Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage in Scripture:Comparison, in the biblical context, often involves evaluating or contrasting two or more entities, ideas, or individuals to highlight differences or similarities. It is a tool used in Scripture to teach, admonish, or illustrate spiritual truths. The Bible employs comparison through parables, metaphors, and direct contrasts to convey deeper understanding and moral lessons.
Old Testament Examples:In the Old Testament, comparison is frequently used in wisdom literature. For instance, Proverbs often contrasts the wise with the foolish, the righteous with the wicked, and diligence with laziness.
Proverbs 12:26 states, "The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." Here, the comparison underscores the importance of discernment in relationships.
The Psalms also utilize comparison to express the greatness of God in contrast to human frailty or the futility of idols.
Psalm 86:8 declares, "Among the gods there is none like You, Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours." This highlights God's unparalleled nature and power.
New Testament Examples:In the New Testament, Jesus frequently uses comparison in His parables to illustrate the Kingdom of God. For example, in
Matthew 13:31-32, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed, emphasizing its small beginnings and expansive growth: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree."
The Apostle Paul also employs comparison to teach spiritual truths. In
2 Corinthians 4:17, he contrasts temporary afflictions with eternal glory: "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison." This serves to encourage believers to maintain an eternal perspective amidst trials.
Theological Implications:Comparison in Scripture often serves to elevate the divine attributes of God, the moral standards expected of believers, and the eternal realities of the Christian faith. It challenges believers to reflect on their lives in light of God's holiness and the teachings of Christ. By contrasting earthly and heavenly values, Scripture calls believers to pursue righteousness and godliness.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to use comparison as a means of self-examination and growth. By comparing their lives to the teachings of Scripture, Christians can identify areas needing improvement and align themselves more closely with God's will. Additionally, comparison can be a tool for discernment, helping believers to choose wisely in matters of faith and conduct.
Warnings Against Unhealthy Comparison:While comparison can be beneficial, Scripture also warns against unhealthy comparisons that lead to envy, pride, or discouragement.
Galatians 6:4 advises, "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else." This encourages personal accountability and contentment in one's unique journey with God.
Conclusion:The biblical use of comparison is multifaceted, serving as a means of instruction, encouragement, and admonition. It is a powerful tool that, when used appropriately, can lead to greater spiritual insight and maturity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of comparing; an examination of two or more objects with the view of discovering the resemblances or differences; relative estimate.
2. (n.) The state of being compared; a relative estimate; also, a state, quality, or relation, admitting of being compared; as, to bring a thing into comparison with another; there is no comparison between them.
3. (n.) That to which, or with which, a thing is compared, as being equal or like; illustration; similitude.
4. (n.) The modification, by inflection or otherwise, which the adjective and adverb undergo to denote degrees of quality or quantity; as, little, less, least, are examples of comparison.
5. (n.) A figure by which one person or thing is compared to another, or the two are considered with regard to some property or quality, which is common to them both; e.g., the lake sparkled like a jewel.
6. (n.) The faculty of the reflective group which is supposed to perceive resemblances and contrasts.
7. (v. t.) To compare.
Greek
3850b. parabole -- a placing beside, acomparison... 3850a, 3850b. parabole. 3851 . a placing beside, a
comparison.
Transliteration: parabole Short Definition: parable. Word Origin
...3850. parabole -- to expose oneself to danger
... to danger. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: parabole Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ab-ol-ay') Short Definition: a parable,comparison Definition: (a) a...
5236. huperbole -- a throwing beyond, excess, superiority
... Word Origin from huperballo Definition a throwing beyond, excess, superiority NASB
Word Usage allcomparison (1), beyond* (1), excessively* (1), far...all...
4793. sugkrino -- to combine, compare
... [4793 ("comparative evaluating") results in " understanding" as elements
in acomparison are grasped as similar or dissimilar.]....
2087. heteros -- other
... 2087 (" but ") stands in contrast to 243 (" of the kind"). 2087 ("another of a ")
emphasizes it is different from its counterpart (comparison)....
3667. homoioma -- that which is made like (something)
... 3667 ("resemblance") does require one element of acomparison to be from
the other; indeed, it can be wholly separate from it. Rather...
3876. parakoe -- a hearing amiss, by impl. disobedience
... 3876 (from 3844 , " by closecomparison" and 191 , "hear") -- properly,
contrary-hearing, ie which springs from a () , ie the ....
1065. ge -- emphasizes the word to which it is joined
... 1065 -- an emphatic particle meaning , . 1065 () adds the idea " ()" which
stresses the part of acomparison (a two-part statement)....
