Contrapositive

While we were at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas my wife had a very good teacher for mathematics classes. One of the problems on one test was to take a verse from the Bible and then you had to make an equivalent statement out of it called a contrapositive. God created logic and logic is very evident in scripture.

The verse on the test was 2 Timothy 3:12.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

If it is not in an if-then form then you must put it in that form.

If you will live godly in Christ Jesus then you shall suffer persecution.

The correct answer for the test was:

If you do not suffer persecution then you are not living godly in Christ Jesus.

The idea is that the second statement is logically equivalent to the first and is always true if the first statement is true.

Here is a generic example, "If it is raining then the streets are wet." The only other way to write it and it always be true is, " If the streets are not wet then it is not raining."

Galatians 3:29 is already in the if - then form.

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The contrapositive would be:

If ye be not Abraham's seed, or not heirs according to the promise, then ye are not Christ's.

Here is another from Galatians 3:7

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Here is the statement in if - then format.

If ye are they which are of faith, then you are the children of Abraham.

Now for the contrapositive.

If you are not the children of Abraham, then ye are not they which are of faith.
John 8:31 "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples"

Now for the contrapositive.

If ye are not my disciples then ye continue not in my word.


Romans 8:17 if children, then heirs
If not heirs then not children.

John 15:10a If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.
You shall not abide in my love if you do not keep my commandments.

1 Corinthians 15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
If Christ is risen then there is a resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
If our preaching is not in vain or your faith is not also in vain then Christ is risen.

1 Corinthians 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
If Christ is raised then the dead rise.

Hebrews 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
If he had afterward spoken of another day then Jesus did not give them rest.

1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
If we have no confidence toward God then our heart condemns us.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you have been immersed in Christ, Christ you have been clothed in.
If you have not been clothed in Christ, then you have not been immersed in Christ.

Try this. This has to do with the heart and also the sheep. Christ taught in parables so that not everyone would understand. Christ chose only His sheep to hear. A sheep can choose not to hear. Scripture tells us that the vast majority of the sheep chose to hear and heard Him gladly.

Matthew 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Do not let him hear who does not have ears to hear.

Romans 11:6 already has both the statement and contrapositive. Take a look and see if you can spot them both.

Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

This is something to keep in mind when you are listening to your preacher. Many times I have heard them reword a verse in such a manner that it is no longer a contrapositive of the original statement. I am convinced that there are many truths in the scriptures that may be seen through this method.

Tim




Printable Version

Feel free to send your helpful comments.

Thank You


Gospel Minutes

Gospel Minutes.org

Click on a study below.

Separate articles on Marriage, Children, Divorce, Remarriage and Adultery

Separate articles on the Law and the Covenants
- - - - - - - - -
Main Page Articles

An Important Aspect of the Nature of God.

Two Bibles

Taking the Poison Shot is Sin

Wise Men Astrologers?

The Improper Use of the Moon

The Rapture and "I Want to Be Left Behind!"

John 3:16 Rewritten

Instrumental Music or Acapella Singing?

Becoming a Christian - Are you sure you are one?

Is it Right to Speak in Tongues?

Silence

Ruth the Israelite

Judah's Sin

Disfellowship

Contrapositive

This is My Body, Literally?

Pride Comes Before Destruction

Why is God going to make a new Earth?

Is hell an Eternal Punishment?

What is the Lake of Fire?

Sons or Angels of God?

The Rich Man and Lazarus

The Sacred Name of God

Passover? Should We observe it?

The Book of Jasher

Which Bible Version?

What about the Ten Northern Tribes?

- - - - - - - - -
Separate articles on Marriage, Children, Divorce, Remarriage and Adultery

Separate articles on the Law and the Covenants

E-mail Your Comment or Question


Gospel Minutes Start Page