Topical Encyclopedia
The term "particular" is not directly found in the text of the Bible; however, the concept of particularity is evident throughout Scripture in various contexts, such as God's particular actions, choices, and covenants. This entry explores the biblical understanding of particularity as it relates to God's nature, His relationship with humanity, and His divine purposes.
Particularity in God's NatureGod's particularity is evident in His unique attributes and actions. The Bible describes God as having specific characteristics that set Him apart from all creation. For instance, God is described as holy, righteous, and just. In
Isaiah 6:3, the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory." This declaration emphasizes God's distinct and particular holiness.
Particularity in Divine ElectionThe concept of divine election is a significant theme in Scripture, illustrating God's particular choice of individuals or groups for specific purposes. In the Old Testament, God chose Israel as His particular people.
Deuteronomy 7:6 states, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, out of all the peoples on the face of the earth."
In the New Testament, the theme of election continues with the church.
Ephesians 1:4-5 explains, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will."
Particularity in CovenantsGod's covenants with humanity are another expression of His particularity. These covenants are specific agreements between God and His people, each with distinct promises and requirements. The Abrahamic Covenant, for example, is a particular promise made to Abraham and his descendants.
Genesis 12:2-3 records God's promise: "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing."
The New Covenant, established through Jesus Christ, is another example of God's particular covenantal relationship with His people. In
Luke 22:20, Jesus says, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you."
Particularity in SalvationThe particularity of salvation is a central theme in Christian theology. The Bible teaches that salvation is offered through Jesus Christ alone. In
John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This statement underscores the particular means by which salvation is attained.
Furthermore, the particularity of God's call to individuals is highlighted in passages such as
Romans 8:30: "And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified."
Particularity in God's ProvidenceGod's providential care is another aspect of His particularity. Scripture affirms that God is intimately involved in the details of His creation and the lives of individuals.
Matthew 10:29-31 illustrates this care: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
In summary, while the term "particular" may not appear explicitly in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, reflecting God's distinct nature, His specific choices, and His unique relationship with His creation.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Relating to a part or portion of anything; concerning a part separated from the whole or from others of the class; separate; sole; single; individual; specific; as, the particular stars of a constellation.
2. (a.) of or pertaining to a single person, class, or thing; belonging to one only; not general; not common; hence, personal; peculiar; singular.
3. (a.) Separate or distinct by reason of superiority; distinguished; important; noteworthy; unusual; special; as, he brought no particular news; she was the particular belle of the party.
4. (a.) Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute; circumstantial; precise; as, a full and particular account of an accident; hence, nice; fastidious; as, a man particular in his dress.
5. (a.) Containing a part only; limited; as, a particular estate, or one precedent to an estate in remainder.
6. (a.) Holding a particular estate; as, a particular tenant.
7. (a.) Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject; as, a particular proposition; -- opposed to universal: e. g. (particular affirmative) Some men are wise; (particular negative) Some men are not wise.
8. (n.) A separate or distinct member of a class, or part of a whole; an individual fact, point, circumstance, detail, or item, which may be considered separately; as, the particulars of a story.
9. (n.) Special or personal peculiarity, trait, or character; individuality; interest, etc.
10. (n.) One of the details or items of grounds of claim; -- usually in the pl.; also, a bill of particulars; a minute account; as, a particular of premises.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PARTICULAR, PARTICULARLYpir-tik'-u-lar, par-tik'-u-lar-li: The adverbial phrase "in particular" occurs twice in the King James Version (1 Corinthians 12:27, ek merous, the Revised Version (British and American) "severally," the Revised Version margin "each in his part"; andEphesians 5:33, hoi kath' hena, the Revised Version (British and American) "severally"); in both cases it has the obsolete meaning of "severally," "individually." The adverb "particularly" occurs in the same sense inActs 21:19 the King James Version, kath' hen hekaston, the Revised Version (British and American) "one by one," andHebrews 9:5 the King James Version, kata meros, the Revised Version (British and American) "severally." We have the plural noun in the sense of "details" in 2 Maccabees 2:30: "to be curious in particulars"; 11:20, (the King James Version "Of the particulars I have given order," the Revised Version (British and American) I have given order in detail); and the adjective "particular" in the sense of "special" in the first Prologue to Sirach (King James Version, Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) peculiares; the whole section was omitted in the Revised Version (British and American)).
D. Miall Edwards
Greek
5550. chronos -- time... time. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: chronos Phonetic Spelling:
(khron'-os) Short Definition: time, a
particular time, season Definition: time
...166. aionios -- agelong, eternal
... Cognate: 166 (an adjective, derived from 165 ("an , having aparticular and") --
properly, "" ("like-an-"), ie an "age-" (the quality describing aparticular...
1603. ekpleroo -- to fill full, to fulfill
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekpleroo Phonetic Spelling: (ek-play-ro'-o) Short
Definition: I fill completely, fulfill in everyparticular Definition: I...
