The term "smoothly" in the context of the Bible often conveys notions of ease, subtlety, or deceit, depending on the context in which it is used. It is important to understand the nuances of this term as it appears in various passages, reflecting both positive and negative connotations.

1. Ease and Grace: In some instances, "smoothly" can refer to actions or words that are carried out with ease and grace. This can be seen in the context of wisdom and understanding, where smoothness is associated with the skillful and effective communication of truth. Proverbs often highlights the value of wise speech, which can be seen as smooth in its clarity and impact.

2. Deception and Flattery: More frequently, the Bible uses "smoothly" to describe deceitful or flattering speech. In Psalm 55:21 , it is written, "His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart; his words are softer than oil, yet they are drawn swords." Here, the smoothness of speech is a facade for underlying malice, illustrating the danger of being misled by appearances.

3. False Prophets and Teachers: The prophets and apostles often warned against those who speak smoothly to deceive others. In Romans 16:18 , Paul cautions, "For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the hearts of the naive." This highlights the threat posed by those who use smooth words to lead believers astray from the truth of the Gospel.

4. Cultural and Historical Context: In the ancient Near Eastern context, smooth speech was often associated with diplomacy and negotiation. However, the biblical narrative frequently contrasts this with the value of truth and integrity. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against being swayed by the smooth words of surrounding nations and false prophets.

5. Moral and Spiritual Implications: The Bible encourages discernment in the face of smooth speech. Believers are called to be wise and discerning, testing the spirits and holding fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Smooth words should be evaluated against the truth of Scripture, ensuring that they align with God's revealed will.

6. Practical Application: In practical terms, Christians are urged to cultivate speech that is both truthful and gracious. Colossians 4:6 advises, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." This balance ensures that communication is effective without resorting to deceit or manipulation.

In summary, while "smoothly" can imply grace and ease, the biblical emphasis is on the integrity and truthfulness of speech. Believers are encouraged to be wary of smooth words that may conceal deceit and to strive for communication that reflects the character of Christ.(adv.) In a smooth manner.4339. meshar -- evenness, uprightness, equity
... uprightness, equity NASB Word Usage equity (8), peaceful arrangement (1), right
things (1), rightly (1), sincerity (1), smooth (1), smoothly (2), things that ...
/hebrew/4339.htm - 6k

"But Why," You Ask, "Did You Accept My Manuscripts which had Been ...
... If I had erred, as any man may, ought you not to summon me to reply by a private
letter, and to speak smoothly to me, as I am speaking smoothly in my present ...
/.../34 but why you ask.htm

The Desire of the Soul in Spiritual Darkness
... I suppose he is like the sailor, when he sails along smoothly he loves to have fair
weather, and wants this and that to amuse himself with on deck. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the desire of the soul.htm

A Section on the Writings of Pierius.
... and clear, with the easy flow, as it were, of a spoken address, displaying no signs
of laboured art, [1277] but bearing us quietly along, smoothly and gently ...
/.../pierus/the writings of pierus of alexandria/ii a section on the writings.htm

Personal Characteristics.
... medium height, stout in body and well built, clad in the fashion of the Methodist
preachers of the day, with a benign countenance, his face smoothly shaven, a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/vi personal characteristics.htm

The Source of Power in Prayer.
... prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered
before me." When I see a man who cannot pray glibly and smoothly and readily ...
/.../murray/the masters indwelling/xii the source of power.htm

The Judges.
... we do not have all the history covered by the period and while we do not easily
understand or explain its events, it is clear that things did not run smoothly. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

Changed Conditions
... How easily and smoothly we now sped over the iron rails as compared with our former
journey; we need now take no interest in gradients, nor fear that the train ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xx changed conditions.htm

Argument. --Novatian
... On the earth, moreover, He has lifted up the loftiest mountains to a peak, He has
thrown down valleys into the depths, He has smoothly levelled the plains, He ...
/.../a treatise of novatian concerning the trinity/chapter i argument novatian.htm

Meanwhile a Somewhat Embarrassing Interview had Taken Place ...
... as good food, soft beds, rich clothing, and other countless luxuries which are not
necessities by any means, but which make the hours move smoothly and softly ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/iii meanwhile a somewhat embarrassing.htm

Three Afternoons Off the Track
... Once we went smoothly down a bank and into a shallow swollen pool, and the water
swished in at the lower end and floated our books out quietly. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter ii three afternoons off.htm

Smoothly (2 Occurrences)
...Smoothly (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 23:31 Don't look at the wine when it is
red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly. ...
/s/smoothly.htm - 7k

Liquid (15 Occurrences)
... a state of vapor. 3. (a.) Flowing or sounding smoothly or without abrupt
transitions or harsh tones. 4. (a.) Pronounced without ...
/l/liquid.htm - 11k

Glideth (2 Occurrences)
... Glideth (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red,
When it sparkleth in the cup, When it goeth down smoothly: (See JPS). ...
/g/glideth.htm - 6k

Glide (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To move gently and smoothly; to pass along without noise, violence, or apparent
effort; to pass rapidly and easily, or with a smooth, silent motion, as ...
/g/glide.htm - 8k

Flow (85 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To glide along smoothly, without harshness or asperities; as, a flowing
period; flowing numbers; to sound smoothly to the ear; to be uttered easily. ...
/f/flow.htm - 32k

Bowl (44 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To roll, as a bowl or cricket ball. 9. (vt) To roll or carry smoothly on,
or as on, wheels; as, we were bowled rapidly along the road. 10. ...
/b/bowl.htm - 26k

Sail (32 Occurrences)
... (n.) To move smoothly through the air; to glide through the air without apparent
exertion, as a bird. ... (vt) To fly through; to glide or move smoothly through. ...
/s/sail.htm - 17k

Flowing (123 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Flow. 2. (a.) That flows or for flowing (in various sense of the verb);
gliding along smoothly; copious. 3. (a. & n.) from Flow, vi & t. ...
/f/flowing.htm - 35k

Kisses (12 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 7:9 And the roof of your mouth like good wine flowing down smoothly
for my loved one, moving gently over my lips and my teeth. (See RSV). ...
/k/kisses.htm - 9k

Nap (1 Occurrence)
... of felt, cloth, plants, etc.; an external covering of down, of short fine hairs
or fibers forming part of the substance of anything, and lying smoothly in one ...
/n/nap.htm - 7k

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