Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "classes" can be understood in terms of social, economic, and religious distinctions among people. The Scriptures provide various insights into how these distinctions were perceived and addressed within the biblical narrative.
Social and Economic ClassesThe Bible acknowledges the existence of different social and economic classes, often highlighting the disparity between the rich and the poor. In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses includes numerous provisions to protect the rights and dignity of the poor and marginalized. For example,
Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs landowners to leave the gleanings of their harvest for the poor and the foreigner: "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God."
The prophets frequently addressed issues of social justice, condemning the exploitation of the poor by the wealthy.
Amos 5:11-12 warns, "Therefore, because you impose heavy rent on the poor and exact a tribute of grain from them, though you have built houses of cut stone, you will not live in them; though you have planted pleasant vineyards, you will not drink their wine. For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great, you who distress the righteous and accept bribes and turn aside the poor in the gate."
In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings often emphasize the reversal of social hierarchies. In the Beatitudes, He declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (
Matthew 5:3). Jesus' ministry frequently involved reaching out to those marginalized by society, including tax collectors, sinners, and the poor.
Religious ClassesThe Bible also reflects distinctions in religious roles and classes, particularly within the context of the Israelite priesthood and the Levitical system. The tribe of Levi was set apart for religious duties, with the descendants of Aaron serving as priests.
Numbers 18:7 states, "But only you and your sons may perform the priestly duties and functions. Only you may approach the altar and serve in the sanctuary. I am giving you the priesthood as a gift. Anyone else who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death."
In the New Testament, the concept of a distinct priestly class is transformed through the priesthood of all believers.
1 Peter 2:9 affirms, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Equality in ChristDespite the existence of various classes, the Bible emphasizes the fundamental equality of all people before God.
Galatians 3:28 declares, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse underscores the unity and equality of believers, transcending social, economic, and gender distinctions.
The early church sought to embody this principle of equality, as seen in the communal sharing of resources in
Acts 2:44-45: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need."
ConclusionThe biblical perspective on classes is multifaceted, acknowledging the reality of social and economic distinctions while advocating for justice, compassion, and equality. Through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, the New Testament calls believers to transcend these distinctions, recognizing their unity in Christ and their shared identity as members of God's family.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Classis.
Greek
4749. stole -- equipment, apparel... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: stole Phonetic Spelling: (stol-ay') Short Definition:
a long robe Definition: a long robe, worn by the upper
classes in the East
...Library
TheClasses and the Masses
... CHAPTER IX TheClasses and the Masses. "We speak of work done against the
force of gravitation. If the magnitude of a force can be...
A New Method for BibleClasses
... III. PAUL'S WRITINGS A New Method for BibleClasses. BY HENRY T. SELL. Studies In
Early Church History. 12 mo, paper, 25 cts. net; cloth, 50 cts. net....
Of the TwoClasses of Voluptuous Men, and of their Death, Falling...
... Similitude Sixth. Of the TwoClasses of Voluptuous Men, and of Their Death,
Falling Away, and the Duration of Their Punishment. Chap. I....
Of the TwoClasses of Faults and their Fourfold Manner of Acting...
... Chapter III. Of the twoclasses of faults and their fourfold manner of
acting on us. Of these faults then there are twoclasses....
Of all These SeveralClasses, Then, no one Doubts Respecting those...
... Book VII. Chapter 52. " 100. Of all these severalclasses, then, no
one doubts respecting those first? "100. Of all these...
The TwoClasses.
... CHAPTER III. THE TWOCLASSES. "Two men went up into the temple to
pray.""Luke 17:10. I now want to speak of twoclasses: First...
From Deliberation on the Evil and on the Good Part it Results that...
... Chapter 13. "From Deliberation on the Evil and on the Good Part It Results
that TwoClasses of Souls are Not to Be Held to. 19....
Through-The-Week Activities for Boys' OrganizedClasses
... X THROUGH-THE-WEEK ACTIVITIES FOR BOYS' ORGANIZEDCLASSES. The Sunday school
has at last begun to realize that a boy demands more...
It is a Little Remarkable That, While SomeClasses of Christians...
... CHAPTER I. It is a little remarkable that, while someclasses of christians
do not tolerate the? It is a little remarkable that...
Of the Method in which Our Address Should be Adapted to Different...
... Chapter 15."Of the Method in Which Our Address Should Be Adapted to Different
Classes of Hearers. 23. But now, perhaps, you also...
Thesaurus
Classes (12 Occurrences)...Classes (12 Occurrences).
... Acts 8:10 To him people of all
classes paid attention,
declaring, "This man is the Power of God, known as the great Power." (WEY).
...Class (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A group of individuals ranked together as possessing common characteristics;
as, the differentclasses of society; the educated class; the lowerclasses...
Persians (6 Occurrences)
... Persian Parsa, name of both country and people; does not occur in Avesta): I. AFFINITY
1. ThreeClasses 2. Tribal and Clan Divisions 3. Achemenian Dynasty II....
Upper (99 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:50 But the Jews excited the women of the upperclasses who were worshippers,
and the first people of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul...
Jehoiachin (20 Occurrences)
... about a segmentation of Israel on an unheard-of principle: not the high and low
in wealth or social position, but the weight and worth of allclasses on the...
Woman (4043 Occurrences)
... Views regarding this person have been of two generalclasses: (1) She is to be
identified with Zipporah (Exodus 2:21 and elsewhere), Moses' Midianite wife, who...
Ethiopian (11 Occurrences)
... Views regarding this person have been of two generalclasses: (1) She is to be
identified with Zipporah (Exodus 2:21 and elsewhere), Moses' Midianite wife, who...
Division (135 Occurrences)
... the watercourses of Reuben"; in Job 20:17 the same word is rendered "rivers");
(c) of the (late) organization of priests and Levites intoclasses or families...
Classify (1 Occurrence)
... (vt) To distribute intoclasses; to arrange according to a system; to arrange in
sets according to some method founded on common properties or characters....
Concordance
... kon-kor'-dans: 1. Nature of Work 2.Classes of Concordances 3. Their Indispensableness
4. Concordances to Latin Vulgate 5. Concordances to the Hebrew Old...
Resources
Are baptism classes biblical? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian participate in Zumba? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Bible Study Fellowship? | GotQuestions.orgClasses: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
