Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "deficiency" can refer to a lack or shortcoming, whether it be spiritual, moral, or material. The concept of deficiency is often addressed in Scripture, highlighting humanity's need for God's provision and guidance.
Spiritual DeficiencySpiritual deficiency is a recurring theme in the Bible, where individuals or groups fall short of God's standards.
Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse underscores the universal nature of spiritual deficiency, emphasizing the need for redemption through Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that without faith and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, humans are spiritually deficient and unable to please God (
Hebrews 11:6).
Moral DeficiencyMoral deficiency is evident in the Bible through the actions and decisions of various characters. The account of King David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) illustrates moral deficiency, as David's actions led to adultery and murder. Despite his shortcomings, David's repentance and God's forgiveness highlight the possibility of restoration.
Proverbs 28:13 advises, "He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy."
Material DeficiencyMaterial deficiency, or poverty, is also addressed in Scripture. The Bible acknowledges the reality of material lack and calls for compassion and generosity towards those in need. In
Deuteronomy 15:11, it is written, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you to open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land." Jesus Himself emphasized caring for the poor, as seen in
Matthew 25:35-40, where He equates serving the needy with serving Him.
God's ProvisionThe Bible consistently points to God as the ultimate provider who meets all forms of deficiency.
Philippians 4:19 assures believers, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This promise extends beyond material needs to encompass spiritual and moral deficiencies, offering hope and restoration through faith in Christ.
Human Response to DeficiencyBelievers are called to respond to deficiency with faith, repentance, and action.
James 1:5 encourages those lacking wisdom to ask God, who gives generously. In addressing material deficiency, Christians are urged to be generous and to trust in God's provision, as seen in
2 Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
In summary, the Bible addresses deficiency in various forms, emphasizing humanity's need for God's grace and provision. Through faith, repentance, and obedience, believers can overcome deficiencies and live in accordance with God's will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Inadequacy; lack; insufficiency; failure; imperfection; shortcoming; defect.
Greek
666. apousia -- a being away, ie absence... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apousia Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-oo-see'-ah) Short Definition: absence Definition: absence,
deficiency, waste.
...5503. chera -- a widow
... Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the
idea ofdeficiency; a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively...
Strong's Hebrew
2642. chesron -- a thing lacking,deficiency... a thing lacking,
deficiency. Transliteration: chesron Phonetic Spelling: (khes-rone')
Short Definition: lacking.
... wanting. From chacer;
deficiency -- wanting.
...4270. machsor -- a need, thing needed, poverty
... lack, need, penury, poor, poverty, want. Or machcor {makh-sore'}; from chacer;
deficiency; hence, impoverishment -- lack, need, penury, poor, poverty, want....
Library
Whether Excess andDeficiency Diversify the Species of Sins?
... OF THE DISTINCTION OF SINS (NINE ARTICLES) Whether excess anddeficiency
diversify the species of sins? Objection 1: It would seem...
Whether Ingratitude is a Special Sin?
... I answer that, Every vice is denominated from adeficiency of virtue, because
deficiency is more opposed to virtue: thus illiberality is more opposed to...
Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer (Continued)
... As they listened to Him praying, they felt very keenly their ignorance anddeficiency
in praying. Who has not felt the samedeficiency and ignorance?...
Whether Prodigality is Opposite to Covetousness?
... I answer that, In morals vices are opposed to one another and to virtue
in respect of excess anddeficiency. Now covetousness and...
Whether the Different Kinds of Almsdeeds are Suitably Enumerated?
... First, in order to relieve adeficiency on the part of the intellect, and if this
deficiency be in the speculative intellect, the remedy is applied by...
Whether Obedience is a Special virtue?
... Nor is it a moral virtue, since it does not hold the mean between excess and
deficiency, for the more obedient one is the more is one praised....
Whether Abstinence is a virtue?
... ii, 6,7. But abstinence seemingly inclines not to the mean but todeficiency, since
it denotes retrenchment. Therefore abstinence is not a virtue....
Whether Fearlessness is Opposed to Fortitude?
... Now this mode of reason may be corrupted either by excess or bydeficiency.
Wherefore just as timidity is opposed to fortitude by...
Whether Truth is a virtue?
... Nor again is it a moral virtue, since it is not a mean between excess and
deficiency, for the more one tells the truth, the better it is....
Whether Moral virtues Observe the Mean?
... Now it is clear that between excess anddeficiency the mean is equality or conformity.
Therefore it is evident that moral virtue observes the mean....
Thesaurus
Deficiency (3 Occurrences)... (n.) Inadequacy; lack; insufficiency; failure; imperfection; shortcoming; defect.
Multi-Version Concordance
Deficiency (3 Occurrences).
...Lack (86 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Blame; cause of blame; fault; crime; offense. 2. (n.)Deficiency; want;
need; destitution; failure; as, a lack of sufficient food....
Equalization (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 8:14 but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having
in the present emergency supplied theirdeficiency, their superfluity may in...
Emergency (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 8:14 but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having
in the present emergency supplied theirdeficiency, their superfluity may in...
Deficient (6 Occurrences)
... Philippians 2:30 because on account of the work of the Christ he drew near to death,
having hazarded the life that he might fill up yourdeficiency of service...
Burdens (35 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:14 but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having
in the present emergency supplied theirdeficiency, their superfluity may in...
Complete (246 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Filled up; with no part or element lacking;
free fromdeficiency; entire; perfect; consummate....
Superfluity (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:14 but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having
in the present emergency supplied theirdeficiency, their superfluity may in...
Supplied (22 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:14 but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having
in the present emergency supplied theirdeficiency, their superfluity may in...
Later (89 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:14 but that, by equalization of burdens, your superfluity having
in the present emergency supplied theirdeficiency, their superfluity may in...
Resources
Is God an egomaniac? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the doctrine of the mean? | GotQuestions.orgIf God knew that Satan would rebel, why did He create him? | GotQuestions.orgDeficiency: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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