Does Jesus and God have a sense of humor?
- Thread starter vjkulp
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
K
Actually, you have my sympathy. Jesus plainly told us when the time to laugh is, and, quite frankly, that laughter, in context, seems to be related to the joy which awaits us on the other side of eternity, and not related to anything humorous. According to Jesus, we should be weeping and mourning for the lost now, but if you would rather watch "Seinfeld" reruns, then have at it.
Anyhow, back to the word of God as opposed to the opinions of men.
The Apostle Paul said:
Eph 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
The word which is translated into English here as jesting is eutrapelia, and this is the only place it is found in the New Testament.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2160/kjv/tr/0-1/
If you follow the link that I just provided, and if you look to where it says "Root Word (Etymology)," then you will read this:
Root Word (Etymology)
From a compound of εὖ (G2095) and a derivative of the base of τροπή (G5157) (meaning well-turned, i.e. ready at repartee, jocose)
This is what repartee means.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/repartee
repartee
noun
quick and usually funny answers and remarks in conversation:
This is what jocose means.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/jocose
jocose
adjective
humorous or liking to play:
This type of behavior is what Paul said should not be once named among the saints.
Granted, some Bible translations attach a more negative meaning to this joking by using words like coarse joking, crude joking, vulgar joking, and even obscene joking, but the root word itself covers more than these meanings.
Btw, if you are going to quote Solomon, then you ought to first read what he had to say about laughter.
Pro 14:13
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
Here, Solomon equated laughter with mirth or merriment. He was not talking about anything humorous, but rather about something that results in sorrow and heaviness.
Ecc 2:2
I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
Again, Solomon equated laughter with mirth or merriment, and not with anything humorous. He also said that such laughter is mad or madness.
Ecc 7:2
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
Ecc 7:3
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Ecc 7:4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Ecc 7:5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Ecc 7:6
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Once more, Solomon equated laughter with mirth or merriment, and not with anything humorous. He not only said that sorrow is better than such laughter, but he called it the laughter of the fool while likening it to the crackling of burning thorns under a pot.
Ecc 10:19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
Yet again, Solomon equated laughter with merriment or mirth, and not at all with anything humorous.
That is everything that Solomon said about laughter.
Well, I have a bit of a conundrum here.
I mean, do I believe the words of the likes of Jesus, Paul, and Solomon, or do I believe the desperate, out of context words of strangers online?
I will go with Jesus, Paul, and Solomon.
Anyhow, back to the word of God as opposed to the opinions of men.
The Apostle Paul said:
Eph 5:3
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
The word which is translated into English here as jesting is eutrapelia, and this is the only place it is found in the New Testament.
https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2160/kjv/tr/0-1/
If you follow the link that I just provided, and if you look to where it says "Root Word (Etymology)," then you will read this:
Root Word (Etymology)
From a compound of εὖ (G2095) and a derivative of the base of τροπή (G5157) (meaning well-turned, i.e. ready at repartee, jocose)
This is what repartee means.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/repartee
repartee
noun
quick and usually funny answers and remarks in conversation:
This is what jocose means.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/jocose
jocose
adjective
humorous or liking to play:
This type of behavior is what Paul said should not be once named among the saints.
Granted, some Bible translations attach a more negative meaning to this joking by using words like coarse joking, crude joking, vulgar joking, and even obscene joking, but the root word itself covers more than these meanings.
Btw, if you are going to quote Solomon, then you ought to first read what he had to say about laughter.
Pro 14:13
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
Here, Solomon equated laughter with mirth or merriment. He was not talking about anything humorous, but rather about something that results in sorrow and heaviness.
Ecc 2:2
I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
Again, Solomon equated laughter with mirth or merriment, and not with anything humorous. He also said that such laughter is mad or madness.
Ecc 7:2
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
Ecc 7:3
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Ecc 7:4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Ecc 7:5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Ecc 7:6
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Once more, Solomon equated laughter with mirth or merriment, and not with anything humorous. He not only said that sorrow is better than such laughter, but he called it the laughter of the fool while likening it to the crackling of burning thorns under a pot.
Ecc 10:19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.
Yet again, Solomon equated laughter with merriment or mirth, and not at all with anything humorous.
That is everything that Solomon said about laughter.
Well, I have a bit of a conundrum here.
I mean, do I believe the words of the likes of Jesus, Paul, and Solomon, or do I believe the desperate, out of context words of strangers online?
