Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of a "plan" often refers to the divine intentions and purposes of God as they unfold in the lives of individuals, nations, and the world. The Bible presents God as sovereign, with a master plan that encompasses all creation, history, and eternity. This divine plan is characterized by wisdom, love, and justice, and it is ultimately aimed at the redemption and restoration of humanity through Jesus Christ.
God's Sovereign PlanThe Bible affirms that God has a sovereign plan that is unchangeable and perfect. In
Isaiah 46:10, God declares, "I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’" This verse highlights God's omniscience and omnipotence, assuring believers that His plans are certain and will be fulfilled.
Plans for IndividualsScripture also reveals that God has specific plans for individuals.
Jeremiah 29:11 is a well-known verse that speaks to this: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope." This promise was originally given to the Israelites in exile, yet it reflects a broader principle of God's care and purpose for His people.
Human Plans and Divine GuidanceWhile humans are encouraged to make plans, the Bible teaches that these should be submitted to God's will.
Proverbs 16:9 states, "A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." This verse underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance and being open to His direction, recognizing that His wisdom surpasses human understanding.
The Plan of SalvationCentral to the biblical narrative is God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:9-10 reveals, "And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ." This passage emphasizes that God's ultimate plan is to unite all things under Christ, highlighting the redemptive work of Jesus as the focal point of history.
The Role of FaithBelievers are called to trust in God's plan, even when it is not fully understood.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." Faith involves confidence in God's character and His promises, trusting that His plans are for the good of those who love Him (
Romans 8:28).
Eternal PerspectiveThe Bible encourages an eternal perspective, recognizing that God's plans extend beyond this life. In
2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul writes, "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. 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 perspective helps believers endure trials, knowing that God's ultimate plan includes eternal glory.
In summary, the biblical concept of a plan encompasses God's sovereign purposes, His specific intentions for individuals, the overarching plan of salvation through Christ, and the call for believers to trust and align their lives with His divine will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A draught or form; properly, a representation drawn on a plane, as a map or a chart; especially, a top view, as of a machine, or the representation or delineation of a horizontal section of anything, as of a building; a graphic representation; a diagram.
2. (n.) A scheme devised; a method of action or procedure expressed or described in language; a project; as, the plan of a constitution; the plan of an expedition.
3. (n.) A method; a way of procedure; a custom.
4. (v. t.) To form a delineation of; to draught; to represent, as by a diagram.
5. (v. t.) To scheme; to devise; to contrive; to form in design; as, to plan the conquest of a country.
Greek
1917. epiboule -- aplan against... a
plan against. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epiboule Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-boo-lay') Short Definition: a plot, design against Definition
...2602. katabole -- a laying down
... cast according to a blueprint (original design); the which determines the entire
direction (destination) of all that follows; the foundation-plan, upon which...
4823. sumbouleuo -- to take counsel together, advise
... 4823 (from 4862 , "identify " and 1011 , "toplan," which is derived from 1012 ,
"a resoluteplan") -- properly, to consult (counsel) together, like when...
1014. boulomai -- to will
... wish. Cognate: 1014 -- toplan with (determination). See 1012 (). 1014 ("
plan") is a strong term that underlines the predetermined...
3191. meletao -- to care for, practice, study
... to care for, practice, study. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: meletao Phonetic
Spelling: (mel-et-ah'-o) Short Definition: I devise,plan Definition: I...
1012. boule -- counsel
... This level of God's (1012 ) demonstrates He is of history, ie always in charge!
[1012 () is more than God's immutableplan of physical circumstances....
5495. cheir -- the hand
... 5495 -- properly, ; (figuratively) the instrument a person uses to accomplish
their purpose (intention,plan). Word Origin a prim....
3929. paresis -- a letting go
... This was based on the absolutely , sacrifice of Christ -- "retroactively applied"
to them in God's ,plan. [3929 () means "" in the papyri (BGU II....
4108. planos -- wandering, leading astray (adjective), a deceiver...
... wandering, leading astray (adjective), a deceiver (subst.). Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: planos Phonetic Spelling: (plan'-os) Short Definition...
1982. episkiazo -- to overshadow
... result. 1982 ("overshadow") is used in the NT of -- which always brings
His -plan to pass (see 1012 , "God's immutable will for ")....
Strong's Hebrew
2154. zimmah -- aplan, device, wickedness... 2153, 2154. zimmah. 2155 . a
plan, device, wickedness. Transliteration: zimmah
Phonetic Spelling: (zim-maw') Short Definition: lewdness.
...6246. ashith -- to think,plan
... 6245b, 6246. ashith or ashith. 6247 . to think,plan. Transliteration: ashith
or ashith Phonetic Spelling: (ash-eeth') Short Definition: planned....
2162. zamam -- aplan, device
... 2161, 2162. zamam. 2163 . aplan, device. Transliteration: zamam Phonetic
Spelling: (zaw-mawm') Short Definition: device. Word Origin...
5779. uts -- to counsel,plan
... 5778, 5779. uts. 5780 . to counsel,plan. Transliteration: uts Phonetic
Spelling: (oots) Short Definition: devise. Word Origin a prim....
