Fools: Are: Contentious
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In the biblical context, the term "fool" often refers to someone who lacks wisdom, understanding, or reverence for God. One of the characteristics frequently associated with fools in the Scriptures is their contentious nature. This contentiousness is marked by a tendency to engage in strife, argument, and discord, often leading to destructive outcomes.

The Book of Proverbs, known for its wisdom literature, provides several insights into the contentious nature of fools. Proverbs 18:6 states, "A fool’s lips bring strife, and his mouth invites a beating." This verse highlights how the words of a fool often lead to conflict and trouble, suggesting that their speech is a primary source of contention.

Further emphasizing this trait, Proverbs 20:3 notes, "It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel." Here, the contrast is drawn between the honorable pursuit of peace and the fool's inclination to engage in quarrels. The fool's contentiousness is portrayed as a natural disposition, one that stands in opposition to wisdom and honor.

Proverbs 29:9 also illustrates the futility of engaging with a fool: "If a wise man goes to court with a fool, there will be raving and laughing with no resolution." This verse underscores the idea that a fool's contentious nature can lead to chaos and a lack of resolution, as their behavior is often irrational and disruptive.

The New Testament also touches on the contentious nature of fools, albeit less directly. In Titus 3:9 , believers are advised to "avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the Law, because these are unprofitable and useless." While not explicitly mentioning fools, the admonition to avoid "foolish controversies" suggests that such disputes are characteristic of those lacking wisdom and understanding.

The contentiousness of fools is not merely a personal flaw but is often depicted as having broader social implications. Proverbs 29:22 warns, "An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression." Although this verse speaks of anger, it aligns with the contentious nature of fools, as their behavior frequently incites division and transgression within a community.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of fools as contentious individuals serves as a cautionary depiction of the dangers of strife and discord. The Scriptures consistently advise against engaging with or emulating such behavior, highlighting the value of peace, wisdom, and understanding in contrast to the folly of contentiousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Proverbs 18:6
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for strokes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Would that the Memory of the Fathers Would Exhale from the Tombs
... 4. O Gift, which fools have made a poison! ... have troubled Thee, in that they are vain
babblers, and so have the [false] doctrines in that they are contentious. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vi would that the.htm

Divine Impartiality Considered.
... They are fools and without ... patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and
honor and immortality, eternal life: But to them that are contentious, and do ...
/.../sermon vi divine impartiality considered.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... Fools "will be meddling." Ver.11, shows that the best way of judging of men ... As a
contentious turbulent person would inflame a whole country and put them by the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

1 Cor. xi. 2
... However, even if the Corinthians were then contentious, yet now the whole ... in dealing
with inferiors; reproaching them, and calling them fools and senseless and ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvi 1 cor xi.htm

Matt. xxvi. 36-38.
... with the words, that even they who are in a high degree contentious may believe ... For
if wealth find men fools, it renders them more foolish; if wanton, more ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxiii matt xxvi 36-38.htm

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory ...
... And is not this self pleasing humour the fountain of that contentious plea after ...
great expenses to learn to know their own folly, to become fools, that they ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv but if ye.htm

Psalm LXXVI.
... or what fools are they that believe that which they see not, and relinquish ... the body,
but if perchance she be drunken, be proud, be contentious, be talkative? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxvi.htm

Matt. xvii. 10
... 2271] "Why, you," He saith, "inquire who is greatest, and are contentious for first ...
their natural senses, and brings upon them the character of fools; or rather ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lvii matt xvii 10.htm

Book I.
... your impotence, lay aside bombast, and do not mock the ears of fools with this ... apt
to teach; no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book i.htm

Refutation of the Calumnies by which this Doctrine is Always ...
... of God, whose pleasure it is to inflict punishment on fools and transgressors ... which
will, I hope, be sufficient for those who are honest and not contentious. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 23 refutation of the.htm

Resources
Are atheists more intelligent than believers? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible mean when it says, “The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'”? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of “redeeming the time” in Ephesians 5:16? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Fools

Fools: All Men Are, Without the Knowledge of God

Fools: Are: A Grief to Parents

Fools: Are: Angry

Fools: Are: Contentious

Fools: Are: Corrupt and Abominable

Fools: Are: Full of Words

Fools: Are: Given to Meddling

Fools: Are: Liars

Fools: Are: Mere Professors of Religion

Fools: Are: Self-Confident

Fools: Are: Self-Deceivers

Fools: Are: Self-Sufficient

Fools: Are: Slanderers

Fools: Are: Slothful

Fools: Avoid Them

Fools: Blaspheme God

Fools: Cling to Their Folly

Fools: Come to Shame

Fools: Delight not in Understanding

Fools: Deny God

Fools: Depend Upon Their Wealth

Fools: Despise Instruction

Fools: Destroy Themselves by Their Speech

Fools: Exhorted to Seek Wisdom

Fools: God Has No Pleasure In

Fools: Hate Knowledge

Fools: Hate to Depart from Evil

Fools: Hear the Gospel and Obey It Not

Fools: Honor is Unbecoming For

Fools: Israel

Fools: Lips of, a Snare to the Soul

Fools: Make a Mock at Sin

Fools: Pharisees

Fools: Punishment of

Fools: Rehoboam

Fools: Reproach God

Fools: Shall not Stand in the Presence of God

Fools: Sport Themselves in Mischief

Fools: The Company of, Ruinous

Fools: The Mouth of, Pours out Folly

Fools: Trust to Their own Hearts

Fools: Walk in Darkness

Fools: Worship Idols

Fools: Worship of, Hateful to God

Related Terms

Vexation (36 Occurrences)

Fools (53 Occurrences)

Understanding's (1 Occurrence)

Grief (252 Occurrences)

Grieve (29 Occurrences)

Weighty (7 Occurrences)

Invites (7 Occurrences)

Mouth (534 Occurrences)

Beatings (5 Occurrences)

Conceals (8 Occurrences)

Contention (24 Occurrences)

Concealeth (7 Occurrences)

Cares (28 Occurrences)

Stripes (19 Occurrences)

Strokes (8 Occurrences)

Provocation (20 Occurrences)

Beating (31 Occurrences)

Presently (25 Occurrences)

Protect (32 Occurrences)

Heavier (13 Occurrences)

Calls (62 Occurrences)

Covereth (61 Occurrences)

Strife (71 Occurrences)

Sand (40 Occurrences)

Snare (69 Occurrences)

Ruin (135 Occurrences)

Speech (107 Occurrences)

Brings (155 Occurrences)

Foot (193 Occurrences)

Hand (14438 Occurrences)

Burden (111 Occurrences)

Rod (138 Occurrences)

Dream (82 Occurrences)

Heavy (110 Occurrences)

Ass (95 Occurrences)

Fools: Are: Angry
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