The term "contendest" is an archaic form of the verb "contend," which means to strive, struggle, or argue earnestly. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to the act of defending the faith, standing firm in one's beliefs, or engaging in spiritual warfare. The concept of contending is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, where believers are called to uphold the truth and resist false teachings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of contending is frequently associated with God's people standing against idolatry and injustice. For example, in Isaiah 49:25 , the Lord declares, "I will contend with those who contend with you, and I will save your children." Here, God promises to fight on behalf of His people, ensuring their protection and deliverance from their adversaries.

The prophet Jeremiah also speaks of contending in the context of divine judgment and correction. In Jeremiah 2:9 , God says, "Therefore I will contend with you again, declares the LORD, and I will contend with your children’s children." This passage highlights God's role as a righteous judge who confronts His people when they stray from His commandments.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, contending for the faith becomes a central theme, especially in the face of false teachings and heresies. Jude 1:3 exhorts believers, "Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints." This verse underscores the importance of defending the core doctrines of Christianity against distortion and compromise.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the need for spiritual contention in his letters. In Philippians 1:27 , he encourages the church, "Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel." Paul highlights unity and perseverance as essential qualities for those who contend for the faith.

Spiritual Warfare

Contending in the spiritual realm involves recognizing the reality of spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 reminds believers, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage calls Christians to be vigilant and equipped with the full armor of God to withstand the schemes of the enemy.

Practical Application

In practical terms, contending for the faith involves a commitment to sound doctrine, a willingness to engage in apologetics, and a readiness to confront false teachings with truth and love. It requires discernment, courage, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide and empower believers in their efforts to uphold the integrity of the gospel message.

The concept of contending is not merely about conflict but about standing firm in the truth and advancing the kingdom of God. It is a call to action for every believer to be an active participant in the spiritual battle, ensuring that the faith once delivered to the saints is preserved and proclaimed with clarity and conviction.

The Sweet Uses of Adversity
... REV. CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. "Shew me wherefore thou
contendest with me.""Job 10:2. AND WILL GOD CONTEND with man? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the sweet uses of adversity.htm

Out of the Deep of Loneliness, Failure, and Disappointment.
... sorrow? What have I done? What should I do? I will say unto God, "Do not condemn
me; show me wherefore Thou contendest with me. Surely ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/iv out of the deep.htm

Seest Thou How, at the End of the Contest...
... Fragment, Uncertain. Thou contendest with Me, and settest thyself against Me, and
opposest those who combat for Me. But where wert thou when I made the world? ...
/.../methodius/the writings of methodius fragments/iv seest thou how at.htm

How is Christ, as the Life, to be Applied by a Soul that Misseth ...
... why holdest thou thy face from me?" They cannot understand wherefore it is. So Job
cried out, "shew me wherefore thou contendest with me," Job 10:2. ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxvi how is christ.htm

An Instructive Truth
... do what seemeth him good." Let your back be bared to the rod, and look up to your
Heavenly Father's face, and say, "Show me wherefore thou contendest with me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/an instructive truth.htm

A Dialogue with God
... of them has in it the accent of true conviction; and there is a whole world of
difference between the lowly petition, 'Show me wherefore Thou contendest with me ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dialogue with god 2.htm

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... It traces the defeat to God, and means really, 'Show me wherefore Thou contendest
with me.' No doubt it runs perilously near to repeating the old complaints at ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

The Barley Field on Fire
... He takes away from us our most choice delight, upon which we have set our heart,
and then we inquire at his hands, "Wherefore contendest thou with me? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/the barley field on fire.htm

Gratitude for Deliverance from the Grave
... He says, "It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good." We may lie at his feet,
and cry, "Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me;" but, if the reason ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/gratitude for deliverance from the.htm

The Saint's Heritage and Watchword
... Thou contendest with a nation in whose midst the elect of God are praying against
thee, and thou shalt know that God has said unto her holy seed, "No weapon ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 50 1904/the saints heritage and watchword.htm

Contendest (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Contendest (2 Occurrences). ... Job 10:2 I will say unto God,
Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me. ...
/c/contendest.htm - 7k

Pronouncest (1 Occurrence)
... As it stands written, "That Thou mayest be shown to be just in the sentence Thou
pronouncest, and gain Thy cause when Thou contendest." (WEY). ...
/p/pronouncest.htm - 6k

Proved (49 Occurrences)
... As it stands written, "That Thou mayest be shown to be just in the sentence Thou
pronouncest, and gain Thy cause when Thou contendest." (See NIV). ...
/p/proved.htm - 20k

Contendeth (6 Occurrences)

/c/contendeth.htm - 8k

Contenders (1 Occurrence)

/c/contenders.htm - 6k

Sentence (53 Occurrences)
... As it stands written, "That Thou mayest be shown to be just in the sentence Thou
pronouncest, and gain Thy cause when Thou contendest." (WEY). ...
/s/sentence.htm - 24k

Stands (111 Occurrences)
... As it stands written, "That Thou mayest be shown to be just in the sentence Thou
pronouncest, and gain Thy cause when Thou contendest." (WEY). ...
/s/stands.htm - 34k

Shown (131 Occurrences)
... As it stands written, "That Thou mayest be shown to be just in the sentence Thou
pronouncest, and gain Thy cause when Thou contendest." (WEY). ...
/s/shown.htm - 36k

Prove (83 Occurrences)
... As it stands written, "That Thou mayest be shown to be just in the sentence Thou
pronouncest, and gain Thy cause when Thou contendest." (WEY NIV). ...
/p/prove.htm - 34k

Gain (142 Occurrences)
... As it stands written, "That Thou mayest be shown to be just in the sentence Thou
pronouncest, and gain Thy cause when Thou contendest." (WEY). ...
/g/gain.htm - 39k

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