I will go with Jesus, Paul, and Solomon.
-
1
- Show all
We’re made after gods image and likeness . Like a reflection of him we know he has e options he loves and feels and greives and is provoked and gets angry and exhibits wrath and jealousy ect ect we know all that from scripture but also just look at mankind
We are made after his design and then we’re shown closer who he is in Christ. Sometimes we laugh at the wrong things and find humor where we shouldn’t were corrupt but we’re still a poorly lit reflection of Gods design .
Of all the creatures he created only mankind is made after his likeness and image. Only mankind was given dominion over all other life upon earth. So though we are far from a perfect image of God I think we can see that he’s probably got some form of a sense of humor because it’s so deeply entrained in human kind like it’s part of our design to laugh many times not even intentionally but if somethings funny it’s just a response and a feeling of a joyous one. Other times laughing and humor at the expense of others shoes hoe mankind can corrupt and abuse even the simplest gifts and freedoms from God.
Like God he speaks and hears and we speak and hear and understand and operate by that process communicate by that process. I’m sure there will be some things to laugh at in eternity though it won’t be the same as this worlds humor often it is aimed at and mean spirited and hurts others
laughing seems to be an important part of mankind of course it’s all speculation but I would guess that he does even if we dont understand it yet it seems a present part of us and we are made of him
We are made after his design and then we’re shown closer who he is in Christ. Sometimes we laugh at the wrong things and find humor where we shouldn’t were corrupt but we’re still a poorly lit reflection of Gods design .
Of all the creatures he created only mankind is made after his likeness and image. Only mankind was given dominion over all other life upon earth. So though we are far from a perfect image of God I think we can see that he’s probably got some form of a sense of humor because it’s so deeply entrained in human kind like it’s part of our design to laugh many times not even intentionally but if somethings funny it’s just a response and a feeling of a joyous one. Other times laughing and humor at the expense of others shoes hoe mankind can corrupt and abuse even the simplest gifts and freedoms from God.
Like God he speaks and hears and we speak and hear and understand and operate by that process communicate by that process. I’m sure there will be some things to laugh at in eternity though it won’t be the same as this worlds humor often it is aimed at and mean spirited and hurts others
laughing seems to be an important part of mankind of course it’s all speculation but I would guess that he does even if we dont understand it yet it seems a present part of us and we are made of him
It would have been odd to translate the biblical texts to English in the ancient times when no one spoke English lol or Greek before the rise of Greece ect
God has always given his words in whatever languages the people speak and hear and understand at whatever time in the world . Kjv was probably the most extensive and professional translation of any literary work in history and really well designed using so many translators to check one another’s work in separate groups. It really gives a credibility to it given they were t all from the same lot and place and schools and it took them so many years because they continually found each others mistakes and had to revise on and on
Now days people do a google search and study for a week and think they understand language and literary translation better than the dozens of world renown translators who translated the kjv.
most translations are gonna be fine it’s just preference but the kjv is by far the most trustworthy just because of the process that was used
God has always given his words in whatever languages the people speak and hear and understand at whatever time in the world . Kjv was probably the most extensive and professional translation of any literary work in history and really well designed using so many translators to check one another’s work in separate groups. It really gives a credibility to it given they were t all from the same lot and place and schools and it took them so many years because they continually found each others mistakes and had to revise on and on
Now days people do a google search and study for a week and think they understand language and literary translation better than the dozens of world renown translators who translated the kjv.
most translations are gonna be fine it’s just preference but the kjv is by far the most trustworthy just because of the process that was used
I head a story so many years ago that duh I take with a grain of salt but.. I liked it. They said they saw Jesus and one of the decuples came over to Him whispered something in His ear and He laughed so hard..
I don't run with experiences but one time I was feeling really bad.. and alL I will say is.. He said something you know that sweet small voice.. oh my.. I could not stop laughing.
Humor.. well just like love where did it come from? I like this song "Open our eyes"
I don't run with experiences but one time I was feeling really bad.. and alL I will say is.. He said something you know that sweet small voice.. oh my.. I could not stop laughing.
Humor.. well just like love where did it come from? I like this song "Open our eyes"
Yeah, I’ve been reading this thread, and I haven’t thrown my non-biblical opinion out there yet, but, I’m on your train.
I, personally, don’t think that anything that God does leaves any room for even a slight giggle.
