Debating comes from the concept of “to beat, strike,” through the Old French debatre (“to contend, fight, dispute”). Although debating implies a formal, structured exchange, whereas arguing can be informal and emotional, its intent is to persuade the audience to one’s point of view rather than to present the truth. Thus, truth is not at the center of debating. Instead, debating is a method employed by the world system to display intellect through human reasoning and philosophy.
In 1 Corinthians 1:20, the “debater of this age” is identified as one who is foolish before God. The concept of an age is important to understand for clarity concerning debating. An age is a period in which God reveals something about Himself to intelligent beings. This includes humans but primarily focuses on spirit beings. The current age in which we live is the malignantly evil age, governed by Satan, which displays God’s righteous character in contrast to Lucifer’s character (Ephesians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 4:4). One of the methods Satan employs in this age to give the appearance of intellect, righteousness, eloquence, maturity, and sophistication is debating.
A person who is strong in debating is considered to be well taught and mature in his thinking. However, debating is not about proclaiming or discovering the truth; its primary objective is to win the argument through persuasion. Therefore, this standard should not be applied to a grace believer as an indicator of skill and Spiritual maturity in knowledge and intellect.
As grace believers, we are to always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15). In some cases, this may involve debating. In such situations, the grace believer’s focus must remain on presenting the truth, not on seeking to persuade the audience, thereby avoiding the trap of debating according to the standards of the world system.
One of Paul’s companions, Demas, became entangled with the pursuits of this age, loving them more than remaining with Paul (2 Timothy 4:10). His willingness to sacrifice for the present age indicates a desire for the appearance of wisdom that belongs to this age through debating and philosophy, rather than a pursuit of the truth.
For Demas abandoned me, loving the present age and traveled to Thessalonica, Crescens unto Galatian, Titus unto Dalmatia, 2 Timothy 4:9.
Paul was forsaken by his fellow saints at his first defense; however, he did not desire that it be reckoned against them (2 Timothy 4:16). The Lord stood with him and strengthened him so that the message might be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear (2 Timothy 4:17).
Some saints will abandon the gathering together of the grace believers—even though Paul exhorts us not to, for we are to encourage one another as the day approaches—this is not equivalent to forsaking the faith. Paul’s companions were saved men and remained in that state even after abandoning him. Just as those who abandon the gathering of the saints remain believers. However, in the case of Demas in particular, because he was carnal, he developed a love for debating, which misdirected his love toward the world rather than toward other grace believers, where it belongs (John 13:34).
