Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "element" is not used in the modern scientific sense of chemical substances, but rather in a more general sense referring to fundamental components or principles. The Greek word "stoicheion" is often translated as "element" in the New Testament and is used to describe basic principles or rudimentary teachings.
Biblical References:1.
Galatians 4:3, 9 : In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul uses the term "elements" to describe the basic principles of the world that held people in bondage before the coming of Christ. He writes, "So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world" (
Galatians 4:3). Later, he questions why the Galatians would want to return to these "weak and worthless principles" after knowing God (
Galatians 4:9).
2.
Colossians 2:8, 20 : Paul warns the Colossians against being taken captive by philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition and the "elemental spiritual forces of the world" rather than Christ (
Colossians 2:8). He further emphasizes that believers have died with Christ to these "elemental spiritual forces" and should not submit to worldly regulations (
Colossians 2:20).
3.
2 Peter 3:10, 12 : The Apostle Peter uses the term "elements" in an eschatological context, referring to the physical components of the world that will be dissolved in the final judgment. He writes, "But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare" (
2 Peter 3:10). He reiterates this in verse 12, describing the heavens being set on fire and the elements melting in the heat.
Theological Implications:The use of "elements" in the New Testament often carries a connotation of the old order or the basic, rudimentary principles that are insufficient for salvation. In Galatians and Colossians, Paul contrasts these elements with the fullness found in Christ, emphasizing that believers are no longer bound by the elementary principles of the world but are called to live in the freedom and maturity of the Spirit.
In 2 Peter, the reference to elements being destroyed by fire serves as a vivid reminder of the transient nature of the physical world and the ultimate renewal that God will bring. This eschatological perspective encourages believers to live holy and godly lives in anticipation of the new heavens and new earth.
Historical Context:In the Greco-Roman world, "stoicheion" could refer to the basic components of the universe, such as earth, water, air, and fire, or to the fundamental principles of a system of thought. The New Testament authors, particularly Paul and Peter, adapt this concept to convey spiritual truths about the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant in Christ and the ultimate transformation of creation.
Practical Application:For Christians, understanding the biblical use of "elements" encourages a focus on the sufficiency of Christ and the new life He offers. It serves as a call to reject worldly philosophies and legalistic practices that are contrary to the gospel. Additionally, the eschatological destruction of the elements reminds believers of the impermanence of the material world and the importance of investing in eternal, spiritual realities.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A fundamental, essential, or irreducible part or principle.
2. (n.) One of the ultimate, indecomposable constituents of any kind of matter. Specifically: (Chem.) A substance which cannot be decomposed into different kinds of matter by any means at present employed; as, the elements of water are oxygen and hydrogen.
3. (n.) One of the ultimate parts which are variously combined in anything; as, letters are the elements of written language; hence, also, a simple portion of that which is complex, as a shaft, lever, wheel, or any simple part in a machine; one of the essential ingredients of any mixture; a constituent part; as, quartz, feldspar, and mica are the elements of granite.
4. (n.) One out of several parts combined in a system of aggregation, when each is of the nature of the whole; as, a single cell is an element of the honeycomb.
5. (n.) One of the smallest natural divisions of the organism, as a blood corpuscle, a muscular fiber.
6. (n.) One of the simplest essential parts, more commonly called cells, of which animal and vegetable organisms, or their tissues and organs, are composed.
7. (n.) An infinitesimal part of anything of the same nature as the entire magnitude considered; as, in a solid an element may be the infinitesimal portion between any two planes that are separated an indefinitely small distance. In the calculus, element is sometimes used as synonymous with differential.
8. (n.) Sometimes a curve, or surface, or volume is considered as described by a moving point, or curve, or surface, the latter being at any instant called an element of the former.
9. (n.) One of the terms in an algebraic expression.
10. (n.) One of the necessary data or values upon which a system of calculations depends, or general conclusions are based; as, the elements of a planet's orbit.
11. (n.) The simplest or fundamental principles of any system in philosophy, science, or art; rudiments; as, the elements of geometry, or of music.
12. (n.) Any outline or sketch, regarded as containing the fundamental ideas or features of the thing in question; as, the elements of a plan.
13. (n.) One of the simple substances, as supposed by the ancient philosophers; one of the imaginary principles of matter.
14. (n.) The four elements were, air, earth, water, and fire
15. (n.) the conditions and movements of the air.
16. (n.) The elements of the alchemists were salt, sulfur, and mercury.
17. (n.) The whole material composing the world.
18. (n.) The bread and wine used in the Eucharist or Lord's supper.
19. (v. t.) To compound of elements or first principles.
20. (v. t.) To constitute; to make up with elements.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ELEMENT; ELEMENTSel'-e-ment, (ta stoicheia, "the letters of the alphabet," "the elements out of which all things are formed," "the heavenly bodies," "the fundamental principles of any art or science"):
(1) In2 Peter 3:10, the constituent parts of the physical universe ("elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat," the American Revised Version, margin "the heavenly bodies").
(2) InGalatians 4:3, 1, the Revised Version (British and American) has "rudiments," as in the King James Version margin, and inColossians 2:8, 20, where the reference is to imperfect Jewish ordinances.
SeeRUDIMENTS.
Greek
4747. stoicheion -- one of a row, hence a letter (of the alphabet)...... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: stoicheion Phonetic Spelling:
(stoy-khi'-on) Short Definition: a heavenly body, an
element Definition: (a) plur
...4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... "Faith always has theelement of assurance, certainty and confidence . . . and
evidential value substantiating the thing we hope for . . ....
4158. poderes -- reaching to the feet
... long robe, dress. From pous and anotherelement of uncertain affinity; a dress
(esthes implied) reaching the ankles -- garment down to the foot. see GREEK pous....
