(February 18, 2013)
Introduction
I have been married for more than three years now. My wife is now a participant in many of my Bible studies and discussions. We came across a point of misunderstanding recently that has lead me to write this sermonette. Other events have also occurred in the meantime that have influenced its contents. With God all things work for good.
My topic for this sermonette is the word contrite.
SPS – Specific Purpose Statement - What does the word contrite mean?
Body
Why is it often misunderstood?
My Webster’s dictionary defines contrite as an adjective meaning penitent, thoroughly sorry especially for sin.
This definition sounds a lot like one for repentant. To be contrite is not the same as to be repentant.
My King James dictionary defines contrite as Crushed, broken or bruised in spirit. Crushed, broken or bruised in spirit.
This is different from the meaning given in the Webster dictionary which would easily lead someone who relied on it to misunderstanding. The King James dictionary is much more in line with the true definition of contrite which distinguishes it from repentant.
One repents of having done something wrong or of having sinned.
To be contrite, on the other hand, usually comes from having been wronged or of having sin committed against you and you reacting to it, or of having suffered the loss of a loved one for example.
Please open your Bibles and turn to Isaiah 66, the last chapter of Isaiah, verse 2.
The word translated as contrite in this verse is Strong’s number 5223 which is also translated elsewhere as lame of feet. Just to give you an idea of some of the challenges of translating.
Isaiah 66:2 (Revised Standard Version)
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD. But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.
Being humble and trembling at God’s word are righteous ways and so being contrite of spirit is associated with righteousness here, not with sin.
If your spirit has been bruised by the affairs of this world you should not despair because God understands, will look on you and will not abandon or give up on you, you being a member of His church.
The world is full of injustices, unfairness and evil. Some are bound to fall victim or to be adversely affected by it. It was not easy for Jesus to continue to do the will of His Father when He was betrayed, then tried, then nailed and dying but He pressed on to the end. It was not a time to express joy. It was a time for being contrite.
Having children shot dead while attending school can cause some, especially parents, to become contrite in spirit, that is broken hearted, crushed and grievous.
This is very different from someone who is talking on a cell phone while driving and kills a child. The person having committed such an act might become very sorrowful and may never use a cell phone while driving again. This is being repentant.
The contrite are often innocent. The repentant are always guilty.
Something that may lead to being contrite is being wronged for doing right. This is what the bible has to say in this regard.
Please turn to Psalm 34. Psalm chapter 34 verses 17 and 18.
The word translated as contrite in this verse is Strong’s number 1793 and is elsewhere translated as destruction.
Psalm 34:17-18 (New King James Version)
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
You can see here that the contrite are again associated with the righteous. I believe that this is the proper use of the term contrite.
Contrite and repentant do have similarities. A repentant person can become sorrowful to the point of being contrite then a course of action is required by the repentant to change his ways. A person can be contrite without being repentant, if he or she has not sinned, and now need only adjust in order to be able to cope with the new scenario.
You who are contrite are not alone. You are not forgotten nor rejected as we saw in Isaiah 66:2 and again here in Psalm 34:18.
We have a great example to follow, One who is acquainted with sorrow, Jesus.
Look at Mark chapter 14, please turn to Mark 14 verse 34.
Here we will see how Jesus describes His own condition. We will see how bruised or crushed He was.
Mark 14:34 (NASB)
And He, Jesus, said to them, - My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.
Jesus was contrite here. You probably remember the scenario in Gethsemane just before His arrest. His goal was to save mankind according to His Father’s will. Had He been repentant for having created man He would have had the intention of putting everyone to death. We know that this was not the case. His objective was to forgive and to save mankind. He was contrite. He was deeply grieved because of what He had to suffer because of the sins of man, not because of His own sins. We know that He was without sin. He was contrite. He was on the right track.
Let me read Isaiah 66:2 again. You don’t need to turn there.
But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.
Jesus was certainly a prime example. The verse is also encouragement to all those who are of a contrite spirit, God will look upon you. Jesus is a prime example and in Him lies hope for all through the way and the resurrection.
Jesus did not need to repent for He was without sin. This did not spare Him from being contrite to the point of death.
See Mark 14:34 again.
Mark 14:34 (NASB)
And Jesus said to them, - My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death;
I think this verse gives us a very good definition of what it means to be contrite, to grieve deeply to the point of death. To me this agrees with the King James definition, to be crushed, broken or bruised in spirit.
This is in contrast to my Webster’s dictionary and I believe it needs to be rectified.
Being contrite is difficult to overcome. It can only be done through the grace of God who has given us a savior, Jesus, and a guide, the Bible. We must persevere onto the end.
Conclusion
There is much in the Bible that is misunderstood by many. Just count the number of denominations in the world and all their false beliefs to give you an idea. We should continue to study, to research, to learn and to teach each other and others.
It helps to have a wife, someone who may ask a question about a topic that is misunderstood and that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Thanks be to God for all things!
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