Topical Encyclopedia
The term "physical" in the context of the Bible often pertains to the material and bodily aspects of human existence, as opposed to the spiritual or immaterial. The Bible addresses the physical realm in various ways, emphasizing the importance of the body, health, and the material world, while also highlighting the supremacy of spiritual matters.
Creation and the Physical WorldThe Bible begins with the account of creation, where God creates the physical universe.
Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This establishes the physical world as a deliberate act of God, who declared it "very good" (
Genesis 1:31). The physical creation reflects God's power and divine nature, as seen in
Romans 1:20: "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."
The Human BodyThe human body is a significant aspect of the physical realm. Created in the image of God (
Genesis 1:27), the body is considered a temple of the Holy Spirit for believers.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This passage underscores the sanctity and importance of the physical body in the life of a believer.
Health and Physical Well-beingThe Bible acknowledges the importance of physical health and well-being.
Proverbs 3:7-8 advises, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones." The physical health of individuals is often seen as a blessing from God, and maintaining it is encouraged as part of living a righteous life.
Physical Labor and ProvisionPhysical labor is another aspect of the physical realm addressed in Scripture. Work is portrayed as a God-given responsibility and means of provision.
Colossians 3:23 instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men." The Bible also emphasizes the importance of providing for one's family through physical labor, as seen in
1 Timothy 5:8 : "If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
Physical Suffering and TrialsPhysical suffering and trials are acknowledged in the Bible as part of the human experience. The account of Job is a profound example of enduring physical and emotional suffering while maintaining faith in God.
James 1:2-4 encourages believers to view trials as opportunities for growth: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The Resurrection and the Physical BodyThe resurrection of Jesus Christ is a pivotal event that underscores the significance of the physical body. Jesus' bodily resurrection is a testament to the future resurrection of believers.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 explains, "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body." This passage highlights the transformation and redemption of the physical body in the resurrection.
Eternal Perspective on the PhysicalWhile the Bible acknowledges the importance of the physical, it also encourages believers to maintain an eternal perspective.
2 Corinthians 4:18 states, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." This verse reminds believers to prioritize spiritual matters while recognizing the temporary nature of the physical world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Of or pertaining to nature (as including all created existences); in accordance with the laws Of nature; also, Of or relating to natural or material things, or to the bodily structure, as opposed to things mental, moral, spiritual, or imaginary; material; natural; as, armies and navies are the physical force Of a nation; the body is the physical part Of man.
2. (a.) of or pertaining to physics, or natural philosophy; treating of, or relating to, the causes and connections of natural phenomena; as, physical science; physical laws.
3. (a.) Perceptible through a bodily or material organization; cognizable by the senses; external; as, the physical, opposed to chemical, characters of a mineral.
4. (a.) of or pertaining to physic, or the art of medicine; medicinal; curative; healing; also, cathartic; purgative.
Greek
1129. gumnasia -- exercise... exercise. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: gumnasia Phonetic Spelling:
(goom-nas-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
physical exercise Definition: (
physical...1093. ge -- the earth, land
... 1093 -- properly, thephysical earth; (figuratively) the "" we live in
which operates in which God uses to prepare us for . The...
1128. gumnazo -- to exercise naked, to train
... naked, to train. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: gumnazo Phonetic Spelling:
(goom-nad'-zo) Short Definition: I train byphysical exercise Definition: I...
1919. epigeios -- of the earth
... 1919 (an adjective, derived from 1909 , ", fitting" and 1093 , "thephysical earth") --
properly, upon the earth, referring to earthly (physical) life -- ie...
991. blepo -- to look (at)
... to look (at). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: blepo Phonetic Spelling:
(blep'-o) Short Definition: I look, see Definition: (primarilyphysical), I look...
203. akrobustia -- the prepuce, foreskin, hence uncircumcision
...Physical circumcision is the of God's covenant, representing the from God to by --
through ().... The duty ofphysical circumcision of course did relate to .]....
2222. zoe -- life
... life. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: zoe Phonetic Spelling:
(dzo-ay') Short Definition: life Definition: life, both ofphysical (present) and...
2390. iaomai -- to heal
... Speech: Verb Transliteration: iaomai Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ah'-om-ahee) Short
Definition: I heal Definition: I heal, generally of thephysical, sometimes of...
2288. thanatos -- death
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: thanatos Phonetic Spelling:
(than'-at-os) Short Definition: death Definition: death,physical or spiritual....
1411. dunamis -- (miraculous) power, might, strength
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: dunamis Phonetic Spelling: (doo'-nam-is) Short
Definition: might, power, marvelous works Definition: (a)physical power, force...
Strong's Hebrew
2763. charam -- to ban, devote, exterminate... A primitive root; to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses
(especially destruction);
physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose
...2891. taher -- to be clean or pure
... A primitive root; properly, to be bright; ie (by implication) to be pure (physical
sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent...
