Topical Encyclopedia
The term "obvious" is not directly found in the text of the Bible; however, the concept of things being clear, evident, or manifest is present throughout Scripture. The Bible often speaks of truths, actions, and divine principles that are meant to be understood and recognized by believers and non-believers alike.
Manifestation of God's AttributesThe Bible frequently emphasizes the obviousness of God's attributes through His creation.
Romans 1:19-20 states, "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." This passage highlights that the evidence of God's existence and His divine nature is manifest in the world around us, making it obvious to all who observe creation.
Clarity of the Gospel MessageThe message of the Gospel is presented in Scripture as clear and accessible. In
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 , Paul writes, "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." The core truths of the Gospel are laid out plainly, emphasizing their obviousness and importance for salvation.
Moral and Ethical ClarityThe Bible provides clear guidance on moral and ethical living, making certain behaviors and attitudes obviously right or wrong.
Galatians 5:19-21 lists the "acts of the flesh" which are evident: "sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." These behaviors are clearly identified as contrary to the Spirit, making the distinction between right and wrong obvious to believers.
Discernment and WisdomThe Scriptures encourage believers to seek wisdom and discernment, which often involves recognizing the obvious truths of God's Word.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage suggests that by trusting in God and acknowledging Him, the path of righteousness becomes clear and obvious.
Revelation of Jesus ChristThe identity and mission of Jesus Christ are made obvious through His life, death, and resurrection. In
John 14:9 , Jesus says to Philip, "Have I been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me, Philip? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father." Jesus' works and words make His divine nature and purpose evident to those who are willing to see.
ConclusionWhile the word "obvious" itself may not appear in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout the text, emphasizing the clarity and manifest nature of God's truth, the Gospel, and moral guidance. Believers are called to recognize and respond to these obvious truths in their faith and daily lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Opposing; fronting.
2. (a.) Exposed; subject; open; liable.
3. (a.) Easily discovered, seen, or understood; readily perceived by the eye or the intellect; plain; evident; apparent; as, an obvious meaning; an obvious remark.
Greek
82. adelos -- unseen, not manifest... unseen, not manifest. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: adelos Phonetic
Spelling: (ad'-ay-los) Short Definition: unseen, not
obvious Definition: unseen
...4271. prodelos -- evident beforehand
... evident, manifest beforehand. From pro and delos; plain before all men, ieObvious --
evident, manifest (open) beforehand. see GREEK pro. see GREEK delos....
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...
1552. ekdelos -- wholly evident
... Word Origin from ek and delos Definition wholly evident NASB Word Usageobvious
(1). manifest. From ek and delos; wholly evident -- manifest. see GREEK ek....
Library
The Group in Matt. xiii.
... While some of the relations, and these the most important, are soobvious that they
have been observed alike by all inquirers, in regard to others a...
The Barren Fig-Tree.
... It isobvious that the massacre of the Galileans by Pilate was mentioned on this
occasion, not for its own sake, but for the purpose of supporting a doctrine...
Introductory Essay.
... African Father. But its influence has been much lessobvious than that of
his strictly exegetical and doctrinal works. Dr. Salmond...
Introduction and Books
... No major textual problems are presented by these more or less independent witnesses,
but there areobvious lacunae at ch.7:8 and ch.10:8, and there may be a...
The Answer to a Sixth Letter,
... a posteriori [409] is level to all men's capacities; because there is an endless
gradation of wise and useful phenomena of nature, from the mostobvious to the...
It is Admitted, one May Hope, that Common Things are Never...
... Or to take anotherobvious instance: the jokes about a mother-in-law are scarcely
delicate, but the problem of a mother-in-law is extremely delicate....
Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force must Inevitably be...
... Our Society, Will also Bring About its Acceptance"This Consciousness is in Complete
Contradiction with Our Life"This is SpeciallyObvious in Compulsory...
The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... The difficulties attaching to the first view were made especiallyobvious by the
ridicule of the Manicheans (Faustus and Secundinus in Augustine, t. vi....
The Life of David
... {Transcriber's Note:Obvious typos, printing errors and mis-spellings have
been corrected, but spellings have not been modernized....
Extracts No. Iii.
... disagreed, are as yet obscure, and therefore perhaps none of them are entitled to
full and complete 'confidence:' for whatever is plain andobvious, men seldom...
Thesaurus
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...Accommodation (1 Occurrence)
... careful discrimination and are worthy of separate treatment: (1) the use or application
of a Scripture reference in a sense other than theobvious and literal...
Conspicuous (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Open to the view; plainly visible;obvious
to the eye; easy to be seen; manifest; attracting the eye....
Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)
... purification. But it isobvious that the sprinkling, even in this case, was
a religious act, and not part of the actual physical cleaning....
Sprinkle (37 Occurrences)
... purification. But it isobvious that the sprinkling, even in this case, was
a religious act, and not part of the actual physical cleaning....
Fasting (34 Occurrences)
... customs. It isobvious that very different motives operated in the institution
of fasting and of feasting religious observances....
Dead (580 Occurrences)
... sufferings. The natural meaning of the words isobvious.... superstitious. The retort
of those who denied the resurrection would be tooobvious....
Deeds (309 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh areobvious, which are:
adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, (See NAS)....
Fast (157 Occurrences)
... customs. It isobvious that very different motives operated in the institution
of fasting and of feasting religious observances....
Place (9195 Occurrences)
... When used for the worship of other gods their objectionable character isobvious,
but even the worship of Yahweh in the high places was intermixed with heathen...
Resources
What is the problem of good? | GotQuestions.orgWhy should I want to serve God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares? | GotQuestions.orgObvious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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