In the N.T. (cf. Heb. 7:6, 9), this term derives from the Greek, dekatos, meaning “tenth.” (a) In the Patriarchal period of history, it appears to have been the practice that godly men gave a tenth...

Titus was a Gentile co-worker of Paul’s whom the apostle had left on the island of Crete to “set in order” certain matters and to work toward the ordination of elders within the local congregations...

Literally speaking, the “tongue” is an organ of taste and speech within the mouth. By metaphorical extension, it is used in literature for a human language. In the N.T., the gift of being able to "...

The term “tradition” renders a Greek word that suggests the idea of “instruction that has been handed down.” It takes on two senses in Scripture. (a) “Tradition” may be instruction that is divinely...

“Translation” is the process of bringing the message of the Scriptures from the original languages — Hebrew, Aramaic (O.T.), and Greek (N.T.) — into the various languages and dialects of the nati...

This word signifies “change in substance,” and it reflects the Roman Catholic doctrine that in the communion service, when the priest pronounces the words, “this is my body” and “this is my blood,”...

The word “Trinity” does not occur in the Scriptures. The term combines the dual concepts of “three,” and “unity,” and thus it does represent a biblical idea, namely that the Godhead is composed of ...

The term “truth” carries several connotations in the Bible. (a) Truth can convey the idea of loyalty. Those who abide in Jesus’ teaching are “truly” his disciples (Jn. 8:31). (b) True may denote th...

A “type” (tupos) is a prophetic, pictorial preview, which finds its fulfillment in an “antitype.” Types are grounded in historical events, but they are symbolic in import. These forms of figurative...

Some religions are based upon philosophical premises that are embraced emotionally, apart from intellectual substance. That is not the case with Christianity. Christianity is grounded in history, a...

While the term “unity” is rare in the English Bible (Psa. 133:1; Eph. 4:3; 4:13), the idea prevails profusely in a variety of contexts. (a) Unity is that oneness that obtains perfectly among the me...

The false idea that all men will be saved ultimately is called “universalism.” (a) Universalism is illogical; it suggests that man’s use of his power of choice — for good or evil — is irrelevant....

The common word for “walk” in the New Testament is peripateo. It means to walk around or, in a figurative sense, “to conduct oneself” in a certain way. It was the common Jewish idiom for how one li...

Two principal Greek words are employed in the N.T. to represent the idea of “fighting” and “war.” Polemeo (18 times) means to “fight” or “make war.” Strateuomai (7 times) is to "carry out a militar...

A number of terms, both in the O.T. and the N.T., suggest the idea of a “path” or “way” of travel. The words come to be employed of a “course of conduct,” whether for good (Ex. 18:20; 32:8; Dt. 31:...

Jesus once prayed that the “will” of God might be done on earth, just as it is in heaven (Mt. 6:10). Jehovah’s will is that which is best for humanity, and which he requires that we implement in ou...

Woman was fashioned from flesh and bone taken from the side of man (Gen. 2:21-24). Male and female qualities were designed by God (Mt. 19:4); these characteristics are not accidental developments o...

The term “works” is a perfectly noble word; yet, in the minds of some, there is a distorted view of this biblical term. Especially has the Protestant world reacted negatively to Catholicism’s "work...

References to “worship” are common in both the O.T. and the N.T. The Hebrew term shachah (about 100 times) refers to “bowing” before an object of religious devotion. Similarly, proskuneo (59 times)...

The prophet Zephaniah was the great, great-grandson of King Hezekiah (1:1). His prophetic ministry was conducted in the days of Judah’s good king, Josiah (ca. 639-09 B.C.). 

Josiah came to the thr...