Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "refined" in the Bible often carries the connotation of purification, improvement, and the removal of impurities. This process is frequently used metaphorically to describe the spiritual and moral purification of individuals or communities by God. The imagery of refining is drawn from the process of purifying metals, such as gold and silver, by fire to remove dross and impurities, leaving behind a purer substance.
Biblical References:1.
Malachi 3:2-3 : "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness." This passage speaks of the Lord's coming as a time of purification for the people, particularly the priests, symbolizing a cleansing that prepares them for righteous service.
2.
Zechariah 13:9 : "I will bring this third through the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’" Here, the refining process is depicted as a means of testing and proving the faithfulness of God's people, resulting in a deeper relationship with Him.
3.
Proverbs 17:3 : "A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts." This proverb highlights the idea that just as metals are tested and refined through fire, God tests and refines the hearts of individuals, revealing their true character and intentions.
4.
Isaiah 48:10 : "See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." This verse emphasizes that God's refining process may involve trials and afflictions, which serve to purify and strengthen the faith of His people.
5.
1 Peter 1:6-7 : "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." The apostle Peter encourages believers by comparing their faith to gold refined by fire, suggesting that trials serve to purify and prove the genuineness of their faith.
Theological Significance:The process of refining, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual growth and sanctification. It illustrates the transformative work of God in the lives of believers, where trials and challenges are used to remove impurities and strengthen faith. This refining process is not merely punitive but is intended to produce a deeper, more authentic relationship with God, characterized by righteousness and holiness.
In the biblical narrative, refining is often associated with covenantal faithfulness, where God purifies His people to fulfill His promises and purposes. The imagery of refining underscores the necessity of divine intervention in the sanctification process, highlighting God's sovereignty and grace in shaping His people into vessels of honor and glory.
Overall, the theme of refinement in Scripture calls believers to embrace the trials and challenges of life as opportunities for spiritual growth, trusting in God's refining work to produce a faith that is pure, steadfast, and pleasing to Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Refine.
2. (a.) Freed from impurities or alloy; purified; polished; cultured; delicate; as; refined gold; refined language; refined sentiments.
Greek
4448. puroo -- to set on fire, ie to burn (pass.)... from pur Definition to set on fire, ie to burn (pass.) NASB Word Usage burn (1),
burning (1), flaming (1), intense concern (1), made to glow (1),
refined (1).
...3487. nardos -- nard, ointment of nard
... 3487 -- nard (spikenard); an Indian plant, "used for the preparation of a fragrant
ointment; Mk 14:3; Jn 12:3" (). Whenrefined, nard is a "perfume, made...
2866. kompsoteron -- well-dressed
... health. Word Origin comp. adverb of kompsos (refined, gentlemanly) Definition
well-dressed NASB Word Usage better (1). better. Neuter...
Strong's Hebrew
6338. pazaz -- to berefined... to be
refined. Transliteration: pazaz Phonetic Spelling: (paw-zaz') Short Definition:
refined.
... root Definition to be
refined NASB Word Usage
refined (1). refine.
...6337. paz --refined, pure gold
... 6336, 6337. paz. 6338 .refined, pure gold. Transliteration: paz Phonetic
Spelling: (pawz) Short Definition: gold. Word Origin from...
2212. zaqaq -- to refine, purify
... 2211, 2212. zaqaq. 2213 . to refine, purify. Transliteration: zaqaq Phonetic
Spelling: (zaw-kak') Short Definition:refined. Word Origin a prim....
7390. rak -- tender, delicate, soft
... Word Origin from rakak Definition tender, delicate, soft NASB Word Usage frail
(1), gentle (1), inexperienced (2),refined (2), soft (2), tender (3), tender...
6884. tsaraph -- to smelt, refine, test
... root Definition to smelt, refine, test NASB Word Usage goldsmith (5), goldsmiths
(2), pure (1), refine (3),refined (5), refiner's (1), refining goes (1...
Library
Letter iv. Personal Habits.
... untidy in her room and dress puts a great strain upon the patience and affection
of all those associated with her who are possessed ofrefined and cultivated...
The Bible the Great Civilizer
... If it feeds on pure andrefined food, pure andrefined it will grow. There are those
who do not believe this.... How shall we keep our soulsREFINED?...
Degrees of Enjoyment through the Glorified Senses.
... possess a greater elevation of mind"which is necessary to enjoy greater pleasure
even from creatures"but their senses also will be morerefined and acute...
Origin of the World; Basilides' Account of the "Sonship. "
... Of this Sonship (thus) involving a threefold division, one part wasrefined,
(another gross,) and another requiring purification....
Vanity of Human Glory.
... plan, and exert themselves, then mere animal indulgences are not enough for them,
and they look about for some higher pleasures, more lasting and morerefined....
"Members one of Another. "
... But when we come to itsrefined and subtle workings in our nature, when we think
of its Proteus-like changeableness, its power of assuming the various guises...
Ancient Civilisation {5} {6}
... and pain, by observing what actions would pay in the long run and what would not;
and so learnt to conquer his selfishness by a morerefined and extended...
Ancient Civilisation.
... and pain, by observing what actions would pay in the long run and what would not;
and so learnt to conquer his selfishness by a morerefined and extended...
Letter v. Society --Conversation.
... variety (always excepting games known as "kissing-games," which should be promptly
tabooed and denounced, and ever will be in trulyrefined society), yet...
Introduction
... We find few traces of thatrefined religious selfishness on the one hand, and that
feeble sentimentalism on the other, which vitiate so much of the pious...
Thesaurus
Refined (26 Occurrences)... & pp) of Refine. 2. (a.) Freed from impurities or alloy; purified; polished; cultured;
delicate; as;
refined gold;
refined language;
refined sentiments.
...Overlayeth (19 Occurrences)
... oracle 'is' twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits
'is' its height; and he overlayeth it with goldrefined, and overlayeth...
Refining (8 Occurrences)
... wine. Greek puroo, in the passive, literally, "to be ignited," is translated
"refined," in Revelation 1:15; Revelation 3:18. The...
Refinement (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of refining, or the state of being
refined; as, the refinement or metals; refinement of ideas....
Subtle (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Elusive; sly in design; insinuating;
refined; as, a subtle difference. 2. (superl.) Cunningly...
Furnace (35 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Revelation 1:15 His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been
refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters....
Fine (184 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Finished; brought to perfection;refined; hence, free from impurity;
excellent; superior; elegant; worthy of admiration; accomplished; beautiful....
Refine (9 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 13:9 I will bring the third part into the fire, and will refine them
as silver isrefined, and will test them like gold is tested....
Refiner (10 Occurrences)
... wine. Greek puroo, in the passive, literally, "to be ignited," is translated
"refined," in Revelation 1:15; Revelation 3:18. The...
Delicacy (1 Occurrence)
... voluptuous treatment. 5. (a.) Nice andrefined perception and discrimination;
critical niceness; fastidious accuracy. 6. (n.) The...
Resources
What is the meaning of dross in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about discrimination? | GotQuestions.orgIs Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs biblical? | GotQuestions.orgRefined: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