3511. keeb -- a pain
... grief, pain, sorrow. From ka'ab; suffering (physical or mental), adversity -- grief,
pain, sorrow. see HEBREW ka'ab. 3510, 3511. keeb. 3512 . Strong's Numbers
2889. tahor -- clean, pure
... clean, fair, pureness. Or tahor {taw-hore'}; from taher; pure (in aphysical, chemical,
ceremonial or moral sense) -- clean, fair, pure(-ness). see HEBREW taher...
2764. cherem -- devoted thing, devotion, ban
... Or (Zecheriah 14:11) cherem {kheh'-rem}; from charam;physical (as shutting in)
a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstr....
Library
Physical Characteristics.
... Chapter II Character. Section 3.Physical Characteristics. A graphic picture
of his personal appearance is drawn by Cedrenus (p.472...
Use ofPhysical Agencies in the Cure of Diseases.
... Section 99. Use ofPhysical Agencies in the Cure of Diseases. Christ employed
his miraculous power in various modes of operation....
ThePhysical Tendencies of Fasting and Feeding Considered the...
... Chapter VI."ThePhysical Tendencies of Fasting and Feeding Considered The
Cases of Moses and Elijah. Now, if there has been temerity...
The Relation Between Sin andPhysical Evil. --Jewish Idea of...
... Section 100. The Relation between Sin andPhysical Evil."Jewish Idea
of Punitive Justice."Christ's Doctrine on the Subject....
ThePhysical Philosophers Maintained the Divinity of the Elements...
... Book II. Chapter III."ThePhysical Philosophers Maintained the Divinity
of the Elements; The Absurdity of the Tenet Exposed. From...
Q. How CanPhysical Eating and Drinking do Such Great Things?
... I. The Ten Commandments: The Simple Way a Father Should Present Them to His Household
IV. Q. How canphysical eating and drinking do such great things?...
Concerning the Figments of thePhysical Theologists, who Neither...
... Chapter 27."Concerning the Figments of thePhysical Theologists, Who Neither Worship
the True Divinity, Nor Perform the Worship Wherewith the True Divinity...
That all Things which thePhysical Theologists have Referred to...
... Chapter 29."That All Things Which thePhysical Theologists Have Referred to the
World and Its Parts, They Ought to Have Referred to the One True God....
ThePhysical Theory Continued Further Reasons Advanced against the...
... Book II. Chapter V."ThePhysical Theory Continued Further Reasons Advanced
Against the Divinity of the Elements. Why, then, do...
On thePhysical Basis of Life.
... VII. ON THEPHYSICAL BASIS OF LIFE. In order to make the title of this
discourse generally intelligible, I have translated the term...
Thesaurus
Physical (7 Occurrences)... or to the bodily structure, as opposed to things mental, moral, spiritual, or imaginary;
material; natural; as, armies and navies are the
physical force Of a
...Rudiments (5 Occurrences)
... specially (1) the letters of the alphabet, the spoken sounds, as the elements of
speech; (2) the material elements of the universe, thephysical atoms of which...
Agony (20 Occurrences)
... in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:36-46 Mark 14:32-42 Luke 22:39-46, and also
in Hebrews 5:7, 8) indicates that it was threefold: 1.Physical: The agony of...
Evil (1503 Occurrences)
... EVIL. ev'-'-l, e'-vil ra`; poneros, kakos, kakon: In the Bible it is represented
as moral andphysical.... In such cases, onlyphysical evil is apparent....
Testament (13 Occurrences)
... alls." "As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." Dods
(Expositor's Bible, 366) interprets it of Adam as the source ofphysical life that...
Nile (37 Occurrences)
... This name does not occur in the Hebrew of the Old Testament or in the English
translation): I. THE NILE INPHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 1. Description 2. Geological...
Nature (80 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Hence: Kind, sort; character; quality. 7. (n.)Physical constitution
or existence; the vital powers; the natural life. 8...
Groan (32 Occurrences)
... embrimaomai): The English word, noun and verb, is an attempt to imitate the vocal
sound which is expressive of severe pain or distress,physical or mental....
Tablets (31 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia TELL EL-AMARNA; TABLETS. tel-el-a-mar'-na,
I. INTRODUCTION 1. Name 2. Discovery 3.Physical Character II....
El-amarna
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia TELL EL-AMARNA; TABLETS. tel-el-a-mar'-na,
I. INTRODUCTION 1. Name 2. Discovery 3.Physical Character II....
Resources
How can I spiritually survive a severe physical trauma? | GotQuestions.orgHow is physical death related to spiritual death? | GotQuestions.orgHow important is physical attraction when looking for a spouse? | GotQuestions.orgPhysical: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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