Evidence! (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 11:1; Isaiah 1:18; Leviticus 19:17-18; Luke 10:25-37)

2 Timothy 3:16 says, "All scripture breathes-God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof..."

REPROOF

The Greek word translated "reproof" is a legal word which has to do with the material gathered, necessary to present a winning argument in court. It is the "proof" brought forward, that gives certainty that the case presented, is factual and accurate, and that all the statements regarding guilt or innocence are true. The Greek word means "evidence".

This Greek word is only used twice in the NT.

The other occurrence is found in Hebrews 11:1, where, "... faith is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen."

TWO PARTS

There are two main aspects to this word:

1) The word conveys the meaning that the proof or evidence is true and factual.

2) The word also strongly implies, that the defendant, or person whom the evidence concerns, is convinced of its reality and changes their behavior to reflect this truth.

In a negative connotation, the word is used numerous times, in secular Greek, and the LXX, to mean the conviction of sin with the result of repentance in the lives of those convicted.

EVIDENCE

In the two uses in the NT, the evidence is not to bring conviction of sin, but rather, strong confidence, or faith, that what God has said, is true.

However, the evidence does not just produce a conviction in the individual that it is true, but rather, the conviction is so strong, that it changes the behavior of the person, to act according to this new truth, or evidence, revealed.

The word also has the meaning of "manifestation". In other words, the "evidence" brings into manifestation, or clearly demonstrates, the real fact, that what is presented, or stated, is true.

AFFIRMATION:

God's word is legal evidence, that what He has declared, is factual and true, and I act according to the evidence presented, to produce dramatic change in my life.

DIGGING DEEPER:

The Greek word used in 2 Timothy 3:16, and Hebrews 11:1, more accurately translated "evidence", is (elenchos).

COURT ROOM

(Elenchos) is used throughout the LXX, to translate the Hebrew word (Yakach), and it's derivative (Tokahat). Both of these words literally refer to a court room setting.

Probably the most famous OT passage using (Yakach), is Isaiah 1:18, where the KJV has, "Let us reason together...". More accurately, what is being said, is "Let us debate our case in court...."

The Hebrew words stand for an argument presented before the court. The strong legal connotation conveys the meaning, as with its NT counterpart, "to present evidence to bring about conviction" and, specifically in the OT, the conviction of sin, to produce repentance. Foundational to the words meaning, is the presenting of "evidence".

FURTHER INSIGHT:

In Leviticus 19:17-18, we have the context given for the famous quotation, "... thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self..." Verse 17 tells us to not allow our "neighbor" to go on sinning, but to bring him before the court, if necessary, to confront him with the evidence of his wrong-doing, so that he will repent of his sin. Not only is our action of confrontation to prevent his continued sinful behavior, but confrontation is necessary so we won't hate him because of his sin, or try to exact punishment upon him ourselves. In other words, if we really love our neighbor as ourself, we will not passively allow him to be involved in sin, but we will care enough to confront.

In Jesus' explanation of the command to love our neighbor, He used the parable of "the Good Samaritan" (Lk.10:25-37), saying that the Samaritans actions demonstrated compassion or mercy. Applied to the original context of Leviticus 19:17-18, bringing legal evidence against a brother or sister, in the Lord, to produce repentance in their lives, is compassion; mercy; love, in that, our actions bring deliverance and salvation into their lives, by saving them from their own destruction.

James says it this way: "Brethren, if any of YOU do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know that he who converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours