Some Correct Definitions

contradiction - ('contra' = contrast; 'diction' = words) a contrast in diction; words that contrast; sentences or statements that do not say the same thing.

The mistaken definition - an error.

This applies to the Bible in that the Bible obviously has contradictions in it. These contradictions are not mistakes or errors in the Bible. When the Bible is rightly divided, then everything is put into its proper time and place and the contradictions are understood. To make this absolutely clear, I will quote a paragraph from "Give None Offence" (my Introduction to Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth).

"At this point, you should be able to understand that rightly dividing the word is legitimate and the only valid method of Bible study. Failure to make proper divisions in scripture leads to improper application of scripture, which leads to false doctrine. Now it is time to look at some examples of scripture contradiction and see how proper division puts everything in its place and time without the Bible itself being in error. In other words, a contradiction in the Bible is verses that contrast each other in what they say without being an error because right division and proper application shows that all of the verses are true. Without right division and proper application, however, we would be forced to admit that the Bible as a whole is therefore in error."

"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Hebrews 12:3





coincidence - two or more things that coincide; there are many coincidences that are claimed not to be coincidences

The mistaken definition - a coincidence by mere chance.

We can give God credit for coincidences. To acknowledge that something is a coincidence does not by itself discredit God. God makes many things coincide. If you tell someone that God has answered your prayer request and they respond, saying that it is only a coincidence, then answer them saying that coincidences have a cause. I have heard some Christians say, "I don't believe in coincidences". That's a rather stupid thing to say. Coincidences are common every day events. Some coincidences are caused by men and some are caused by God.




Be Not Drunk
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Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

The Bible definition of the word 'drunk' is not 'in a state of stupor' as the word 'drunken'. The Biblical definition of 'drunk' is that you have drunk something.

Drink, Drank, Drunk, Drunken.

If you drink something, then, you drank it, and you are drunk with it, whether you are drunken or not.

People shortened the word 'drunken' to 'drunk' and redefined the word 'drunk'. But when the Bible says "be not drunk with wine", it doesn't mean 'don't drink so much that you become drunken'. What Ephesians 5:18 is telling us is don't drink wine. And the excess is not in being drunken, but the excess is in drinking wine at all. If you drink something, you are drunk with it. "Be not drunk with wine". Don't drink wine.



DRUNK :

Leviticus 11:34 Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean.

Deuteronomy 29:6 Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 32:42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

Judges 15:19 But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof Enhakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day.

Ruth 3:7 And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

2 Samuel 11:13 And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house.

John 2:10 And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

DRUNKEN :

Genesis 9:21 And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.

1 Samuel 1:13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.

1 Samuel 25:36 And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

Job 12:25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.

Psalms 107:27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.

Isaiah 19:14 The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.

Isaiah 29:9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

Jeremiah 23:9 Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.


The word 'drunk' never means drunken in the Bible, not one single time. If you think it does, you need to think through the Bible verses more carefully.