I believe that before creation, before his plan of salvation, before everything, comes the glory of God, and because of his love, grace, mercy, etc., he waits patiently for that time.
I don’t believe that God has ever “laughed” (as in finding humor and expressing it with a meaningless sound). I believe he could mimic laughter, but I don’t think that the heart and job of God have even a minuscule spot for a “cackling” or “giggle”. At least I hope not.
I know that there is nothing more serious to me than my salvation, and if God ever displayed towards me the slightest sense of humor, I would be so very distraught and the truth that I know would weaken, and the entire word of God would be tainted with the tiniest hint of doubt (for me).
I hope with my entire being that I NEVER experience laughter coming from God. For me, it would destroy his entire character. But that’s just me. Nice post. Thanks for your time.
I, personally, don’t think that anything that God does leaves any room for even a slight giggle.
I believe that before creation, before his plan of salvation, before everything, comes the glory of God, and because of his love, grace, mercy, etc., he waits patiently for that time.
I don’t believe that God has ever “laughed” (as in finding humor and expressing it with a meaningless sound). I believe he could mimic laughter, but I don’t think that the heart and job of God have even a minuscule spot for a “cackling” or “giggle”. At least I hope not.
I know that there is nothing more serious to me than my salvation, and if God ever displayed towards me the slightest sense of humor, I would be so very distraught and the truth that I know would weaken, and the entire word of God would be tainted with the tiniest hint of doubt (for me).
I hope with my entire being that I NEVER experience laughter coming from God. For me, it would destroy his entire character. But that’s just me. Nice post. Thanks for your time.
-
1
- Show all
Psalm 2:4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.
Psalm 37:12-13 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him
with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.
Psalm 59:5-8 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear? But You, O LORD, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision.
Psalm 37:12-13 The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him
with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, For He sees that his day is coming.
Psalm 59:5-8 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear? But You, O LORD, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision.
I don’t believe that God has ever “laughed” (as in finding humor and expressing it with a meaningless sound). I believe he could mimic laughter, but I don’t think that the heart and job of God have even a minuscule spot for a “cackling” or “giggle”.
I think the “laughs” you’re referring to is more like the type of laugh is not a cackling or giggle, but more like a sound of confirmation of his ways, will, and power. Like he’s saying “see you fool” or whatever
I think the “laughs” you’re referring to is more like the type of laugh is not a cackling or giggle, but more like a sound of confirmation of his ways, will, and power. Like he’s saying “see you fool” or whatever
Yes God has a sense of humor
Laughter is a gift from God. It reminds us not to take ourselves so seriously and to laugh at ourselves. Laughter reminds us we are alive even in the sadness. Laughter replenishes our soul. Laughter expresses the inner joy of knowing God is with us on this journey.
Authorized (King James) Version
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:
but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Thank you Daddy, Father, Papa wow, woe is me I need you and you give you to all that choose you, you reveal it to them at least me you do that, people in general do not as I know I can't and have tried, standing in trust to you only
Laughter is a gift from God. It reminds us not to take ourselves so seriously and to laugh at ourselves. Laughter reminds us we are alive even in the sadness. Laughter replenishes our soul. Laughter expresses the inner joy of knowing God is with us on this journey.
Authorized (King James) Version
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:
but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Thank you Daddy, Father, Papa wow, woe is me I need you and you give you to all that choose you, you reveal it to them at least me you do that, people in general do not as I know I can't and have tried, standing in trust to you only
-
1
- Show all
PS 2:4, "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath,"
PS 37:12 "The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken."
PS 59:5 "You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors.
6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths—the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?” 8 But you laugh at them, Lord; you scoff at all those nations."
Apparently the Psalmist viewed divine laughter as having the last laugh on Judgment Day.
The closest the NT comes to mentioning divine laughter that I remember is
as rejoicing when souls are saved or as pleasure when they cooperate with GW.
PS 37:12 "The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. 14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken."
PS 59:5 "You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel,
rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors.
6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.
7 See what they spew from their mouths—the words from their lips are sharp as swords,
and they think, “Who can hear us?” 8 But you laugh at them, Lord; you scoff at all those nations."
Apparently the Psalmist viewed divine laughter as having the last laugh on Judgment Day.
The closest the NT comes to mentioning divine laughter that I remember is
as rejoicing when souls are saved or as pleasure when they cooperate with GW.
