Contend vs Defend

 

 

Contend and defend

Are not biblical synonyms

And that they don’t mean the same

Is neither veiled nor dimmed.

 

Defend is in the Old Testament

Exactly eleven times

And never in the New Testament

Even once you will find.

 

Contend on the other hand

Is in the Old Testament 13 times

And though once in the New Testament

It is a critical find.

 

Why a critical find?

Well, let me now explain

By referring you to the Apostle Jude

To support this claim.

 

Contend for the Faith

And do so earnestly

Admonished the Apostle Jude

Back in the first century.

 

Not defend the faith

You should readily note

For contend is clearly spelt it out

In this following quote.

 

Jude 3

Beloved, when I gave all diligence

 To write unto you of the common salvation,

It was needful for me to write unto you,

And exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith

Which was once delivered unto the saints.

 

Now you may decide

That I am “splitting hairs”

However, in using the word ‘contend’,

Jude made it clear.

 

 

He could have used ‘defend’

Some may yet argue

But ‘contend’ is what he used

Hence, this is my view.

 

Defend is to stand between

In order to protect,

Like defending someone’s honour

Whom you respect.

 

‘Contend for’ is to affirm

As in propagating the faith:

The common salvation Jude cites

Here in this case.

 

The Word is its own defense

And can stand on its own

But we are call to be evangelists

And to make it known.

 

Put it out there

So that it can be heard,

The best option people have

Is still God's Word.

 

Stewart Russell © January 29, 2024