ARGUING OVER SEMANTICS

^"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (I Corinthians 1:10)

 

"Arguing semantics" is a term used by one party in an argument to resist the other party's attempt to question the terms and language used in the argument. Semantics means that someone is focusing more on the chosen words and their possible, technical meanings, rather than the substance of the argument.

This usually starts in the middle of an argument and distracts from the main topic of the argument. When an argument deteriorates and its focus becomes one about word definitions rather than the main topic, usually by this point, the argument has become a waste of time because it has morphed into an argument about irrelevant, unimportant details rather than the original main point.

The doctrine of verbal inspiration implies that not only are the words of Scripture inspired, but the order in which they appear is also inspired. A study by commentators and translators has rightly noted that a change in the order of the words would at times (not all the times) change the meaning or emphasis of a passage. This phenomenon is often seen in the order in which the various names of Christ appear. By noting this order, one may sometimes (not all the times) gain new insight into a passage.

What does it mean when somebody says we're arguing over semantics? It means you're arguing over interpretation, meaning, and definitions. It means they're arguing over different words that mean the same thing, i.e. rain/showers. They know the intent but are arguing the language used. II Timothy 2:23; "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." Dwelling on one word or one thing without considering the big picture.

Jesus Christ or Christ Jesus which is correct? If Jesus Christ is not his name, then what is it?  Christ Jesus is correct, and so is Jesus Christ. Proper grammar does not determine how the name of Jesus is written in the bible, Jesus does. If God wishes to have it written "Jesus the Christ," Christ Jesus, and yes, Jesus Christ, proper grammar does not decide this. Bible scholarship does not decide this.  Language does not control the bible. Language does not decide what or how God shall speak. God controls language. It's never going to be the other way around. Hebrew and Greek do not control God. Bibles printed before the 1870s have had the name "Jesus Christ" along with the name "Christ Jesus" in them. The word "Christ" is not a title. It is a name. "Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" II Timothy 2:19. "Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel" II Timothy 2:8. These words, written by Paul, are the words that Jesus said. These words are the Gospel of God.

Despite our difficulties, we dare not seek to alter them. Proper grammar can say what it wishes. As to "yeshuah" being any "inherent name," that has been a late modern tradition. Every bible in every language before modern time has the name Jesus in it. The name "Jesus Christ" is a name of God that he has always possessed. The confusion has arisen, unfortunately, because many choose to believe a foreign language dictionary rather than the bible in their own language. Greek and Hebrew lexicons have been pointless because we don't have an original "bible."

“Jesus” is a name, meaning “Jehovah is salvation.” And “Christ” - a title, meaning “anointed one.” It means the same as Messiah, a word of Hebrew origin. The Christian Greek Scriptures begin with the expression Jesus Christ in Matthew 1:1 and Mark 1:1. The same expression is found in Revelation 22:21. The apostle Paul introduced the expression Christ Jesus at Romans 3:24. 

The title Christ could be added to the personal name Jesus after his water baptism and after he was anointed with God’s spirit, at which time he became the Christ. But one time, privately, when in prayer with his disciples, Jesus prayed: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3)

In the other expression, Christ Jesus, the apostle Paul puts the title Christ before the personal name Jesus. This corresponds with putting the official title before any other officeholder’s name, as, for example, King David, King Solomon, and Governor Zerubbabel. So, the expression Christ Jesus calls attention first to the office and then identifies the one who holds it. It literally means “Anointed Jesus”. 

From this, it is seen that the Scriptures treat the expression Jesus Christ on a different basis from the expression Christ Jesus. Either way works Jesus Christ = Jesus the Anointed One or Christ Jesus= The Anointed One, Jesus. He was called both in the Bible, don't fret over semantics.

The terms "Jesus Christ" and "Christ Jesus" are both used in the Scriptures (95 times and 142 times, respectively). Indeed, the Bible itself does not refer to the Messiah as "Christ Jesus" during his earthly life, but the bible does refer to the resurrected Son of God as "Jesus Christ" even after his resurrection to heaven. 

Here are some occurrences of "Jesus Christ" from the bible itself. The last is particularly interesting because it uses both "Jesus Christ" and "Christ Jesus" and counsels Christians against unnecessary arguments. Of course, the bible should be the authority for all Christians, but too many so-called "Christians" ignore the bible. Revelation 1:1, 2, 5; Romans 1:1-8; 1 Corinthians 1:1-10

Christianity is not semantics and verse dissection, but knowing Jesus. Some people seem to think that because they have knowledge of a bunch of verses and words that this elevates them to spirituality, whereby they can pick out their special verses to do warfare against another semantic thinker.

This word warfare game and arguing over semantics stems from seminary studies rather than the mission field and real life. In the mission field when totally depending on the Lord for sustenance, you must learn to use what works and not just a bunch of theories. As Jesus said, to know the doctrine you must live the doctrine, use the doctrine. Then it comes alive and then you believe when you act on your faith. If any man will do the doctrine, said the Lord, for in the doing and living out of the words, there is true understanding. Those on the home front, not witnessing but sharpening word swords will differ with this, but it is true. Word games help no one and are more a competition rather than a co-operation in most cases.

The doctrine of verbal inspiration, makes these believers think that every word and comma and intonation in the bible is absolutely important if they can just get it right and convince all others of the sacredness of this word or that word with or without this letter or that letter. Discussions should elevate true-life experiences way beyond mere concordance lookups and word dissections. Word swordplay is really unfruitful in most cases.