Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "function" can be understood as the purpose or role that God has ordained for individuals, objects, or institutions within His creation. The Bible provides numerous examples of how God assigns specific functions to His creation, emphasizing order, purpose, and divine intention.
Creation and OrderThe idea of function is first introduced in the creation narrative. In
Genesis 1, God creates the heavens and the earth, assigning specific roles to various elements of creation. For instance, the sun, moon, and stars are given the function of marking time and seasons: "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them serve as signs to mark the seasons and days and years'" (
Genesis 1:14). This demonstrates God's intention for creation to operate in an orderly and purposeful manner.
Human Function and PurposeHumans are created with a distinct function, as seen in
Genesis 1:26-28, where God creates mankind in His image and assigns them the role of stewards over the earth: "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.'" This stewardship role highlights the responsibility and authority given to humans to care for and manage God's creation.
Spiritual Gifts and the Body of ChristIn the New Testament, the concept of function is further explored through the metaphor of the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his letters to the Corinthians and Romans, describes the church as a body with many parts, each having a unique function. In
1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." This passage emphasizes that each believer has a specific role or function within the church, contributing to the overall health and mission of the body of Christ.
Roles within the Family and SocietyThe Bible also outlines specific functions within the family and society.
Ephesians 5:22-33 and
Colossians 3:18-21 provide instructions for husbands, wives, children, and parents, highlighting the distinct roles and responsibilities each has within the family unit. For example,
Ephesians 5:25 instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church, while
Ephesians 5:22 calls wives to submit to their husbands as to the Lord. These roles are designed to reflect Christ's relationship with the church and to promote harmony and godliness within the family.
Priestly and Kingly FunctionsIn the Old Testament, the functions of priests and kings are clearly delineated. Priests, such as Aaron and his descendants, were tasked with performing sacrifices and maintaining the spiritual welfare of the people (Exodus 28-29). Kings, like David and Solomon, were responsible for governing the nation and upholding justice and righteousness (
1 Kings 2:1-4). These roles were divinely appointed and served to guide the nation of Israel in accordance with God's laws.
ConclusionThe concept of function in the Bible underscores the importance of divine order and purpose in all aspects of life. Whether through creation, spiritual gifts, family roles, or societal structures, God has designed each element to fulfill a specific role, contributing to the greater good and reflecting His glory.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of executing or performing any duty, office, or calling; performance.
2. (n.) The appropriate action of any special organ or part of an animal or vegetable organism; as, the function of the heart or the limbs; the function of leaves, sap, roots, etc.; life is the sum of the functions of the various organs and parts of the body.
3. (n.) The natural or assigned action of any power or faculty, as of the soul, or of the intellect; the exertion of an energy of some determinate kind.
4. (n.) The course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public officer in church or state; the activity appropriate to any business or profession.
5. (n.) A quantity so connected with another quantity, that if any alteration be made in the latter there will be a consequent alteration in the former. Each quantity is said to be a function of the other. Thus, the circumference of a circle is a function of the diameter. If x be a symbol to which different numerical values can be assigned, such expressions as x2, 3x, Log. x, and Sin. x, are all functions of x.
6. (v. i.) Alt. of Functionate
Greek
4234. praxis -- a deed,function... a deed,
function. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: praxis Phonetic
Spelling: (prax'-is) Short Definition: an action, deeds,
function Definition
...1319. didaskalia -- instruction (thefunction or the information)
... instruction (thefunction or the information). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: didaskalia Phonetic Spelling: (did-as-kal-ee'-ah) Short Definition...
5046. teleios -- having reached its end, ie complete, by ext....
... [This root () means "reaching the ()." It is well-illustrated with the old pirate's
telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time tofunction at full...
498. antitasso -- to range in battle against, to set oneself...
... [498 (), a very old military term, was used for placing a soldier in a specific
platoon (with a specificfunction) -- ie in a definite order to attack or resist...
4883. sunarmologeo -- to fit together
... 4883 (from 4862 , "joined closely "; , "a joint"; and 719 , "reason") -- properly,
(joined); together to efficiently and effectivelyfunction....
5540. chresis -- use (as in a sexual sense)
... manner of use. Word Origin from chraomai Definition use (as in a sexual sense)
NASB Word Usagefunction (2). use. From chraomai; employment...
739. artios -- fitted, complete
... ready. 739 (from 737 , "," viewed in terms of the , ie "the here-and-now") --
properly, , tofunction (efficiently) in the . 739...
