![]() ![]() In his commentary on this text, John Kitchen helpfully shows the relationship between honor and ending disputes: In such a situation, the foolish person will keep the flames of controversy stoked. But there are times when even a wise person could find herself within a controversy. It is the foolish person who goes about seeking a fight. If at all possible, one should avoid a controversy. Is this proverb saying to “stay away from” a quarrel, or is it saying to “end” a dispute? The issue is that the root can mean either “sit/remain” or “cease.” One means to never enter into an argument in the first place, and the other is closer to what Abraham did in Genesis 13-being the first to end a quarrel. There does appear to be a little difference between some of these translations. This is how different versions translate this phrase: ![]() What does it mean to “keep aloof”?ĭifferent English translations can help us a little here. To relate this to social media, the quarreling fool, is the one who scrolls down his feed looking for something to pounce upon, rather than looking for something which sparks joy. What does the Proverb mean, then? It means that a wise person will “keep aloof from strife,” but a fool is going to be like the dog who barks at every passerby looking for a fight. This is the person who is always clamoring for a fight. It comes from a root that means “to break out.” It means “exposing,” “laying bare,” “disclosing oneself.” “It then extends to the idea of a snarling dog, who has exposed his teeth in preparation for a fight” ( Proverbs: A Mentor Commentary). is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.The word that is translated quarreling is only found three times in the OT. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Rejecting Offense is an open biblical commentary whose arguments will generate good discussions in small Bible or home church groups.ĭisclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. It occasionally glances at the Greek language beneath the text in a tangential, casual way but largely avoids strong biblical criticism that could draw out the Bible’s complexities and avoids commenting on the multiple meanings of many words. The book uses the King James Version of the Bible, and so its language will be very familiar to many Christian readers. These textual readings are somewhat surface, leaving aside issues of cultural commentary, historical analysis, or deep linguistic study, and taking instead a strictly prosperity-gospel approach. The words of Jesus are often elaborated upon with lines from Proverbs, to show readers how to take concepts into their lives. In building its case, Rejecting Offense generally uses the gospels, the letters of Paul, and Proverbs. Following a traditional sermon format, each begins by examining a piece of text, offering commentary, and providing a takeaway message for putting that idea into action. A section on forgiveness features a very basic suggestion that places the act of forgiveness largely on the part of the wronged individual such advice might be off-putting to those struggling to find a place to forgive.Ĭhapters read like a series of loosely joined sermons, all focusing on the importance of proper Christian speech from a biblical perspective. The other main topics discussed-strife and forgiveness-benefit less from the book’s method of simple gospel survey and applied biblical advice. It also feels the most pertinent for today’s divided world. The section on offense is by far the strongest of three parts because it is the best defended and supported. The discussion begins with the thorny issue of dealing with offensive behavior, arguing that being offended is less about the person committing the offense than it is about the people taking offense this message might be a hard one to hear, but it offers a place to stand when the world seems unsure. These topics are broken down, with more underdiscussed religious issues including gossip, feeling offended in church, social media, and bullying. Rejecting Offense addresses three main topics: offense, strife, and forgiveness. Samuel Kioko Kiema’s biblical commentary Rejecting Offense, Strife, and Unforgiveness: Rediscovering the Use of the Tongue places emphasis on connection and simple teaching and feels refreshing given the current state of world affairs. This biblical commentary will generate good discussions in small Bible or home church groups. Rejecting Offense, Strife, and Unforgiveness
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