Confer; Conference
The Biblical Meaning of Confer
In Scripture, "confer" and "conference" translate several Greek and Hebrew words with distinct nuances. The most significant is the Greek prosanatithemi, used in Galatians 1:16, meaning to lay something before someone for consideration, or to consult an authority. Another term, sumballo (Acts 4:15), means to compare views or throw ideas together in discussion. A third, sullaleo (Acts 25:12), simply means to talk together or converse. Together, these words encompass the range of human deliberation from informal conversation to formal consultation.
Paul's Independence from Human Conference
The most theologically significant use of "confer" appears in Galatians 1:16, where Paul declares that when God revealed His Son to him, "I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood." Paul's point is that his gospel and apostolic authority came directly from Christ, not from human counsel or consultation with the other apostles in Jerusalem. He deliberately avoided seeking validation from human authorities before beginning his ministry. This does not mean Paul rejected all counsel, as he later did consult with the Jerusalem leaders (Galatians 2:1-2), but he established that his calling and message originated with God alone.
Conference Among Opponents
In Acts 4:15, the Sanhedrin conferred among themselves about what to do with Peter and John after the healing of the lame man at the temple gate. The religious leaders could not deny the miracle but wanted to suppress its impact. Their conference resulted in the decision to warn the apostles against speaking or teaching in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18). This episode illustrates how conference can be used to resist God's purposes when those conferring are opposed to His work.
Festus and King Agrippa
In Acts 25:12, the Roman governor Festus conferred with his advisors before responding to Paul's appeal to Caesar. This was standard Roman judicial procedure, as provincial governors maintained a council of advisors (consilium) to help with legal decisions. After conferring, Festus granted Paul's appeal, which ultimately led to Paul's journey to Rome. Here, human conference served God's larger purpose of bringing the gospel to the heart of the Roman Empire.
Conference in the Old Testament
The Old Testament provides a key example in 1 Kings 1:7, where Adonijah conferred with Joab and Abiathar the priest in his attempt to seize the throne before Solomon. This conspiracy involved consultation directed against God's declared will, as God had chosen Solomon to succeed David. The outcome demonstrated that conference against God's purposes leads to failure. In contrast, the book of Proverbs commends wise counsel: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed" (Proverbs 15:22).
The Principle of Godly Counsel
Scripture affirms that seeking counsel is generally wise (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 24:6), but the quality of conference depends on whether it aligns with God's will. Paul's refusal to confer with flesh and blood in Galatians 1 establishes that divine revelation takes priority over human opinion. The Sanhedrin's conference in Acts 4 warns that collective human wisdom can oppose God. The biblical balance is clear: seek counsel, but let God's word be the ultimate authority.
Biblical Context
The concepts of conferring and conference appear in Galatians 1:16 (Paul not consulting human authorities), Acts 4:15 (the Sanhedrin deliberating about Peter and John), Acts 25:12 (Festus consulting his advisors), and 1 Kings 1:7 (Adonijah conspiring for the throne). These passages span different literary genres and illustrate various dimensions of human consultation in relation to God's purposes.
Theological Significance
The biblical treatment of conference teaches that human counsel is valuable but subordinate to divine revelation. Paul's declaration in Galatians 1 establishes the authority of God's direct word over human opinion. The negative examples of the Sanhedrin and Adonijah warn against conspiring against God's will. The positive counsel of Proverbs affirms that seeking wisdom from others is part of godly decision-making when anchored in the fear of the Lord.
Historical Background
In the ancient world, formal consultation was standard practice in both Jewish and Roman governance. The Sanhedrin operated as a council that deliberated on legal and religious matters. Roman governors maintained a consilium of advisors for judicial decisions, as seen with Festus in Acts 25. Greek philosophical traditions valued dialogue and the exchange of ideas. Paul's use of prosanatithemi in Galatians 1:16 borrows from classical Greek usage where the term referred to consulting oracles or authorities.