356. analogia -- proportion
... 356 (from 303 , ", completing a " and 3056 , "reasoning, word") -- properly, ,
moving from one point of acomparison () the other....
3169. megaloprepes -- befitting a great one
... 3169 (from 3178 , "great bycomparison" and 4241 , "make becoming, appropriate") --
properly, ("") what is magnificent and splendid (full of majesty); "sublime...
Strong's Hebrew
3644. kemo -- like, as, when... Word Origin a pleonastic form of a preposition prefix Definition like, as, when
NASB Word Usage alike (1),
comparison (1), if (1), like (84), likewise (1), so
...Library
AComparison of the Truth with Eloquence: Why the Philosophers Did
... Of the False Wisdom of Philosophers. Chap. I."AComparison of the Truth
with Eloquence: Why the Philosophers Did. Not Attain to It....
Of the Active Life inComparison with the Contemplative Life (Four...
... OF THE ACTIVE LIFE INCOMPARISON WITH THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (FOUR ARTICLES).
We must now consider the active life incomparison...
TheComparison of the Church with Paradise Shows us that Men May...
... Book IV. Chapter 1. " 1. Thecomparison of the Church with Paradise
shows us that men may indeed? "1. Thecomparison of the...
Of the Angels inComparison with Bodies (Three Articles)
... OF THE ANGELS INCOMPARISON WITH BODIES (THREE ARTICLES). We next inquire
about the angels incomparison with corporeal things; and...
On theComparison of the Law and the Gospel
... DISPUTATION 13 ON THECOMPARISON OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL. RESPONDENT:
PETER CUN??US I. Since the law ought to be considered in...
Comparison of the Statements of the Four Evangelists Respecting...
... 14.Comparison of the Statements of the Four Evangelists Respecting John the Baptist,
the Prophecies Regarding Him, His Addresses to the Multitude and to the...
The Conclusion an Examination andComparison of Each of the Three...
... FIFTH PART THE CONCLUSION AN Examination andcomparison of each of the
three Interpretations of this chapter. The FIRST, which is...
TheComparison, Found in the Gospel of St. ...
... Book IV. Chapter XII. Thecomparison, found in the Gospel of St.? The
comparison, found in the Gospel of St. John, of the Son...
Comparison with Cyrus, King of the Persians, and with Alexander of...
... eusebius pamphilus. Book I. Chapter VII."Comparison with Cyrus, King of the
Persians, and with Alexander of Macedon. Ancient history...
Of theComparison of one Sin with Another (Ten Articles)
... OF THECOMPARISON OF ONE SIN WITH ANOTHER (TEN ARTICLES). We must now consider
thecomparison of one sin with another: under which...
Thesaurus
Comparison (27 Occurrences)... of being compared; a relative estimate; also, a state, quality, or relation, admitting
of being compared; as, to bring a thing into
comparison with another
...Compare (22 Occurrences)
... or qualities of, as of two or more persons or things, for the purpose of discovering
their resemblances or differences; to bring intocomparison; to regard...
Parable (52 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Gr. parabole), a placing beside; acomparison;
equivalent to the Hebrews mashal, a similitude. In the...
Compared (29 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Judges 8:2 And he said unto them: 'What have I now done incomparison with
you? Is not the gleaning of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?...
Judgment (430 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of judging; the operation of the mind, involvingcomparison and
discrimination, by which a knowledge of the values and relations of thins...
Sweat (3 Occurrences)
... that the perspiration dropped in the same manner as clots of blood drop from a wound,
regarding the Greek word prefixed as expressing merely acomparison as in...
Shinar (8 Occurrences)
... 2. Possible Babylonian Form of the Name 3. Sumerian and Other Equivalents 4. The
Syriac Sen'ar 5. The Primitive Tongue of Shinar 6.Comparison with the Semitic...
Aramaic (12 Occurrences)
... 2. Extra-Biblical Evidences of Aramaic 3. The Script of Aramaic Inscriptions 4.
Dialects of Aramaic 5. Grammatical Peculiarities 6.Comparison of Aramaic of...
Dove (27 Occurrences)
... history of the flood; then follows its specified use in sacrifice; note of its
migratory habits is made, and then in poetry, prophecy,comparison, simile and...
Nations (683 Occurrences)
... the erection of the temple in Ezra's time, the older men who had seen the more
magnificent house of Solomon were disappointed and distressed at thecomparison....
Resources
What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to hate our father and mother (Luke 14:26)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the behemoth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the religious / spiritual beliefs of Native Americans? | GotQuestions.orgComparison: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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