Topical Encyclopedia
The term "consists" in a biblical context often refers to the idea of being composed or made up of certain elements, or the state of being held together. This concept is significant in understanding the nature of creation, the church, and the relationship between Christ and all things.
Creation and SustenanceIn
Colossians 1:17, the Apostle Paul writes, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" . This verse highlights the preeminence of Christ in creation, emphasizing that all things consist in Him. The Greek word translated as "hold together" or "consist" is "synistēmi," which conveys the idea of being established or sustained. This underscores the belief that Christ is not only the agent of creation but also the sustainer of the universe. Everything that exists is maintained by His power and authority.
The Church as the Body of ChristThe concept of "consists" is also applicable to the understanding of the church as the body of Christ. In
1 Corinthians 12:12, Paul explains, "Just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ" . Here, the church consists of many members, each with unique roles and functions, yet all are unified in Christ. This unity in diversity reflects the divine design and purpose for the church, where each believer is an integral part of the whole.
Unity in DiversityThe idea of consisting of various parts is further elaborated in
Ephesians 4:16, where Paul writes, "From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part" . This passage emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of believers within the body of Christ. Each member contributes to the growth and edification of the church, illustrating how the body consists of diverse yet harmonious elements.
The Nature of GodThe concept of "consists" can also be applied to the nature of God, particularly in the doctrine of the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct persons who together consist as one God. This mystery of the Trinity is foundational to Christian theology, affirming the unity and diversity within the Godhead. The relational aspect of the Trinity serves as a model for human relationships and the unity of the church.
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsIn a moral and ethical sense, what a person "consists" of can refer to their character and actions. Jesus teaches in
Matthew 7:17-18, "Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit" . Here, the essence of a person is revealed through their deeds, indicating that one's life consists of the fruits they produce. This principle calls believers to examine their lives and strive for righteousness, reflecting the character of Christ.
In summary, the concept of "consists" in the Bible encompasses the sustaining power of Christ in creation, the unity and diversity of the church, the nature of the Trinity, and the moral character of individuals. Each of these aspects highlights the intricate and purposeful design of God's creation and His redemptive plan for humanity.
Greek
3011. leitourgos -- a public servant, a minister, a servant... his own expense" (, 1, 461, fn 5).]. : The word-family
consists of: 3008 (),
3009 (), 3010 (), and 3011 (). In the NT, it points to
...4568. saton -- seah, a (Heb.) measure (equiv. to about one and a...
... to nearly three English gallons" (Souter); the measure for grain, "about a peck
and a half or somewhat less than one-half bushel (a bushelconsists of four...
Strong's Hebrew
1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be... into being (1), came expressly (1), cause (1), caused (1), come (86), come to pass
(3), comes (2), comes to pass (1), committed (1),
consists (1), continue (6
...Library
Whether, in this Life, PerfectionConsists in the Observance of...
... Whether, in this life, perfectionconsists in the observance of the
commandments or of the counsels? Objection 1: It would seem...
Whether RevilingConsists in Words?
... OF REVILING (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether revilingconsists in words?... Therefore
it seems that revilingconsists, not in words but in deeds....
Whether the Contemplative LifeConsists in the Mere Contemplation...
... OF THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the contemplative lifeconsists
in the mere contemplation of God, or also in the consideration of any truth...
Whether the Perfection of the Christian LifeConsists Chiefly in...
... OF THE STATE OF PERFECTION IN GENERAL (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the perfection
of the Christian lifeconsists chiefly in charity?...
Whether HappinessConsists in the Knowledge of Separate Substances...
... Whether happinessconsists in the knowledge of separate substances, namely,
angels? Objection 1: It would seem that man's happiness...
Whether the Essence of GoodnessConsists in Mode, Species and...
... OF GOODNESS IN GENERAL (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the essence of goodnessconsists
in mode, species and order? Objection 1: It seems...
Whether HappinessConsists in the Consideration of Speculative...
... Whether happinessconsists in the consideration of speculative sciences?... Therefore
man's final happinessconsists in the consideration of speculative sciences....
Whether a VowConsists in a Mere Purpose of the Will?
... SERVICE BY PROMISE (Q ) Whether a vowconsists in a mere purpose of the will?...
Therefore a vowconsists in a mere purpose of the will....
Whether Man's HappinessConsists in Power?
... OF THOSE THINGS IN WHICH MAN'S HAPPINESSCONSISTS (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
man's happinessconsists in power? Objection 1: It would...
Whether the Essence of TheftConsists in Taking Another's Thing...
... OF THEFT AND ROBBERY (NINE ARTICLES) Whether the essence of theftconsists
in taking another's thing secretly? Objection 1: It would...
Thesaurus
Consists (7 Occurrences)...Consists (7 Occurrences).
... John 17:3 And in this
consists the Life of the Ages--in
knowing Thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. (WEY).
...Graecia
... Eastern Greececonsists of a series of somewhat considerable basins, which become
lakes in winter and are pestilent marshes in summer, except where Nature or...
Obadiah (21 Occurrences)
... Obadiah, Book of.Consists of one chapter, "concerning Edom," its impending
doom (1:1-16), and the restoration of Israel (1:17-21)....
Satan (50 Occurrences)
... more or less directly contingent upon sin (see particularly Hebrews 2:14) On the
contrary, it is perfectly evident that Satan's powerconsists principally in...
Zechariah (55 Occurrences)
... His bookconsists of two distinct parts, (1) chapters 1 to 8, inclusive, and (2)
9 to the end.... Itconsists of two burdens. The first burden (ch....
Lamentations (6 Occurrences)
... the fall of his country" (Stanley, Jewish Church). The bookconsists of
five separate poems. In chapter 1 the prophet dwells on...
Liberty (32 Occurrences)
... Morally, the power which enslaves is sin (John 8:34), and libertyconsists, not
simply in external freedom, or in possession of the formal power of choice, but...
Egg (3 Occurrences)
... tortoises, etc. Itconsists of a yolk, usually surrounded by the white
or albumen, and enclosed in a shell or strong membrane. 2...
Bond (32 Occurrences)
... 1), where one courseconsists of bricks with their ends toward the face of the wall,
called headers, and the next course of bricks with their lengths parallel...
Church (110 Occurrences)
... The church visible "consists of all those throughout the world that profess the
true religion, together with their children." It is called "visible" because...
Resources
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