The term "doubteth" is an archaic form of the verb "doubt," which appears in various translations of the Bible, including older versions like the King James Version. In the context of Scripture, doubt refers to a state of uncertainty or lack of faith, often in relation to God's promises, power, or presence. The concept of doubt is addressed in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting both the human tendency to doubt and the call to trust in God.

Biblical Instances and Teachings

1. Faith and Doubt in the New Testament:
The New Testament frequently addresses the issue of doubt, particularly in the context of faith. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus speaks directly to the issue of doubt in the account of Peter walking on water. When Peter begins to sink, Jesus reaches out to him and says, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31). This passage illustrates the struggle between faith and doubt, emphasizing the importance of keeping one's focus on Christ.

2. The Epistle of James:
The Book of James provides a clear admonition against doubt in the context of prayer. James writes, "But let him ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind" (James 1:6). This imagery underscores the instability that doubt brings to the believer's life, contrasting it with the steadfastness of faith.

3. Thomas the Apostle:
One of the most well-known biblical figures associated with doubt is Thomas, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. After the resurrection, Thomas expressed skepticism about Jesus' return, saying, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe" (John 20:25). When Jesus later appears to Thomas, He invites him to touch His wounds, leading Thomas to proclaim, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28). This account highlights the transformative power of encountering the risen Christ, turning doubt into faith.

4. The Role of Faith:
Throughout Scripture, faith is presented as the antidote to doubt. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see" . This assurance is rooted in the character and promises of God, who is faithful and unchanging. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a faith that trusts in God's word and His ability to fulfill His promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain.

5. Encouragement to Believers:
The Bible encourages believers to bring their doubts to God, seeking His wisdom and guidance. In Mark 9:24, a father seeking healing for his son cries out to Jesus, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" . This honest admission of doubt, coupled with a desire for faith, is met with compassion and action by Jesus, demonstrating God's willingness to meet us in our struggles and strengthen our faith.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, doubt is not merely an intellectual issue but a spiritual one. It challenges the believer's relationship with God and can hinder spiritual growth. However, the Bible also presents doubt as an opportunity for deeper faith and reliance on God. By confronting doubts and seeking God's truth, believers can experience a more profound understanding of His nature and His will for their lives.

In summary, while doubt is a common human experience, the Bible calls believers to overcome it through faith, prayer, and a deeper relationship with God. The Scriptures provide both examples of doubt and encouragement to trust in God's promises, offering a path to spiritual maturity and assurance in His unfailing love.

He that Doubteth is Damned if He Eat, Because He Eateth not of ...
... He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; he whatsoever
is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:28. ... And he that doubteth is condemned. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/he that doubteth is damned.htm

Solemn Charge to Hero, as Future Bishop of Antioch.
... Keep God in remembrance, and thou shalt never sin. Be not double-minded
[1290] in thy prayers; for blessed is he who doubteth not. ...
/.../chapter vii solemn charge to hero.htm

Concerning the Power of the Civil Magistrate in Matters Purely ...
... Hence the apostle saith, Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin; and he that [1228]
doubteth is damned if he eat; though the thing might have been lawful to another ...
/.../proposition xiv concerning the power.htm

As to those who are Overtaken by an Involuntary Flux in the Night ...
... And he that doubteth in the matter of meats, the apostle tells us, "is damned if
he eat." [775] In these things, therefore, let every one who approaches God be ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/canon iv as to those.htm

The Limits of Liberty
... And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith:
for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.'"Romans 14:12-23. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the limits of liberty.htm

Things Clean and Unclean According to the Law and the Gospel.
... does the suspicion that things have been sacrificed to idols condemn him who eats,
but even the doubt concerning this; for "he that doubteth," according to the ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/12 things clean and unclean.htm

For Should any Attempt to Dispute against These Two Last Opinions. ...
... If then Genesis is silent as to God's making of any thing, which yet that God did
make neither sound faith nor well-grounded understanding doubteth, nor again ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxii for should any.htm

He Discusses Whether Matter was from Eternity, or was Made by God.
... If, then, Genesis is silent as to anything that God has made, which, however, neither
sound faith nor unerring understanding doubteth that God hath made, [1144 ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xxii he discusses whether matter.htm

Psalm IX.
... 2. "I will confess unto Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart" (ver.1). He doth not,
with a whole heart, confess unto God, who doubteth of His Providence in any ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ix.htm

Another Sermon of M. Latimer, Concerning the Same Matter.
... Augustine doubteth in this case, whether thy oblations, prayers, or good deeds,
shall avail thee before God, or no, until thy neighbour come again to good state ...
/.../sermons on the card and other discourses/another sermon of m latimer.htm

Doubteth (2 Occurrences)
...Doubteth (2 Occurrences). Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat,
because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. ...
/d/doubteth.htm - 6k

Doubtful (4 Occurrences)

/d/doubtful.htm - 8k

Eateth (81 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he
eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/e/eateth.htm - 31k

Doubt (49 Occurrences)
... For the second see Matthew 21:21 Mark 11:23 Acts 10:20 Romans 14:23. The last-named
is deserving of particular attention. "He that doubteth is condemned (the ...
/d/doubt.htm - 24k

Damned (3 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth
not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (KJV WBS). ...
/d/damned.htm - 7k

Damnation (11 Occurrences)
... He that "doubteth", ie, is not clear in his conscience as to "meats", will violate
his conscience "if he eat," and in eating is condemned; and thus one ought ...
/d/damnation.htm - 18k

Doubters (2 Occurrences)

/d/doubters.htm - 7k

Offend (24 Occurrences)
... so as to place a stumbling-block before his brother, or, rather, `without the
confidence that he is doing right'; compare 14:23, "He that doubteth is condemned ...
/o/offend.htm - 23k

Offence (27 Occurrences)
... so as to place a stumbling-block before his brother, or, rather, `without the
confidence that he is doing right'; compare 14:23, "He that doubteth is condemned ...
/o/offence.htm - 25k

Whatsoever (167 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth
not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (KJV ASV). ...
/w/whatsoever.htm - 35k

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