The term "discoursed" refers to the act of speaking or engaging in conversation, often in a formal or extended manner. In the context of the Bible, discoursing is a significant aspect of communication, teaching, and revelation. Throughout Scripture, various figures engage in discourse to convey divine truths, moral teachings, and prophetic messages.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, discoursing is often associated with the communication between God and His prophets, as well as the teachings of wise men. For instance, the book of Job is a profound example of discourse, where Job and his friends engage in extended dialogues about suffering, justice, and the nature of God. Job 29:22 states, "After my words, they spoke no more; my speech settled on them like dew."

The wisdom literature, including Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, is rich with discourses that impart moral and ethical teachings. Solomon, known for his wisdom, discoursed on various topics, providing guidance and instruction to the people of Israel.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the central figure who discoursed extensively, often using parables and sermons to teach about the Kingdom of God. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is one of the most significant discourses of Jesus, where He expounds on the Beatitudes, the fulfillment of the Law, and the principles of righteous living.

The Gospel of John records several discourses of Jesus, including His conversation with Nicodemus about being born again (John 3) and His discourse on the Bread of Life (John 6). These teachings reveal deep theological truths and the nature of salvation.

The apostles also engaged in discourse as they spread the Gospel and established the early Church. The Book of Acts records numerous instances where the apostles discoursed with both Jews and Gentiles, explaining the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in Jesus Christ and the implications of His resurrection. Acts 17:2 notes, "As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures."

Theological Significance

Discoursing in the Bible is not merely about exchanging words; it is a means of divine revelation and instruction. Through discourse, God communicates His will, reveals His character, and instructs His people in righteousness. The act of discoursing is integral to the prophetic tradition, where prophets are called to speak God's words to His people, often challenging them to repentance and faithfulness.

In the New Testament, the discourses of Jesus and the apostles serve as foundational teachings for Christian doctrine and practice. They provide insight into the nature of God, the work of Christ, and the life of the believer. The emphasis on discourse underscores the importance of teaching and preaching in the life of the Church, as believers are called to proclaim the Gospel and disciple others in the faith.

Practical Application

For believers today, the biblical model of discoursing emphasizes the importance of engaging in meaningful conversations about faith, doctrine, and the application of Scripture in daily life. It encourages Christians to be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is within them (1 Peter 3:15) and to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Engaging in discourse is a vital part of spiritual growth and community life, as it fosters understanding, edification, and unity within the body of Christ.(imp. & p. p.) of Discourse.

Concerning the Three Kinds of Gods About which the Pontiff ...
... Book IV. Chapter 27."Concerning the Three Kinds of Gods About Which the
Pontiff Sc??vola Has Discoursed. It is recorded that the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 27 concerning the three kinds.htm

Of the Nature of the Perseverance Here Discoursed Of.
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 1 [I.]"Of the Nature of
the Perseverance Here Discoursed of. I Have now to consider ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 1 i of the nature.htm

Acts xx. 1
... It was also, it says, the Lord's day. [1003] Not even during night-time was he
silent, nay he discoursed the rather then, because of stillness. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xliii acts xx 1.htm

1 Cor. xi. 28
... was speaking of the duty of not going to law before those courts, then also having
fallen upon the admonition respecting covetousness, he discoursed at length ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxviii 1 cor xi.htm

Matt. xvi. 28
... Thus, inasmuch as He had discoursed much of dangers and death, and of His own passion,
and of the slaughter of the disciples, and had laid on them those severe ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lvi matt xvi 28.htm

Vive Jesus. Preface.
... sweetness! For this reason those amongst the schoolmen that discoursed
the most and the best of it, did also most excel in piety. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/vive jesus preface.htm

Acts xxviii. 17-20
... not, we speak against it, but "it is spoken against." Then he did not immediately
answer, but gave them a day, and they came to him, and he discoursed, it says ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily lv acts xxviii 17-20.htm

The Time and Arrangement of S. Cyril's Lectures.
... John, who had then succeeded Cyril as Bishop of Jerusalem, had on a certain occasion
discoursed on the Creed and all the doctrines of the Church in the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/chapter ix the time and arrangement.htm

Acts xvii. 1, 2, 3
... But how comes it that he said, "That we should go unto the heathen, and they unto
the circumcision" (Galatians 2:9), and yet discoursed to the Jews? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxvii acts xvii 1.htm

Tillotson -- the Reasonableness of a Resurrection
... They said, "he seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods, because he preached
unto them Jesus and the resurrection." He had discoursed to them of the ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/tillotson the reasonableness of.htm

Discoursed (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Discourse. Multi-Version Concordance
Discoursed (4 Occurrences). Acts 20:7 And upon the ...
/d/discoursed.htm - 7k

Discourse (25 Occurrences)

/d/discourse.htm - 14k

Overpowered (12 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:9 And a certain youth, by name Eutychus, sitting at the window-opening,
overpowered by deep sleep, while Paul discoursed very much at length, having ...
/o/overpowered.htm - 10k

Discourses (4 Occurrences)

/d/discourses.htm - 7k

Bottom (33 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:9 And a certain youth, by name Eutychus, sitting at the window-opening,
overpowered by deep sleep, while Paul discoursed very much at length, having ...
/b/bottom.htm - 20k

Borne (172 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:9 And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne
down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by ...
/b/borne.htm - 38k

Assembled (186 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS). Acts 20:7 And the first day of the week, we being assembled to break
bread, Paul discoursed to them, about to depart on the morrow. ...
/a/assembled.htm - 36k

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... Again he records that the Almighty discoursed to him about the ostrich in the following
manner: "The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; But are they the ...
/o/ostrich.htm - 18k

Purity (16 Occurrences)
... In 1 Corinthians 7 we see how carefully and kindly Paul discoursed about
all the complications in matters pertaining to sex. Then ...
/p/purity.htm - 30k

Gospel (108 Occurrences)
... growing with their mind, becomes joined with it; so that I am able to describe the
very place in which the blessed Polycarp sat as he discoursed, and his ...
/g/gospel.htm - 101k

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