Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of relationship is foundational to understanding God's interaction with humanity, as well as human interactions with one another. The Bible presents a multifaceted view of relationships, encompassing divine-human relationships, familial bonds, friendships, and community connections.
Divine-Human RelationshipThe relationship between God and humanity is central to the biblical narrative. From the creation account in Genesis, God establishes a personal relationship with Adam and Eve, walking with them in the Garden of Eden (
Genesis 3:8). This relationship is characterized by intimacy, communication, and covenant. Despite the fall of man, God continually seeks to restore this relationship through covenants with figures such as Noah (
Genesis 9:9-17), Abraham (
Genesis 12:1-3), and ultimately through the New Covenant in Jesus Christ.
In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of a personal relationship with God. In
John 15:5, He states, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing." This metaphor illustrates the necessity of abiding in Christ to maintain a fruitful relationship with God.
Familial RelationshipsThe Bible places significant emphasis on family relationships, beginning with the institution of marriage in
Genesis 2:24: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." Marriage is depicted as a covenantal relationship that mirrors God's covenant with His people.
Parent-child relationships are also addressed, with the commandment to "Honor your father and mother" (
Exodus 20:12) underscoring the importance of respect and obedience within the family unit.
Ephesians 6:4 advises fathers, "Do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
FriendshipsFriendship is another vital aspect of relationships in the Bible. The relationship between David and Jonathan is a prime example of deep, covenantal friendship.
1 Samuel 18:1 describes their bond: "The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself." This friendship is marked by loyalty, sacrifice, and mutual support.
Proverbs offers wisdom on friendships, highlighting the value of a true friend: "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (
Proverbs 17:17). The Bible encourages believers to choose friends wisely, as "bad company corrupts good character" (
1 Corinthians 15:33).
Community and Church RelationshipsThe early church exemplifies the importance of community relationships among believers.
Acts 2:42-47 describes the early Christians as devoted to fellowship, breaking bread together, and sharing their possessions. This communal lifestyle reflects the unity and love that should characterize the body of Christ.
The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the dynamics of church relationships, urging believers to "bear with one another in love" (
Ephesians 4:2) and to "encourage one another and build each other up" (
1 Thessalonians 5:11). The church is depicted as a family, with members called to care for one another and work together for the common good.
ConclusionThe Bible presents a comprehensive view of relationships, emphasizing love, commitment, and mutual respect as foundational principles. Whether in relation to God, family, friends, or the church community, relationships are portrayed as vital to spiritual growth and the fulfillment of God's purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The state of being related by kindred, affinity, or other alliance.
Greek
3927. parepidemos -- sojourning in a strange place... 3927 -- a sojourner (foreigner) -- literally, someone "passing through" but still
with personal
relationship with the people in that locale (note the prefix
...1108. gnosis -- a knowing, knowledge
... knowledge gleaned from first-hand (personal) experience, connecting theory to
application; "application-knowledge," gained in (by) a directrelationship....
1921. epiginosko -- to know exactly, to recognize
... out. 1921 (from 1909 , ", fitting" which intensifies 1097 , " through personal
relationship") -- properly, knowing, . This knowing...
1912. epibareo -- to put a burden on
... a burden. These effects naturally how someone is , ie when thought of as
exerting "negative weight" in arelationship. Word Origin...
3962. pater -- a father
... [3962 ("father") refers to a begetter, originator, progenitor -- one in
"intimate connection andrelationship" (Gesenius). Just...
156. aitia -- cause, reason
... Word Origin from aiteo Definition cause, reason NASB Word Usage charge (1), charge
against (2), charges (2), ground (2), guilt (3), reason (9),relationship (1...
5563. chorizo -- to separate, divide
... 5563 ("vacate"), as in the papyri, refers to a marriage partner who the
relationship in soul or body (cf. Moulton-Milligan, 696)....
3996. pentheo -- to mourn, lament
... feel guilt. 3996 -- properly, grieve over a ; (figuratively) to grieve
over a personal hope (relationship) that , ie (""). 3996...
4347. proskollao -- to glue to, fig. to cleave to
... towards" and 2853 , "to glue") -- properly, "to glue in" (from extending towards),
ie to cleave (join with) someone in a personal ("interfacing")relationship....
3742. hosiotes -- piety, holiness
... This is holiness "fleshed out," ie incarnated by living in faith. [Note the close
relationship of faith (4102 , "God's inbirthed ") and 3742 () in Eph 4:5-24.]....
