Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being proportionate, while not explicitly named in the Bible, is deeply embedded in the principles of justice, fairness, and balance as presented in the Scriptures. The idea of proportionate responses and actions is reflected in various biblical teachings and narratives, emphasizing the importance of equity and appropriate measures in human conduct and divine judgment.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the principle of proportionate justice is evident in the legal codes given to the Israelites. The famous lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, is a prime example: "But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot" (
Exodus 21:23-24). This law was not intended to promote vengeance but to ensure that the punishment was proportionate to the offense, thereby maintaining justice and preventing excessive retribution.
The concept of proportionate giving is also seen in the laws of tithing and offerings. The Israelites were commanded to give a tenth of their produce and livestock as a tithe to the Lord (
Leviticus 27:30-32). This proportional giving was a way to honor God and support the Levitical priesthood, ensuring that everyone contributed according to their means.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus expands on the idea of proportionate justice and mercy. In the Sermon on the Mount, He teaches, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also" (
Matthew 5:38-39). Here, Jesus calls His followers to transcend the strict proportionality of the law with a spirit of forgiveness and grace.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of proportionate giving in his letters. In
2 Corinthians 8:12-14, he writes, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality." Paul encourages believers to give according to their means, promoting fairness and mutual support within the Christian community.
Divine Proportionate JusticeThe Bible consistently portrays God as a just judge who administers proportionate justice. In
Deuteronomy 32:4, God is described as "a God of faithfulness and without injustice; righteous and upright is He." God's judgments are always fair and measured, reflecting His perfect understanding and righteousness.
The parable of the talents (
Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates the principle of proportionate reward. Each servant is entrusted with a different amount of money according to their ability, and they are rewarded based on how they manage what they have been given. This parable underscores the importance of faithful stewardship and the proportionality of divine reward.
ConclusionThe biblical principle of proportionate justice and action is a reflection of God's character and His desire for His people to live in fairness and balance. Whether in the administration of justice, the practice of giving, or the exercise of mercy, the Scriptures call believers to act in ways that are measured, equitable, and reflective of God's own righteousness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Adjusted to something else; commensurate; balanced; proportional.
2. (v.) To make proportional; to adjust according to a settled rate, or to due comparative relation; to proportion; as, to proportionate punishment to crimes.
Strong's Hebrew
6310. peh -- mouth... 3), one end (2), one end to the other (1), one end to another (1), opening (11),
parts (1), portion (2), promised* (1), proportion (5),
proportionate (2), said
...Library
ConsolationProportionate to Spiritual Sufferings
... ConsolationProportionate to Spiritual Sufferings. A Sermon (No.13). Delivered
on Sabbath Morning, March 11, 1855, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON....
Whether God's Existence Can be Demonstrated
... But his effects are notproportionate to God himself, since God is infinite while
they are finite, and the finite is notproportionate to the infinite....
Whether Isidore's Description of the Quality of Positive Law is...
... Phys. ii, text.88). Again, everything that is ruled and measured must have
a formproportionate to its rule and measure. Now both...
Whether we Ought to Love one Neighbor More than Another?
... On the contrary, One's obligation to love a person isproportionate to the
gravity of the sin one commits in acting against that love....
Whether Charity is Infused According to the Capacity of Our...
... Objection 2: Further, among things ordained towards one another, the second is
proportionate to the first: thus we find in natural things that the form is...
Whether it Can be Demonstrated that God Exists?
... But His effects are notproportionate to Him, since He is infinite and His effects
are finite; and between the finite and infinite there is no proportion....
Whether the Clarity of the Glorified Body is visible to the Non...
... For the visible object should beproportionate to the sight. But a
non-glorified eye is notproportionate to see the clarity of...
Whether the Degree of Goodness or Malice in the Will Depends on...
... First, through the object that is ordained to the intended end not beingproportionate
to that end; for instance, if a man were to give ten pounds, he could...
Whether the Actions of the First Man were Less Meritorious than...
... therein. But inproportionate degree the widow gave more, as Our Lord said;
because she gave more in proportion to her means. In...
Whether any Moral virtues are in us by Infusion?
... and justice and fortitude.". I answer that, Effects must needs beproportionate
to their causes and principles. Now all virtues, intellectual...
Thesaurus
Proportionate (1 Occurrence)... 2. (v.) To make proportional; to adjust according to a settled rate, or to due
comparative relation; to proportion; as, to
proportionate punishment to crimes.
...Proportionately (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In aproportionate manner; with due proportion;
proportionally. Multi-Version Concordance Proportionately (1 Occurrence)....
Commensurate (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To reduce to a common measure. 2. (vt) Toproportionate; to adjust.... 4. (a.)
Equal in measure or extent;proportionate. Multi-Version Concordance...
Proportion (15 Occurrences)
Gospels
... Mutual relation. "If the extent of all the coincidences be represented by 100, their
proportionate distribution will be: Matthew, Mark, and Luke, 53; Matthew...
Mediterranean
... Its water has a slightly greater specific gravity, probably because of a larger
proportionate evaporation. William Arthur Heidel. SEA, MEDITERRANEAN....
Match (4 Occurrences)
... 15. (vt) To make equal,proportionate, or suitable; to adapt, fit, or suit (one
thing to another). 16. (vt) To marry; to give in marriage. 17....
Club (7 Occurrences)
... unite. 10. (vi) To pay on equal orproportionate share of a common charge
or expense; to pay for something by contribution. 11....
Answerable (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Correspondent; conformable; hence, comparable. 4. (a.)Proportionate;
commensurate; suitable; as, an achievement answerable to the preparation for it....
Adequate (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Equal to some requirement;proportionate, or correspondent; fully sufficient;
as, powers adequate to a great work; an adequate definition....
Resources
What is the just war theory? | GotQuestions.orgShould a church tithe 10% of the offerings it receives? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian continue spanking his/her children if it is illegal? | GotQuestions.orgProportionate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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