In biblical terms, the concept of "confer" involves consulting, discussing, or deliberating with others, often to seek advice, guidance, or confirmation. This action is seen throughout Scripture as a means of gaining wisdom, making decisions, and ensuring alignment with God's will.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several instances where conferring is a key element in decision-making processes. In 1 Kings 12:6-8, Rehoboam, Solomon's son, confers with the elders who had served his father Solomon. The elders advise him to serve the people and speak kindly to them, but Rehoboam rejects their counsel after conferring with the young men who had grown up with him. This decision leads to the division of the kingdom, illustrating the importance of seeking wise counsel.

Proverbs, a book dedicated to wisdom, frequently emphasizes the value of seeking advice. Proverbs 15:22 states, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." This highlights the biblical principle that conferring with others can lead to successful outcomes.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the practice of conferring is evident in the early church's decision-making processes. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council is a prime example where the apostles and elders confer to address the issue of Gentile believers and the Mosaic Law. Acts 15:6 notes, "So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter." This gathering underscores the importance of collective discernment and unity in the body of Christ.

The Apostle Paul also exemplifies the act of conferring in his ministry. In Galatians 1:16-17 , Paul mentions that after his conversion, he did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did he go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before him. Instead, he went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. This indicates that while conferring with others is valuable, there are times when direct revelation from God takes precedence.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, conferring is seen as a means of seeking wisdom and ensuring that decisions align with God's purposes. It reflects the communal nature of the faith, where believers are encouraged to seek counsel from one another and to submit to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. James 1:5 encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, promising that it will be given generously to those who seek it.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the act of conferring is vital for personal and communal decision-making within the Christian life. It involves humility, recognizing that no one person has all the answers, and that God often speaks through the counsel of others. Believers are encouraged to seek advice from those who are spiritually mature and to weigh their counsel against the truth of Scripture.

In summary, the biblical concept of conferring underscores the importance of seeking wise counsel, engaging in communal discernment, and aligning decisions with God's will. It is a practice that reflects the interconnectedness of the body of Christ and the value of collective wisdom.1. (v. t.) To grant as a possession; to bestow.

2. (v. t.) To bring together for comparison; to compare.

3. (v. t.) To contribute; to conduce.

4. (v. i.) To have discourse; to consult; to compare views; to deliberate.

CONFER; CONFERENCE

kon'-fer, kon'-ferens: The equivalent of three Greek words of different shades of meaning. In Galatians 1:16, prosanatithemi, had been used in classical writers for resorting to oracles (Lightfoot on Galatians 2:6; Ellicott on Galatians 1:16); hence, "to take counsel with," "to consult." In Acts 4:15, sumballo, "to compare views," "discuss"; and in Acts 25:12, sullaleo, "to talk together." Compare the single passage in the Old Testament (1 Kings 1:7).

1793. entugchano -- to chance upon, by impl. confer with, by ext. ...
... entugchano. 1794 . to chance upon, by impl. confer with, by ext. ... Word Origin from
en and tugchano Definition to chance upon, by impl. confer with, by ext. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1793.htm - 8k

1757. eneulogeo -- to confer a benefit on, to bless
... to confer a benefit on, to bless. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eneulogeo
Phonetic Spelling: (en-yoo-log-eh'-o) Short Definition: I bless Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1757.htm - 7k

4820. sumballo -- to throw together, hence to discuss, consider ...
... consider, meet with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sumballo Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-bal'-lo) Short Definition: I ponder, encounter, confer or dispute ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4820.htm - 7k

4814. sullaleo -- to talk together
... confer, talk with, commune. From sun and laleo; to talk together, ie Converse --
commune (confer, talk) with, speak among. see GREEK sun. see GREEK laleo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4814.htm - 6k

2127. eulogeo -- to speak well of, praise
... 2127 ("confer what is beneficial") is used of God people (Lk 1:28; Eph 1:3; Heb
6:14, etc.) -- and His people (Lk 1:64, 2:28, 24:53; 1 Cor 14:16; Js 3:9). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2127.htm - 8k

3930. parecho -- to furnish, to present
... I offer, provide Definition: act. and mid: I offer, provide, confer, afford,
give, bring, show, cause. 3930 (from 3844 , "from close ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3930.htm - 8k

4323. prosanatithemi -- to lay on besides, hence to undertake ...
... From pros and anatithemai; to lay up in addition, ie (middle voice and figuratively)
to impart or (by implication) to consult -- in conference add, confer. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4323.htm - 6k

4060. peritithemi -- to place around
... peritithemi Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-tith'-ay-mee) Short Definition: I put around,
bestow Definition: I place or put around, clothe; fig: I bestow, confer. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4060.htm - 7k

3276. yaal -- to confer or gain profit or benefit
... 3275, 3276. yaal. 3277 . to confer or gain profit or benefit. Transliteration:
yaal Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-al') Short Definition: profit. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/3276.htm - 6k