4156. moetsah -- counsel,plan, principle, device
... 4155, 4156. moetsah. 4157 . counsel,plan, principle, device. Transliteration:
moetsah Phonetic Spelling: (mo-ay-tsaw') Short Definition: devices....
6098. etsah -- counsel, advice
... counsel, advice NASB Word Usage advice (11), consultation (2), counsel (52), counselor*
(1), counselors* (1), counsels (1), designs (1),plan (8), plans (2...
4284. machashabah -- thought, device
... from chashab Definition thought, device NASB Word Usage design (1), designs (3),
devised (1), intentions* (1), invented (1), inventive (1),plan (2), plans (14...
2803. chashab -- to think, account
... 1), devising (1), esteem (2), esteemed (2), execute (1), have (1), impute (1), intend
(2), make (2), makers (1), meant (2), mindful (1),plan (2), planned (3...
2161. zamam -- to consider, purpose, devise
... A primitive root; toplan, usually in a bad sense -- consider, devise, imagine,
plot, purpose, think (evil). 2160, 2161. zamam. 2162 . Strong's Numbers.
8458. tachbulah -- direction, counsel
... denominative from chebel; (only in plural) properly, steerage (as a management of
ropes), ie (figuratively) guidance or (by implication) aplan -- good advice...
Library
An IrresistiblePlan.
... The Transfiguration: An Emergency Measure An IrresistiblePlan.... Here is the strategic
point, now. The key to the futureplan is in this small group....
ThePlan for the Coming of Jesus.
... I. The Purpose of Jesus. 2. ThePlan for the Coming of Jesus. God's Darling,
Psalm 8:5-8."theplan for the new man"the Hebrew...
The Tragic Break in thePlan.
... I. The Purpose of Jesus. 3. The Tragic Break in thePlan. The Jerusalem
Climate: the contrasting receptions, Luke 2.. the music...
ThePlan of the Work.
... The Church History of Eusebius. Book I. Chapter I."ThePlan of the Work.
1. It is my purpose to write an account of the successions...
The Preface. --ThePlan and Purport of the Whole Epitome, and of...
... The Epitome of the Divine Institutes. Addressed to His Brother Pentadius. The
Preface."ThePlan and Purport of the Whole Epitome, And of the. Institutions....
Had Christ a ConsciousPlan?
... CONNEXION. PART I. THEPLAN OF CHRIST. CHAPTER 1. A. THEPLAN OF CHRIST'S MINISTRY
IN GENERAL. Section 48. Had Christ a consciousPlan? IT...
The victor's GreatPlan.
... The Earth, the Battle-Field in Prayer The Victor's GreatPlan. Now, hold
your breath and note, on the side of the Victor-prince, this...
To Follow Out MyPlan in Regard to Places...
... Chapter VIII. To follow out myplan in regard to places? To follow out my
plan in regard to places: the circus is chiefly consecrated...
In Fulfilment of OurPlan, Let us Now Go on to Consider the...
... Chapter XI. In fulfilment of ourplan, let us now go on to consider the combats.?
In fulfilment of ourplan, let us now go on to consider the combats....
Chap. xxxvii. While Occupied in thisPlan, He Received Letters...
... Chap. XXXVII. While occupied in thisplan, he received letters from Constantine
which deterred him from proceeding? While occupied...
Thesaurus
Plan (58 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) A scheme devised; a method of action or procedure expressed or described
in language; a project; as, the
plan of a constitution; the
plan of an
...Design (84 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To create or produce, as a work of art; to form aplan or scheme of; to
form in idea; to invent; to project; to lay out in the mind; as, a man designs...
Chance (78 Occurrences)
... "It was not by chance that the priest came down by that road at that time, but by
a specific arrangement and in exact fulfilment of aplan; not theplan of the...
Plot (53 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A plantation laid out. 3. (n.) Aplan or draught of a field, farm,
estate, etc., drawn to a scale. 4. (vt) To make a plot...
Presbyter
... 2. Based on the SynagoguePlan: The local synagogue of the Jewish church was under
the care and control of a body of representative men called "the elders...
Presbytery (1 Occurrence)
... 2. Based on the SynagoguePlan: The local synagogue of the Jewish church was under
the care and control of a body of representative men called "the elders...
Ezranehemiah
... EZRA-NEHEMIAH. Contents 1. Name. 2. Object 3.Plan 4. Unity 5. Sources 6. Literary
Character 7. Languages 8. Historicity 9. Text LITERATURE...
Ezra-nehemiah
... EZRA-NEHEMIAH. Contents 1. Name. 2. Object 3.Plan 4. Unity 5. Sources 6. Literary
Character 7. Languages 8. Historicity 9. Text LITERATURE...
Devise (41 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To formulate by thought; to contrive; to invent;
to scheme; as, to devise aplan of defense, or an argument....
Plane (5 Occurrences)
...plan'-tre ('armon; platanos (Genesis 30:37), elate ("pine" or "fir") (Ezekiel
31:8); the King James Version chestnut): `Armon is supposed to be derived from...
Resources
Does God have a plan for me? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the plan of salvation? | GotQuestions.orgCan faith change God's plan? | GotQuestions.orgPlan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus