Topical Encyclopedia
The term "evident" in the context of the Bible refers to something that is clear, obvious, or manifest. It is used to describe truths, actions, or characteristics that are unmistakably apparent to those who observe them. The concept of evidence and what is evident plays a significant role in biblical teachings, often highlighting the clarity of God's truth, the manifestation of His works, and the discernible nature of moral and spiritual realities.
Biblical Usage:1.
Manifestation of God's Truth: The Bible often speaks of God's truth as being evident to those who seek Him. In
Romans 1:19-20 , Paul writes, "For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse." Here, the evident nature of God's attributes is highlighted through the observation of creation, making His existence and power unmistakably clear.
2.
Evidence of Faith: Faith itself is described as having evident characteristics. In
Hebrews 11:1 , faith is defined as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." The evidence of faith is seen in the lives of believers who live according to God's promises, even when those promises are not yet visible. The actions and lives of the faithful serve as a testament to the reality of their beliefs.
3.
Manifestation of Sin and Righteousness: The Bible also speaks of the evident nature of sin and righteousness. In
Galatians 5:19-21 , Paul lists the "acts of the flesh" which are "evident," including immorality, idolatry, and jealousy, among others. Conversely, the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, and peace, is also evident in the lives of those who walk by the Spirit (
Galatians 5:22-23). These contrasting lists serve to make clear the distinction between living according to the flesh and living by the Spirit.
4.
Evident Works of the Apostles: The works and teachings of the apostles were evident to those who witnessed them. In
Acts 4:16 , the Sanhedrin acknowledges the evident miracle performed by Peter and John, saying, "What shall we do with these men? For it is evident to all who live in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it." The undeniable nature of the apostles' works served as evidence of the power of God working through them.
5.
Evident Judgment and Justice: God's judgment and justice are also described as evident. In
Romans 2:5 , Paul warns of the "day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed." The evident nature of God's justice is a recurring theme, emphasizing that His judgments are clear and unmistakable, leaving humanity without excuse.
Theological Implications:The concept of what is evident in the Bible underscores the clarity and accessibility of God's truth and moral order. It affirms that God's existence, His attributes, and His expectations for humanity are not hidden or obscure but are made manifest through creation, Scripture, and the lives of believers. This evident nature of divine truth calls individuals to acknowledge and respond to God's revelation with faith and obedience.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Clear to the vision; especially, clear to the understanding, and satisfactory to the judgment; as, the figure or color of a body is evident to the senses; the guilt of an offender can not always be made evident.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EVIDENCE; EVIDENT; EVIDENTLYev'-i-dens, ev'-i-dent-li cepher; elegchos, phaneros:
InJeremiah 32:10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 44, cepher, "a writing," is translated (the King James Version) "evidence" (of the purchase of the field in Anathoth), the Revised Version (British and American) "deed"; "evidence" is also the translation of elegchos, "conviction," in the King James Version ofHebrews 11:1, "Now faith is. the evidence of things not seen," the English Revised Version "proving," margin, "or test," better, as the American Standard Revised Version, "conviction," margin, "or test." The Greek word denotes "putting to the test," examining for the purpose of proof, bringing to conviction (Dr. W. F. Moulton). Thus if "test" or "proving" be adopted, a firm conviction of the reality of things not seen is implied as the result of putting to the proof. Trench remarks (New Testament Synonyms), "in juristic Greek elegchein is not merely to reply to, but to refute, an opponent." Hence, the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) translation argumentum, followed by Wyclif and Rheims version; Tyndale and Cranmer have "certayntie." (The sense of "conviction" appears inJohn 8:46, "Which of you convinceth (elegchei, the Revised Version (British and American) "convicteth") me of sin?";John 3:20, "reproved," the Revised Version, margin "convicted";John 16:8 the King James Version "He will reprove the world of sin," the Revised Version (British and American) "convict." Compare1 Corinthians 14:24.) "Evident" is the translation of `al panim ("on the face") inJob 6:28, the King James Version "Look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie," margin, "Hebrew before your face," the Revised Version (British and American) "to your face," margin, "And it will be evident unto you if I lie," which is, perhaps, to be preferred to the text; delos, "manifest," is translated "evident" (Galatians 3:11); katadelos, "very manifest," is inHebrews 7:15, the King James Version "far more evident," the Revised Version (British and American) "more abundantly evident"; prodelos, "manifest before-hand" (Hebrews 7:14), "evident." "Evidently" occurs only inActs 10:3, as the translation of phaneros, "openly," "manifestly," the Revised Version (British and American) "openly."
It is important to note the true nature of faith according to the correct translation ofHebrews 11:1, as being the well-grounded and assured conviction of things not seen.
W. L. Walker
Greek
4271. prodelos --evident beforehand...evident beforehand. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: prodelos Phonetic
Spelling: (prod'-ay-los) Short Definition:
evident Definition: manifest to all
...1212. delos -- clear,evident
... clear,evident. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: delos Phonetic Spelling:
(day'-los) Short Definition: clear, manifest,evident Definition: clear...
1552. ekdelos -- whollyevident
... whollyevident. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ekdelos Phonetic Spelling:
(ek'-day-los) Short Definition: perfectlyevident, manifest Definition...
1349. dike -- right (as self-evident), justice (the principle, a...
