Online Articles
Should We Answer or Not?
"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself … Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit."
(Proverbs 26:4-5)
At first glance, these two successive verses seem to be in direct contradiction with one another. But a closer examination yields important information on how we should properly deal with those who are foolishly opposing the truth.
In both verses the Hebrew verb 'anah' ('answer') is used, but in different forms. In the first verse, the verb is in an imperfect form, describing an unfinished action. In essence, it is telling us that we should not continuously engage a person in foolish challenges to truth. Typically, such a person will repeatedly bring up his flawed arguments. For instance, we've all suffered through Bible classes wherein an individual will bring up his 'pet' theory on some weird topic every time he has a chance to do so. He's been answered in the past, but he ignores the truth and holds tightly to his erring view. We want to offer no support to his flawed arguments, no support for his erroneous conclusions. We are to cut off such discussion.
In the second verse, the verb is in an imperative form, mandating action. The gist of the command is that, while not accepting his view or repeatedly discussing it, we should powerfully answer his argument and show the absurdity of it. Having demonstrated this, it will not allow the foolish one to appear wise "in his own eyes." In other words, his arguments will be refuted and he will have no basis for pride or arrogance. He has been 'put in his place', so to speak.
The overall meaning is this: Don't engage such a person in endless quarreling, but definitively refute the error. Approaching it this way will both answer the error and demonstrate that, those who have been trying to teach it are not as wise as they thought they were.
Taking a stand for God's truth, and doing it in the best and most effective ways, is a difficult challenge. We should all pray, study, and apply ourselves to this vital work.
