Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "difference" can be understood in various ways, including distinctions between people, behaviors, and spiritual states. The Bible often addresses differences to highlight God's intentions for order, holiness, and unity among His people.
1. Difference in Creation:The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God establishes differences as part of His divine order. In
Genesis 1, God creates light and separates it from darkness, establishing day and night (
Genesis 1:4-5). He also creates different kinds of living creatures, each according to its kind (
Genesis 1:24-25). These distinctions reflect God's purposeful design and the inherent order in creation.
2. Difference in Humanity:The Bible acknowledges differences among people, including gender, ethnicity, and roles. In
Genesis 1:27 , it is stated, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This verse highlights the distinction between male and female, both created in the image of God, yet with unique roles and purposes.
The New Testament further addresses differences among people, emphasizing unity in Christ.
Galatians 3:28 states, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This verse underscores the spiritual equality and unity of all believers, transcending earthly distinctions.
3. Difference in Holiness:The concept of holiness involves being set apart, and the Bible frequently discusses the difference between the holy and the profane. In
Leviticus 10:10 , God instructs the Israelites, "You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean." This command highlights the importance of recognizing and maintaining the difference between what is sacred and what is ordinary or impure.
The New Testament continues this theme, calling believers to live lives that reflect their holy calling. In
1 Peter 1:15-16 , it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness involves a distinct way of living that sets believers apart from the world.
4. Difference in Spiritual States:The Bible also addresses the difference between spiritual states, particularly between those who are saved and those who are not. In
Ephesians 2:1-5 , Paul describes the transformation from death to life: "As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins... But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses." This passage highlights the stark difference between the spiritual death of sin and the new life found in Christ.
5. Difference in Gifts and Roles:The New Testament speaks of differences in spiritual gifts and roles within the body of Christ. In
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 , Paul writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people." These differences are intended to work together for the common good and the edification of the church.
6. Difference in Judgment:The Bible also speaks of the final judgment, where a clear difference will be made between the righteous and the wicked. In
Matthew 25:31-46 , Jesus describes the separation of the sheep from the goats, symbolizing the distinction between those who have followed Him and those who have not. This ultimate difference underscores the eternal consequences of one's choices and relationship with God.
Throughout Scripture, the concept of difference serves to illustrate God's order, purpose, and the call to holiness and unity among His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike; distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a difference of quality in paper; a difference in degrees of heat, or of light; what is the difference between the innocent and the guilty?
2. (n.) Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel; hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy.
3. (n.) That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or causes to differ; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific attribute.
4. (n.) Choice; preference.
5. (n.) An addition to a coat of arms to distinguish the bearings of two persons, which would otherwise be the same. See Augmentation, and Marks of cadency, under Cadency.
6. (n.) The quality or attribute which is added to those of the genus to constitute a species; a differentia.
7. (n.) The quantity by which one quantity differs from another, or the remainder left after subtracting the one from the other.
8. (v. t.) To cause to differ; to make different; to mark as different; to distinguish.
Greek
1293. diastole -- a separation, adifference... a separation, a
difference. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: diastole
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-as-tol-ay') Short Definition: distinction
...1308. diaphero -- to carry through, carry about, to differ, make a...
... to carry through, carry about, to differ, make adifference, surpass. Part of Speech:
Verb Transliteration: diaphero Phonetic Spelling: (dee-af-er'-o) Short...
1243. diairesis -- a division
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: diairesis Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ah'-ee-res-is)
Short Definition: division, distribution,difference, distinction Definition...
2644. katallasso -- to reconcile
... reconcile. From kata and allasso; to change mutually, ie (figuratively) to compound
adifference -- reconcile. see GREEK kata. see GREEK allasso....
3307. merizo -- to divide
... From meros; to part, ie (literally) to apportion, bestow, share, or (figuratively)
to disunite, differ -- deal, bedifference between, distribute, divide, give...
Strong's Hebrew
914. badal -- to be divided, separate... make, put
difference, divide asunder, make separate. A primitive root; to divide
(in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate
...6395. palah -- to be separated or distinct
... A primitive root; to distinguish (literally or figuratively) -- put adifference,
show marvellous, separate, set apart, sever, make wonderfully. 6394, 6395....
Library
NoDifference
... ROMANS NODIFFERENCE. 'There is nodifference.'"Romans 3:22. The things... interests.
I. First, there is nodifference in the fact of sin. Now...
TheDifference of Aeviternity and Time
... Thedifference of aeviternity and time. Objection 1: It seems that aeviternity
is the same as time. For Augustine says (Gen. ad lit....
On theDifference in the Health of Twins.
... Book V. Chapter 2."On theDifference in the Health of Twins. Cicero says
that the famous physician Hippocrates has left in writing...
Psalm 1:3. LM TheDifference Between the Righteous and the Wicked.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 1:3. LM Thedifference between the
righteous and the wicked. 1 Happy the man whose cautious...
TheDifference Between the Outward and Inward Man.
... Wisdom, True Annihilation, and Internal Peace. CHAP. I. TheDifference between
the Outward and Inward Man. 1. THERE are two sorts of...
TheDifference Between what is Good in Itself and what is Good by...
... On the Morals of the Manich??ans. Chapter 4. "TheDifference Between What
is Good in Itself and What is Good by Participation....
The Answer on theDifference of Customs in the Two Countries.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter VII. The answer on thedifference
of customs in the two countries. Germanus: Although we...
Of theDifference Between the Secret Friends and the Hidden Sons...
... THE SPARKLING STONE CHAPTER VIII. OF THEDIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SECRET
FRIENDS AND THE HIDDEN SONS OF GOD. But further we find a...
Who Use theDifference Between Meriting and Appropriating, to the...
... Second Head of Doctrine Paragraph 6 Who use thedifference between meriting
and appropriating, to the end that they may instil?...
What theDifference is Between Christ and the Saints.
... Book V. Chapter IV. What thedifference is between Christ and the saints.
Moreover there is between Him and all the saints the same...
Thesaurus
Difference (19 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) The act of differing; the state or measure of being different or unlike;
distinction; dissimilarity; unlikeness; variation; as, a
difference of quality
...Quarrel (22 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A breach of concord, amity, or obligation; a falling out; adifference;
a disagreement; an antagonism in opinion, feeling, or conduct; esp., an angry...
Imputation
... It makes nodifference, so far as the meaning of imputation is concerned, who it
is that imputes, whether man (1 Samuel 22:15) or God (Psalm 32:2); it makes no...
Error (90 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Thedifference between the approximate result and the true result; --
used particularly in the rule of double position....
Distinguish (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To separate by definition of terms or logical division of a subject with
regard todifference; as, to distinguish sounds into high and low....
Sisera (18 Occurrences)
... Hazor. The accounts given of the battle of Sisera with Barak, as found in
Judges 4 and 5, have important points ofdifference. The...
Easter (1 Occurrence)
... Easter was thus fixed by these rules, but another difficulty arose when the Gregorian
calendar was adopted in 1582, thedifference between it and the Julian...
Ir-ha-heres
... with the original. Thisdifference in manuscripts gives rise to different
opinions among authorities here to be noted. Most of the...
Differ (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To have adifference, cause of variance, or quarrel; to dispute; to contend.
4. (vt) To cause to be different or unlike; to set at variance....
Irhaheres
... with the original. Thisdifference in manuscripts gives rise to different
opinions among authorities here to be noted. Most of the...
Resources
What is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between Christianity and Judaism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between faith and hope? | GotQuestions.orgDifference: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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