Infer
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In the context of biblical study, the term "infer" refers to the process of drawing conclusions from the text that are not explicitly stated but are implied through context, language, and the broader narrative of Scripture. Inference is a critical component of hermeneutics, the art and science of interpreting the Bible, as it allows readers to understand deeper meanings and applications of biblical passages.

Biblical Basis for Inference

The Bible itself provides examples where inference is necessary to grasp the full meaning of a passage. For instance, Jesus often used parables, which required listeners to infer the underlying spiritual truths. In Matthew 13:10-11 , the disciples ask Jesus why He speaks in parables, and He responds, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." Here, the inference is that understanding requires spiritual insight and discernment.

Inference in Doctrine

Many Christian doctrines are derived from inference. The doctrine of the Trinity, for example, is not explicitly stated in Scripture but is inferred from various passages. In Matthew 28:19 , Jesus commands, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The singular "name" coupled with the threefold reference to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit suggests a unity of essence, leading to the inference of the Trinity.

Inference in Moral and Ethical Teachings

Inference is also used to apply biblical principles to contemporary moral and ethical issues. While the Bible may not address every modern situation directly, principles can be inferred from its teachings. For example, the Bible does not explicitly mention modern technologies, but principles regarding stewardship and the sanctity of life can be inferred from passages like Genesis 1:28 , where God commands humanity to "fill the earth and subdue it," implying responsible management of creation.

Cautions in Inference

While inference is a valuable tool, it must be approached with caution to avoid misinterpretation. Inferences should be consistent with the overall message of Scripture and supported by the text. 2 Timothy 2:15 advises, "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth." This underscores the importance of careful study and reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Examples of Inference in Scripture

1. The Nature of God: In Romans 1:20 , Paul writes, "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse." Here, the inference is that the natural world reveals aspects of God's character.

2. Faith and Works: James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." The inference is that genuine faith naturally produces good works, a principle that informs Christian living.

3. Resurrection and Eternal Life: In John 11:25-26 , Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die." The inference is that belief in Christ assures eternal life, a cornerstone of Christian hope.

Inference, when used responsibly, enriches the study of Scripture, allowing believers to uncover deeper truths and apply biblical principles to their lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. t.) To bring on; to induce; to occasion.

2. (v. t.) To offer, as violence.

3. (v. t.) To bring forward, or employ as an argument; to adduce; to allege; to offer.

4. (v. t.) To derive by deduction or by induction; to conclude or surmise from facts or premises; to accept or derive, as a consequence, conclusion, or probability; to imply; as, I inferred his determination from his silence.

5. (v. t.) To show; to manifest; to prove.

Greek
4822. sumbibazo -- to join together, hence to consider, by ext. to ...
... to force; causative (by reduplication) of the base of basis); to drive together,
ie Unite (in association or affection), (mentally) to infer, show, teach ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4822.htm - 8k
Library

The Time of Doubting and of Spiritual Darkness Constitutes
... is withdrawn; when the believer, from the prevalence of indwelling sin in one form
or other, is ready to renounce his hopes, to infer desperate conclusions ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/x the time of doubting.htm

The Inner and the Outer Revelation.
... You can never infer from the goodness of God that He can forgive; much less,
that He must. One of the first Universalist preachers ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xiv the inner and the.htm

From the Birth to the Ascension of Jesus.
... 23; (b) We know that he had a normal growth, Lu.2:40; (c) At twelve years old he
was remarkably developed and from his reply to his mother we may infer that he ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xviii from the birth.htm

Responsibilities of the Christian Home.
... From the potent influence and moral stewardship of the Christian home, we may infer
its responsibility. The former is the argument for the latter. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter vii responsibilities of the.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... her. From this, however, we are not entitled to infer that the moral condition
of the children was better than that of the mother. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

Dionysius the Areopagite and the Alexandrine School.
... Now, if Pantaenus was pupil of those who had seen the Apostles, and yet had, not
listened to their oral teaching, it is natural to infer that he was pupil ...
/.../letters of dionysius the areopagite/dionysius the areopagite and the.htm

Baptism.
... the enjoyment of a green old age, [472:3] and as very few overpass the term of
fourscore years and six, we are certainly not at liberty to infer, without any ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii baptism.htm

Light at Evening Time
... establish a general law, they think it necessary to collect a considerable number
of individual instances; these being put together, they then infer from them ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/light at evening time.htm

Attributes of Love.
... And we must infer, too, from the term itself, that the means are unobjectionable;
because it is absurd to suppose that good would be chosen because it is good ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xiv attributes of love.htm

The Answer to a Seventh Letter,
... exist, because its existence is necessary, then necessity is the ground or reason
or foundation of that existence; and the existence does not infer, (that is a ...
/.../the answer to a seventh.htm

Thesaurus
Infer (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (vt) To show; to manifest; to prove. Multi-Version Concordance Infer (1 Occurrence).
Romans 9:14 What then are we to infer? That there is injustice in God? ...
/i/infer.htm - 7k

Gather (251 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To derive, or deduce, as an inference; to collect, as a conclusion, from
circumstances that suggest, or arguments that prove; to infer; to conclude. ...
/g/gather.htm - 47k

Presume (10 Occurrences)
... To take or suppose to be true, or entitled to belief, without examination or proof,
or on the strength of probability; to take for granted; to infer; to suppose ...
/p/presume.htm - 11k

Collect (24 Occurrences)
... collect taxes. 3. (vt) To infer from observed facts; to conclude from premises.
4. (vi ... in banks. 5. (vi) To infer; to conclude. 6. (n ...
/c/collect.htm - 14k

Drink (414 Occurrences)
... named is pomegranate-wine (Songs 8:2: "the juice of my pomegranate," the Revised
Version, margin "sweet wine of my pomegranate"); but we may infer that other ...
/d/drink.htm - 45k

Strong (736 Occurrences)
... named is pomegranate-wine (Songs 8:2: "the juice of my pomegranate," the Revised
Version, margin "sweet wine of my pomegranate"); but we may infer that other ...
/s/strong.htm - 44k

Inferior (14 Occurrences)

/i/inferior.htm - 11k

Infectious (19 Occurrences)

/i/infectious.htm - 12k

John (154 Occurrences)
... prophetic mission. III. Early Life. We infer from Luke's account that John
was born about six months before the birth of Jesus. Of the ...
/j/john.htm - 101k

Zoar (12 Occurrences)
... The place has not been definitely identified by modern explorers, but from Genesis
19:19-30 we infer that it was in the plain and not in the mountain. ...
/z/zoar.htm - 14k

Resources
Is it wrong for a Christian family to put a loved one into a nursing home? | GotQuestions.org

What is natural revelation? | GotQuestions.org

Why does the KJV Bible mention the unicorn? | GotQuestions.org

Infer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance
Infer (1 Occurrence)

Romans 9:14
What then are we to infer? That there is injustice in God?
(WEY)

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Infer

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