Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "correspond" generally refers to the act of being in agreement, harmony, or conformity with something else. In a biblical context, it often involves the alignment of one's actions, thoughts, or character with God's will, commandments, or the teachings of Scripture.
Biblical Context:While the specific term "correspond" may not frequently appear in the Bible, the concept is deeply embedded in the scriptural narrative. The idea of correspondence is often related to the relationship between God's laws and human behavior, the alignment of the believer's life with the teachings of Christ, and the harmony between the Old and New Testaments.
Old Testament:In the Old Testament, the concept of correspondence can be seen in the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Israelites were called to live in accordance with God's laws, which were given to them through Moses. This is evident in passages such as
Deuteronomy 5:33 : "Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess."
The prophets often called the people back to a life that corresponds with God's commands, emphasizing repentance and a return to righteousness. For example,
Micah 6:8 states: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
New Testament:In the New Testament, the concept of correspondence is central to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Believers are encouraged to live lives that correspond to the teachings of Christ and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:2 exhorts believers: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."
The apostle Paul frequently addresses the need for believers to align their lives with the gospel. In
Ephesians 4:1 , he urges: "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received."
Theological Implications:Theologically, the concept of correspondence underscores the transformative nature of the Christian faith. It suggests that true faith is evidenced by a life that reflects the character and commands of God. This alignment is not achieved through human effort alone but through the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.
Practical Application:For Christians, the call to correspond with God's will involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It requires a commitment to living out the principles of the faith in everyday life, striving for holiness, and seeking to reflect Christ's love and truth in all interactions.
Related Concepts:·
Conformity: The idea of conforming to the image of Christ (
Romans 8:29).
·
Obedience: Living in obedience to God's commands as a demonstration of faith (
John 14:15).
·
Transformation: The process of being transformed into the likeness of Christ (
2 Corinthians 3:18).
Conclusion:The biblical concept of correspondence calls believers to a life of alignment with God's will, reflecting His character and commands in every aspect of life. This alignment is a testament to the transformative power of the gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's journey of faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To be like something else in the dimensions and arrangement of its parts; -- followed by with or to; as, concurring figures correspond with each other throughout.
2. (v. i.) To be adapted; to be congruous; to suit; to agree; to fit; to answer; -- followed by to.
3. (v. i.) To have intercourse or communion; especially, to hold intercourse or to communicate by sending and receiving letters; -- followed by with.
Greek
4960. sustoicheo -- to stand in the same rank, fig.correspond to...correspond to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sustoicheo Phonetic Spelling:
(soos-toy-kheh'-o) Short Definition: I
correspond to Definition: I am in the
...5590. psuche -- breath, the soul
... which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from zoe, which is mere
vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactlycorrespond respectively to...
469. antapodosis -- recompense
... Cognate: 469 (a feminine noun) -- the brand of recompense (reward) that richly rewards
services rendered, emphasizing that they (correspond, are proportional...
Strong's Hebrew
1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be... 1), caused (1), come (86), come to pass (3), comes (2), comes to pass (1), committed
(1), consists (1), continue (6), continued (3),
correspond (1), decided* (1
...Library
Whether the Third Beatitude, "Blessed are they that Mourn," Etc....
... Objection 1: It would seem that the third beatitude, "Blessed are they
that mourn," does notcorrespond to the gift of knowledge....
Whether the Fifth Beatitude, which is that of Mercy, Corresponds...
... counsel? Objection 1: It would seem that the fifth beatitude, which is
that of mercy, does notcorrespond to the gift of counsel....
Whether the Second Beatitude, "Blessed are the Meek," Corresponds...
... of piety? Objection 1: It seems that the second beatitude, "Blessed are
the meek," does notcorrespond to the gift of piety. For...
Whether the Gift of Counsel Corresponds to the virtue of Prudence?
... Objection 1: It would seem that the gift of counsel does not fittinglycorrespond
to the virtue of prudence.... Therefore theycorrespond to one another....
Whether Poverty of Spirit is the Beatitude Corresponding to the...
... life, according to Mat.19:21, "If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast,
and give to the poor." Therefore poverty of spirit does notcorrespond to the...
Whether Poverty of Spirit is the Beatitude which Corresponds to...
... life, according to Matt.19:21: "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast,
and give to the poor." Hence poverty of spirit does notcorrespond to the...
Whether the Fourth Beatitude: "Blessed are they that Hunger and...
... Objection 1: It seems that the fourth beatitude, "Blessed are they that hunger and
thirst after justice," does notcorrespond to the gift of fortitude....
Appendix.
... we have actual and practical relations both to the home churches, and to the churches
gathered here, and our Ecclesiastical relations shouldcorrespond thereto...
April 20:
... If Icorrespond with part of it, part of myself is influenced. If Icorrespond with
more, more of myself is influenced; if with all, all is influenced....
June 5:
... to know God. To know God is to "correspond" with God. Tocorrespond with
God is tocorrespond with a Perfect Environment. And the...
Thesaurus
Correspond (5 Occurrences)... 1. (vi) To be like something else in the dimensions and arrangement of its parts; --
followed by with or to; as, concurring figures
correspond with each other
...Inn (7 Occurrences)
... In the modern sense, unknown in the East. The khans or caravanserais, whichcorrespond
to the European inn, are not alluded to in the Old Testament....
Tally (1 Occurrence)
... 6. (n.) To score with correspondent notches; hence, to make tocorrespond; to cause
to fit or suit.... 8. (vi) To be fitted; to suit; tocorrespond; to match....
Respond (21 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To show some effect in return to a force; to act in response; to accord;
tocorrespond; to suit.... 5. (vt) To suit or accord with; tocorrespond to....
Parallel (6 Occurrences)
... 14. (vt) To equal; to match; tocorrespond to. 15.... 16. (vi) To be parallel; to
correspond; to be like. Multi-Version Concordance Parallel (6 Occurrences)....
Agree (24 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To be conformable; to resemble; to coincide; tocorrespond; as, the picture
does not agree with the original; the two scales agree exactly....
Accord (43 Occurrences)
... bars a suit. 6. (vt) To make to agree orcorrespond; to suit one thing
to another; to adjust; -- followed by to. 7. (vt) To bring...
Answer (2099 Occurrences)
... to repay. 10. (n.) To be or act in accommodation, conformity, relation,
or proportion to; tocorrespond to; to suit. 11. (vi) To...
Weights (14 Occurrences)
... equivalent, and he (Warren) estimates the capacity of these as that of 1/30 of the
cubit cubed, or about 2,333.3 cubic inches, which wouldcorrespond to about...
Time (7245 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew year (shanah) was composed of 12 or 13 months, the latter being the year
when an intercalary month was added to make the lunarcorrespond with the...
Resources
What should I look for in a Christian girlfriend? | GotQuestions.orgShould Christians use the preferred pronouns of transgender individuals when referring to them? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the problem of good? | GotQuestions.orgCorrespond: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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