The term "sharply" in the context of the Bible often refers to a manner of speaking or acting that is direct, clear, and sometimes severe. It is used to describe interactions that require firmness and clarity, often in the context of correction or rebuke.

Biblical Usage:

1. Rebuke and Correction:
The Apostle Paul instructs Titus to rebuke those who are misleading or living in error "sharply" to bring about correction and sound faith. In Titus 1:13 , Paul writes, "This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith." Here, the term "sharply" underscores the necessity of a firm and decisive approach to ensure the integrity of the faith and the well-being of the church community.

2. Disciplinary Action:
The use of sharpness in discipline is also seen in the broader context of church leadership and governance. Leaders are called to maintain order and doctrinal purity, sometimes requiring them to address issues with a level of severity that matches the seriousness of the offense. This approach is not meant to be harsh for its own sake but to lead to repentance and restoration.

3. Contrast with Gentleness:
While "sharply" implies a certain severity, it is important to note that the Bible also emphasizes the balance between sharpness and gentleness. For instance, in 2 Timothy 2:24-25 , Paul advises, "And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." This balance ensures that correction is effective and loving.

4. Jesus' Example:
Jesus Himself demonstrated the use of sharpness in His ministry, particularly when addressing the Pharisees and other religious leaders who were leading people astray. In Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a series of "woes" to the scribes and Pharisees, speaking sharply to expose their hypocrisy and call them to genuine repentance.

Theological Implications:

The concept of speaking or acting sharply in the Bible is rooted in the desire for truth, holiness, and the spiritual health of the community. It reflects the seriousness with which God views sin and error, as well as His commitment to guiding His people toward righteousness. While sharpness is sometimes necessary, it is always to be exercised with the ultimate goal of restoration and love, reflecting God's own character and purposes.(adv.) In a sharp manner,; keenly; acutely.664. apotomos -- abruptly, curtly
... abruptly, curtly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: apotomos Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ot-om'-oce) Short Definition: sharply, severely Definition: sharply ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/664.htm - 6k

139. hairesis -- choice, opinion
... The term stresses the -- and hence how being a Sadducee (Ac 5:17) was sharply
distinguished from being a Pharisee (Ac 15:5; 26:5). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/139.htm - 7k

1969. epiplesso -- to strike at, to rebuke (with words)
... words. Word Origin from epi and plesso Definition to strike at, to rebuke
(with words) NASB Word Usage sharply rebuke (1). rebuke. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1969.htm - 7k

2394. chozqah -- strength, force, violence
... force, mightily, repair, sharply. Feminine of chozeq; vehemence (usually in a bad
sense) -- force, mightily, repair, sharply. see HEBREW chozeq. 2393, 2394. ...
/hebrew/2394.htm - 6k

2782. charats -- to cut, sharpen, decide
... A primitive root; properly, to point sharply, ie (literally) to wound; figuratively,
to be alert, to decide -- bestir self, decide, decree, determine, maim ...
/hebrew/2782.htm - 6k

7688. shagach -- to gaze
... look narrowly. A primitive root; to peep, ie Glance sharply at -- look
(narrowly). 7687, 7688. shagach. 7689 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7688.htm - 5k

3851. lahab -- flame, blade
... From an usused root meaning to gleam; a flash; figuratively, a sharply polished
blade or point of a weapon -- blade, bright, flame, glittering. 3850b, 3851. ...
/hebrew/3851.htm - 6k

A Book of Modern Social Inquiry Has a Shape that is Somewhat ...
... Chapter 1 A book of modern social inquiry has a shape that is somewhat
sharply defined.? A book of modern social inquiry has a ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 1 a book of.htm

Argument: Octavius, Displeased at the Act of this Superstitious ...
... Chapter III."Argument: Octavius, Displeased at the Act of This Superstitious Man,
Sharply Reproaches Minucius, on the Ground that the Disgrace of This Wicked ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter iii argument octavius displeased at.htm

The Race of Life
... And so will God do with us. He will strike us then; and sharply too. Much
more, if a man gives himself up to sinful pleasure; if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon x the race of.htm

Titus i. 14-Dec
... Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed
to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.". ...
/.../homily iii titus i 14-dec.htm

You Observe How He Treats Ambrose. First, He Calls Him a Crow and ...
... If you act rightly in imitating Origen whom you call second only to the Apostles,
why do you sharply attack another for following Didymus, whom nevertheless ...
/.../25 you observe how he.htm

False Professors Solemnly Warned
... he been honest, he would have been personal, for he would have dealt out the truth
of God without deceitfulness, and would have reproved men sharply, that they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/false professors solemnly warned.htm

1 Cor. I. 10
... an me Ben.) you sharply rebuke you make a man fierce and impudent: but if you put
him to shame, you bow down his neck, you check his confidence, you make him ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily iii 1 cor i.htm

2 Cor. xiii. 10
... For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal
sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxx 2 cor xiii.htm

The Procession of Amen
... The side Kenkenes approached sloped sharply from the dromos toward the river, and
the rearmost spectators had small opportunity to behold the pageant. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

Such are the Doctrines which are to be Found in These Works of ...
... Oh, great Master, you who see so sharply, and are so hard upon the moles that have
no eyes: you seem to have got yourself into a most impossible position ...
/.../27 such are the doctrines.htm

Sharply (20 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sharply (20 Occurrences). Matthew 9:30 And their eyes
were made open. And Jesus said to them sharply, Let no man have knowledge of it. ...
/s/sharply.htm - 12k

Pained (41 Occurrences)
... Genesis 35:16 And they journey from Bethel, and there is yet a kibrath of land before
entering Ephratha, and Rachel beareth, and is sharply pained in her ...
/p/pained.htm - 18k

Sharp (115 Occurrences)
... 16. (adv.) To a point or edge; piercingly; eagerly; sharply. 17. (adv.) Precisely;
exactly; as, we shall start at ten o'clock sharp. 18. ...
/s/sharp.htm - 38k

Forsaketh (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:13 And the king answereth the people sharply, and forsaketh the
counsel of the elders which they counselled him, (YLT). ...
/f/forsaketh.htm - 11k

Rebuke (77 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To check, silence, or put down, with reproof; to restrain by expression
of disapprobation; to reprehend sharply and summarily; to chide; to reprove; to ...
/r/rebuke.htm - 32k

Prick (2 Occurrences)
... pointed; -- said especially of the ears of an animal, as a horse or dog; and usually
followed by up; -- hence, to prick up the ears, to listen sharply; to have ...
/p/prick.htm - 11k

Chide (3 Occurrences)
... rendered "strive." Since in Genesis 31:36 Judges 8:1 Psalm 103:9, the strife is
one of words, it means in these passages, "scold," or "sharply censure," and is ...
/c/chide.htm - 8k

Minor (2 Occurrences)
... and Southeast. This chain, except at its Southeast corner, rises sharply
from the South coast, whose undulations it determines. On ...
/m/minor.htm - 62k

Territory (140 Occurrences)
... The Shephelah is somewhat sharply divided off from the central mountain mass
by a remarkable series of valleys running North and South. ...
/t/territory.htm - 56k

Asia (22 Occurrences)
... and Southeast. This chain, except at its Southeast corner, rises sharply
from the South coast, whose undulations it determines. On ...
/a/asia.htm - 71k

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