Bible Dictionary
REFUTE
To refute means to convict, expose, or disprove an error. In Jude, the wording is connected with dealing mercifully or correcting those who are in doubt, though the ancient text is uncertain.
Definition
To refute means to convict, expose, or disprove an error. In Jude, the word is connected with responding to those who dispute or doubt, although the textual reading is uncertain.
Biblical Usage
The Revised Version reads “have mercy” on some who are in doubt, while its margin offers “refute while they dispute.” The alternative means to convict or refute sinful error.
Historical Background
The Greek text of Jude 1:22-23 varies among manuscripts. The reading “refute” has substantial manuscript and versional support, while the Revised Version follows two older manuscripts.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>re-fut': Only in Jude 1:22, the American Revised Version margin "And some refute while they dispute with you," where the Revised Version (British and American) in the text reads "And on some have mercy, who are in doubt."</p><p>The Greek text of Jude 1:22,23 is very uncertain, being given very differently in the various manuscripts. the Revised Version (British and American) text follows the two oldest manuscripts, Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus. Instead of eleate, "have mercy," the reading elegchete, "refute," "convict," has the powerful support of Codex Alexandrinus, Codex Ephraemi, the best cursives, Vulgate, Memphitic, Armenian and Ethiopian versions, and is placed in the text by Lachmann, Tischendorf, and Tregelles (Westcott-Hort in list of "Suspected Readings" says: "Some primitive error probable: perhaps the first eleate an interpolation"). Compare Jude 1:15, where the same Greek word occurs in the same sense (the King James Version "convince," the Revised Version (British and American) "convict"); compare also 1Ti 5:20; Tit 1:9, where the same idea of refuting the sinful occurs.</p><p>D. Miall Edwards</p>