Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "personal" in the Bible encompasses the intimate and individual relationship between God and human beings, as well as the personal responsibilities and characteristics of individuals. This entry explores the personal nature of God, the personal relationship between God and humanity, and the personal attributes and responsibilities of individuals as depicted in the Scriptures.
1. The Personal Nature of GodThe Bible presents God as a personal being who engages with His creation in a relational manner. Unlike deistic views that portray God as distant and uninvolved, the Scriptures reveal a God who is intimately involved in the lives of His people. In
Genesis 1:27, it is stated, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This verse highlights the personal nature of God in creating humans with the capacity for relationship.
God's personal nature is further demonstrated through His interactions with individuals throughout the Bible. For example, in
Exodus 3:4, God calls Moses by name from the burning bush, saying, "Moses, Moses!" This direct communication underscores the personal relationship God seeks with His people.
2. Personal Relationship with GodThe Bible emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with God. This relationship is characterized by faith, obedience, and love. In
Deuteronomy 6:5, the command is given, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This verse underscores the personal commitment and devotion expected from believers.
The New Testament further elaborates on this personal relationship through the person of Jesus Christ. In
John 15:15, Jesus tells His disciples, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you." This passage highlights the intimate and personal nature of the relationship between Jesus and His followers.
3. Personal Attributes and ResponsibilitiesThe Bible also addresses the personal attributes and responsibilities of individuals. Believers are called to cultivate personal virtues such as love, humility, and integrity. In
Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These personal attributes are evidence of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Personal responsibility is a recurring theme in Scripture. In
Romans 14:12, Paul writes, "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." This verse emphasizes the personal accountability each individual has before God, underscoring the importance of living a life that aligns with God's will.
4. Personal Prayer and WorshipPersonal prayer and worship are vital aspects of the believer's relationship with God. Jesus taught His disciples to pray in a personal and intimate manner, as seen in
Matthew 6:6: "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This instruction highlights the personal and private nature of prayer as a means of communion with God.
The Psalms provide numerous examples of personal worship and prayer, expressing a wide range of emotions and personal experiences.
Psalm 139:1-2 declares, "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar." This passage reflects the personal knowledge and care God has for each individual.
In summary, the Bible presents a God who is personal and relational, inviting individuals into a deep and meaningful relationship with Him. Believers are called to cultivate personal virtues, embrace personal responsibilities, and engage in personal prayer and worship as they walk with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or affecting, an individual, or each Of many individuals; peculiar or proper to private concerns; not public or general; as, personal comfort; personal desire.
2. (a.) Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.
3. (a.) Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance; corporeal; as, personal charms.
4. (a.) Done in person; without the intervention of another.
5. (a.) Relating to an individual, his character, conduct, motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.
6. (a.) Denoting person; as, a personal pronoun.
7. (n.) A movable; a chattel.
Greek
5429. phronimos -- practically wise, sensible... Cognate: 5429 (an adjective, derived from 5424 , "
personal perspective regulating
outward behavior," and the root of the English term "diaphragm" which
...2398. idios -- one's own, distinct
... own, distinct. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: idios Phonetic Spelling:
(id'-ee-os) Short Definition: one's own, private,personal Definition: one's...
1774. enoikeo -- to dwell in
... 1774 (from 1722 "in," intensifying 3611 , "dwell" at home, one'spersonal residence) --
properly, dwelling a state (condition), ie ; to ("in-habit") as one's...
1189. deomai -- to want, entreat
... 1189 (from the root , "having deeppersonal need, to be in want," see also 1162 ,
"felt-need") -- properly, to because of lack -- hence, to ; to have deep...
1108. gnosis -- a knowing, knowledge
... Cognate: 1108 (a feminine noun derived from 1097 , "experientially know") -- (working")
knowledge gleaned from first-hand (personal) experience, connecting...
4065. periphroneo -- to examine on all sides, to despise
... 4065 (from 4012 , "all-around," and 5426 , "exercisingpersonal perspective") --
properly, think all-around by considering from all sides which results however...
1588. eklektos -- select, by impl. favorite
... 1586 , "to select, choose," also used as a substantive/noun) -- properly, selected
(chosen from, out of), especially as a deeplypersonal choice -- literally...
5384. philos -- beloved, dear, friendly
... 5384 -- a friend; someone loved (prized) in apersonal, intimate way; a
trusted , held dear in a close bond ofpersonal affection....
5427. phronema -- the thought (that which is in the mind)
... Cognate: 5427 (a neuter noun) -- properly visceral opinion (the innermost,personal
level of opinion); inner perspective as it determines (regulating) outward...
846. autos -- (1) self (emphatic) (2) he, she, it (used for the...
... pron.) (3) the same. Part of Speech:Personal Pronoun Transliteration: autos Phonetic
Spelling: (ow-tos') Short Definition: he, she, it, they, them, same...
Strong's Hebrew
8334. sharath -- to minister, serve... root Definition to minister, serve NASB Word Usage assist (1), attendant (4), attended
(2), became his
personal servant (1), minister (26), ministered (4
...834. asher -- who, which, that
... As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by thepersonal pronoun expletively,
used to show the connection. 833, 834. asher. 835 . Strong's Numbers.
