Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Performance, in a biblical context, refers to the act of carrying out or executing a task, duty, or command. It encompasses the idea of fulfilling obligations, whether they are spiritual, moral, or practical. The concept of performance is often linked to obedience, faithfulness, and the demonstration of one's faith through actions.
Biblical References:1.
Faith and Works: The relationship between faith and performance is a central theme in the New Testament.
James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This verse emphasizes that genuine faith is evidenced by performance—specifically, the performance of good works. The apostle Paul also addresses this in
Ephesians 2:10 , "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."
2.
Obedience to God's Commands: Performance is closely tied to obedience in the Scriptures. In
Deuteronomy 5:32-33 , Moses instructs the Israelites, "So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left. You are to walk in all the ways 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." Here, performance is seen as adherence to God's commands, leading to blessings and prosperity.
3.
Parables of Jesus: Jesus often used parables to illustrate the importance of performance in the Kingdom of God. In the Parable of the Talents (
Matthew 25:14-30), the servants are judged based on their performance in managing the master's resources. The servant who performed well by doubling his talents is commended, while the one who did nothing is rebuked. This parable underscores the expectation of active and fruitful performance in the service of God.
4.
Stewardship and Accountability: Performance is also related to stewardship and the accountability of one's actions. In
1 Corinthians 4:2 , Paul writes, "Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." This verse highlights the responsibility of believers to perform their duties faithfully, as they will be held accountable for their stewardship.
5.
Spiritual Gifts and Service: The New Testament teaches that believers are endowed with spiritual gifts for the purpose of performance in service to the body of Christ.
Romans 12:6-8 encourages believers to use their gifts effectively: "We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
Theological Implications:Performance in the biblical sense is not merely about external actions but is deeply connected to the heart and intention behind those actions. It is an expression of one's faith and commitment to God. The Bible consistently teaches that while salvation is by grace through faith, performance—manifested in obedience, good works, and faithful stewardship—is the natural outflow of a transformed life in Christ. Believers are called to perform their duties with excellence, as unto the Lord, reflecting His character and advancing His Kingdom on earth.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of performing; the carrying into execution or action; execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by action; as, the performance of an undertaking of a duty.
2. (n.) That which is performed or accomplished; a thing done or carried through; an achievement; a deed; an act; a feat; esp., an action of an elaborate or public character.
Greek
2039. ergasia -- work (noun)... Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ergasia Phonetic Spelling: (er-gas-ee'-ah)
Short Definition: working, activity, trade,
performance Definition: working
...4162. poiesis -- a making, a doing
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: poiesis Phonetic Spelling:
(poy'-ay-sis) Short Definition: a doing Definition: a doing, making,performance....
3316. mesites -- an arbitrator, a mediator
... 3316 (from 3319 , "in the middle") -- properly, an arbitrator ("mediator"),
guaranteeing theperformance of all the stipulated in a covenant (agreement)....
5050. teleiosis -- completion, perfection
... perfection. From phusioo; (the act) completion, ie (of prophecy) verification, or
(of expiation) absolution -- perfection,performance. see GREEK phusioo....
813. ataktos -- out of order, out of place
... ataktos Phonetic Spelling: (at'-ak-tos) Short Definition: disorderly, slack Definition:
(lit: out of order), disorderly, slack (inperformance of duty)....
2334. theoreo -- to look at, gaze
... purpose of (). [2334 () is the root of the English term "theatre," ie where
people of an action (performance).]. Word Origin from...
5042. teknogonia -- childbearing
... childbearing. From the same as teknogoneo; childbirth (parentage), ie (by implication)
maternity (theperformance of maternal duties) -- childbearing....
4138. pleroma -- fullness, a filling up
... ie (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude),
or (objectively) what is filled (as container,performance, period) -- which is...
Strong's Hebrew
4659. miph'al -- a work, something made... a
performance Or (feminine) miph.alah {mif-aw-law'}; from pa'al; a
performance --
work. see HEBREW pa'al. 4658, 4659. miph'al. 4659a . Strong's Numbers.
5949. alilah -- wantonness, a deed
... Or malilah {al-ee-law'}; from alal in the sense of effecting; an exploit (of God),
or aperformance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an...
Library
The NextPerformance is Mainly Directed against Faith in the...
... IV. The nextperformance is mainly directed against faith in the Church?
The nextperformance is mainly directed against faith...
What Pelagius Thinks is Needful for Ease ofPerformance is Really...
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 30 [XXIX.]"What
Pelagius Thinks is Needful for Ease ofPerformance is Really Necessary for...
That the Understanding, by Means of which we Can Recognize God's...
... Chapter XV. That the understanding, by means of which we can recognize God's commands,
and theperformance of a good will are both gifts from the Lord....
On the Precepts of Divine Worship in General
... For we must suppose that there are two parts of a precept, the first of which requires
theperformance or the omission of an act, and the second demands...
On Obedience to the Commands of God in General
... GENERAL. Because the yielding of obedience is the duty of an inferior,
therefore, for theperformance of it, humility is requisite....
On the Fifth Command in the Decalogue
... that a certain order should exist among men, according to which some are superiors
and others inferiors, and which consists in the mutualperformance of the...
Concerning Things done in Illumination.
... And, as the Divine Oracles teach, we shall attain this only by the love and
the religiousperformance of the most worshipful Commandments....
Letter xiv. --(For 342. ) Coss. Augustus Constantius iii, Constans...
... and the feast which is of the Lord, is not accomplished by words only, but by deeds,
every enactment of laws and every command involving a distinctperformance...
On Particular Acts of Obedience, or those which are Prescribed in...
... him. VI. But some things generally must be observed for the correct
performance of all the precepts together. Such are, VII. The...
Various Objections in Favour of the Common Interpretation Answered
... and will say,] "It is a well known fact that they who give this interpretation to
the chapter, do not take away from the regenerate theperformance of all...
Thesaurus
Performance (6 Occurrences)... n.) The act of performing; the carrying into execution or action; execution;
achievement; accomplishment; representation by action; as, the
performance of an
...Guarantee (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) In law and common usage: A promise to answer for the payment of some debt,
or theperformance of some duty, in case of the failure of another person...
Work (4564 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) That which is produced as the result of labor; anything accomplished by
exertion or toil; product;performance; fabric; manufacture; in a more general...
Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Anything given or considered as a security for theperformance of an act;
a guarantee; as, mutual interest is the best pledge for theperformance of...
Hand (14438 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Side; part; direction, either right or left. 7. (n.) Power of
performance; means of execution; ability; skill; dexterity....
On (40792 Occurrences)
... 4. (prep.) Denotingperformance or action by contact with the surface, upper part,
or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or...
Relief (32 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Release from a post, or from theperformance of duty, by the intervention
of others, by discharge, or by relay; as, a relief of a sentry....
Righteousness (442 Occurrences)
... Back of theperformance of religious rites was the fear of the group that the god
of the group would be displeased if certain honors were not rendered to him....
Envelop (1 Occurrence)
... tangents. 6. (n.) A set of limits for theperformance capabilities of some
type of machine, originally used to refer to aircraft. Now...
Mortgage
... 1. (n.) A conveyance of property, upon condition, as security for the payment of
a debt or theperformance of a duty, and to become void upon payment or...
Resources
How can I learn to not take offense at little things? | GotQuestions.orgEntertainment and Worldview ' Article Index | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.orgPerformance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
