Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "elements" is often associated with fundamental components of the physical world and spiritual principles. The concept appears in both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting various aspects of creation, divine judgment, and spiritual teachings.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament does not explicitly use the term "elements" as it is understood in modern scientific terms. However, the fundamental components of creation are implied in the Genesis account.
Genesis 1:1-2 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Here, the basic elements of the universe—earth, water, and the heavens—are introduced as part of God's creative work.
The elements of nature, such as fire, water, earth, and wind, are often depicted as instruments of God's power and judgment. For example, in the account of Elijah on Mount Carmel, fire from heaven consumes the sacrifice, demonstrating God's supremacy over the elements (
1 Kings 18:38).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "stoicheia" is often translated as "elements" and carries both physical and spiritual connotations. The Apostle Paul uses this term in
Galatians 4:3 , "So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world." Here, "elements" refers to the rudimentary spiritual principles or elementary teachings that held people in bondage before the coming of Christ.
The Apostle Peter also uses the term in a prophetic context. In
2 Peter 3:10 , 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." This passage speaks of the ultimate dissolution of the physical elements of the world in the eschatological judgment, emphasizing the transient nature of the created order in contrast to the eternal nature of God's kingdom.
Theological ImplicationsThe biblical references to elements underscore the sovereignty of God over creation and the temporal nature of the physical world. The elements serve as a reminder of God's creative power and His authority to bring about both judgment and renewal. In the spiritual sense, the "elements" of the world represent the basic, often flawed, principles that can enslave humanity, from which Christ has set believers free.
The destruction of the elements in eschatological passages points to the hope of a new creation, where the current order will be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth, as described in
Revelation 21:1 : "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more."
In summary, the concept of elements in the Bible encompasses both the physical components of the world and the spiritual principles that govern human life, highlighting God's ultimate authority and the promise of redemption and renewal through Christ.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
In its primary sense, as denoting the first principles or constituents of things, it is used in
2 Peter 3:10: "The elements shall be dissolved." In a secondary sense it denotes the first principles of any art or science. In this sense it is used in
Galatians 4:3, 9;
Colossians 2:8, 20, where the expressions, "elements of the world," "week and beggarly elements," denote that state of religious knowledge existing among the Jews before the coming of Christ, the rudiments of religious teaching. They are "of the world," because they are made up of types which appeal to the senses. They are "weak," because insufficient; and "beggarly," or "poor," because they are dry and barren, not being accompanied by an outpouring of spiritual gifts and graces, as the gospel Isaiah
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)...... the
elements (of knowledge). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: stoicheion
Phonetic Spelling: (stoy-khi'-on) Short Definition: a heavenly body, an
...5620. hoste -- so as to, so then, therefore
... accomplishment). The involved then is the ofelements in the correlation,
underscoring the inevitable effect of the pairedelements....
2508. kathairo -- to cleanse
... Cognate: 2508 -- make clean by (removing undesirableelements); hence, "pruned
(purged)"; eliminating what is fruitless by purifying (making ). See 2513 ()....
4793. sugkrino -- to combine, compare
... [4793 ("comparative evaluating") results in " understanding" aselements
in a comparison are grasped as similar or dissimilar.]....
2218. zugos -- a yoke
... [2218 () twoelements to work as , like when two pans (weights) operate together
on a balance-scale -- or a of oxen pulling a plough.]....
1570. ekthetos -- cast out, ie exposed (to perish)
... Transliteration: ekthetos Phonetic Spelling: (ek'-thet-os) Short Definition: cast
out, exposed Definition: cast out, exposed (to theelements), abandoned....
Library
Whether theElements Will be Renewed by an Addition of Brightness?
... OF THE QUALITY OF THE WORLD AFTER THE JUDGMENT (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether
theelements will be renewed by an addition of brightness?...
TheElements
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCLXXII THEELEMENTS. A TRAGIC CHORUS See
[171]Note.... And dimly understood. But o'er theelements. One Hand alone....
Whether all theElements Will be Cleansed by that Fire?
... OF THE FIRE OF THE FINAL CONFLAGRATION (NINE ARTICLES) Whether all theelements
will be cleansed by that fire? Objection 1: It would...
OfElements and what is Formed from Them.
... Book I. 20. (5) ofElements and What is Formed from Them. There is also
an arche in a matter of learning, as when we say that the...
Elements of Prophetic Interpretation.
...ELEMENTS OF PROPHETIC INTERPRETATION. 1. THE GRAMMAR of any science is
a development of the principles by which it is governed....
Whether that Fire Will Consume the OtherElements?
... OF THE FIRE OF THE FINAL CONFLAGRATION (NINE ARTICLES) Whether that fire
will consume the otherelements? Objection 1: It would...
Of the Worship of theElements and Stars.
... The Epitome of the Divine Institutes. Addressed to His Brother Pentadius.
Chap. XXVI."Of the Worship of theElements and Stars....
The EssentialElements of Christian Experience.
... XXIV. THE ESSENTIALELEMENTS OF CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE. "Blessed are they who hunger
and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled."-Matt. v.6....
The Soul's Parts.Elements of the Rational Soul.
... Chapter XVI."The Soul's Parts.Elements of the Rational Soul.... The diversity, then,
between these twoelements arises from the difference of their authors....
The ThreeElements of a Complete Life
... VII THE THREEELEMENTS OF A COMPLETE LIFE. Students are very often recommended
to invest in certain books. I am going to take the...
Thesaurus
Elements (7 Occurrences)... In its primary sense, as denoting the first principles or constituents of things,
it is used in 2 Peter 3:10: "The
elements shall be dissolved." In a secondary
...Element (1 Occurrence)
... Specifically: (Chem.) A substance which cannot be decomposed into different kinds
of matter by any means at present employed; as, theelements of water are...
Rudiments (5 Occurrences)
... In the two passages in Galatians, and in the two in 2 Peter, it is rendered "elements."
In the two passages in Colossians, it is translated "rudiments." In He...
Elementary (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Pertaining to, or treating of, theelements, rudiments, or first principles
of anything; initial; rudimental; introductory; as, an elementary treatise....
Elemental (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Pertaining to theelements, first principles, and primary ingredients, or
to the four supposedelements of the material world; as, elemental air....
Compound (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To form or make by combining differentelements, ingredients, or
parts; as, to compound a medicine. 3. (vt) To put together...
Form (153 Occurrences)
... In modern usage, theelements of a conception furnished by the mind's own activity,
as contrasted with its object or condition, which is called the matter...
Principles (11 Occurrences)
... prin'-si-p'-lz: Found twice (Hebrews 5:12; Hebrews 6:1). The Greek word (stoicheion)
is also translated in the King James Version as "elements" and "rudiments...
Proverb (24 Occurrences)
... little sense of its various phases, except that there was a strong popular tendency
to identify it with satire, and with less thought of theelements of its...
Zoroastrianism
... contained much more than a Mazdean nucleus, and the extrication of Mazdean from
other (especially older Magian and Babylonian)elements is frequently impossible...
Resources
How do the elements of the Passover Seder point to Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the spiritual presence view of the Lord's Supper? | GotQuestions.orgWho is authorized to oversee the Lord's Supper? | GotQuestions.orgElements: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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