Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "states" as understood in modern political terms does not directly appear. However, the Scriptures provide significant insights into governance, authority, and the role of nations, which can be related to the idea of states.
Biblical Foundations of GovernanceThe Bible acknowledges the existence of governing authorities and their role in maintaining order and justice.
Romans 13:1-2 states, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." This passage underscores the divine ordination of authority, suggesting that states and their governments are part of God's sovereign plan.
The Role of NationsThroughout the Old Testament, God interacts with various nations, often using them to fulfill His purposes. For example, in
Isaiah 45:1 , God refers to Cyrus, the king of Persia, as His anointed, indicating that God can use secular rulers to accomplish His divine will. The rise and fall of empires, such as Egypt, Babylon, and Persia, are depicted as being under God's control, demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations.
Israel as a Theocratic StateThe nation of Israel serves as a unique example of a theocratic state, where God Himself was recognized as the ultimate ruler. The laws given to Israel, including the Ten Commandments and various civil and ceremonial laws, were intended to set Israel apart as a holy nation (
Exodus 19:6). The governance of Israel was initially through judges and later through kings, with the expectation that these leaders would adhere to God's laws and lead the people in righteousness.
The Kingdom of GodIn the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God, which transcends earthly states and political boundaries. In
John 18:36 , Jesus declares, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm." This statement highlights the spiritual nature of God's kingdom, which operates on principles distinct from worldly governments.
Christians and Earthly StatesChristians are called to live as citizens of both the earthly state and the heavenly kingdom.
Philippians 3:20 reminds believers, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." While living in the world, Christians are instructed to respect and pray for their leaders (
1 Timothy 2:1-2) and to be good citizens, obeying laws that do not contradict God's commands.
Prophetic Visions of NationsThe prophetic books of the Bible, such as Daniel and Revelation, contain visions of future events involving nations and rulers. These prophecies often depict the rise and fall of kingdoms and the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom.
Daniel 2:44 prophesies, "In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever."
In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly discuss "states" as modern political entities, it provides a framework for understanding governance, the role of nations, and the believer's relationship to earthly authorities, all under the overarching sovereignty of God.
Greek
2204. zeo -- to boil, be hot... the participle of the Latin , 'or ' is an exact translation of this word, which
means 'or ' and is therefore used figuratively of mental
states and emotions
...73. agon -- a gathering, contest, struggle
... agony," "agonize") -- properly, a (), a grueling (fight); (figuratively) that goes
with " the good of faith" (1 Tim 6:12) -- which literallystates, "(75 ) the...
4729. stenochoreo -- to be made narrow, to compress
... cf. , 1, 25.54). In 2 Cor 4:8, Paulstates God's grace kept him in difficult
circumstances from feeling such. See 4730 (). Word...
Library
The Presbyterian Church in the UnitedStates of America.
... PARS QUARTA: RECENT CONFESSIONAL DECLARATIONS AND TERMS OF CORPORATE CHURCH UNION.
The Presbyterian Church in the UnitedStates of America....
Whether the Difference ofStates Applies to those who are...
... TREATISE ON THESTATES OF LIFE (QQ -189)OF MAN'S VARIOUS DUTIES ANDSTATES IN GENERAL
(FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the difference ofstates applies to those who are...
St. AmbroseStates that after the Explanations He Has Already...
... The Book Concerning the Mysteries. Chapter I. St. Ambrosestates that after
the explanations he has already given of holy living? St....
Treatise on theStates of Life (Qq -189)Of Man's Various Duties...
... TREATISE ON THESTATES OF LIFE (QQ -189)OF MAN'S VARIOUS DUTIES ANDSTATES IN GENERAL
(FOUR ARTICLES). We must next consider man's variousstates and duties....
On theStates of Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation
... DISPUTATION XXXVIII ON THESTATES OF CHRIST'S HUMILIATION AND EXALTATION.
Respecting the imposition and the execution of the offices...
Whether There Should be Different Duties orStates in the Church?
... TREATISE ON THESTATES OF LIFE (QQ -189)OF MAN'S VARIOUS DUTIES ANDSTATES IN GENERAL
(FOUR ARTICLES) Whether there should be different duties orstates in the...
To My Christian Brethren in the UnitedStates of America.
... TO MY CHRISTIAN BRETHREN IN THE UNITEDSTATES OF AMERICA. THE present age
may be considered an epoch of transition in the developement...
FaustusStates his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the...
... Faustusstates his objections to the morality of the law and the prophets, and Augustin
seeks by the application of the type and the allegory to explain away...
Camp-Meetings in VariousStates
... Chapter XXI Camp-Meetings in VariousStates. While engaged in the work in Chicago
I had the privilege of attending camp-meetings in a number ofStates....
Look at theStates of Musti and Assura...
... Book I. Chapter 15. " 16. Look at thestates of Musti and Assura? "16.
Look at thestates of Musti [1947] and Assura: [1948...
Thesaurus
States (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
States (3 Occurrences). Proverbs 8:23 From the age I was
anointed, from the first, From former
states of the earth. (YLT).
...Confederate (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) of or pertaining to the government of the eleven SouthernStates of the
UnitedStates which (1860-1865) attempted to establish an independent nation...
Shilling (8 Occurrences)
... Great Britain and its dependencies, equal to twelve pence, or the twentieth part
of a pound, equivalent to about twenty-four cents of the UnitedStates currency...
Feeling (59 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The sense by which the mind, through certain nerves of the body, perceives
external objects, or certainstates of the body itself; that one of the five...
Alliance (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A union or connection of interests between families,states, parties, etc.,
especially between families by marriage andstates by compact, treaty, or...
State (51 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) Any body of men united by profession, or constituting a community of a
particular character; as, the civil and ecclesiasticalstates, or the lords...
Senate (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) The upper and less numerous branch of a legislature in various countries,
as in France, in the UnitedStates, in most of the separateStates of the...
Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)
... home; but as they are closely related to the Arameans, it is possible that their
first settlements lay in the neighborhood of the Arameanstates bordering on...
Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... In order to maintain their position they entered into a good understanding from
time to time with thestates of Greece or acknowledged temporarily Persian...
Stater (1 Occurrence)
... 6d. of our money. (see SHEKEL.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) One who
states. 2. (n.) The principal gold coin of ancient Greece....
Resources
Is the United States a Christian nation? | GotQuestions.orgIs the United States of America in Bible prophecy? | GotQuestions.orgWere the Founding Fathers of the United States Christians? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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