Do not drop to the level of a fool and engage the fool in an argument or an emotional debate. It will
do no good to speak to the fool (see Proverbs 26:3) and when the debate is over your argument will have made you the fool. This is the basic meaning of Proverbs 26:4.

But, the negative result of not answering the fool as advised in Proverbs 26:4, is that if you do not answer the fool the fool, and his supporters, will consider that you have conceded to the “superior” logic and “brilliant” argument of the fool. The fool will have appeared to have outsmarted you and become the sole keeper of wisdom. This is where Proverbs 26:5 comes in:

“Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes."

To prevent the fool from thinking he is wise, you must answer at his level, which means, you will
have to speak the language of a fool. For a fool to understand you must use their value system, address the goals they seek and compare their logic with an equally foolish logic. You cannot answer in the language of wisdom because wisdom speaks to a different value system, seeks significant goals and uses a higher form of logic. Answer a fool by speaking his native language…foolishness.

Paul does this in 2 Corinthians 11 when he realizes the Corinthian believers are not understanding
his level of ministry, but are willing to follow false apostles. So, Paul admits he will speak to them
as a fool and be self-promoting and boastful in order to compete with the values, the goals and the logic of the lower level honored among fools. Paul says,

“I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness….I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But even if you do, accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. What I am saying with this boastful confidence, I say not as the Lord would but as a fool. Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves!... To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone else dares to boast of — I am speaking as a fool — I also dare to boast of that….” - 2 Corinthians 11:1, 16-19, 21

The Early Bishops in Rome

• Linus of 2 Tim. 4:21 led church in Rome. Irenaeus says apostles placed him
• Cletus killed by Domitian
• Clement, in Phil.4:3 exiled and martyred around 98.
• Evaristus, 100-109
• Alexander I, holy water introduced, made additions to liturgy. Beheaded by Trajan.
• Sixtas, ruled during Emperor Hadrian
• Telesphorus, (125-136) listed celebrating Easter on Sunday not Passover; martyred
• Hyginus, organized ranks and positions in church; Gnostics Valentine & Cerdo came to Rome.
• Pius I, born a slave; brother, Hermas, wrote Shepherd; Excommunicated Marcion (142-155)
• Anicetus, (155-166) visited by Polycarp concerning Easter; Manichaeism; martyred.
• Soter, wrote to Corinth, martyred
• Eleutherius (174-189) – dealt with Montanism
• Victor I, (189-198), asserted Roman Church authority; imposed Roman’s Easter date by threatening excommunication; Latin replaced Greek.