What Does the Bible Say About Arguing?

Disagreements that become serious arguments don't always escalate to where someone becomes hurt or angry. The Bible admits that people can be angry as long as they don't let that anger provoke them to sin. In the same way, there is no Biblical prohibition against arguing. However, there are some important arguments recorded in the Bible.

Identification

The Hebrew word that is translated in the Old Testament as "argue" is "yawkahk." It means "to be right," "to decide," "to justify" or "to convict." This gives a good sense of what is at stake in any argument. Two parties contend with each other until someone decides who is right.

Significance

Probably the most famous argument in the Bible was adjudicated by King Solomon, who retains the reputation as the wisest man who has ever lived. Two prostitutes were roommates and they both gave birth to baby boys. One mother smothered her newborn son by accident when she rolled over him in the bed while they were sleeping. She tried to trick the other mother into thinking that the dead baby was hers instead but the other woman recognized the living baby to be her own. Since there were no witnesses, the argument took the form of she said/he said and would have been impossible to solve using logic. The king commanded someone to bring him a sword and threatened to cut the living baby in two equal halves so each mother could have half. Because the true mother cared more about her son than being right, she gave up the argument. Then the king gave her the baby. The story is in 1 Kings 3:16-28.

Features

Jesus also solved some fierce arguments between his disciples. Two of them had requested that they receive the best seats in in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus asked a penetrating question. Which one of you can "drink the cup" that I have to, he asked, meaning the death that he would soon suffer. After the other disciples learned about this conversation, they got involved, too. Finally Jesus shut them all up by explaining that greatness in God's opinion comes from serving others. See Mark 10:35-45.

Considerations

After the early Christians began to spread the news that Jesus had risen from the dead, the Jewish leaders argued about what to do next to stop the spread of this doctrine. Soon they arrested Stephen, who was a powerful teacher of the resurrection and who had been named one of the first deacons. The Sanhedrin met to determine Stephen's fate but there were some Pharisees, led by the rabbi Gamaliel, who argued that the new sect would die out on its own unless it happened to be true. Unfortunately for Stephen, Gamaliel's arguement did not prevail. Stephen was stoned as the first Christian martyr. Read about it in Acts 6-7.

Effects

Occassionally a strong argument ends up separating partners, as with Paul and Barnabas. They were traveling companions in the spread of the Gospel throughout Asia Minor. At first they had a third younger companion, John Mark, who suddenly quit when they were in Pamphylia. Later, when Paul and Barnabas met to plan a trip to check up on all the new congregations that they had helped start, Barnabas wanted to give John Mark another chance, but Paul was very opposed to the idea. They had such a heated argument that they decided to split up. John Mark went on Barnabas's next trip, while Paul's new companion was Silas. See Acts 15:36-40.

Resources

• Online Searchable Bible