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Contradictions Debunked Immoral Evidence Silly Debate

Contradictions Debunked Immoral Evidence Silly Debate

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Apolog

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Is it OK to covet? · Apolog

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ContradictionsReading order 520Bible context 2 min read

Is it OK to covet?

The older English word covet describes both encouraged aspiration and prohibited acquisitive desire, with different objects in each group.

Textual conflict: Weak contradiction; The supplied passages do not establish incompatible claims. Different events, meanings, or conditions may account for the difference.
Importance: Major; A major event or claim with wider implications.

Desiring spiritual abilities does not mean desiring a neighbor's possessions, so the shared English verb does not identify one act both required and forbidden.

An editorial assessment of the quoted passages. Importance describes the stakes; it does not increase certainty. Reading order weighs both.

PreviousWhat is God's name? NextHow should Sabbath-breakers be punished?

Believers should earnestly desire prophetic and spiritual gifts

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:39

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:1 Corinthians 14

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 12:31

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:1 Corinthians 12

People must not covet another person's household or possessions

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What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Romans 7:7

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:Romans 7

For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Romans 13:9

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:Romans 13

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Ephesians 5:3

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:Ephesians 5

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Colossians 3:5

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:Colossians 3

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

Exodus 20:17

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:Exodus 20

Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

Deuteronomy 5:21

Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)

Read the full chapter:Deuteronomy 5

Understanding the contradiction

1 Corinthians 14:39 tells believers to covet prophecy, while 1 Corinthians 12:31 tells them to desire the best gifts. The desired objects are abilities or spiritual gifts, not a neighbor's spouse or property. The passages do not instruct taking those gifts away from another person.

Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21 prohibit desiring what belongs to a neighbor. Romans 13:9 places that command within love of neighbor, while Colossians 3:5 condemns covetousness as idolatry. The shared English verb therefore does not identify an identical moral act. The texts distinguish aspiration for a commended gift from possessive desire directed at someone else's life and belongings. This comparison does not establish that the same specific desire is both required and forbidden.

Topics

contradiction1 CorinthiansRomansEphesiansColossiansExodusDeuteronomy

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