2257. chabal -- a hurt, injury
... damage, hurt. (Aramaic) from chabal; harm (personal or pecuniary) -- damage, hurt.
see HEBREW chabal. 2256c, 2257. chabal. 2258 . Strong's Numbers.
7379. rib -- strife, dispute
... Or rib {reeb}; from riyb; a contest (personal or legal) -- + adversary, cause, chiding,
contend(-tion), controversy, multitude (from the margin), pleading...
5079. niddah -- impurity
... From nadad; properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especiallypersonal
(menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest) -- X far, filthiness, X flowers...
6440. panim -- face, faces
... 1), opposite* (5), ours (1), outer (1), outran* (1), over (3), over* (1), overlooks*
(2), own (1), partial* (3), partiality* (11),personal (2), personally (2...
Library
Personal Friendships of Jesus
Personal Friendships of Jesus. <.Personal Friendships of Jesus JR Miller.
Produced by Al Haines Table of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE....
Personal Service
...Personal Service. A Sermon (No.312). Delivered on Thursday Evening, May 3rd, 1860,
by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. At Surrey Chapel, Blackfriar's Road,....
APersonal Experience.
... APersonal Experience. It is recorded in the Bible that God will not hear
sinners. While this is true it has its modifications....
Whether "Gift" is aPersonal Name?
... OF THE NAME OF THE HOLY GHOST, AS GIFT (TWO ARTICLES) Whether "Gift" is apersonal
name? Objection 1: It would seem that "Gift" is not apersonal name....
Travel. APersonal Experience.
... TRAVEL. APERSONAL EXPERIENCE. We have set in order some facts, incidents, and lessons
gathered from a hasty trip to the old country during the summer of 1899....
the Duty ofPersonal Catechizing and Instructing the Flock...
... CHAPTER 3. APPLICATION SECTION 2 - THE DUTY OFPERSONAL CATECHIZING AND
INSTRUCTING THE FLOCK PARTICULARLY RECOMMENDED. Having disclosed...
Personal Experience
... CHAPTER XIIIPersonal Experience. In conclusion I desire to add my humble testimony
of apersonal experience of the glorious work of entire sanctification....
Pastoral andPersonal
... III. PAUL'S WRITINGS STUDY X PASTORAL ANDPERSONAL. FOURTH GROUP OF EPISTLES FIRST
TIMOTHY. TITUS. SECOND TIMOTHY. THE PLACE OF THE EPISTLES....
ThePersonal Character of this Book.
... Book IV. Chapter 1 [I.]"ThePersonal Character of This Book. I Must now,
in the sequel of my treatise, request you to hear what...
Our Hope is thePersonal Return of Our Redeemer.
... Chapter Two The Hope of the Redeemer's Return 4. Our Hope is thepersonal
Return of our Redeemer. "Jesus Christ our hope" (1:Tim...
Thesaurus
Personal (15 Occurrences)... to, or affecting, an individual, or each Of many individuals; peculiar or proper
to private concerns; not public or general; as,
personal comfort;
personal...Guilt (180 Occurrences)
... In other words, in thinking of guilt we ask the questions of cause, motive and
consequence, the central idea being that of thepersonal blameworthiness of the...
Personality
... said or written which refers to the person, conduct, etc., of some individual,
especially something of a disparaging or offensive nature;personal remarks; as...
Experience (28 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The effect upon the judgment or feelings produced by any event, whether
witnessed or participated in;personal and direct impressions as contrasted...
Excommunication
... EXCOMMUNICATION. eks-ko-mu-ni-ka'-shun: Exclusion from church fellowship as a
means ofpersonal discipline, or church purification, or both....
Pain (172 Occurrences)
... the word is used are in the poetical or prophetical books and refer to conditions
of mental disquiet or dismay due to the punishment ofpersonal or national sin...
Magician (5 Occurrences)
... DIVISION OF THE SUBJECT 1. Magic as Impersonal 2. Margic asPersonal III.... 1. Magic
as Impersonal: There are two kinds of magic: (1) impersonal; (2)personal....
Ministry (44 Occurrences)
... In all ages of Christianity the call to become the follower of Jesus, while it is
the deepest of allpersonal things and comes to each one singly, never comes...
Magic (12 Occurrences)
... DIVISION OF THE SUBJECT 1. Magic as Impersonal 2. Margic asPersonal III.... 1. Magic
as Impersonal: There are two kinds of magic: (1) impersonal; (2)personal....
Amos (12 Occurrences)
... a'-mos (`amoc, "burdensome" or "burden-bearer"; Amos): I. THE PROPHET 1. Name 2.
Native Place 3.Personal History 4. His Preparation (1) Knowledge of God (2...
Resources
What does the Bible say about personal responsibility? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to have a personal relationship with God? | GotQuestions.orgIs the concept of personal prophecy biblical? | GotQuestions.orgPersonal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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