The term "pointedly" is not directly found in the text of the Bible; however, the concept of speaking or acting in a pointed, direct, or clear manner is evident throughout Scripture. This entry explores the biblical principles and examples related to pointed communication and actions, emphasizing clarity, directness, and purposefulness in accordance with God's truth.

Biblical Principles of Pointed Communication

1. Truthfulness and Clarity: The Bible emphasizes the importance of speaking truthfully and clearly. In Ephesians 4:15, believers are encouraged to "speak the truth in love," highlighting the need for honesty coupled with compassion. Pointed communication should be rooted in truth, avoiding deceit or ambiguity.

2. Purposeful Speech: Proverbs 15:23 states, "A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!" This underscores the value of speaking with purpose and intention, ensuring that words are both appropriate and timely. Pointed speech should aim to edify and build up others, aligning with God's purposes.

3. Rebuke and Correction: Scripture provides instances where pointed communication is necessary for correction and rebuke. In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul instructs Timothy to "preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." This directive highlights the role of pointed speech in guiding others back to righteousness.

Examples of Pointed Communication in Scripture

1. Jesus' Teachings: Jesus often spoke pointedly to convey deep spiritual truths and challenge the status quo. In Matthew 23, Jesus delivers a series of "woes" to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, directly addressing their hypocrisy and guiding listeners toward genuine faithfulness.

2. Nathan's Confrontation with David: In 2 Samuel 12, the prophet Nathan confronts King David about his sin with Bathsheba. Nathan uses a parable to deliver a pointed message, leading David to repentance. This example illustrates the power of pointed communication in bringing about conviction and change.

3. Paul's Letters: The Apostle Paul frequently employs pointed language in his epistles to address issues within the early church. In Galatians 2:11-14, Paul recounts his confrontation with Peter, where he "opposed him to his face" for his hypocrisy. Paul's direct approach serves to correct and unify the church under the truth of the Gospel.

Pointed Actions in Scripture

1. Prophetic Acts: Prophets in the Old Testament often performed pointed actions to convey God's messages. For instance, in Ezekiel 4, the prophet Ezekiel is instructed to perform symbolic acts to represent the siege of Jerusalem, delivering a clear and direct message of impending judgment.

2. Jesus Cleansing the Temple: In John 2:13-17, Jesus drives out the money changers from the temple, an action that is both pointed and purposeful. This act underscores His zeal for God's house and serves as a direct challenge to the corruption present in religious practices.

Conclusion

While the term "pointedly" itself is not explicitly used in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout Scripture in the form of direct, purposeful communication and actions. These instances serve as a guide for believers to speak and act with clarity, truth, and intention, reflecting the character and purposes of God.2210. zemioo -- to damage, suffer loss
... significant detriment). See 2209 (). 2210 ("experience loss") is pointedly
used in Phil 3:8. Here Paul shares the irony of how . As a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2210.htm - 8k

1905. eperotao -- to inquire of
... properly, ask appropriately (aptly), done by someone on "preferred footing" who
makes a request from a "preferred position." 2065 ("ask pointedly") is the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1905.htm - 8k

Whether the Heavens Should have Been Opened unto Christ at his ...
... And therefore it is said pointedly (Lk.3:21) that "Jesus being baptized and praying,
heaven was opened": because, to wit, the faithful after baptism stand in ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the heavens should have.htm

Who is on the Lord's Side? Exodus 32:26.
... You see this by one striking characteristic. The Christian will rebuke most pointedly
and frequently those for whom he feels the deepest compassion. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/who is on the lords.htm

Exhortation to the Heathen
... Bunsen considers its first propagators specimens of the clairvoyant art, and pointedly
cites the manipulations they were said to practice (like persons playing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/exhortation to the heathen/title page.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1792 to the Close of ...
... as I should have done. If I am restored, this shall be my theme more
pointedly than ever, God being my helper. I have been sick ...
/.../chapter 1 from the close.htm

Earnest Expostulation
... thou art, that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thyself;
for thou that judgest doest the same things:" and then he pointedly says to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 29 1883/earnest expostulation.htm

The Instructor. (P??dagogus.)
... Bunsen considers its first propagators specimens of the clairvoyant art, and pointedly
cites the manipulations they were said to practice (like persons playing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/title page.htm

Power --Its Source
... A writer has pointedly asked: "What are our souls without His grace?"as
dead as the branch in which the sap does not circulate. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/secret power/chapter i powerits source.htm

Sown among Thorns
... What fruit have you born hitherto from all your hearing? May I venture to
put the question to each one of you very pointedly'? Some ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/sown among thorns.htm

A Plea for the Christians
... Bunsen considers its first propagators specimens of the clairvoyant art, and pointedly
cites the manipulations they were said to practice (like persons playing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/athenagoras/a plea for the christians/title page.htm

Tatian's Address to the Greeks
... Bunsen considers its first propagators specimens of the clairvoyant art, and pointedly
cites the manipulations they were said to practice (like persons playing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tatian/tatians address to the greeks/title page.htm

Pointedly (1 Occurrence)
...Pointedly (1 Occurrence). Mark 8:29 Then He asked them pointedly, "But you yourselves,
who do you say that I am?" "You are the Christ," answered Peter. (WEY). ...
/p/pointedly.htm - 6k

Pointed (13 Occurrences)

/p/pointed.htm - 10k

Washing (56 Occurrences)
... Jesus pointedly contrasts Simon's neglect of even giving Him water for His feet
with the woman's washing His feet with tears and wiping them with her hair ...
/w/washing.htm - 38k

Feet (2931 Occurrences)
... Jesus pointedly contrasts Simon's neglect of even giving Him water for His feet
with the woman's washing His feet with tears and wiping them with her hair ...
/f/feet.htm - 17k

Tradition (13 Occurrences)
... It was against the tradition of the elders in this first sense that Jesus spoke
so pointedly to the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 15:2 Mark 7:3 f). The ...
/t/tradition.htm - 17k

Pointeth (1 Occurrence)

/p/pointeth.htm - 6k

Yourselves (530 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Mark 8:29 Then He asked them pointedly, "But you yourselves, who do you
say that I am?" "You are the Christ," answered Peter. (WEY). ...
/y/yourselves.htm - 36k

Arrest (22 Occurrences)
... The dignified and appropriate answer of Jesus pointedly brought before the judge
the irregularity he was committing, and was a reminder that His trial should ...
/a/arrest.htm - 45k

Trial (45 Occurrences)
... The dignified and appropriate answer of Jesus pointedly brought before the judge
the irregularity he was committing, and was a reminder that His trial should ...
/t/trial.htm - 52k

Paul (207 Occurrences)
... Indeed, Bartlet ("Historic Setting of the Pastoral Epistles," The Expositor, January,
1913, 29) pointedly says that, as a result of Hort's "Judaistic ...
/p/paul.htm - 101k

Does Romans 2:7 teach works salvation? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Lactantius? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to walk in the light? | GotQuestions.org

Pointedly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus