The concept of persuasion in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing the act of convincing others to believe or act in a certain way, often in the context of faith, righteousness, and the spread of the Gospel. The term "persuades" and its derivatives appear in various contexts throughout Scripture, highlighting both human and divine efforts to influence beliefs and actions.

Old Testament Context

While the specific term "persuades" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in narratives where individuals are influenced to follow God's commands or to turn away from sin. For example, the prophets often acted as agents of persuasion, calling the people of Israel to repentance and obedience. In 1 Kings 18:21, Elijah challenges the Israelites to choose between following God or Baal, effectively persuading them to make a decisive commitment: "Elijah approached all the people and said, 'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.' But the people did not answer a word."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, persuasion is a key element in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles. The Greek word "πείθω" (peitho), often translated as "persuade," is used to describe efforts to convince others of the truth of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul, in particular, is noted for his persuasive preaching and reasoning with both Jews and Gentiles.

In Acts 18:4, Paul is described as engaging in persuasive discourse: "Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks." This highlights Paul's method of using reason and dialogue to lead others to faith in Christ.

Paul's persuasive efforts are further illustrated in Acts 26:28, where King Agrippa responds to Paul's testimony by saying, "In such a short time, would you persuade me to become a Christian?" This interaction underscores the power of personal testimony and reasoned argument in the process of persuasion.

Theological Implications

Persuasion in the biblical sense is not merely about human effort but is deeply connected to the work of the Holy Spirit. In 2 Corinthians 5:11, Paul writes, "Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men." This indicates that persuasion is motivated by a reverence for God and a desire to see others come to the knowledge of the truth.

Moreover, persuasion is seen as a cooperative effort between human agency and divine influence. In 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, Paul emphasizes that his message and preaching were not with "persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith would not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible also warns against the misuse of persuasion for deceitful purposes. In Galatians 1:10, Paul questions the motives behind persuasion, asking, "Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." This serves as a reminder that persuasion should be rooted in truth and aimed at glorifying God rather than manipulating others for selfish gain.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of persuasion is integral to the communication of God's truth and the advancement of His kingdom. It involves a balance of human effort and divine intervention, always aiming to lead others toward a deeper understanding and commitment to the Gospel.374a. anapeitho -- to persuade
... to persuade. Transliteration: anapeitho Short Definition: persuades. Word Origin
from ana and peitho Definition to persuade NASB Word Usage persuades (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/374a.htm - 5k

3982. peitho -- to persuade, to have confidence
... 3982 (the root of 4102 , "") - to ; (passive) of what is . The Lord persuades the
yielded believer to be in His preferred-will (Gal 5:10; 2 Tim 1:12). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3982.htm - 10k

Perseverance of the Saints Proved.
... Spirit. God converts them in the sense, that he effectually draws or persuades
them. ... follow. He persuades, and they yield to his persuasions. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlviii perseverance of the.htm

How the Temperate Style is to be Used.
... Now in the subdued style, he persuades his hearers that what he says is true; in
the majestic style, he persuades them to do what they are aware they ought to ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 25 how the temperate style.htm

From all this we May Conclude, that the End Arrived at by the Two. ...
... Now in the subdued style, he persuades his hearers that what he says is true; in
the majestic style, he persuades them to do what they are aware they ought to ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 55 from all this.htm

Converting Sinners a Christian Duty.
... God converts men, therefore, only as He persuades them to turn from the error
of their selfish ways to the rightness of benevolent was. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xx converting sinners a christian.htm

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
... He persuades them with loving words in view of the blessing and grace of
God received, and in the light of Christ's own example. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday after epiphany.htm

part ii.
... with the Catholic Church, Eusebius forthwith, availing himself of the occasion which
he had agreed upon with the Meletians, writes and persuades them to invent ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/part ii 2.htm

Whether the Devil is Directly the Cause of Man's Sinning?
... Thirdly, he that persuades the will that the object proposed has an aspect of good,
because he also, in a fashion, offers the will its proper object, which is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the devil is directly.htm

Whether the Old Law Should have Induced Men to the Observance of ...
... Reply to Objection 2: Human law persuades men by means of temporal rewards or
punishments to be inflicted by men: whereas the Divine law persuades men by meas ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the old law should 2.htm

Of the Means of Belief
... Custom is the source of our strongest and most believed proofs. It bends the automaton,
which persuades the mind without its thinking about the matter. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section iv of the means.htm

Effectual Calling
... Why then do the Arminians seem to talk of a moral persuasion, that God in the
conversion of a sinner only morally persuades and no more; sets his promises ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 effectual calling.htm

Persuades (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Persuades (3 Occurrences). Acts 18:13 saying, "This man
persuades men to worship God contrary to the law." (WEB DBY NAS). ...
/p/persuades.htm - 7k

Persuaded (40 Occurrences)

/p/persuaded.htm - 18k

Misleading (8 Occurrences)
... live, and not die. Don't listen to Hezekiah, when he persuades you, saying,
"Yahweh will deliver us." (See NIV). 2 Chronicles 32:11 ...
/m/misleading.htm - 9k

Misleads (8 Occurrences)
... live, and not die. Don't listen to Hezekiah, when he persuades you, saying,
"Yahweh will deliver us." (See NAS RSV). Proverbs 28:10 ...
/m/misleads.htm - 8k

Persuade (20 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Acts 18:13 saying, "This man persuades
men to worship God contrary to the law." (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS) ...
/p/persuade.htm - 15k

Persuasive (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which persuades; an inducement; an incitement; an exhortation.
Multi-Version Concordance Persuasive (4 Occurrences). ...
/p/persuasive.htm - 7k

Persuadest (1 Occurrence)

/p/persuadest.htm - 6k

Persuasion (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The power or quality of persuading; persuasiveness. 5. (n.) That which
persuades; a persuasive. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PERSUADE; PERSUASION. ...
/p/persuasion.htm - 9k

Contrary (77 Occurrences)
... YLT NAS). Acts 18:13 saying, "This man persuades men to worship God contrary
to the law." (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Acts 23 ...
/c/contrary.htm - 31k

Vineyards (55 Occurrences)
... die. Don't listen to Hezekiah, when he persuades you, saying, "Yahweh will
deliver us." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/v/vineyards.htm - 25k

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