Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "real" is not explicitly used in the same way it is in modern language. However, the concept of reality, truth, and authenticity is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative. The Bible presents a worldview where the ultimate reality is found in God, His creation, and His divine plan for humanity.
God as the Ultimate RealityThe Bible begins with the assertion of God's existence and His role as the Creator of all things.
Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational truth establishes God as the ultimate reality, the source of all that exists. The Bible consistently affirms that God is not only real but is the defining reality upon which all else depends. In
Exodus 3:14, God reveals Himself to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM," emphasizing His self-existence and eternal nature.
Truth and Reality in Jesus ChristThe New Testament further develops the concept of reality through the person and work of Jesus Christ. In
John 14:6, Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Here, Jesus identifies Himself as the embodiment of truth and the ultimate reality through which humanity can understand God and His purposes. The incarnation of Christ is presented as the intersection of divine reality with human experience, making the invisible God known and accessible.
The Reality of the Spiritual RealmThe Bible also acknowledges the existence of a spiritual realm that is as real as the physical world.
Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the reality of spiritual warfare and the unseen forces that influence the world. Believers are called to recognize and engage with this spiritual reality through faith and the power of God.
Authenticity in Christian LivingThe Bible calls believers to live authentically, aligning their lives with the truth of God's Word. In
James 1:22, it is written, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." This exhortation emphasizes the importance of living out one's faith in a genuine and consistent manner. Authentic Christian living is marked by integrity, obedience, and a commitment to the truth revealed in Scripture.
Eternal RealityThe Bible presents a vision of eternal reality that transcends the temporal world. In
2 Corinthians 4:18, Paul writes, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." This perspective encourages believers to focus on the eternal truths and promises of God, rather than the fleeting nature of earthly life. The hope of eternal life with God is a central theme in Scripture, offering assurance of a future reality that is both enduring and glorious.
In summary, while the term "real" may not be explicitly used in the Bible, the concept of reality is woven throughout its teachings. The Bible presents God as the ultimate reality, Jesus Christ as the embodiment of truth, and calls believers to live authentically in light of the eternal realities revealed in Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A small Spanish silver coin; also, a denomination of money of account, formerly the unit of the Spanish monetary system.
2. (a.) Royal; regal; kingly.
3. (a.) Actually being or existing; not fictitious or imaginary; as, a description of real life.
4. (a.) True; genuine; not artificial, counterfeit, or factitious; often opposed to ostensible; as, the real reason; real Madeira wine; real ginger.
5. (a.) Relating to things, not to persons.
6. (a.) Having an assignable arithmetical or numerical value or meaning; not imaginary.
7. (a.) Pertaining to things fixed, permanent, or immovable, as to lands and tenements; as, real property, in distinction from personal or movable property.
8. (n.) A realist.
Greek
228. alethinos -- true.... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: alethinos Phonetic Spelling:
(al-ay-thee-nos') Short Definition: true,
real, genuine Definition: true (lit: made
...1103. gnesios -- lawfully begotten, genuine
... lawfully begotten, genuine. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: gnesios Phonetic
Spelling: (gnay'-see-os) Short Definition:real, true, genuine Definition...
3689. ontos -- really, truly
... 3689 (the adverbial form of 1510 , "to be") -- properly, ; (, as ). 3689 ("")
is usually translated "indeed" and refers to what is ("real")....
83. adelotes -- uncertainty
... 83 ("unrecognized"), used only in 1 Tim 6:17. Here it shows riches will be in heaven --
ie lacking anyreal value at the judgment-bar of God. See 82 ()....
3155. maten -- in vain, to no purpose
... Cognate: 3155 (an adverb) -- properly, ""; pointless, without ground or anyreal
purpose (fruitfulness). See 3152 (). Word Origin adverb from acc....
1933. epieikes -- seemly, equitable, yielding
... 1933 ("justice beyond ordinary justice") builds on thereal (purpose) of what is
really at stake (note the , "upon") -- and hence, is that appropriately...
3335. metalambano -- to partake of
... change being ," and 2983 , " take or receive") -- properly, to lay hold of with
initiative which prompts "a change afterward," ie to showreal interest which...
54. hagnotes -- purity, chastity
... Cognate: 54 -- purity, even in inner make-up, iereal . See 53 (). Word Origin from
hagnos Definition purity, chastity NASB Word Usage purity (2)....
