Contradictions and Paradoxes in John 5:38

Check out Contradictions Catalog of John 5:38 for the comprehensive list of verses that contradicts John 5:38. Some key contradictions and paradoxes are described below.

According to John, this verse means that some people do not have God's words living in their hearts because they do not believe in Jesus, whom God sent. It's like if a friend tells us something important, but we choose not to listen or believe them.

John 5:38: And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Contradiction with John 8:31

John 8:31 speaks of abiding in Jesus' word, which implies it is claimed they have the word within them, contradicting John 5:38's assertion that they do not have God's word abiding in them.

John 8:31: Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;

Contradiction with John 15:7

John 15:7 suggests that the word can dwell within an individual allowing them to remain in Christ, contradicting the claim of John 5:38 that implies God's word does not dwell in them.

John 15:7: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Contradiction with Colossians 3:16

Colossians 3:16 encourages letting the word of Christ dwell richly within, contradicting John 5:38, which suggests that God's word is not abiding in the individuals Jesus was addressing.

Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Contradiction with Hebrews 4:12

Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the word of God as living and active, which could contradict John 5:38's implication that God's word is not effective within them.

Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Contradiction with 1 John 2:14

1 John 2:14 states that the word of God abides in believers, which contrasts the statement in John 5:38 that they do not have God's word abiding in them.

1 John 2:14: I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
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