...
Tender-heartedness (2 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:1 If then I can appeal to you as the followers of Christ, if there
is anypersuasive power in love and any common sharing of the Spirit, or if...
Truths (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 2:4 And my language and the Message that I proclaimed were not adorned
withpersuasive words of earthly wisdom, but depended upon truths which...
Tenderness (4 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:1 If then I can appeal to you as the followers of Christ, if there
is anypersuasive power in love and any common sharing of the Spirit, or if...
Demonstration (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 2:4 My speech and my preaching were not inpersuasive words of human
wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, (WEB KJV ASV DBY...
Depended (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 2:4 And my language and the Message that I proclaimed were not adorned
withpersuasive words of earthly wisdom, but depended upon truths which...
Resources
What is homiletics? | GotQuestions.orgShould a church be seeker sensitive? | GotQuestions.orgIs there evidence for the existence of God? | GotQuestions.orgPersuasive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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