1607. ekporeuomai -- to make to go forth, to go forth
... 1607 (from 1537 , " from," intensifying 4198 , "take aparticular ") -- properly,
go out from, emphasizing the come () of going through aparticular or -- ie...
1922. epignosis -- recognition, knowledge
... epignosis Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ig'-no-sis) Short Definition: knowledge, discernment,
recognition Definition: knowledge of aparticular point (directed...
3551. nomos -- that which is assigned, hence usage, law
... 3551 ("law") then can refer to "the ," or "" as a general principle (or ).
Theparticular sense(s) of 3551 () is determined by the ....
2213. zetema -- an inquiry
... 2213 ("a controversial question") focuses on at stake (the ). [2214 (a noun) however
focuses on aparticular "brand" (type of) principle working out .]....
2920. krisis -- a decision, judgment
... on. See 2919 (). [2917 () stresses the that go with aparticular judgment
(of blessing or pain depending on the choice).]. Word Origin...
3313. meros -- a part, share, portion
... as a section or allotment); a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a
wide application) -- behalf, course, coast, craft,particular (+ -ly), part...
4748. stoicheo -- to be in rows, fig. to walk by rule
... walk by. 4748 (from , "a , , or ") -- properly, walk , in strict accordance
to aparticular pace ("stride");, "keep in step.". Word...
Strong's Hebrew
6423. peloni -- a certain one... certain. Word Origin from palah Definition a certain one NASB Word Usage certain*
(1), friend* (1),
particular one (1), such (1). such.
...Library
Particular Election
...Particular Election. A Sermon (No.123). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, March 22,
1857, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens....
Particular Redemption
...Particular Redemption.... They say, "No, certainly not." We ask them the next
question"Did Christ die so as to secure the salvation of any man inparticular?...
Of the Passions of the Soul inParticular: and First, of Love...
... OF THE PASSIONS OF THE SOUL INPARTICULAR: AND FIRST, OF LOVE (FOUR ARTICLES).
We have now to consider the soul's passions inparticular...
Of the Parts of Penance, inParticular, and First of Contrition...
... OF THE PARTS OF PENANCE, INPARTICULAR, AND FIRST OF CONTRITION (THREE ARTICLES).
We must now consider each single part of Penance...
Whether There is aParticular Besides a General Justice?
... OF JUSTICE (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether there is aparticular besides a general
justice?... Therefore there is no need for aparticular justice....
Particular Index of Subjects.
...PARTICULAR INDEX OF SUBJECTS. The figures designate the hymns. Adoration,
150. Adversity, rejoicing in, 629. Affection, family, 928....
TheParticular Distinction which the Arians Endeavoured to Prove...
... Book IV. Chapter XI. Theparticular distinction which the Arians endeavoured
to prove upon the Apostle's teaching that all? The...
Of the Causes of Sin, inParticular (Four Articles)
... OF THE CAUSES OF SIN, INPARTICULAR (FOUR ARTICLES). We must now consider
the causes of sin, inparticular, and (1) The internal...
A MoreParticular Exposition of 1 Tim. ...
... All Heresies. Chapter XXII. A moreparticular Exposition of 1 Tim.? A
moreparticular Exposition of 1 Timothy 6:20. [53.] But...
A MoreParticular Account of the Way by which this Salvation is to...
... THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF RELIGION IN THE SOUL. CHAPTER IX. A MOREPARTICULAR
ACCOUNT OF THE WAY BY WHICH THIS SALVATION IS TO BE OBTAINED....
Thesaurus
Particular (8 Occurrences)... of anything; concerning a part separated from the whole or from others of the class;
separate; sole; single; individual; specific; as, the
particular stars of
...Particularly (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) In aparticular manner; expressly; with a specific reference or interest;
inparticular; distinctly....PARTICULAR, PARTICULARLY....
Place (9195 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) To assign a place to; to put in aparticular spot or place, or in a certain
relative position; to direct to aparticular place; to fix; to settle; to...
Sect (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Those following aparticular leader or authority, or attached to a certain
opinion; a company or set having a common belief or allegiance distinct from...
Jurisdiction (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The legal power or right of an authority to handle aparticular case; judicial
authority over a cause or class of causes; as, certain suits or actions...
Look (1874 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To seem; to appear; to have aparticular appearance; as, the patient
looks better; the clouds look rainy. 4. (vi) To have...
Form (153 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The shape and structure of anything, as distinguished from the material
of which it is composed;particular disposition or arrangement of matter...
Detail (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A minute portion; one of the small parts; aparticular; an item; -- used
chiefly in the plural; as, the details of a scheme or transaction....
Peculiar (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.)Particular; individual; special; appropriate.... 5. (n.) Aparticular parish
or church which is exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary. Int....
Assignment (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An allotting or an appointment to aparticular
person or use; or for aparticular time, as of a cause or causes in court....
Resources
What are Particular Baptist churches, and what do Particular Baptists believe? | GotQuestions.orgIs the United States a Christian nation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the just war theory? | GotQuestions.orgParticular: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
