Topical Encyclopedia
The term "operative" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of being operative, or actively working and effective, is a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. In a biblical context, being operative often relates to the active work of God, His Word, and His Spirit in the world and in the lives of believers.
God's Operative PowerThe Bible frequently speaks of God's power as being active and effective in creation, history, and personal lives. In
Isaiah 55:11 , God declares, "so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it." This verse highlights the operative nature of God's Word, emphasizing that it is not merely spoken but actively fulfills His purposes.
The Word of GodThe Word of God is described as living and active in
Hebrews 4:12 : "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This passage underscores the operative power of Scripture, which is not static but dynamically engages with the human heart and mind, bringing about transformation and discernment.
The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is another key aspect of God's operative presence in the world. In
John 16:13 , Jesus speaks of the Spirit's active role: "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come." The Holy Spirit is depicted as actively guiding, teaching, and revealing truth to believers, making the divine will operative in their lives.
Faith and WorksThe concept of being operative is also evident in the relationship between faith and works.
James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." Here, faith is portrayed as needing to be operative, manifesting in actions that reflect genuine belief. This passage emphasizes that true faith is not passive but actively expressed through deeds.
The Church as an Operative BodyThe Church is described as the body of Christ, called to be operative in the world.
Ephesians 4:16 illustrates this: "From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each part, according to its measure." The Church is depicted as a living, active organism where each member plays a vital role, contributing to the growth and edification of the whole.
Prayer as an Operative ForcePrayer is another aspect of the Christian life that is meant to be operative.
James 5:16 affirms, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This verse highlights the effectiveness of prayer, suggesting that it is not merely a ritual but a powerful, operative force that can bring about change and align believers with God's will.
In summary, while the specific term "operative" may not appear in the Bible, the concept is deeply embedded in the active and effective nature of God's work, His Word, the Holy Spirit, faith, the Church, and prayer. These elements are portrayed as dynamic and transformative, continually working to fulfill God's purposes in the world and in the lives of His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Being in effect; acting; most important; surgical; exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive.
2. (a.) Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule, or penalty.
3. (a.) Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery.
4. (n.) A skilled worker; an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory.
Greek
1753b. energeia --operative power... 1753a, 1753b. energeia. 1754 .
operative power. Transliteration: energeia
Short Definition: working. Word Origin from energes Definition
...1756. energes -- at work, active
... Cognate: 1756 (an adjective) -- properly, , full-of-energy (operative). See 1754 ()....
From en and ergon; active,operative -- effectual, powerful. see GREEK en....
1754. energeo -- to be at work, to work, to do
... to work, to do. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: energeo Phonetic Spelling:
(en-erg-eh'-o) Short Definition: I work, accomplish, amoperative Definition: I...
Strong's Hebrew
4640. Maasay -- "work of Yah," an Israelite... NASB Word Usage Maasai (1). Maasiai. From asah;
operative; Maasai, an Israelite --
Maasiai. see HEBREW asah. 4639, 4640. Maasay. 4641 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Whether Human virtue is anOperative Habit?
... ON HABITS IN PARTICULAR (QQ -89) GOOD HABITS, ie VIRTUES (QQ -70)OF THE VIRTUES,
AS TO THEIR ESSENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether human virtue is anoperative habit...
Whether Grace is Appropriately Divided intoOperative and Co...
... Article Two Whether Grace is appropriately divided intoOperative and
Co-operative Grace. Whether Grace is appropriately divided...
Question one Hundred and Fourteen Concerning Merit, which is the...
... Question One Hundred and Fourteen CONCERNING MERIT, WHICH IS THE EFFECT OF CO-OPERATIVE
GRACE. CONCERNING MERIT, WHICH IS THE EFFECT OF CO-OPERATIVE GRACE...
Whether the Name "Word" Imports Relation to Creatures?
... qu.63), that "the name Word signifies not only relation to the Father, but also
relation to those beings which are made through the Word, by Hisoperative power...
Whether the Habits of the Speculative Intellect are virtues?
... For virtue is anoperative habit, as we have said above ([1518]Q[55], A[2]). But
speculative habits are notoperative: for speculative matter is distinct from...
Nature and Grace
... Grace and Free Grace. Article Two Whether Grace is appropriately divided
intoOperative and Co-operative Grace. Article Three Whether...
Of the Power of Prayer.
... not (then) received its form from Christ. But how far more amplyoperative
is Christian prayer! It does not station the angel of...
Question one Hundred and Eleven the Divisions of Grace
... five questions, i. Whether grace is appropriately divided into free grace and
sanctifying grace.2. Of the division of sanctifying grace intooperative and co...
Question one Hundred and Thirteen the Effects of Grace
... We shall inquire first into the justification of the ungodly, which is the effect
ofoperative grace, and second into merit, which is the effect of co...
Whether Grace is Appropriately Divided into Prevenient and...
... I:answer: just as grace is divided intooperative and cooperative grace on account
of its different effects, so is it divided into prevenient and subsequent...
Thesaurus
Operative (2 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Being in effect; acting; most important; surgical; exerting force, physical
or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an
operative motive.
...Ophel (6 Occurrences)
Virtuous (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous; valiant; brave. 3. (a.)
Having power or efficacy; powerfullyoperative; efficacious; potent....
Operations (4 Occurrences)
Effective (4 Occurrences)
... to produce an effect or result; fit for a purpose; as, an effective tool; producing
a decided or decisive effect; efficient; serviceable;operative; as, an...
Effectual (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (a.) Adequate; sufficient to produce a desired effect;
as, an effectual writing method; efficient;operative; decisive. Int....
Evolution
... his vital impetus (elan vital); the former in his concept of duration.) As an orderly
change of the form of things, evolution may be viewed asoperative in the...
Midwife (4 Occurrences)
... mouth. The midwives must have had considerable skill, as a case like that
of Tamar required some amount ofoperative manipulation....
Penetrating (2 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living andoperative, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, and penetrating to the division of soul and spirit, both of...
Active (4 Occurrences)
... 6. (a.) Given to action rather than contemplation; practical;operative; -- opposed
to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative...
Resources
I am a Hindu, why should I consider becoming a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that love is the fulfillment of the law in Romans 13:8? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the spiritual gift of healing? | GotQuestions.orgOperative: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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