... right (as self-evident), justice (the principle, a decision or its execution). Part
of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: dike Phonetic Spelling: (dee'-kay...
2612. katadelos -- quite manifest
... manifest. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: katadelos Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-ad'-ay-los) Short Definition: quite clear Definition: quite clear,evident...
82. adelos -- unseen, not manifest
... 82 (from 1 "not" and 1212 , "self-evident") -- properly, unclear, indistinct, not
immediately obvious (evident); (figuratively) indefinite, uncertain; not...
5316. phaino -- to bring to light, to cause to appear
... root Definition to bring to light, to cause to appear NASB Word Usage appear (5),
appeared (7), appears (1), becameevident (1), become (1), flashes (1...
1731. endeiknumi -- to indicate (by word or act), to prove
... 1731 (from 1722 "in," which intensifies 1166 , "show") -- properly, to make
fullyevident, showing which demonstrates something as ....
5461. photizo -- to shine, give light
... Phonetic Spelling: (fo-tid'-zo) Short Definition: I illuminate, bring to light
Definition: (a) I light up, illumine, (b) I bring to light, makeevident, reveal...
5318. phaneros -- visible, manifest
... Word Origin from phaino Definition visible, manifest NASB Word Usage apparent (1),
disclosed (2),evident (6), light (2), obvious (1), outward (1), outwardly...
Strong's Hebrew
6703. tsach -- dazzling, glowing, clear... clear, dry, plainly, white. From tsachach; dazzling, ie Sunny, bright, (figuratively)
evident -- clear, dry, plainly, white. see HEBREW tsachach. 6702, 6703.
...Library
Whether it is Self-Evident that God Exists
... Article One Whether it is Self-Evident that God Exists. Whether it is Self-Evident
that God Exists... 1. It seems to be self-evident that God exists....
Observe the Word "Self-Evident"; for There Lies the Truth of the...
... [Way-3-6] Observe the word "self-evident"; for there lies the truth of
the matter? Observe the word "self-evident"; for there...
Whether the Existence of God is Self-Evident?
... TREATISE ON THE ONE GOD (QQ -26)THE EXISTENCE OF GOD (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
the existence of God is self-evident? Objection 1: It...
It isEvident That, by the Preceding Remarks, Celsus Charges the...
... Chapter XLII. It isevident that, by the preceding remarks, Celsus charges
the Jews with falsely giving? It isevident that, by...
From this it isEvident that we have Already Met the Next...
... Chapter XXXIII. From this it isevident that we have already met the next
statement of Celsus? From this it isevident that we...
These are all Quirks, as isEvident, and Quibbles with which they...
... Book V. 33 These are all quirks, as isevident, and quibbles with which
they are wont to? These are all quirks, as isevident, and...
Whether, Since it isEvident that Deity is not to be Found in the...
... Chapter 1."Whether, Since It isEvident that Deity is Not to Be Found in the Civil
Theology, We are to Believe that It is to Be Found in the Select Gods....
Now Clear andEvident as this Distinction Is, Between a Mere...
... Address 132: Now clear andevident as this distinction is, between a mere
literal direction to a? Now clear andevident as this...
Womanhood Self-Evident, and not to be Concealed by Just Leaving...
... Chapter XII."Womanhood Self-Evident, and Not to Be Concealed by Just Leaving
the Head Bare. Recognise the woman, ay, recognise...
His Power isEvident by Upholding it All
... THE SECOND CENTURY 22 His power isevident by upholding it all. His power isevident
by upholding it all. But how shall His life appear in that which is dead?...
Thesaurus
Evident (26 Occurrences)... (a.) Clear to the vision; especially, clear to the understanding, and satisfactory
to the judgment; as, the figure or color of a body is
evident to the senses
...Evidently (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In anevident manner; clearly; plainly. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EVIDENCE;EVIDENT; EVIDENTLY....
Evidence (41 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That which makesevident or manifest; that which furnishes, or tends to
furnish, proof; any mode of proof; the ground of belief or judgment; as, the...
Manifest (74 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.)Evident to the senses, esp. to the sight;
apparent; distinctly perceived; hence, obvious to the...
Manifestation (11 Occurrences)
... 31 Romans 16:26); of emphanizo, "to make fully manifest" (John 14:21 f); of emphanes,
"fully manifest" (Romans 10:20); of delos, "evident," translated "manifest...
Nathanael (6 Occurrences)
... From the manner of the invitation extended to him by Philip (John 1:45), it isevident
that Nathanael was well versed in ancient Scripture, and that in him...
Obvious (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Easily discovered, seen, or understood; readily perceived by the eye or
the intellect; plain;evident; apparent; as, an obvious meaning; an obvious...
Sacraments
... Whether referring to an oath of obedience or to something set apart for a sacred
purpose, it isevident that sacramentum would readily lend itself to describe...
Spiritual (42 Occurrences)
... spirit through the resurrection (Meyer on 1 Corinthians 15:45); and since we are
to bear His image (1 Corinthians 15:49), it becomesevident that Christ's...
Demonstrate (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To point out; to show; to exhibit; to make
evident. 2. (vt) To show, or makeevident, by reasoning...
Resources
Why was God so evident in the Bible, and seems so hidden today? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is God so different in the Old Testament than He is in the New Testament? | GotQuestions.orgIs faith in God a crutch? | GotQuestions.orgEvident: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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