1983. episkopeo -- to look upon, fig. to care for
... 1983 (from 1909 , ", fitting," intensifying 4648 , "look intently") --
properly, focus on, look at withreal (caring) interest....
1381. dokimazo -- to test, by impl. to approve
... am fit. Cognate: 1381 (from 1384 , "approved") -- properly, to try (test)
to (real, ); to reveal what is (). See 1384 (). 1381 ("to...
Strong's Hebrew
4758. mareh -- sight, appearance, vision... From ra'ah; a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether
(
real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks
...Library
TheReal Thing of Light.
... II The Wooing Lover (John i. 1-18.) TheReal Thing of Light.... And this is the sure
touchstone by which to detect thereal thing of light and the make-believe....
TheReal Jewish Ruler.
... Calvary: Victory TheReal Jewish Ruler. Here Jesus is expected.... He was thereal leader
of the inner clique that held the national reins in a clutching grip....
Whether the Mean of Justice is theReal Mean?
... OF JUSTICE (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether the mean of justice is thereal mean? Objection
1: It would seem that the mean of justice is not thereal mean....
Whether There areReal Relations in God?
... THE DIVINE RELATIONS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether there arereal relations in God? Objection
1: It would seem that there are noreal relations in God....
November the Twentieth theReal Aristocracy
... NOVEMBER The Twentieth THEREAL ARISTOCRACY. "Abraham, my friend." "Isaiah
41:8-16. I think that is the noblest title ever given to mortal man....
TheReal Presence, the Great Want of the Church
... TheReal Presence, the Great Want of the Church. A Sermon (No.1035). Delivered
on Lord's Day Morning, February 11th, 1872, by. CH SPURGEON,....
Whether in God There are Only FourReal Relations ---Paternity...
... THE DIVINE RELATIONS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether in God there are only fourreal
relations"-paternity, filiation, spiration, and procession?...
TheReal High Priest and his Counterfeit
... EXPOSITIONS OF HOLY SCRIPTURE; ALEXANDER MACLAREN, DD, Litt. D.; ST. MATTHEW Chaps.
XVIII to XXVIII THEREAL HIGH PRIEST AND HIS COUNTERFEIT....
Let us Therefore Examine Carefully theReal Significance of that...
... Book I. 2 Let us therefore examine carefully thereal significance of
that opinion? Let us therefore examine carefully thereal...
Whether the Numeral Terms Denote AnythingReal in God?
... THE PLURALITY OF PERSONS IN GOD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the numeral terms
denote anythingreal in God? Objection 1: It would seem...
Thesaurus
Real (26 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Royal; regal; kingly. 3. (a.) Actually being or existing; not
fictitious or imaginary; as, a description of
real life. 4
...Discrepancies
... sorts, in the Bible; (2) to obtain at least a general understanding of the conditions
and causes that may have given rise to the discrepancies,real or apparent...
Realize (29 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To makereal; to convert from the imaginary or fictitious into the actual;
to bring into concrete existence; to effectuate; to accomplish; as, to...
Substance (99 Occurrences)
... substratum; the permanent subject or cause of phenomena, whether material or spiritual;
that in which properties inhere; that which isreal, in distinction...
Year (4027 Occurrences)
... Allreal property should automatically revert to its original owner (Leviticus
25:10; compare 25:13), and those who, compelled by poverty, had sold themselves...
Jubilee (25 Occurrences)
... Allreal property should automatically revert to its original owner (Leviticus
25:10; compare 25:13), and those who, compelled by poverty, had sold themselves...
Magician (5 Occurrences)
... 2. Magic as Personal: In personal magic, living, intelligent, spiritual beings are
made thereal agents which men by incantations, etc., influence and even...
Writing (194 Occurrences)
... 2. Inward Writing: The fact that memory is areal record is well known in modern
psychology, which talks much of inward speech and inward writing....
Anthropomorphism
... The exigencies of human thinking require us to symbolize the nature of Deity in
some psychical way whereby He shall have for us somereal meaning; hence those...
Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... That temptation was not internal, but by areal, active, subtle being. It was not
self-sought.... It was areal struggle, but pictorially, symbolically described....
Resources
Is Jesus real? | GotQuestions.orgIs God real? How can I know for sure that God is real? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper such a controversial issue? | GotQuestions.orgReal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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