"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....

"Extreme Unction" is one of the so-called "sacraments" of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the action of a priest in applying oil to someone who is at the point of death. The priest reads prayers a...

A version is a translation of the Scriptures from the original languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) into another language. Versions may be classified as ancient or modern. (a) Some ancient versio...

The common word for "walk" in the N.T. is peripateo. It means to walk around, or, in a figurative sense, "to conduct oneself" in a certain way. The topic is approached both negatively and positivel...

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...

A number of Hebrew words are rendered by the English "wine," the most common of which are yayin (134 times) and tirosh (33 times). The basic term for "wine" in the Greek N.T. is oinos (33 times). (...

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)...

Zechariah was a companion prophet with Haggai. The latter sternly admonished the Hebrews to rid themselves of self-interest and to complete work on the temple in the post-Babylonian captivity perio...

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 (cir. 639-09 B.C.). Josiah came to the thro...