Topical Encyclopedia
The term "privately" in the context of the Bible often refers to actions or communications that occur away from public view or without the knowledge of others. This concept is significant in various biblical narratives and teachings, where privacy can be associated with both positive and negative connotations.
Biblical Instances:1.
Jesus' Teachings and Actions: · Jesus often engaged in private discussions with His disciples to explain parables and teachings that were not immediately clear to the public. In
Mark 4:34 , it is noted, "He did not tell them anything without using a parable. But privately He explained everything to His own disciples." This highlights the importance of intimate, private instruction for deeper understanding.
2.
Prayer: · The Bible emphasizes the value of private prayer as a sincere form of communication with God. In
Matthew 6:6 , Jesus instructs, "But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This underscores the idea that private prayer is a personal and genuine act of faith.
3.
Counsel and Correction: · Private correction is encouraged as a means of maintaining relationships and addressing sin. In
Matthew 18:15 , Jesus advises, "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over." This approach is intended to resolve issues discreetly and lovingly.
4.
Conspiracies and Deception: · The Bible also records instances where actions done privately are associated with deceit or conspiracy. In
Acts 23:19-21 , the apostle Paul is informed privately by his nephew about a plot against his life, demonstrating how secrecy can be used for malicious purposes.
5.
Private Devotion: · The concept of private devotion is seen in the life of Daniel, who continued his practice of praying privately despite the king's decree against it.
Daniel 6:10 states, "Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees to pray and give thanks to his God, just as he had done before."
Theological Implications:The use of privacy in the Bible often reflects the heart's intentions. Actions done privately can be a testament to genuine faith and devotion, as seen in private prayer and personal instruction. Conversely, secrecy can also be a tool for sin and deception, as illustrated in various biblical accounts of conspiracies. The Bible encourages believers to use privacy for righteous purposes, fostering a sincere relationship with God and others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) In a private manner; not openly; without the presence of others.
2. (adv.) In a manner affecting an individual; personally not officially; as, he is not privately benefited.
Greek
2977. lathra -- secretly... secretly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: lathra Phonetic Spelling:
(lath'-rah) Short Definition: secretly Definition: secretly,
privately.
...2596. kata -- down, against, according to
... 1), just (2), like (4), more (1), motives (1), natural* (1), off (2), one* (2),
outwardly* (1), over (3), private* (1),privately* (7), reference (1), rightly...
5260. hupoballo -- to throw or put under
... or put under. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupoballo Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-ob-al'-lo) Short Definition: I suborn, instructprivately Definition: I...
2398. idios -- one's own, distinct
... NASB Word Usage due (1), friends (1), himself (4), home (1), individually (1), one's
own (1), own (84), owner (1), private* (1),privately* (7), proper (4...
5282. huponoeo -- to suspect, conjecture
... think, suppose, deem. From hupo and noieo; to think under (privately), ie To surmise
or conjecture -- think, suppose, deem. see GREEK hupo. see GREEK noieo....
2931. kruphe -- hidden, secret
... in secret. Adverb from krupto;privately -- in secret. see GREEK krupto. (kruphe) --
1 Occurrence. 2930, 2931. kruphe. 2931a . Strong's Numbers.
2919. krino -- to judge, decide
... krino Phonetic Spelling: (kree'-no) Short Definition: I judge, decide, think good
Definition: (a) I judge, whether in a law-court orprivately: sometimes with...
Strong's Hebrew
7987. sheli -- quietness... 7986, 7987. sheli. 7988 . quietness. Transliteration: sheli Phonetic Spelling:
(shel-ee') Short Definition:
privately. Word Origin
...Library
The Same Request isPrivately Repeated to Me, and My Answer to It.
... 6. The same request isprivately repeated to me, and my answer to it. In
addition to these different applications, I wasprivately...
How, Upon Saul's Transgression of the Prophet's Commands, Samuel...
... CHAPTER 8. How, Upon Saul's Transgression Of The Prophet's Commands, Samuel Ordained
Another Person To Be KingPrivately, Whose Name Was David, As God...
Death Brought to Nought by the Death of Christ. Why Then did not...
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Section 21. Death brought to nought by the death
of Christ. Why then did not Christ dieprivately, or in a more honourable way?...
If any of the Clergy Should Fall Away, and Publicly orPrivately...
... Canon IV. If any of the clergy should fall away, and publicly orprivately
presume to maintain? If any of the clergy should fall...
Galatians Chapter ii.
... Ver.2. "And I laid before them the Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but
privately before them who were of repute, lest by any means I should be...
The Hidden Treasure.
... two, along with the concluding representation of the general judgment, were spoken,
not to the multitude on the shore of the lake, but moreprivately to a...
Whether the Husband Can on his Own Judgment Put Away his Wife on...
... "was minded to put" Mary "awayprivately." Therefore it would seem that a husband
mayprivately pronounce a divorce without the judgment of the Church....
The Idumeans Being Sent for by the Zealots, came Immediately to...
... own substance, and, by way of trial beforehand, have madly plundered the neighboring
villages and cities, in the upshot of all, haveprivately run together...
Do not Accept Judaism.
... And I thank my God that I have a good conscience in respect to you, and that no
one has it in his power to boast, eitherprivately or publicly, that I have...
The Fourth Miracle in John's Gospel
... as to how the bread was to be provided came from Christ; in the other Evangelists'
accounts that question is discussed first amongst the Apostlesprivately....
Thesaurus
Privately (29 Occurrences)... 2. (adv.) In a manner affecting an individual; personally not officially; as,
he is not
privately benefited.
...Privately (29 Occurrences).
...Private (32 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesusprivately, and said, "Why
weren't we able to cast it out?" (Root in WEB WEY BBE NAS RSV NIV)....
Aside (416 Occurrences)
... 3. (adv.) So as to be heard by others;privately.... ASIDE. a-sid': "Distinct from others,"
"privately," such is the sense of the word in 2 Kings 4:4 Mark 7:33....
Whisper (9 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To utter in a low and nonvocal tone; to say under the breath; hence,
to mentionprivately and confidentially, or in a whisper....
Expel (29 Occurrences)
... you. (WEY). Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesusprivately and
asked Him, "Why could not we expel the demon?" (WEY). Mark...
Privy (3 Occurrences)
... open to the public. 4. (a.) Admitted to knowledge of a secret transaction;
secretly cognizant;privately knowing. 5. (n.) A partaker...
Privily (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a privy manner;privately; secretly.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PRIVY; PRIVILY. priv'-i...
Couldn't (6 Occurrences)
... Couldn't (6 Occurrences). Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesusprivately
and asked Him, "Why could not we expel the demon?" (See NIV)....
Drive (132 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Matthew 17:19 Then the disciples came to Jesusprivately, and
said, "Why weren't we able to cast it out?" (See NAS NIV)....
Mountain (298 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:3 And while he was seated on the Mountain of Olives, the disciples came
to himprivately, saying, Make clear to us, when will these things be?...
Resources
What does the Bible say about church discipline? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the value of a prayer meeting? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to have a double tongue? | GotQuestions.orgPrivately: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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