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The word “contradiction” means to make two statements in which it is impossible for both to be true. For example, the statement, “This page is totally white,” contradicts the statement, “This page is not totally white.” Both cannot be true. They contradict.
Human beings make contradictions. We are faulty; we make errors; we are not perfect. But not so with God. God is perfect; He does not make errors; He does not make contradictions. Thus, if the Bible is authored by God, there will be no contradictions.
Since critics deceive multitudes, even in the church, by proclaiming that the Bible does contain contradictions, what, then, is a general response in answering reputed New Testament contradictions?
Different Meaning of Words
Many apparent contradictions are easily explained when it is understood that some words have two different meanings. As two hunters walked near a cliff, one saw a rock falling directly at his friend, and yelled “duck.” Immediately, the friend raised his rifle and his head directly into the oncoming rock. Words such as fly, bear, sore, comb and many others remind us that some words have more then one meaning. Thus, when there appears to be a contradiction, it is only fair and honest to first check to see if two different things are being described by the same word.
When the Bible says that we are not justified by works (Rom. 4:2; Gal.2:16) and that we are justified by works (Jas. 2:24), it needs to be asked, “Are two different meanings to the word ‘work’ being applied?” Indeed there are. Actually, in this case, there are three different meanings. In Galatians 2:16, the works are the works of the old law which had been done away (Col. 2:14). Obviously, no one could be justified by a law that was no longer in effect. In Romans 4:2, the works are self-righteous, meritorious works with which no one can save himself (Acts 4:12). Yet, the works of James 2:24 are the works which God set out for us to do (John 6:28-29) in faith and in love (Gal. 5:6). They are works of righteousness (Acts 10:35). No, there are no contradictions in these verses. They are simply cases in which one word has two or more meanings. [Also cf., “Fear God” (Eccl. 12:13) and “Do not fear God” (Luke 1:74); “God repents: (Gen. 6:6) and “God does not repent” (1 Sam. 15:29).]
It also must be recognized, there are occasions in which the same English word is translated from two different Greek words. Such is the case in Galatians 6:2,5, “Bear ye one another’s burdens…For every man shall bear his own burden.” The first “burden” is from baros which refers to the difficulties and hardships of life. The second is phortion which refers to personal obligations which no one else can do for another. Once again, with a little investigation, there is no contradiction.
Gary Henson