Topical Encyclopedia
The term "popular" generally refers to something that is well-liked, widely accepted, or favored by many people. In the context of the Bible, the concept of popularity can be examined through various narratives and teachings that highlight the tension between human approval and divine approval.
Popularity in Leadership:In the Old Testament, the desire for popularity and approval from others is evident in the account of King Saul. Saul was chosen as the first king of Israel, partly because he was a head taller than anyone else and appeared to be a strong leader (
1 Samuel 9:2). However, his reign was marked by a struggle between seeking God's approval and the approval of the people. In
1 Samuel 15:24, Saul admits to Samuel, "I have sinned; I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice." This highlights the danger of prioritizing popularity over obedience to God.
Popularity of Jesus:In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry attracted large crowds, making Him a popular figure among the people. His teachings, miracles, and acts of compassion drew many to follow Him. In
Matthew 4:25, it is noted, "Large crowds followed Him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan." Despite His popularity, Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray and maintain His focus on the Father's will (
Luke 5:16).
Jesus also warned against the pursuit of popularity for its own sake. In
Luke 6:26, He stated, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way." This underscores the idea that popularity can be fleeting and deceptive, and that true discipleship may involve being at odds with societal norms.
Popularity and the Early Church:The early church experienced both popularity and persecution. In
Acts 2:47, the believers were "praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." This period of favor, however, was soon followed by opposition and persecution, as seen in
Acts 8:1, where "a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem."
The apostles, particularly Paul, often faced the challenge of balancing the desire to reach people with the truth of the Gospel, even when it was unpopular. In
Galatians 1:10, Paul writes, "Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Popularity and Wisdom Literature:The wisdom literature of the Bible also addresses the theme of popularity.
Proverbs 29:25 warns, "The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high." This proverb highlights the potential pitfalls of seeking human approval over divine guidance.
Conclusion:Throughout the Bible, the concept of popularity is presented with caution. While being well-liked is not inherently wrong, the Scriptures consistently emphasize the importance of seeking God's approval above all else. The narratives and teachings within the Bible encourage believers to prioritize faithfulness to God, even when it conflicts with the desire for popularity or acceptance by others.
ATS Bible Dictionary
PopularGenesis 30:37;Hosea 4:13, probably the white poplar, so called from the whiteness of the under side of the leaves. It is a beautiful and shady tree, common in Palestine and its vicinity. According to some, however, the storax-tree is intended.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Of or pertaining to the common people, or to the whole body Of the people, as distinguished from a select portion; as, the popular voice; popular elections.
2. (a.) Suitable to common people; easy to be comprehended; not abstruse; familiar; plain.
3. (a.) Adapted to the means of the common people; possessed or obtainable by the many; hence, cheap; common; ordinary; inferior; as, popular prices; popular amusements.
4. (a.) Beloved or approved by the people; pleasing to people in general, or to many people; as, a popular preacher; a popular law; a popular administration.
5. (a.) Devoted to the common people; studious of the favor of the populace.
6. (a.) Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular disease.
Greek
1577. ekklesia -- an assembly, a (religious) congregation... From a compound of ek and a derivative of kaleo; a calling out, ie (concretely)
a
popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or
...4714. stasis -- a rebel, revolutionist
... From the base of histemi; a standing (properly, the act), ie (by analogy) position
(existence); by implication, apopular uprising; figuratively, controversy...
5017. tarachos -- disturbance, trouble
... a disturbance, commotion. Masculine from tarasso; a disturbance, ie (popular) tumult --
stir. see GREEK tarasso. (tarachos) -- 2 Occurrences. 5016, 5017....
1215. demegoreo -- to deliver a public address
... Word Origin from demegoros (popular orator); from demos and agoreuo (to speak in
the assembly, harangue) Definition to deliver a public address NASB Word Usage...
4196. Poplios -- Publius, an inhabitant of Malta
... of Malta NASB Word Usage Publius (2). Publius. Of Latin origin; apparently "popular";
Poplius (ie Publius), a Roman -- Publius. (popliou) -- 1 Occurrence....
5500. cheirotoneo -- to vote by stretching out the hand, to...
... [5500 () literally means, "'I stretch out the hand,' thus expressing agreement with
a motion, then, 'I elect by show of hands' [ofpopular vote]), 'I elect...
1218. demos -- a district or country, the common people, esp. the...
... day'-mos) Short Definition: the people, multitude, rabble Definition: properly:
the people, especially citizens of a Greek city inpopular assembly, but in NT...
Strong's Hebrew
516. al-tashcheth -- "destroy not," a phrase in Psalm titles.... Al-taschith From 'al and shachath; Thou must not destroy; probably the opening words
to a
popular song -- Al-taschith. see HEBREW 'al. see HEBREW shachath.
