Do everything without grumbling or arguing…
Summary: Paul’s words about grumbling force us to examine our relationship with God.
This is our third meditation on this phrase—but it’s worth the time. If it weren’t important, it wouldn’t be in the Bible. Besides, if we start grumbling or arguing, we are missing the point!
Humility and choosing to discuss disagreements are the antidote to arguments. But what about grumbling?
Strong’s G1112 defines the word for grumbling (gongysmós) as “grudging, murmuring.”* Webster defines the word “grumbling” as a “mutter of discontent.”
Where an argument requires confrontation, grumbling avoids it. The difference is not just that arguments can be loud and a grumble low and hard to hear. People who grumble want it known that they are not happy, but for personal reasons, they do not want to risk confrontation. Thus, like a black fin cutting through dark waters, a grumble marks the shark that glides under the water. Where you find sharks, danger follows.
So what is the cure? How do we avoid the discontent that comes out as a grumble?
The answer, I believe, lies in our relationship with God.
In the prior sentence (Philippians 2:13), Paul says, “…for it is God who works in you… in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Do you believe that?
The one who grumbles believes that something is wrong. Things should be different from what they are. If I am grumbling about others, it is because I want them to change; the real question is, “What does God want?”
What does God want?
Didn’t Paul just tell us? Doesn’t he want you and me to “do everything without grumbling or arguing?”
Which brings us to the fact that we, while we are in the flesh, operate in time and space. Some “times” it is better if two different opinions are not in the same space.
For example, let’s turn to the story of Barnabas and Paul when they had a disagreement (Acts 15:36-41).
What they disagreed about is not as important as the fact that they disagreed. Both men were good friends, and both had a history of serving the Lord together. Yet, at a certain place and time, they found themselves at odds with each other.
So what did they do?
The Bible says that they “parted company.” Obviously, Paul wants us to have the “same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Ideally, this would manifest itself in love and unity. Yet, when all else fails, it appears there are times when it is better to be apart.
We are to do everything without grumbling or arguing. If we believe in God, all things work to good (Romans 8:28), even differences of opinion.†
Application: Strive for unity, abide in love, serve God.
Food for Thought: What other steps can we take to deal with inner discontent that makes us want to grumble?
*”G1112 – gongysmos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 12 Aug, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1112/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
† The rest of the story is intriguing. Paul undertook his second and third missionary journeys, strengthening churches, while Barnabas took John Mark to Cyprus (Acts 15:39) for further work. Tradition holds Mark later wrote the Gospel of Mark. Evidence suggests goodwill was restored among them (1 Corinthians 9:6, Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11).
First off, what a funny word grumble is to say or think about. To me it sounds like a word one would use to describe “getting the leftovers.” I wanted some pie, but all I got was the grumble. Maybe that’s where the word came from lol.
What other steps can we take to deal with inner discontent that makes us want to grumble?
There is a difference between loss that brings grief, and the perception of loss that brings discontent. If we focus on what we perceive we are losing, perceive we are losing out on, or what we perceive is being taken from us, it brings discontent. If we focus on what God has given us, what He continues to give us, and what He has promised to give us, we feel gratitude. Also, we have to ask ourselves, if we were to be given everything we desired, what would we do with it? Would we glorify God with it, or would we serve ourselves? If we honestly recognize that oftentimes our perception of lacking or loss, that brings discontent, is tied to serving ourselves, then the lacking or loss is grace for the one that seeks to follow Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
James 4:1-3 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Chris,
Your take on “grumble pie” is hilarious! Thank you. 🙂
What other steps can we take to deal with inner discontent that makes us want to grumble?
The British admiral, Lord Nelson, once came on deck and found two of his officers quarreling. He whirled them around, pointed to the enemy ships, and exclaimed, “Gentlemen, there are your enemies!”
I can hear Paul quoting Jesus: “No one after putting his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.” And, Barnabas possibly countered, “Yes, but God is the gracious God of the second chances. Look at Jonah. Look at Peter. Mark deserves a second chance.”
Both are true!
It is possible two people may have scripture to back up their opposing views!
Sometimes, because of personality differences, one person will elevate one biblical principle, while the other person will give priority to a different biblical principle. In such cases, if the principles are basic to one’s approach to ministry, it may be better to agree to work separately.
Romans 12:4-6, For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
Romans 15:1, We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
Romans 15:7, Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Christians are empowered with different gifts, led by God into different forms of ministry and must be committed to maintaining unity as we continue serving the Lord. We need to learn to appreciate one another’s strengths, to affirm each other in love, and to agree to disagree over certain matters of daily life.
Thank you, Ron.
I appreciate the way you have explored both perspectives.
As you say, sometimes ‘both things are true.’