5056. telos -- an end, a toll
... [This root () means "reaching the ()." It is well-illustrated with the old pirate's
telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time tofunction at full...
2405. hierateia -- priesthood
... office of the priesthood, priest's office. From hierateuo; priestliness, ie The
sacerdotalfunction -- office of the priesthood, priest's office....
2675. katartizo -- to complete, prepare
... intensifying , "to adjust," which is derived from 739 , "properly adjusted") --
properly, fit (adjust) to be in good, ie adjusted "down" to fullyfunction....
Strong's Hebrew
4612. maamad -- office,function, service... 4611, 4612. maamad. 4613 . office,
function, service. Transliteration: maamad
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-am-awd') Short Definition: attendance.
...4931. mishmereth -- a guard, watch, charge,function
... mishmereth. 4932 . a guard, watch, charge,function. Transliteration: mishmereth
Phonetic Spelling: (mish-mer'-reth) Short Definition: charge. Word Origin fem...
Library
Sleep a NaturalFunction as Shown by Other Considerations, and by...
... Chapter XLIII."Sleep a NaturalFunction as Shown by Other Considerations,
and by the Testimony of Scripture. Let us therefore...
ThisFunction of the Word Described at Length.
... Against the Heathen. Section 42. Thisfunction of the Word described at
length. The holy Word of the Father, then, almighty and...
Free Will Has ItsFunction in the Heart's Conversion; but Grace...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 31 [XV.]"Free Will Has ItsFunction
in the Heart's Conversion; But Grace Too Has Its....
The Attributes of Goodness and Justice Should not be Separated...
... They are Compatible in the True God. TheFunction of Justice in the Divine
Being Described. Since, therefore, there is this union...
Whether the Angels Exercise Functions of Life in the Bodies...
... Consequently, the angel perceives by the assumed body; and this is the most special
function of life.... Objection 5: Further, eating is a purely animalfunction....
On the Regal Office of Christ
... The kingly office of Christ is a mediatorialfunction, by which, the Father having
constituted him Lord over all things which are in heaven and in earth, and...
On Magistracy
... the word, we say that from the manner in which it is used, it has two meanings:
for it either signifies in the abstract, the power and thefunction itself; or...
If the Members Rise, must they Discharge the Same Functions as Now...
... that the functions of the members shall also be in existence; that the womb shall
become pregnant, and the male also discharge hisfunction of generation, and...
Criticisms on "The Origin of Species. "
... For the teleological argument runs thus: an organ or organism (A) is precisely fitted
to perform afunction or purpose (B); therefore it was specially...
Salt Without Savour
... And so, dear brethren, I have to say two or three things now, which I hope will
be plain and earnest and searching, about thefunction of the Christian Church...
Thesaurus
Function (4 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) The appropriate action of any special organ or part of an animal or vegetable
organism; as, the
function of the heart or the limbs; the
function of
...Ethics
... eth'-iks: Contents I. NATURE ANDFUNCTION OF ETHICS 1. Rise of Ethics 2. Ethics
as a Science 3. A Normative Science 4. Relation to Cognate Sciences (1) Ethics...
Abiathar (29 Occurrences)
... The characteristic priestlyfunction of Abiathar is thus expressed by Solomon:
"Because thou barest the ark of the Lord Yahweh before David my father" (1 Kings...
Keys (2 Occurrences)
... How are the facts of having committed to him the keys and thefunction of binding
and loosing related? Are they two forms of one declaration?...
Archaeology
... thus defined calls for the discussion of, I. What archaeology can do in the
case-the powers, rights and authority, that is to say, theFunction of archaeology...
Criticism (1 Occurrence)
... thus defined calls for the discussion of, I. What archaeology can do in the
case-the powers, rights and authority, that is to say, theFunction of archaeology...
Teaching (372 Occurrences)
... The terms do not so much indicate an office and an official as afunction and
a service, although both ideas are often expressed or implied....
Teacher (103 Occurrences)
... The terms do not so much indicate an office and an official as afunction and
a service, although both ideas are often expressed or implied....
Teach (172 Occurrences)
... The terms do not so much indicate an office and an official as afunction and
a service, although both ideas are often expressed or implied....
Power (862 Occurrences)
... How are the facts of having committed to him the keys and thefunction of binding
and loosing related? Are they two forms of one declaration?...
Resources
What is Irreducible Complexity? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about interdependence? | GotQuestions.orgShould a Christian take ED medications such as Viagra and Cialis? | GotQuestions.orgFunction: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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