2064. zabad -- bestow upon, endow with
... root Definition bestow upon, endow with NASB Word Usage endowed (1). endure. A
primitive root; to confer -- endure. 2063, 2064. zabad. 2065 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/2064.htm - 5k

1697. dabar -- speech, word
... because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment,
X commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, + dearth ...
/hebrew/1697.htm - 8k

Whether Deacons Can Confer this Sacrament?
... OF THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (THREE ARTICLES) Whether deacons can confer
this sacrament? ... Therefore deacons also can confer it. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether deacons can confer this.htm

Resolution of the Army to Confer Thence-Forward the Title of ...
... Book IV. Chapter LXVIII."Resolution of the Army to confer thence-forward
the Title of Augustus on his Sons. Meanwhile the tribunes ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter lxviii resolution of the army.htm

Of those who Confer this Sacrament (Two Articles)
... OF THOSE WHO CONFER THIS SACRAMENT (TWO ARTICLES). We must now consider those who
confer this sacrament. ... (1) Whether a bishop alone can confer this sacrament? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of those who confer this.htm

Whether one that is not Baptized Can Confer the Sacrament of ...
... OF THE MINISTERS BY WHOM THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM IS CONFERRED (EIGHT ARTICLES)
Whether one that is not baptized can confer the sacrament of Baptism? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether one that is not.htm

Whether a Layman Can Confer this Sacrament?
... OF THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (THREE ARTICLES) Whether a layman can confer
this sacrament? ... Therefore he can confer this sacrament. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a layman can confer.htm

Whether None but a Bishop Can Confer this Sacrament?
... OF THE MINISTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (THREE ARTICLES) Whether none but a bishop can
confer this sacrament? ... Therefore only a bishop can confer this sacrament. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether none but a bishop.htm

Whether Only a Bishop Can Confer this Sacrament?
... CONFIRMATION (Q ) Whether only a bishop can confer this sacrament? Objection 1:
It seems that not only a bishop can confer this sacrament. For Gregory (Regist. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether only a bishop can.htm

The Arians and Melitians Confer Celebrity on Athanasius ...
... Chapter XVIII."The Arians and Melitians confer Celebrity on Athanasius; concerning
Eusebius, and his Request of Athanasius to admit Arius to Communion ...
/.../chapter xviii the arians and melitians.htm

Whether Heretics and those who are Cut Off from the Church Can ...
... OF THOSE WHO CONFER THIS SACRAMENT (TWO ARTICLES) Whether heretics and those who
are cut off from the Church can confer Orders? [*Cf. TP, Q , AA ,9]. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether heretics and those who.htm

God is under no Obligation to Confer this Grace Upon Any...
... Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine Article 15 God is under no obligation
to confer this grace upon any? God is under no obligation ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/article 15 god is under.htm

Confer (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONFER; CONFERENCE. ...Confer (6 Occurrences). Luke
22:29 I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, (WEB NIV). ...
/c/confer.htm - 9k

Bless (174 Occurrences)
... consecrate. 2. (vt) To make happy, blithesome, or joyous; to confer prosperity
or happiness upon; to grant divine favor to. 3. (vt ...
/b/bless.htm - 46k

Conference (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONFER; CONFERENCE. kon'-fer, kon'-ferens: The
equivalent of three Greek words of different shades of meaning. ...
/c/conference.htm - 8k

Grant (87 Occurrences)
... petition. 2. (vt) To bestow or confer, with or without compensation,
particularly in answer to prayer or request; to give. 3. (vt ...
/g/grant.htm - 31k

Doctor (5 Occurrences)
... of philosophy. Such diplomas may confer an honorary title only. 3 ... cart. 7.
(vt) To confer a doctorate upon; to make a doctor. 8. (vt ...
/d/doctor.htm - 10k

Conferred (22 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Confer. Multi-Version Concordance ... (WEY RSV). Luke 22:29 I confer
on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, (WEB NIV). ...
/c/conferred.htm - 12k

Volition
... Yet God's counsel, His will in its completeness, ever prevails, and man, in resisting
it, deprives himself of the good it seeks to confer upon him. ...
/v/volition.htm - 11k

Kind (290 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Showing tenderness or goodness; disposed to do good and confer happiness;
averse to hurting or paining; benevolent; benignant; gracious. ...
/k/kind.htm - 35k

Utterance (21 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 14:6 But, brethren, as things are, if I come to you speaking in 'tongues,'
what benefit shall I confer on you, if the utterance is neither in the ...
/u/utterance.htm - 12k

Ordain (13 Occurrences)
... to Esther 13:6; Acts 10:42; Acts 13:48; Acts 17:31 Romans 13:1. (5) To appoint
ceremonially to the ministerial or priestly office, to confer holy orders on. ...
/o/ordain.htm - 19k

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