The term "contends" in the Bible often refers to the act of striving, arguing, or fighting for a cause or against an adversary. It is used in various contexts, including spiritual, moral, and physical struggles. The concept of contending is significant in understanding the dynamics of faith, righteousness, and the believer's relationship with God and others.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "contend" is "riyb," which can mean to strive, argue, or plead. One notable instance is found in Genesis 26:20, where the herdsmen of Gerar contended with Isaac's herdsmen over water rights: "But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, 'The water is ours!' So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him."

The prophets frequently used the term to describe God's contention with His people due to their disobedience. In Isaiah 3:13, it is written, "The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people." Here, God is depicted as a judge who contends with His people to bring them back to righteousness.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "epagonizomai" is used, which means to struggle or fight earnestly. Jude 1:3 exhorts believers to "contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints." This passage highlights the importance of defending the core truths of the Christian faith against false teachings and heresies.

Spiritual and Moral Contention

The Bible often portrays contending as a necessary part of the spiritual life. Believers are called to contend against sin, false teachings, and the forces of evil. Ephesians 6:12 reminds Christians that "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."

Contending is also seen in the context of personal and communal righteousness. Proverbs 28:4 states, "Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law contend with them." This suggests that upholding God's law involves a form of contention against unrighteousness.

God's Contention with Humanity

God's contention with humanity is a recurring theme, often linked to His desire for justice and righteousness. In Micah 6:2, God calls the mountains and hills to hear His contention with Israel: "Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth; for the LORD has a case against His people, and He will contend with Israel."

This divine contention is not merely punitive but is aimed at restoration and reconciliation. God's contending is an expression of His love and commitment to His covenant people, urging them to return to Him.

Conclusion

The concept of contending in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from physical disputes to spiritual battles. It underscores the believer's call to uphold truth and righteousness while recognizing God's active role in contending for His people.1129. gumnasia -- exercise
... This ancient (and current) philosophy contends the discipline of the body is one
of life's concerns and special physical exercises as necessary for spiritual ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1129.htm - 7k3402. Yarib -- "He contends," an Israelite name
... 3401, 3402. Yarib. 3403 . "He contends," an Israelite name. Transliteration:
Yarib Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rebe') Short Definition: Jarib. ...
/hebrew/3402.htm - 6k

3080. Yehoyarib -- "the LORD contends," two Israelites, also a ...
... "the LORD contends," two Israelites, also a priestly family. Transliteration: Yehoyarib
Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-ho-yaw-reeb') Short Definition: Joiarib. ...
/hebrew/3080.htm - 6k

3401. yarib -- opponent, adversary
... Word Origin from rib Definition opponent, adversary NASB Word Usage contend (1),
one who contends (1), opponents (1). that contends, that strive , adversary. ...
/hebrew/3401.htm - 6k

7378. rib -- to strive, contend
... root Definition to strive, contend NASB Word Usage argue (2), complain (2), contend
(22), contended (9), contends (1), dispute (1), ever strive (1), filed (1 ...
/hebrew/7378.htm - 6k

Paul, Whence So Called; Bravely Contends for Grace.
... A Treatise on the spirit and the letter, Chapter 12."Paul, Whence So Called;
Bravely Contends for Grace. Accordingly Paul, who ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 12 paul whence so called.htm

He Contends that These Testimonies Already Alleged Cannot be ...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter XXXV."He contends that these testimonies already
alleged cannot be understood allegorically of celestial blessings, but that ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxv he contends that these.htm

Those in Phrygia.
... Gibbon contends that not the city, but only the church with the people in it was
burned; and so Fletcher, the translator of Lactantius in the Ante-Nicene ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xi those in phrygia.htm

Faith an Assurance and a Proof.
... James contends against the earliest phases of Antinomianism. He reconciles faith
and morality, and maintains that the highest morality springs out of faith. ...
/.../chapter x faith an assurance.htm

He Deplores his Wretchedness, that Having Been Born Thirty-Two ...
... Licentius there maintains that the "bare search" for truth renders a man happy,
while Trygetius contends that the "finding alone" can produce happiness. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter vii he deplores his wretchedness.htm

Charity and Loneliness.
... A lady writes to me, only the other day, of her husband, saying that he sympathises
with outside work, but contends that there is everything one wants in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter vi charity and loneliness.htm

Hebrews vii. 14-Nov
... However he does not even yet enter on the matters themselves, but first contends
on the ground of the priesthood, and the tabernacle. ...
/.../homily xiii hebrews vii 14-nov.htm

Natural Evil, or Suffering, and Especially the Suffering of ...
... If there be a divine constitution, as Dr. Dick contends there is, which justifies
the imputation of moral evil, with all its frightful consequences, both ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter ii natural evil or.htm

Elucidations.
... He left a book, De Justitia, in which he contends for what he represents
as Plato's idea of a community of women in sexual relations. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the stromata or miscellanies/elucidations 3.htm

Which are the Better, the Continent, or those who Delight in ...
... Gregorion. Manifestly he who wrestles. Euboulios. And, in wrestling, is not the
athlete who contends the more experienced? Gregorion. It must be granted. ...
/.../chapter iii which are the better.htm

Contends (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Contends (6 Occurrences). ... Or will you defend his cause?
Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. ...
/c/contends.htm - 8k

James (40 Occurrences)
... "Justification by works," which James contends for, is justification before man,
the justification of our profession of faith by a consistent life. ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

Contending (9 Occurrences)

/c/contending.htm - 9k

Content (30 Occurrences)

/c/content.htm - 17k

Orion (3 Occurrences)
... under the figure of an impious giant bound upon the sky." This giant was, according
to tradition, Nimrod, the type of the folly that contends against God. ...
/o/orion.htm - 8k

Jarib (3 Occurrences)
... ja'-rib, jar'-ib (yaribh, "he contends," or "takes (our) part," or "conducts (our)
case"): (1) In 1 Chronicles 4:24, a "son" (clan) of Simeon = "Jachin" of ...
/j/jarib.htm - 8k

Jo'ash (44 Occurrences)
... you contend for Ba'al? Or will you defend his cause? Whoever contends for
him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let ...
/j/jo'ash.htm - 19k

Jehoiarib (2 Occurrences)
... je-hoi'-a-rib (yehoyaribh, "Yahweh pleads" or "contends"): A priest in Jerusalem
(1 Chronicles 9:10); the name occurs again in 1 Chronicles 24:7 as the name of ...
/j/jehoiarib.htm - 8k

Joiarib (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JOIARIB. joi'-a-rib (yoyaribh, "Yahweh pleads"
or "contends"; compare JEHOIARIB): (1) A "teacher" of Ezra's time (Ezra 8:16). ...
/j/joiarib.htm - 8k

Weapon (21 Occurrences)
... sword, etc. 2. (n.) Fig.: The means or instrument with which one contends
against another; as, argument was his only weapon. 3. (n ...
/w/weapon.htm - 14k

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