1 Timothy 4:12 -- "example of the believers" ** -- "in word" -- "in conversation; in charity; in spirit; in faith; in purity." ** in word -- words -- -- with understanding -- 1 Corinthians 14:19 -- John 8:43 -- why do ye not understand? [Source of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding --: Psalm 119:130 - 'thy words' Proverbs 1:2 - 'to perceive'. 1 Corinthians 2:1-7 Examples of man's words and misuse of the same -- -- Hagar comic strip Statement by one army = "Death to the obstreperous, obstinate, obnoxious Viking Dogs!!!" Response from the opposing army = "I don't suppose anyone brought along a dictionary" (Chris Browne -- 122898). -- strife and words Proverbs 26:20,21 1 Timothy 6:4 Titus 3:9 Jeremiah 7:8 2 Timothy 2:14 -- the remedy includes -- Proverbs 15:1,23,28 Proverbs 26:4,5 -- the debate "[O.Fr. debatre ( Fr/ debattre), batre, beat, E. bate] To engage in discussion, esp. in a legislative or other assembly; to deliberate or consider. v.t. to dispute about; discuss or argue, as a question in a public assembly; to deliberate upon or consider. n. contention by argument; discussion; a discussion, esp. of public question in an assembly; deliberation or consideration. -- debatable, a capable of being debated; disputable by argument; open to question in some doubt. -- debater, n. -- debatingly, adv." (L.W.). Debates may be merely discussions, however quite often they become vehicles for a person to win an argument They degenerate into, and use, all that is bad about debating, and breed ill-will and strife.
The word 'Debate' in the King James Version of the Old Testament: [to toss, i.e. grapple, fit. to wrangle, i.e. hold a controversy (Strong - 7378)]. [Translated: variations of the words 'strive', 'plead', 'chide', 'contend', and 'adversaries' (N.E.).] Proverbs 25:8-11 go not forth hastily to strive debate thy cause A word fitly spoken is the solution to the adverse 'debate'. [a quarrel'; translated: contention, debate, strife (Strong - 4683]. Isaiah 58:4 -- fast for strife and debate Proverbs 13:10 -- by pride cometh contention Proverbs 17:19 -- he loveth transgression that loveth strife Pride in Bible discussion can lead to the contention of debate and thus usually to no profit.
The word 'Debate' in the King James Version of the New Testament: [Gr. 'eris', a quarrel; translated: debate, strife, contentions, variance (N.E.). Strong's #2054.] Romans 1:29 -- debate 2 Corinthians 12:20 -- debates [Romans 13:13, strife; 1 Corinthians 1;11, contentions; 1 Corinthians 3:3, strife; Galatians 5:20, variance; Philippians 1:15, strife; 1 Timothy 6:4, strife; and Titus 3;9, contentions.] The related Greek word 'erizo', a verb, is translated 'strive' in Matthew 12:19.
This is not to say that all strife is 'debate' or 'discussion' gone awry, but the preceding verses in both the Old and New Testaments illustrate well the part that speaking and language has to play in contention and strife. Something that must be remembered when in a Bible discussion.
Debate/Contention Tactics: -- side step the issue -- cloud the issue with irrelevant thoughts or words -- skew the meaning of words -- change the subject, as though that would prove a point -- make the discussion personal -- use large words unnecessarily -- use words that: are deliberately unclear; prejudicial, or are inflammatory labels with bad connotations; are hard to understand technical or rarely used words when simpler words will so; are sarcastic; are vague; are subjective; exaggerate; are weasel words; over -analyze; deliberately mis-quote; use are vague cliches; don't consider all the evidence; evade the issue.
