Topical Encyclopedia
The term "plainly" in the context of the Bible often refers to clarity, directness, and simplicity in communication or understanding. It is used to describe situations where messages, teachings, or revelations are made clear and understandable to the listener or reader. This concept is significant in the biblical narrative as it underscores the importance of truth and transparency in God's communication with humanity.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the idea of speaking or revealing something plainly is often associated with the clarity of God's instructions and the straightforwardness of His commandments. For instance, in
Habakkuk 2:2, the prophet is instructed to "Write down the vision and inscribe it clearly on tablets, so that a herald may run with it." This directive emphasizes the need for God's message to be communicated in a way that is easily understood and disseminated.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the concept of speaking plainly is frequently associated with Jesus' teachings. Jesus often spoke in parables, which were accounts with deeper spiritual meanings. However, there were times when He chose to speak plainly to ensure His disciples understood His message. In
John 16:29, the disciples express their appreciation for Jesus speaking plainly: "His disciples said, 'See, now You are speaking plainly and without figures of speech.'" This moment highlights the disciples' relief and understanding when Jesus communicated directly, without the use of parables.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the use of plain speech in the Bible is significant as it reflects God's desire for His people to understand His will and purpose. The clarity of God's word is seen as a means to guide, instruct, and edify believers. In
1 Corinthians 14:9, Paul emphasizes the importance of clear communication within the church: "So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air." This underscores the necessity of plain and understandable speech in edifying the body of Christ.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the call to speak plainly is a reminder of the importance of honesty, transparency, and clarity in communication. It encourages Christians to convey the truths of the Gospel in a manner that is accessible and comprehensible to all. This principle is vital in teaching, preaching, and everyday interactions, ensuring that the message of Christ is not obscured by complexity or ambiguity.
In summary, the concept of "plainly" in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of clear and direct communication, both in divine revelation and in human interaction. It highlights the value of understanding and the role of clarity in conveying God's truth to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In a plain manner; clearly.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PLAIN; PLAINLYplan, plan'-li: InGenesis 25:27, the King James Version "plain" represents tam. If a contrast between the vocations of Jacob and Esau is meant, the Revised Version (British and American) ("quiet," margin "harmless") may be right. But elsewhere (Job 1:1Psalm 37:37, etc.) the word means "perfect," and so probably here; the failings of the great patriarch did not detract from the general estimate of him (Matthew 8:11). InEzra 4:18 "translated" (Revised Version margin) is better than "plainly read."
Greek
3954. parresia -- freedom of speech, confidence... of speech, confidence NASB Word Usage boldness (4), boldness in...speech (1),
confidence (13), confidently (1), openly (2), openness (1),
plainly (5), public (
...1718. emphanizo -- to exhibit, appear (in person), to declare
... notify (1). appear, declareplainly, inform, disclose. From emphanes; to exhibit
(in person) or disclose (by words) -- appear, declare...
5081. telaugos -- at a distance clearly
... of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: telaugos Phonetic Spelling: (tay-low-goce') Short
Definition: clearly, distinctly Definition: clearly, distinctly,plainly....
5263. hupodeiknumi -- to show secretly, to show by tracing out, to...
... to teach, make known. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupodeiknumi Phonetic
Spelling: (hoop-od-ike'-noo-mee) Short Definition: I showplainly, teach, warn...
669. apophtheggomai -- to speak forth
... say, speak forth, utter. From apo and phtheggomai; to enunciateplainly, ie Declare --
say, speak forth, utterance. see GREEK apo. see GREEK phtheggomai....
5320. phaneros -- manifestly, openly
... openly, publicly, clearly. Adverb from phaneros;plainly, ie Clearly or publicly --
evidently, openly. see GREEK phaneros. (phaneros) -- 3 Occurrences....
4302. prolego -- to say beforehand, ie to predict
... Verb Transliteration: prolego Phonetic Spelling: (prol-eg'-o) Short Definition:
I forewarn Definition: I tell (say) beforehand, forewarn, declare, tellplainly...
662. apotolmao -- to be very bold
... be very bold. From apo and tolmao; to ventureplainly -- be very bold. see GREEK
apo. see GREEK tolmao. (apotolma) -- 1 Occurrence. 661, 662. apotolmao. 663...
3723. orthos -- rightly
... standard). See 3717 (). Word Origin from orthos Definition rightly NASB Word
Usage correctly (3),plainly (1). plain, rightly. Adverb...
Strong's Hebrew
5046. nagad -- to be conspicuous... 10), reported* (1), show (2), shown (2), surely report (1), surely tell (1), tell
(101), telling (2), tells (3), told (131), told
plainly (1), uttered (1).
