Definition and Meaning:
The term "gainsayer" refers to individuals who oppose, contradict, or speak against certain teachings or truths. In a biblical context, gainsayers are often those who resist or challenge the teachings of Scripture or the authority of God’s messengers. The word is derived from the Old English "gain," meaning "against," and "say," meaning "to speak."

Biblical References:
The concept of gainsayers is addressed in several passages of the Bible, where they are often depicted as those who resist the truth and oppose the teachings of the apostles and prophets.

1. Titus 1:9-11 :
"He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. For there are many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced. They are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain."

In this passage, the Apostle Paul instructs Titus on the qualifications of church leaders, emphasizing the need to refute gainsayers. These individuals are described as rebellious and deceitful, spreading false teachings for personal gain.

2. Acts 13:45 :
"But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him."

Here, gainsayers are depicted as those who, driven by jealousy, oppose the message of the Gospel preached by Paul. Their contradiction is not based on truth but on emotional and personal biases.

3. Romans 10:21 :
"But as for Israel He says: 'All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.'"

Although the term "gainsayer" is not explicitly used, the description of Israel as disobedient and obstinate aligns with the characteristics of gainsayers, who resist God's outreach and persist in their opposition.

Characteristics of Gainsayers:
Gainsayers are often characterized by their resistance to truth and authority. They may be motivated by jealousy, pride, or a desire for personal gain. Their opposition is typically marked by contradiction, deceit, and rebellion against sound doctrine.

Response to Gainsayers:
The biblical response to gainsayers involves holding firmly to sound doctrine and refuting false teachings. Church leaders are called to silence gainsayers by teaching the truth with clarity and authority. This requires a deep understanding of Scripture and the ability to discern and address falsehoods effectively.

Theological Implications:
Gainsayers pose a significant challenge to the integrity and unity of the Christian community. Their presence necessitates vigilance and a commitment to upholding the truth of the Gospel. The church is called to protect its members from deceptive teachings and to ensure that the message of Christ remains untainted by opposition.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to be discerning and to test all teachings against the Word of God. Engaging with gainsayers requires wisdom, patience, and a firm grounding in Scripture. Christians are called to respond with love and truth, seeking to correct and guide those who oppose the faith while maintaining the integrity of the Gospel message.

That Thy Resurrection Might be Believed among the Gainsayers, they ...
... Hymn VIII. That Thy Resurrection might be believed among the gainsayers,
they sealed Thee up within the sepulchre, and set guards. ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn viii that thy resurrection.htm

That Ghostly Song Accords not with Bodily: and the Cause and the ...
... BOOK II CHAPTER III THAT GHOSTLY SONG ACCORDS NOT WITH BODILY: AND THE
CAUSE AND THE ERROR OF GAINSAYERS. AND OF KNOWLEDGE INSHED ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter iii that ghostly song.htm

Introduction: --The Purpose of the Book a vindication of Christian
... manifestation of demons is driven away by this Sign [104] , and Christ alone is
worshipped and the Father known through Him, and, while gainsayers are put to ...
/.../section 1 introduction the purpose of.htm

And Perhaps Also from the Words, "For Ye See Your Calling...
... man the bishop ought to be, lays down as a qualification that he should also be
a teacher, saying that he ought to be able to convince the gainsayers, that by ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlviii and perhaps also.htm

"Will You Affirm that to be False, which with a Strong Voice Truth ...
... of any thing transitory. "What will ye say then, O ye gainsayers? Are these
things false?" "No," they say; "What then? Is it false ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xv will you affirm.htm

1 Cor. xv. 11
... Hereby also again abating the boldness of the gainsayers: in that he said not,
"how say, ye," but, "how say some among you." And neither doth he bring a charge ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxix 1 cor xv.htm

Titus i. 5, 6
... "That he may be able both to exhort, and to convince the gainsayers.". ... "And to
convince the gainsayers." For if this is not done, all is lost. ...
/.../homily ii titus i 5.htm

'Time for Thee to Work'
... movement of thought, the contemplation of the departures makes him tighten his own
hold on the law of the Lord, and the contempt of the gainsayers quickens his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/time for thee to work.htm

The Evidences of Christianity, Deduced from the New Testament ...
... in his sphere, set for the defence of the Gospel [53] , each might, in some measure,
be able to assert its truth, and, if possible, to convince gainsayers [54 ...
/.../the evidences of christianity/the evidences of christianity deduced.htm

But in Truth was There Either Decree of any Law...
... But in truth was there either decree of any law, or power of gainsayers, or vile
character of persons consecrated, or shameful report, or newness of institution ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 18 but in truth.htm

Gainsayers (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gainsayers (1 Occurrence). Titus 1:9 Holding
fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may ...
/g/gainsayers.htm - 6k

Gainsay (1 Occurrence)
... Gainsayer, antilego (Titus 1:9, "exhort and convince (the Revised Version
(British and American) "convict") the gainsayers"). Gainsaying ...
/g/gainsay.htm - 8k

Gainsaying (6 Occurrences)

/g/gainsaying.htm - 8k

Refute (6 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:9 clinging to the faithful word according to the doctrine taught, that he
may be able both to encourage with sound teaching and refute gainsayers. ...
/r/refute.htm - 9k

Clinging (4 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:9 clinging to the faithful word according to the doctrine taught, that he
may be able both to encourage with sound teaching and refute gainsayers. ...
/c/clinging.htm - 7k

Convince (7 Occurrences)
... (WEY RSV). Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that
he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. ...
/c/convince.htm - 9k

Confute (2 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:9 holding -- according to the teaching -- to the stedfast word, that he
may be able also to exhort in the sound teaching, and the gainsayers to convict ...
/c/confute.htm - 7k

Stedfast (84 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:9 holding -- according to the teaching -- to the stedfast word, that he
may be able also to exhort in the sound teaching, and the gainsayers to convict ...
/s/stedfast.htm - 30k

Instruction (117 Occurrences)
... Titus 1:9 holding -- according to the teaching -- to the stedfast word, that he
may be able also to exhort in the sound teaching, and the gainsayers to convict ...
/i/instruction.htm - 35k

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