An example of words that may be mis-used: 'Virtually' -- as used by advertisers: "Advertisers really don't have to substantiate their claims since they make you, the consumer, hear things that aren't being said" (Language Awareness, Page 91). -- Remember the meaning of 'virtually' -- 'in essence, or effect, but not in fact'; which may be interpreted in this case: 'almost or just about the same as'; ''the seats are virtually handmade" but in fact are not. They want to give you the impression that they are handmade. -- 'virtually, adv. In efficacy or effect if not in actuality; mostly or almost entire, as: The movie was virtually successful" (LS). -- A scriptural example of 'virtually': 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 This example is expanded upon: " a. [Fr. virtuel.] Being in essence or effect, not in fact; not actual but equivalent, so far as result is concerned; as, a virtual denial of a statement. -- virtuality, n." (Living Webster) Virtual Focus "n. Opt. a point from which light rays appear to diverge, as the reflection of a light source on a plane mirror" (LW). Virtual Image, "n. Opt. an image, formed of virtual focuses, from which reflected or refracted light rays appear to diverge, as the reflection of an object on a plane mirror" (LW). Virtually "adv. In efficacy or effect if not in actuality; mostly or almost entirely, as: The movie was virtually successful" (LW).
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 "transformed into the apostles of Christ" metaschematizomenoi == nominative, plural, masculine, participle, present, middle "transformed into an angel of light" metaschematizetai == 3rd person, singular, present, indicative, passive "transfomred as the ministers of righteousness" metaschematizontai == 3rd person, plural, present, indicative, passive
All three above Greek words are of metaschematizo, meaning: -- "(meta & schematizo, to fashion, schema) (to remodel, transfigure, Ph. 3:21; mid. to transform one's self, 2 Co. 11:13,14,15); to make an imaginary transference of circumstances from the parties really concerned in them to others, to transfer an imagination, 1 Co. 4:6" (Harper's Analytical Lexicon). -- "vb. to change the figure of, transform, change to suit the occasion" (The New Englishman's Greek Concordance and Lexicon). 1 Corinthians 4:6 -- have in a figure transferred 2 Corinthians 11:13 -- transforming themselves 2 Corinthians 11:14 -- is transformed 2 Corinthians 11:15 -- be transformed Philippians 3:21 -- shall change
Do these verses describe something which is 'virtual'? 2 Cor. 11:13-15 describes things which appear to be one thing but in reality are another. -- virtually the same as: apostles of Christ ministers of righteousness an angel of light but in not fact, not in reality.
1 Cor. 4:6 describes something which is an example or a figure of something else. -- Paul ascribed to himself and Apollos qualities which were less than glorious so that others would not think of them as better than they really were.
Philippians 3:21 describes something which is -- He shall change our bodies so they will not be corruptible like they are now. The 'glory' of this life is unlike the 'glory' of that which is promised. Our body will be a body but not exactly like it is now, virtually the same but according to the facts of the matter. Consider: "it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2). "now are we the sons of God" (1 John 3:2), yet according to Luke 20:36 -- "children of God, being the children of the resurrection." "the glory that shall be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:18), the "praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:7), whereas now we only have "the spirit of glory and of God" (1 Peter 4:13) "the image of the earthy" now and "the image of the heavenly" then (1 Cor. 15:49). The equivalency = a body. The difference = the life and glory of the body. We shall be virtually the same physical beings, but in fact not the same, as shown by the preceding scriptures.
Handling the word of God -- 2 Corinthians 4:2 2 Corinthians 2:17 "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend* for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).
* to 'earnestly contend' = epagonezesthai, verb, infinitive, present, middle or passive deponent, "(epi & agonizomai) to contend strenuously in defence of. L.G." (Harper's Analytical Greek Lexicon). -- ['Agonizomai', "to be a combatant in the public games, to contend, fight, strive earnestly"; from 'agon', "a place of contest, racecourse, stadium; a contest, strife, contention; peril, toil." Compare 'agonia', "contest, violent struggle; agony, anguish, Lu. 22:44."] (HAGL).
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 is an excellent example of 'earnestly contending' as the Greek word for 'earnestly contend' in Jude 3 indicates.
[This is not an exhaustive study, so you may wish to continue]
Ron Rankin February, 1999