There are (at least) two meanings of "argument".

• One meaning is that of a disagreement.
• Another meaning is that of a logical discussion.

There is a fine line between the two. A legal argument is a (somewhat) logical discussion but is between two (or more) parties that disagree on something.

Engineer: "I'm not arguing. I'm just explaining why I'm right.".

Others, especially spouses, may not be amused (but have to live with it every day).

In programming language terminology, the terms "argument" and "parameter" can be used interchangeably

• The "actual" parameter/argument is an actual value passed to a function or procedure.
• The "formal" parameter/argument is a placeholder in the function or procedure that, when called, is matched with the actual parameter/argument.

It is much easier and more clear to use the terms "actual" and "formal" than to try to, for example, call an "actual" an "argument" and a "formal" a "parameter".

Some students in geometry class think that the English word "reproof" means that they must do their "proof" over again.

The English word "reproof" is from the English word "reprove" which is from the Old English word "repreven" ≈ "express disapproval". This word is, through French, from the Latin word "reprobo" ≈ "disapprove, reject, condemn".

As such, it has a negative connotation and, as noted above and explained below, is not the word used in the Latin Vulgate.

At one time, the English word "reproof" could have a meaning of just "correction" but the negative connotation appears to be common.

The English word "reprobate" comes from the Latin word "reprobatus" ≈ "disapproved, rejected, condemned" and is a doublet of "reprove". Both have a negative connotation.

The word "reproof" is sometimes associated with the Greek word for "admonish" which is the source of "Nouthetic" in "Nouthetic counseling".

As a preposition the Latin word "re" ≈ "about, regarding".

The "re:" is not an abbreviation but is used as a response to an email message which is "regarding" the message of which the response message is "about". The convention started in the age of paper with business correspondence.

Although the "re:" comes from the Latin, many people think of it as "response" or "regarding" or "in reference to" or "reply".

In English, the prefix "re" is often taken as a word for emphasis or about a thing or matter.

The Latin word "res" ≈ "thing, matter, topic".

• The word "research" means to search harder.
• The word "replenish" meant to "fill up" even for the first time, but as a priority.
• The word "reprove" could mean to "prove" but as a priority.

The word that the KJV (King James Version) translates as "reproof" is not the same word as for "admonish".

The ancient Greek word "ἔλεγχος" ≈ "argument of disproof, reproach". The "reproach" appears to have been influenced and by subsequent theologians and translations of this word from the GNT (Greek New Testament). It appears that the meaning should be that of "argument of disproof" but, for historical and theological reasons is that of "reproach". The "argument of disproof" is that of logically showing that something is not valid. The "reproach" has a more negative and pejorative implication.

The modern Greek word "έλεγχος" (EH-lehgh-khos) ≈ "control, check, audit" where the emphasis is on "control". It appears to have been influenced by the theological meaning of "reproof".

The modern Greek word "έλεγχος αποσκευών" (EH-lehgh-khos a-po-skev-ON) ≈ "luggage control".

The meaning of "argument of disproof" is seen in Hebrews where the same word is translated by the KJV as "evidence" as in "argument of disproof".

For comparison, the ancient Greek word "ἐλέγχω" ≈ "disgrace, question, test" and is a narrowing of the meaning of "argument of disproof".

Here is how that word is used in the GNT.

Let us move from the narrowed meaning of a derived word and go back to the original word that meant "argument of disproof" as found in two verses in the GNT.

The Latin uses the same word in both verses. The Latin word "argumentum" ≈ "argument, evidence, proof" comes from two Latin words.

• The Latin word "arguo" ≈ "prove, demonstrate".
• The Latin word "mentum" ≈ "instrument, result of".

The Latin words do not have a negative connotation. In appears that the same should hold for the original Greek words even though the derived word does appear to have a negative connotation.

Which sounds better "regarding" Hebrews 11:1?

• Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the reproof of things not seen.
• Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
• Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the argument of disproof of things not seen.
• Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the proof of things not seen.

Which sounds better "regarding" 2 Timothy 3:16?

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ... for reproof ...
• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ... for evidence ...
• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ... for argument of disproof ...
• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable ... for proof ...

The "proof" or "argument of disproof" fits in with 1 Peter 3:15.

The important part is "with meekness" but realizing that both Jesus and Moses are described as "meek".

Logician: "I'm not arguing. I'm just using logic to prove a point.".

Try not to "clobber people with logic".

More: Matthew 5:5 Grounds for meekly inheriting humble pie

• The word for "answer" comes from the Greek word «απολογία» from which we get the word apologetics.
• The word for "reason" comes from the Greek word «λόγος» from which we get the words logic and logical.

At the time this was written, the Greek word for "answer" was a legal term as in a legal defense.

Details are left as a future topic.