The Bible has much to say about sophistry, sophists, and sophism. At its core, sophism refers to the use of clever but false arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving or misleading others. Sophists were teachers in ancient Greece who would charge fees to teach rhetoric, philosophy, and how to succeed through deception and rhetorical skill rather than sound logic and truth. The Bible strongly condemns such practices.
Several passages in the Bible address sophistry directly or indirectly. Proverbs 15:28 says “The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.” This captures how sophists pour out clever but false arguments from their mouths, whereas the righteous carefully consider how to speak truth. 1 Timothy 1:3-4 warns against those who “promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.” Speculation refers to sophistry, in contrast to sound biblical truth.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 similarly says “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge,’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.” This irreverent babble refers to sophistry which falsely claims to be knowledge, but only serves to lead people away from true biblical faith founded on Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 2:18 speaks of those who “entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.” This references how sophists use rhetorical skill, clever stories, and false appeals to emotions to attract followers after their own sensual passions rather than God’s truth.
Romans 16:17-18 issues this warning: “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.” Here the Bible warns against those who use smooth and flattering talk, i.e. sophistry, to deceive and divide believers away from Christ and into following their own sinful desires.
Ephesians 5:6 declares: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” Empty, clever, and deceptive words that twist truth characterize sophistry and invoke God’s wrath.
Colossians 2:4 says “I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.” Plausible but false arguments are the stock and trade of sophistry, which the Bible exhorts us to avoid being deluded by.
In Acts 20:28-30, Paul warns leaders of the Ephesian church: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.” These “fierce wolves” who speak “twisted things” in order to lead believers astray demonstrate classic sophist deceitful techniques.
Jesus himself directly confronted sophistry and sophists multiple times during his earthly ministry. In Matthew 22:15-22, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a clever philosophical question about taxes. But Jesus perceives their malice and hypocrisy, and answers wisely to avoid their sophist trap. He exposes their sophism by saying “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?”
Similarly, in Matthew 22:23-33 the Sadducees use an extremely clever but silly hypothetical question about marriage in the resurrection to try and trip up Jesus. But he masterfully refutes their sophistry by explaining “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.” He exposes their ignorance and error, based not on biblical truth but only human rhetorical cleverness.
In John 8:3-11, the Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, and try to manipulate him sophistically into either condoning adultery by forgiving her, or losing his reputation as a gracious teacher by condemning her. But Jesus evades their trap, saying “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” His wisdom and grace refuted their sly attack.
Mark 12:18-27 records the Sadducees using another silly marriage hypothetical to attack Jesus’ teaching on the resurrection. But he dismantles their sophistry masterfully by explaining “You are quite wrong,” and proving the truth of resurrection from the Scriptures they claimed to follow but didn’t understand properly. Jesus repeatedly tore down clever but false sophist reasoning with divine wisdom and truth.
Based on these and other passages, we can summarize the Bible’s view of sophism as follows:
- Sophism relies on clever but false, empty, and speculative arguments, rather than sound biblical truth.
- Sophists teach rhetoric, philosophy, and deceit for pay, but don’t serve Christ or care for God’s flock.
- Sophistry uses smooth talk, flattery, and appeals to human passions to manipulate people into following sinful desires.
- Sophism characteristically uses rhetorical questions, hypotheticals, and word games to confuse, trap, and divide believers in Christ.
- Jesus and the apostles strongly warned against sophistry infecting the church and leading Christians astray.
- Jesus refuted and exposed sophist lies with divine wisdom, biblical truth, grace and cleverness of his own.
- Christians today must carefully avoid being deceived by sophistry, test all arguments against Scripture, and follow Christ alone.
In summary, the Bible makes clear that sophism is dangerous and deceptive false wisdom that twists truth and plays rhetorical games to create confusion, doubt, divisions and false teaching. Sophists themselves prioritize verbal skill over truth, and make merchandise out of manipulating people’s emotions and desires. But Jesus Christ is the true and wise teacher who grounds his instruction firmly in God’s Word rather than speculation. As Christians, we must be on guard against sophist deception in the church, test all teaching against Scripture, and follow Christ alone as our teacher and guide.