Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Severity, in a biblical context, refers to the strictness, sternness, or harshness of God's judgment or actions. It is often contrasted with God's kindness and mercy, highlighting the dual aspects of His nature. The concept of severity is integral to understanding the balance of justice and grace in the biblical narrative.
Biblical References:1.
Romans 11:22 · "Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in His kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off." This verse illustrates the dual nature of God's dealings with humanity. It serves as a warning to remain in God's favor by continuing in His kindness, while also acknowledging the consequences of falling away.
2.
Hebrews 10:31 · "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." This passage underscores the seriousness and severity of God's judgment. It serves as a reminder of the reverence and awe due to God, who is both loving and just.
3.
2 Samuel 6:7 · "And the anger of the LORD burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down on the spot for his irreverence, and he died there beside the ark of God." This incident reflects the severity of God's holiness and the importance of reverence in worship. Uzzah's death serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disregarding God's commands.
4.
Acts 5:1-11 · The account of Ananias and Sapphira demonstrates the severity of God's judgment in the early church. Their deceit regarding the sale of their property and the subsequent punishment highlight the seriousness with which God views sin and the importance of integrity among believers.
Theological Implications:·
Justice and Holiness: God's severity is a reflection of His justice and holiness. It serves to uphold the moral order and demonstrate the seriousness of sin. The severity of God ensures that His standards are maintained and that sin is not taken lightly.
·
Discipline and Correction: Severity can also be seen as a form of divine discipline.
Hebrews 12:6 states, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives." God's severity in discipline is an expression of His love, aimed at correcting and guiding His people back to righteousness.
·
Contrast with Mercy: The severity of God is often juxtaposed with His mercy, providing a fuller picture of His character. While God is severe in His judgment, He is also abundant in mercy, offering forgiveness and restoration to those who repent.
Practical Application:Believers are called to recognize and respect the severity of God as part of their spiritual walk. This recognition should lead to a healthy fear of the Lord, encouraging obedience and reverence. It also serves as a motivation to remain in God's kindness, as highlighted in
Romans 11:22, by living a life that reflects His holiness and righteousness. Understanding God's severity helps believers appreciate the depth of His mercy and the significance of His grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The quality or state of being severe.
2. (n.) Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor; harshness; as, the severity of a reprimand or a reproof; severity of discipline or government; severity of penalties.
3. (n.) The quality or power of distressing or paining; extreme degree; extremity; intensity; inclemency; as, the severity of pain or anguish; the severity of cold or heat; the severity of the winter.
4. (n.) Harshness; cruel treatment; sharpness of punishment; as, severity practiced on prisoners of war.
5. (n.) Exactness; rigorousness; strictness; as, the severity of a test.
Greek
663. apotomia -- sharpness, steepness... steepness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apotomia Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ot-om-ee'-ah) Short Definition: harshness,
severity Definition: (lit
...857. apheidia -- unsparing treatment
... unsparing treatment. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apheidia Phonetic
Spelling: (af-i-dee'-ah) Short Definition:severity Definition:severity...
664. apotomos -- abruptly, curtly
... Word Origin adverb from apo and temno (to cut) Definition abruptly, curtly
NASB Word Usage severely (1),severity (1). sharpness....
Strong's Hebrew
6531. perek -- harshness,severity... 6530, 6531. perek. 6532 . harshness,
severity. Transliteration: perek
Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-rek) Short Definition:
severity.
...Library
To theSeverity of God There Belong Accessory Qualities...
... and good God. Chapter XVI."To theSeverity of God There Belong Accessory
Qualities, Compatible with Justice. If Human Passions...
TheSeverity of God Compatible with Reason and Justice when...
... God. Chapter XV."TheSeverity of God Compatible with Reason and Justice
When Inflicted, Not Meant to Be Arbitrary, But Remedial....
The JudicialSeverity of Christ and the Tenderness of the Creator...
... Jesus is the Christ of the Creator. Chapter XXXV."The JudicialSeverity of Christ
and the Tenderness of the Creator, Asserted in Contradiction to Marcion....
The Instructor Characterized by theSeverity and Benignity of...
... The Instructor: Book I Chapter XII."The Instructor Characterized by the
Severity and Benignity of Paternal Affection. Having now...
EverySeverity, Therefore, and Apparent Cruelty, Either in Word or...
... Book 3 Chapter 17. Everyseverity, therefore, and apparent cruelty, either
in word or deed? 17. Everyseverity, therefore, and...
To those who Murmur at the Free Grace of Election and the Just...
... First Head of Doctrine. Divine Election and Reprobation Article 18 To those who
murmur at the free grace of election and the justseverity of?...
Rule for Interpreting Phrases which Seem to AscribeSeverity to...
... Book III. Chapter 11."Rule for Interpreting Phrases Which Seem to AscribeSeverity
to God and the Saints. 17. Everyseverity, therefore...
That Gentleness must be Added toSeverity, as is Shown in the Case...
... That gentleness must be added toseverity, as is shown in the case of St.? That
gentleness must be added toseverity, as is shown in the case of St....
Of the Connection of the Wars which with GreatSeverity and...
... Book III. Chapter 30."Of the Connection of the Wars Which with GreatSeverity
and Frequency Followed One Another Before the Advent of Christ....
On the Predestination of the Means to the End
... and sufficient to produce faith in [the hearts of] sinful men, in such a manner
as he knows to be comportable with his mercy and with hisseverity, to the...
Thesaurus
Severity (7 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Gravity or austerity; extreme strictness; rigor; harshness; as, the
severity of a reprimand or a reproof;
severity of discipline or government
...Rigor (8 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) See 1st Rigor, 2. 5. (n.)Severity of climate or season; inclemency;
as, the rigor of the storm; the rigors of winter. 6...
Notice (44 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS RSV NIV). Romans 11:22 Notice therefore God's kindness and God'sseverity.
On those who have fallen Hisseverity has descended...
Tyrannize (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vi) To act the tyrant; to exercise arbitrary power; to rule with unjust and
oppressiveseverity; to exercise power others not permitted by law or required...
Respond (21 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Romans 11:22 Notice therefore God's kindness and God'sseverity.
On those who have fallen Hisseverity has descended...
Provided (68 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Romans 11:22 Notice therefore God's kindness and God'sseverity.
On those who have fallen Hisseverity has descended, but...
Bitter (203 Occurrences)
... They represented theseverity of the servitude under which the people groaned; and
have been regarded also as typical of the sufferings of Christ....
Cease (138 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 11:22 Notice therefore God's kindness and God'sseverity.
On those who have fallen Hisseverity has descended, but...
Scourge (24 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To whip severely; to lash. 4. (n.) To punish withseverity; to chastise;
to afflict, as for sins or faults, and with the purpose of correction....
Sternness (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) The quality or state of being stern. Multi-Version Concordance Sternness (1
Occurrence). Romans 11:22 See then the goodness andseverity of God....
Resources
What does the Bible say about Christian fathers? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about human rights? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Numbers - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgSeverity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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