Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "subjects" often refers to individuals who are under the authority or rule of a leader, king, or governing body. The concept of subjects is closely tied to themes of authority, governance, and obedience, which are prevalent throughout the Scriptures.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of subjects is frequently associated with the rule of kings and leaders over the people of Israel and other nations. For example, King Solomon's reign is described in terms of his subjects living in peace and prosperity. In
1 Kings 4:25 , it is written, "Throughout Solomon’s days, Judah and Israel lived in safety, from Dan to Beersheba, each man under his own vine and his own fig tree."
The relationship between a king and his subjects is also depicted in the narratives of the kings of Israel and Judah. The subjects were expected to obey the king's decrees and support his rule, as seen in the reigns of kings like David and Josiah. However, the Bible also records instances where subjects rebelled against their rulers, leading to significant consequences, such as the division of the kingdom after Solomon's reign (1 Kings 12).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of subjects is expanded to include the relationship between believers and governing authorities.
Romans 13:1-2 instructs, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
This passage emphasizes the divine origin of authority and the responsibility of believers to be obedient subjects to their rulers, as long as such obedience does not conflict with God's commands. The apostle Peter echoes this sentiment in
1 Peter 2:13-14 , "Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors as those sent by him to punish evildoers and praise well-doers."
Spiritual ImplicationsBeyond earthly governance, the Bible also speaks of spiritual subjects in the kingdom of God. Believers are considered subjects of Christ, the King of Kings, and are called to live in obedience to His commandments.
Colossians 1:13 states, "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son."
This spiritual subjection involves a transformation of allegiance from the powers of this world to the lordship of Jesus Christ. As subjects of Christ's kingdom, believers are called to live lives that reflect His righteousness and to spread His message of salvation to others.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of subjects encompasses both the earthly and spiritual realms, highlighting the importance of obedience to rightful authority and the ultimate sovereignty of God. Through the examples of kings and rulers, as well as the teachings of the apostles, Scripture provides guidance on how believers are to conduct themselves as subjects in various contexts.
Greek
4804. suzetetes -- a disputer... 4804 ("ostentatious debater") is only used in 1 Cor 1:20 of someone who "sounds
off" to look important ("impressive") -- especially on
subjects and without
...4183. polus -- much, many
... 1), larger (1), late* (2), lengthy (1), long (5), longer (1), loudly (1), majority
(3), many (181), many more (1), many people (1), manysubjects (1), many...
Strong's Hebrew
4928. mishmaath -- an obedient band, body ofsubjects... 4927, 4928. mishmaath. 4929 . an obedient band, body of
subjects. Transliteration:
mishmaath Phonetic Spelling: (mish-mah'-ath) Short Definition: guard.
...Library
Sermons on Various ImportantSubjects
Sermons on Various ImportantSubjects. <. Sermons on Various
ImportantSubjects Andrew Lee et al. E-text prepared by...
Subjects of the Sermons.
... Seven Sermons.SUBJECTS OF THE SERMONS. (For a detailed account of the Contents
of these Sermons, the Reader is referred to the beginning of the Volume.)...
Index ofSubjects.
... SECOND DIVISION. INTERPRETATION VIEWED ON THE DIVINE SIDE INDEX OFSUBJECTS. * *
* * NB THE FIGURES REFER TO THE PAGES. A. Abrahamic...
Index ofSubjects.
... INDEX OFSUBJECTS. Abel, wherefore slain, [1]446. Abraham, humility of, [2]175,
[3]439; heartiness of, [4]237; varied life of, [5]330; craft of, [6]350....
Index ofSubjects.
... INDEX OFSUBJECTS. Abraham, his history a reproof to Jewish pride, [1]97;
a pattern of hospitality, [2]276; his faith, [3]349, [4...
Index i. OfSubjects
... INDEX I. OFSUBJECTS. (The Roman Numeral refers to the Volume, the ordinary
Numeral to the page.... Academics,subjects of study in, i.232;...
Index ofSubjects.
... THE ANTI-MANICH??AN WRITINGS. INDEX OFSUBJECTS. INDEX OFSUBJECTS.
Abominations alleged to have been practised by the Manich??ans...
Index ofSubjects.
... THE ANTI-DONATIST WRITINGS. INDEX OFSUBJECTS. INDEX OFSUBJECTS. Aaron,
[962]469, [963]591-[964]593. Aaron's sons, [965]444. Abel, [966]422....
Index of Names andSubjects.
... INDEX OF NAMES ANDSUBJECTS. Ahikam, 157, 174, 291. Amos, 3, 22, 112, 158, 260.
Anathoth, 66, 67, 287, etc. Apocrypha, the, 8. "Arabian Nights," 36....
Whether Prudence is inSubjects, or Only in their Rulers?
... TREATISE ON THE CARDINAL VIRTUES (QQ -170)OF PRUDENCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF (SIXTEEN
ARTICLES) Whether prudence is insubjects, or only in their rulers?...
Thesaurus
Subjects (12 Occurrences)...Subjects (12 Occurrences).
... If my kingdom did belong to this world, my
subjects would
have resolutely fought to save me from being delivered up to the Jews.
...Dictionaries
... words or concepts) has bare definitions, and the alphabetical encyclopedia or
dictionary of knowledge or information (objects, things,subjects, topics, etc...
Judaeus
... fi-'lo, joo-de'-us: 1. His Life 2. Importance of the Period 3. The Task of Philo
4. Changes and New Problems 5. ThreeSubjects of Inquiry (1) The Conception of...
Philo
... fi-'lo, joo-de'-us: 1. His Life 2. Importance of the Period 3. The Task of Philo
4. Changes and New Problems 5. ThreeSubjects of Inquiry (1) The Conception of...
Sermon (1 Occurrence)
... THE MESSAGE: SUMMARY 1. Analysis 2. Argument: The Kingdom of God (Heaven) (1)
Characteristics of theSubjects (Matthew 5:3-12) (2) Vocation of theSubjects...
Ptolemy
... At any rate, he was favorably disposed toward his Jewishsubjects, and in
his reign Jewish wisdom and Greek philosophy began to blend....
Theocracy
... They were thesubjects of a heavenly, not of an earthly, king. They were Jehovah's
ownsubjects, ruled directly by him (Comp. 1 Samuel 8:6-9)....
Alien (102 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Not belonging to the same country, land, or government, or to the citizens
orsubjects thereof; foreign; as, aliensubjects, enemies, property, shores....
Isaac (127 Occurrences)
... In the light now of these possibilities we turn to the narratives of Isaac's birth
and career and find the followingsubjects suggested: (a) father, Genesis 17...
Family (438 Occurrences)
... Of these six, three have considerations of the family involved in them. Commandments
do not come to people ignorant of thesubjects to which they relate....
Resources
What is historical theology? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is neurotheology? | GotQuestions.orgIs there activity of demonic spirits in the world today? | GotQuestions.orgSubjects: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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