Here’s a little more sharp talk for ya. And, just so you know, I’m not a Greek expert. Actually not even a Greek amateur. But there are some who dig more deeply into Greek translation to get a better understanding of what different parts of the Bible mean. Here’s an example of that, from Ronald Giese Jr., using the word “sharpen.”

“This is how the ancient Greek translations of the Hebrew Bible may have understood the meaning of the word ‘sharpen.’ They translate it with a Greek term that can mean ‘to urge or stimulate’ but also ‘to provoke or irritate’ (παροξύνω). And in the rest of the Greek Old Testament, that verb is only ever used to mean ‘to provoke” (e.g. Num 14:11; Deut 1:34; 9:19; Ps 106:29; Hos 8:5). ‘Sharpening’ someone else, then, could mean provoking or irritating them.”

Ok, if you have a different understanding of that sharp talk, let me know.

But, from what I’ve seen, it makes sense. And it certainly plays out in the so-called “discussions” I’ve seen Christians place on social media for the world to see (not the best idea).

Now, to continue with what Mr. Giese shared, check out what he calls…

“The Practicalities of Sharpening Iron

In the ancient world, the concept of ‘ironing sharpening iron’ would be easily associated with the use of an iron hammer to form a heated weapon or tool. What this iron hammer does not do is ‘sharpen’ the other tool. When we think of ‘sharpening’ today, we think of sharpening pencils or sharpening knives. But ancient iron tools could not be used to ‘file’ or ‘sharpen’ other iron tools. And what would happen is that both iron pieces would become dull.

‘Iron sharpening iron’ refers to the preparation of a weapon, of something ready for battle. Paired with the second half of Proverbs 27:17, the sharpening of someone’s face, this proverb concerns provoking another person so that they become antagonistic toward you. And the context of the verse doesn’t suggest what is the cause of this ‘sharpening.’ But Giese Jr. suggests that it may be if two people spend too much time in conversation, it may lead to heated or foolish discussion.”

Just like what I mentioned above and in my last post.

Those heated discussions can be found just about everywhere. And I remember Paul told Timothy to not to “give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.” Paul understood how human recollection can be biased and flawed. So, it serves no useful purpose for Christians to “sharpen” one another in those ways. As Mr. Giese said, that has caused us to go…

“Backwards the Whole Time.” He explained it this way:

“This seems so straightforward. So, how could we have missed it? Strangely, it’s the English translation of ‘sharpening’ that has caused us to presume that the phrase ‘iron sharpens iron’ means something good. We’ve read our own understanding of ‘sharpening’ back into Proverbs 27:17. But as we have seen, that’s not what it meant in the original context of the text. And a further problem we have is that the expression ‘iron sharpens iron’ still does mean something positive for the majority of English speakers out there. And it’s unlikely that we will be able to change that usage. What we can change, however, is our understanding of Proverbs 27:17.”

And this is how Mr. Giese finished up his point (which I believe is totally valid):

“In our world today, social media has made ‘iron sharpening iron’ an everyday occurrence. But not in a good way. The constant bickering on Facebook, notifications about replies to your comments, and share features which invite strangers to reply to your posts in all caps have led to all of us spending too much time in heated discussion. Add a pandemic and we have the perfect forge for iron to sharp iron. Maybe we should take some time away from being ‘social’ online. Then maybe we’ll be able to stop ‘sharpening’ each other’s faces.”

I sang about that sharp talk in a song I wrote way back in 1999.

High Horses

Up on the foothills of peace,
Leaving the cares of the world so far below,
Riding the crest; not the crease,
We have, and we give some back so we can know.

Long as we don’t hurt the weak,
Refrain from the covetous thoughts and deeds in kind,
We can remain on the peak,
Covered and out of harm’s way, but we’re so blind!

We’re riding our high horses.
We’re wearing our best leather and lace.
Yeah, we’re riding our high horses,
Hoping to ride them away,
Ride them to favor and grace!

Up on the mountains of self,
Looking inside of our hearts, we think we see.
Fallible searchers are we.
Without a standard to judge, how high we can be!

repeat chorus – short instrumental

To think ourselves wise we soon become fools!
We’re panning for gold while we give up our jewels!

repeat chorus and end with instrumental

© 1999

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