...6703. tsach -- dazzling, glowing, clear
... clear, dry,plainly, white. From tsachach; dazzling, ie Sunny, bright, (figuratively)
evident -- clear, dry,plainly, white. see HEBREW tsachach. 6702, 6703....
559. amar -- to utter, say
... indeed say (1), informed (1), intend (2), intended (1), intending (1), meditate
(1), mentioned (1), name (1), namely (2), news (1), ordered (6),plainly says (1...
1540. galah -- to uncover, remove
... advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart,
disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, Xplainly, publish, remove...
7200. raah -- to see
... 2), public (1), regard (2), regarded (2), regards (1), remained alive (1), saw
(310), search (1), see (410), see as a sees (1), seeplainly (1), seeing (5...
874. baar -- to make distinct or plain
... declare, makeplainly. A primitive root; to dig; by analogy, to engrave; figuratively,
to explain -- declare, (make) plain(-ly). 873, 874. baar. 875 ....
Library
Hence itPlainly Appears that the Gospel State could not be God's...
... Address 19: Hence itplainly appears that the gospel state could not be
God's last dispensation? Hence itplainly appears that...
Because the Church EpistlesPlainly Teach that all Believers Will...
... Chapter Seven The Beneficiaries of the Redeemer's Return 9. Because the Church Epistles
plainly teach that ALL believers will be raptured at the time of our...
The Matter ThereforePlainly Comes to This, Nothing Can Do...
... Address 10: The matter thereforeplainly comes to this, nothing can do?
The matter thereforeplainly comes to this, nothing can...
ChristPlainly Testifies to the Resurrection of the Entire Man not...
... Chapter XXXIV."ChristPlainly Testifies to the Resurrection of the Entire
Man Not in His Soul Only, Without the Body. To begin...
Hence all These TruthsPlainly Follow: First, that Faith...
... [Way-2-113] Hence all these truthsplainly follow: first, that faith?
Hence all these truthsplainly follow: first, that faith...
The Divine ScripturesPlainly Teach us as Follows, "Thou Shalt not...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LIV. The divine scripturesplainly
teach us as follows, "Thou shalt not approach to any that?...
And Further, Analogy, Whereby the Agreement of Both Testaments is...
... Section 7. And further, analogy, whereby the agreement of both Testaments
isplainly seen? 7. And further, analogy, whereby the...
For These Reasons There wasPlainly Wanting a Divine Revelation,
... CHRISTIAN REVELATION. VII. Proposition VII. For these reasons there was
plainly wanting a divine revelation,. to recover mankind...
And Now, Sir, You have SeenPlainly Enough the Birth...
... [Way-3-23] And now, sir, you have seenplainly enough the birth? And now,
sir, you have seenplainly enough the birth, nature, and...
Of the Erythr??an Sibyl, who is Known to have Sung Many Things...
... Book XVIII. Chapter 23."Of the Erythr??an Sibyl, Who is Known to Have Sung
Many Things About Christ MorePlainly Than the Other Sibyls....
Thesaurus
Plainly (25 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PLAIN;
PLAINLY.
... In Ezra 4:18 "translated" (Revised
Version margin) is better than "
plainly read.". Multi-Version Concordance
...Distinctly (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) With distinctness; not confusedly; without the blending of one part
or thing another; clearly;plainly; as, to see distinctly....
Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... Jesus there asplainly as in the argument with the Pharisees put Moses' permission
of divorce under ban; asplainly there declared the putting away of one...
Figures (11 Occurrences)
... But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech,
but will tell youplainly about the Father. (WEB RSV)....
Speech (107 Occurrences)
... But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech,
but will tell youplainly about the Father. (WEB)....
Taste (46 Occurrences)
... Jesus there asplainly as in the argument with the Pharisees put Moses' permission
of divorce under ban; asplainly there declared the putting away of one...
Pentateuch
... (3.) Our Lordplainly taught the Mosaic authorship of these... 9:11, 13, will alsoplainly
show that the "Law of Moses" was known during all these centuries....
Hades (11 Occurrences)
... In Acts 2:27-31 Peter quotes the LXX. version of Psalm 16:8-11,plainly for
the purpose of proving our Lord's resurrection from the dead....
Thessalonians (6 Occurrences)
...Plainly, affairs on the whole are in a very good state, especially when one takes
into account the fact that most of the members had been out of heathenism but...
Dark (234 Occurrences)
... 25 These things have I spoken unto you in dark sayings: the hour cometh, when I
shall no more speak unto you in dark sayings, but shall tell youplainly of the...
Resources
What did Jesus mean when He said, “I never knew you. Depart from me”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that those who are of faith are sons of Abraham (Galatians 3:7)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the purpose of the biblical sign gifts? | GotQuestions.orgPlainly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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