Strong's Hebrew
251. ach -- a brother... A primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal
relationship and
metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like 'ab)) -- another, brother(-ly
...1323. bath -- daughter
... From banah (as feminine of ben); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other
terms ofrelationship, literally and figuratively) -- apple (of the eye...
1353. geullah -- redemption, perhaps kin
... Feminine passive participle of ga'al; redemption (including the right and the object);
by implication,relationship -- kindred, redeem, redemption, right....
1121. ben -- son
... From banah; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal
and figurativerelationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality...
Library
Whether SpiritualRelationship is an Impediment to Marriage?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF SPIRITUALRELATIONSHIP (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether spiritual
relationship is an impediment to marriage? Objection...
Whether LegalRelationship is Contracted Only Between the Adopting...
... OF LEGALRELATIONSHIP, WHICH IS BY ADOPTION (THREE ARTICLES) Whether legalrelationship
is contracted only between the adopting father and the adopted child?...
Whether SpiritualRelationship Passes from Husband to Wife?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF SPIRITUALRELATIONSHIP (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether spiritual
relationship passes from husband to wife? Objection...
Whether SpiritualRelationship is Contracted Between the Person...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF SPIRITUALRELATIONSHIP (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether spiritual
relationship is contracted between the person baptized and the person who raises...
Whether SpiritualRelationship Passes to the Godfather's Carnal...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF SPIRITUALRELATIONSHIP (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether spiritual
relationship passes to the godfather's carnal children?...
Whether SpiritualRelationship is Contracted by Baptism Only?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF SPIRITUALRELATIONSHIP (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether spiritual
relationship is contracted by baptism only? Objection...
Of LegalRelationship, which is by Adoption (Three Articles)
... OF LEGALRELATIONSHIP, WHICH IS BY ADOPTION (THREE ARTICLES). We must now
consider legalrelationship which is by adoption. Under...
Of the Impediment of SpiritualRelationship (Five Articles)
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF SPIRITUALRELATIONSHIP (FIVE ARTICLES). We... inquiry: (1)
Whether spiritualrelationship is an impediment to marriage?...
TheRelationship we have with Christ through Obedience.
... THERELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH CHRIST THROUGH OBEDIENCE. The reason why it is more
blessed to obey the Word of God than to be the mother of Jesus is obvious....
CloseRelationship of Angels to their "Little Ones. "
... Book XIII. 28. CloseRelationship of Angels to Their "Little Ones.". With
reference to the words, "When through the laver I became...
Thesaurus
Relationship (4 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state of being related by kindred, affinity,
or other alliance. Multi-Version Concordance
Relationship (4 Occurrences).
...Affinity (4 Occurrences)
...Relationship by alliance (2 Chronicles 18:1) or by marriage (1 Kings 3:1). Marriages
are prohibited within certain degrees of affinity, enumerated Leviticus 18...
God (45911 Occurrences)
... idea of origin or descent, but also that of personal relation, and is often used
metaphorically of "that intimate and reciprocalrelationship formed between...
Flesh (468 Occurrences)
... of flesh" (Ezek. 11:19). The expression "my flesh and bone" (Judges 9:2;
Isaiah 58:7) denotesrelationship. In the New Testament...
Neighbor (123 Occurrences)
... 2 Esdras 9:45; 10:2, the Revised Version margin "townman")): 1. As Described in
the Old Testament: In the Old Testament, therelationship of neighborhood...
Tending (11 Occurrences)
... Jesus must have drawn a sympathetic response when He referred to therelationship
of sheep to shepherd, arelationship familiar to all His hearers and...
Sarai (13 Occurrences)
... accompanying Terah. It has been held that the author (or authors) of Genesis
11 knew nothing of therelationship announced in 20:12. But...
Sarah (38 Occurrences)
... accompanying Terah. It has been held that the author (or authors) of Genesis
11 knew nothing of therelationship announced in 20:12. But...
Brethren (528 Occurrences)
... Joseph was called His father. They were brethren because of their common
relationship to Mary. This impression is strengthened by...
Innocents (2 Occurrences)
... the one evidence of overstrain in the narrative is in the ambiguous and obscure
statement by which the Old Testament is brought intorelationship with the...
Resources
How can I have a closer relationship with God? | GotQuestions.orgCan you give me some Christian relationship advice? | GotQuestions.orgIs Christianity a religion or a relationship? | GotQuestions.orgRelationship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