...7802. Shushan Eduth -- Shoshannim-Eduth, Shushan-eduth
... shan-neem' ay-dooth'}; from shuwshan and eduwth; lily (or trumpet) of assemblage;
Shushan-Eduth or Shoshannim-Eduth, the title of apopular song -- Shoshannim...
4257. Machalath -- in psalm titles, probably the name of a tune.
... Mahalath From chalah; sickness; Machalath, probably the title (initial word) of
apopular song -- Mahalath. see HEBREW chalah. 4256, 4257. Machalath. 4258...
4192. Muth -- "to die for the son," probably a song title
... lab-ben {mooth lab-bane'}; from muwth and ben with the preposition and article
interposed; "To die for the son", probably the title of apopular song -- death...
Library
There is aPopular Philosophical Joke Intended to Typify the...
... Chapter 2 There is apopular philosophical joke intended to typify the endless
and useless arguments of? There is apopular philosophical...
ThePopular Sentiment in Regard to Christ's Connexion with the...
... CHAPTER I. JESUS NOT EDUCATED IN THE THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS OF THE JEWS. Section 30.
Thepopular Sentiment in regard to Christ's Connexion with the Schools....
Popular Science, Like that of Mr. ...
... Chapter 29Popular science, like that of Mr.?Popular science, like that of
Mr. Blatchford, is in this matter as mild as old wives' tales....
Popular Renown and Inquisitiveness are Condemned in the Sacred...
... Of the Morals of the Catholic Church. Chapter 21. "Popular Renown and
Inquisitiveness are Condemned in the Sacred Scriptures. 38....
The Great Crisis inPopular Feeling - the Last Discourses in the...
... CHAPTER XXXII. THE GREAT CRISIS INPOPULAR FEELING - THE LAST DISCOURSES IN THE
SYNAGOGUE OF CAPERNAUM - CHRIST THE BREAD OF LIFE - WILL YE ALSO GO AWAY?'....
SundryPopular Fears and Prejudices the Doctrine of the Trinity in...
... Chapter III."SundryPopular Fears and Prejudices The Doctrine of the Trinity
in Unity Rescued from These Misapprehensions. The...
A Brief Consideration of SomePopular Objections. Cchapter i. The...
... PART II. OF THE AUXILIARY EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY PART III. A BRIEF
CONSIDERATION OF SOMEPOPULAR OBJECTIONS. cCHAPTER I. THE...
The Refutation ofPopular Paganism Being Taken as Conclusive, we...
... Against the Heathen. Section 27. The refutation ofpopular Paganism being taken
as conclusive, we come to the higher form of nature-worship....
Many Also of thePopular Songs were Translated
... Many also of thepopular songs were translated. Many also of thepopular songs
were translated, if one may so call it, into a religious...
Still MorePopular in Its Own Day was the Second Hymn that Luther...
... Still morepopular in its own day was the second hymn that Luther ever wrote; no
doubt from its containing in short compass a complete epitome....
Thesaurus
Popular (1 Occurrence)... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to the common people, or to the whole body Of the people,
as distinguished from a select portion; as, the
popular voice;
popular...Proverb (24 Occurrences)
... the wicked cometh forth wickedness; but my hand shall not be upon thee." The prophet
Ezekiel quotes a proverb which evidently embodies apopular belief: "The...
Zoroastrianism
... RELATION TO ISRAEL 1. Influence on Occident 2.Popular Judaism 3. Possible Theological
Influence 4. Angelology and Demonology 5. Eschatology 6. Messiah 7...
Demonology
... with the numerous conjectures of interpreters." If the prevalent modern view is
accepted we find in it an actual meeting-point ofpopular superstition and the...
Demoniac (7 Occurrences)
... with the numerous conjectures of interpreters." If the prevalent modern view is
accepted we find in it an actual meeting-point ofpopular superstition and the...
Demon (26 Occurrences)
... with the numerous conjectures of interpreters." If the prevalent modern view is
accepted we find in it an actual meeting-point ofpopular superstition and the...
Omnipresence
... 2. Philosophical andPopular Ideas of Omnipresence: The philosophical idea of
omnipresence is that of exemption from the limitations of space, subjectively as...
Seraphim (2 Occurrences)
... The equivalent English term is "griffin." It is probable enough thatpopular mythology
connected fire with the attendants of the deity in various ways among...
Life (6001 Occurrences)
... THE TERMS II. THE OLD TESTAMENT TEACHING 1.Popular Use of the Term 2.
Complexity of the Idea III. IN THE APOCRYPHA IV. IN THE NEW...
Rome (12 Occurrences)
... to be gained, aspiring leaders turned their attention to the people, and sought
to attain the fulfillment of their purposes bypopular legislation setting at...
Resources
What does the Bible say about popularity / wanting to be popular? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are some popular illustrations of the Holy Trinity? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about prosperity? | GotQuestions.orgPopular: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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