The term "supposes" in the context of the Bible often relates to assumptions or beliefs that individuals hold, which may or may not align with divine truth. The concept of supposing is significant in understanding human reasoning and the potential for misunderstanding God's will or the nature of His works.

Biblical Instances and Contexts

1. Human Assumptions and Misunderstandings: Throughout Scripture, there are numerous instances where individuals or groups make suppositions that lead to misunderstandings or errors. For example, in the New Testament, the disciples often misunderstood Jesus' teachings and intentions. In John 11:13, when Jesus speaks of Lazarus' death, the disciples suppose He is talking about natural sleep: "They thought that Jesus was talking about actual sleep, but He was speaking about the death of Lazarus."

2. Supposing in Parables and Teachings: Jesus frequently used parables to teach spiritual truths, and these often challenged the suppositions of His listeners. In Luke 15, the Parable of the Prodigal Son challenges the supposition of the elder brother, who assumes that his faithfulness should earn him favor over his repentant brother.

3. Suppositions about Jesus' Identity: Many people in Jesus' time held various suppositions about His identity. In Matthew 16:14, when Jesus asks His disciples who people say He is, they respond, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." These suppositions reflect the diverse expectations and misunderstandings about the Messiah.

4. Supposing in the Early Church: In the Acts of the Apostles, there are several instances where early Christians and others make suppositions that lead to significant events. In Acts 14:19, Paul is stoned and left for dead because the people suppose he is a blasphemer. Similarly, in Acts 16:27, the jailer supposes that the prisoners have escaped after an earthquake, leading to his near-suicide and subsequent conversion.

5. Warnings Against False Suppositions: The Bible warns against making false suppositions, particularly those that lead away from faith and truth. Proverbs 14:12 cautions, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." This highlights the danger of relying on human understanding without seeking divine wisdom.

Theological Implications

The concept of supposing in the Bible underscores the limitations of human understanding and the need for divine revelation. It serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance rather than relying solely on human reasoning. The Scriptures encourage believers to test their assumptions against the truth of God's Word, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:21: "but test all things. Hold fast to what is good."

Practical Application

For believers today, the biblical theme of supposing invites introspection and humility. It encourages Christians to examine their own beliefs and assumptions in light of Scripture, to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and to remain open to correction and growth in understanding. This approach fosters a deeper relationship with God and a more accurate comprehension of His will and purposes.1380. dokeo -- to have an opinion, to seem
... 1), reputation (3), reputed (1), seem (3), seemed best (1), seemed fitting (1),
seemed good (4), seems (3), suppose (5), supposed (2), supposes (1), supposing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1380.htm - 9k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... no matter how insignificant they (Lk 16:10 with Lk 17:6 and 2 Pet 1:2). "Faith
always pre-supposes revelation" (WH Griffith Thomas, 55). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

If any one Supposes that this Want of Mutual Harmony Between his ...
... II."Ascetic and Moral. Chapter XVIII. If any one supposes that this want
of mutual harmony between his life and a? If any one ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xviii if any one.htm

But if any Man Supposes that the Reason Why it is Right for A...
... Section 11. But if any man supposes that the reason why it is right for
a? 11. But if any man supposes that the reason why it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 11 but if any.htm

Plato's Inconsistency He Supposes the Soul Self-Existent, yet ...
... Chapter XXIV."Plato's Inconsistency He Supposes the Soul Self-Existent,
Yet Capable of Forgetting What Passed in a Previous State. ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter xxiv platos inconsistency he supposes.htm

As Celsus Supposes that we Uphold the Doctrine of the Resurrection ...
... Chapter XXXIII. As Celsus supposes that we uphold the doctrine of the
resurrection in order that we? As Celsus supposes that we ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxiii as celsus supposes.htm

Celsus Supposes that Men "Discharge the Duties of Life Until they ...
... Chapter LVII. Celsus supposes that men "discharge the duties of life until
they are loosened from its? Celsus supposes that men ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lvii celsus supposes that.htm

He Further Supposes, that "Because we Join Along with the Worship ...
... Chapter XIII. He further supposes, that "because we join along with the
worship of God the worship? He further supposes, that ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xiii he further supposes.htm

Celsus Supposes that we May Arrive at a Knowledge of God Either by ...
... Chapter XLIV. Celsus supposes that we may arrive at a knowledge of God
either by combining or? Celsus supposes that we may arrive ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xliv celsus supposes that.htm

Herod Antipas Supposes Jesus to be John.
... From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) LXII. Herod Antipas Supposes
Jesus to Be John. ^A Matthew 14:1-12; ^B Mark 6:14-29; ^C Luke 9:7-9. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxii herod antipas supposes jesus.htm

First, I am to Consider what the Keeping of the Heart Supposes and ...
... First, I am to consider what the keeping of the heart supposes and imports. ... Thus
I have briefly considered what the keeping of the heart supposes and imports. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/first i am to consider.htm

This vision Interpreted by Tertullian of the Resurrection of the ...
... the Dead. A Chronological Error of Our Author, Who Supposes that Ezekiel
in His Ch. XXXI. Prophesied Before the Captivity. I am ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xxx this vision interpreted by.htm

Supposes (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Supposes (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 8:2 But if anyone
thinks that he knows anything, he doesn't yet know as he ought to know. ...
/s/supposes.htm - 6k

Mahanaim (15 Occurrences)
... He supposes that the "wood of Mahanaim" extended as far as Michneh, and that "the
name of Mihneh is really an abbreviation of the ancient phrase." Others would ...
/m/mahanaim.htm - 18k

Supposing (16 Occurrences)

/s/supposing.htm - 11k

Eden (19 Occurrences)
... objection to this theory is that the Biblical account represents all these branches
as down stream from the main river, whereas this theory supposes that two ...
/e/eden.htm - 28k

Ochre
... "Red ochre" supposes this to have been a crayon (as does "pencil"), but a
scratch-awl is quite as likely. Ochre is clay colored by an iron compound. ...
/o/ochre.htm - 7k

Jericho (59 Occurrences)
... He also traced in this place for a short distance a mud brick wall in situ, which
he supposes to be the very wall that fell before the trumpets of Joshua. ...
/j/jericho.htm - 38k

Godliness (16 Occurrences)
... The whole of practical piety (1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Peter 1:6). "It supposes knowledge,
veneration, affection, dependence, submission, gratitude, and obedience." In ...
/g/godliness.htm - 12k

Waters (386 Occurrences)
... Conder, with much reason, supposes the "waters of Merom" to be the perennial stream
Wady el-Melek, near Shimrom-Merom (Semunieh), 5 miles West of Nazareth. ...
/w/waters.htm - 42k

Weeks (17 Occurrences)
... On the other hand, the view which supposes that the Book of Daniel belongs wholly
to the Maccabean age, and does not here contain genuine prediction, is under ...
/w/weeks.htm - 16k

Tishbite (6 Occurrences)
... Gilead. Josephus, the Jewish historian (Ant. 8:13, 2), however, supposes
that Tishbi was some place in the land of Gilead. It has ...
/t/tishbite.htm - 9k

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