Definition: Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 5:25. It’s a really important message about how we should handle conflict and disagreements. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse is telling us to stay calm and respond thoughtfully when someone disagrees with you. It’s not about getting angry or fighting; it’s about being wise and avoiding a serious problem. Let's unpack it piece by piece: "Agree with thine adversary quickly..." – This means, "Don’t be silent in the face of disagreement. Don’t let it simmer." It suggests a quick response is important - you don’t want to waste time and energy on something that could escalate. "...whiles thou art in the way with him..." – “In the way with him” means being present, actively involved, or understanding their perspective. It's about being with them, not just avoiding them. It implies empathy – trying to see things from their point of view. "...lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge..." – This is where it gets serious. “The adversary” represents someone who’s challenging you, opposing you, or disagreeing with you. The "judge" symbolizes a higher power (God) or the consequences of our actions. It means there's a risk that this person might be taken over by their negativity and brought before God or other authorities. "...and deliver thee to the officer..." – “The officer” represents punishment, judgment, or perhaps even loss of something precious. It’s a warning about potential consequences for our behavior. "...and thou be cast into prison." - This is the most frightening part, but it's also a message of hope. It means if we don’t handle the situation wisely and calmly, we could end up in a difficult or even negative situation – possibly facing judgment or loss. In short: The verse encourages us to respond respectfully when someone disagrees with you, not by reacting impulsively, but by remaining calm and seeking understanding to avoid serious problems. It's about protecting yourself from potential harm and maintaining peace. Why is this important? Jesus teaches that we are called to be peacemakers – people who resolve conflicts peacefully. This verse emphasizes the importance of this principle. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Give some examples of how to respond when someone disagrees with you?