1103. gnesios -- lawfully begotten, genuine
... see-os) Short Definition: real, true, genuine Definition: (lit: born in wedlock),
hence: real, true, genuine; with definite article: the true, genuineelement....
3667. homoioma -- that which is made like (something)
... 3667 ("resemblance") does require oneelement of a comparison to be from
the other; indeed, it can be wholly separate from it. Rather...
4892. sunedrion -- a sitting together, hence a council, spec. the...
... or the (Aramaic form of ), , composed of 71 members comprising members of:
high-priestly families, Pharisees learned in the law, and a layelement of Elders...
1128. gumnazo -- to exercise naked, to train
... 1128 () conveys acquiring -- regular exercise with graduated resistance (the physical
element is also included with the spiritual of being in "God's gymnasium...
1308. diaphero -- to carry through, carry about, to differ, make a...
... 1308 ("distinguishing what differs") underlines the involved, ie (distinguishing
from) the oneelement in a comparison (its value) ....
2081. esothen -- from within
... Definition: from within, inside Definition: (a) from within, from inside, (b) within,
inside; with the article: the inner part, the innerelement, (c) the mind...
687. ara -- an untranslatable interrog. particle implying anxiety...
... is expected. 687 -- . This difficult-to-translate interrogative particle
(adverb) injects theelement of and the . Depending on...
Strong's Hebrew
3974. maor -- a luminary... mpowrah {meh-o-raw'}; or morah {meh-o-raw'}; from 'owr; properly, a luminous body
or luminary, ie (abstractly) light (as an
element): figuratively, brightness
...7353. rachel -- ewe
... ewe, sheep. From an unused root meaning to journey; a ewe (the females being the
predominantelement of a flock) (as a good traveller) -- ewe, sheep....
Library
The DramaticElement in Speaking
... THE DRAMATICELEMENT IN SPEAKING. There is a well-defined prejudice against
the importation of anything "theatrical" into the pulpit....
A ThirdElement which Tends to Gain any One's Confidence is Shown...
... Book II. Chapter XI. A thirdelement which tends to gain any one's confidence
is shown to have been? A thirdelement which tends...
Moreover, the CapitalElement of Our Salvation is the Incarnation...
... A Sectional Confession of Faith. Section VI. Moreover, the capitalelement
of our salvation is the incarnation of the Word.? Moreover...
NegativeElement of the Miracle. --Its Insufficiency.
... Section 85. NegativeElement of the Miracle."Its Insufficiency. We must
distinguish in the Miracle a negative and a positiveelement....
PositiveElement. --Teleological Aim of Miracles.
... Section 86. PositiveElement."Teleological Aim of Miracles. Miracles, then, are
entirely different from results of the powers of nature intensified....
Synopsis. --The Gradual Narrowing of the MiraculousElement in the...
... I SYNOPSIS."The gradual narrowing of the miraculouselement in the Bible by recent
discovery and discussion."The alarm thereby excited in the Church."The...
Synopsis. --The Present Net Results of the Discussion of the...
... II SYNOPSIS."The present net results of the discussion of the miraculouselement
in the Bible."Evaporation of the former evidential value of miracles...
The Primeval Hovering of the Spirit of God Over the Waters Typical...
... The UniversalElement of Water Thus Made a Channel of Sanctification.
Resemblance Between the Outward Sign and the Inward Grace....
Soul and Body Conceived, Formed and Perfected inElement...
... Chapter XXVII."Soul and Body Conceived, Formed and Perfected inElement
Simultaneously. How, then, is a living being conceived?...
Christ's Distinction Between the MaterialElement of Miracles and...
... CHAPTER V. THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST. Section 94. Christ's Distinction between the
materialElement of Miracles and their essential Object."John, vi., 26....
Thesaurus
Element (1 Occurrence)... 4. (n.) One out of several parts combined in a system of aggregation, when each
is of the nature of the whole; as, a single cell is an
element of the honeycomb
...Lutheran
... baptizing." This command declares (a) speciem actus, ie it indicates with sufficient
clearness, by the use of the term "baptize," the externalelement to be...
Doctrine (52 Occurrences)
... baptizing." This command declares (a) speciem actus, ie it indicates with sufficient
clearness, by the use of the term "baptize," the externalelement to be...
Jehoiachin (20 Occurrences)
... He was carried prisoner to Babylon, and with him ten thousand captives, comprising
all the better and sturdierelement of the people from prince to craftsman...
Repentance (28 Occurrences)
... THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ELEMENTS 1. The IntellectualElement 2. The EmotionalElement
3. The VolitionalElement LITERATURE To get an accurate idea of the precise New...
Hammurabi
... The reading with initial "b" in the secondelement is confirmed by the Babylonian
rendering of the name as Kimta-rapastum, "my family is widespread," or the...
Anthropomorphism
... an-thro-po-mor'-fiz'-m: 1. Definition of the Term 2. Old Testament Anthropomorphisms
3. In What Senses an AnthropomorphicElement Is Necessary 4...
Righteousness (442 Occurrences)
... 1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent: In Christian thought
the idea of righteousness contains both a permanent and a changingelement....
Fear (970 Occurrences)
... "Fear" is certainly a prominentelement in Old Testament religion; the "fear of
God" or of Yahweh, "the fear of the Lord," is indeed synonymous with religion...
Innocents (2 Occurrences)
... (3) The idea that the story is told to emphasize the wonder-element in connection
with the birth of Christ. The facts contradict this....
Resources
How is physical death related to spiritual death? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the recapitulation theory of the atonement? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “This is my body, broken for you”? | GotQuestions.orgElement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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