Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the concept of being "tempered" often relates to the idea of moderation, balance, and self-control. The term is used in various contexts throughout Scripture, reflecting both physical and spiritual dimensions.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament does not frequently use the term "tempered" directly, but the concept is evident in the wisdom literature and the laws given to Israel. For example, the idea of moderation and self-control is implicit in the teachings of Proverbs.
Proverbs 25:28 states, "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." Here, the lack of self-control is likened to vulnerability and chaos, suggesting that a tempered spirit is one of strength and protection.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Apostle Paul uses the concept of being tempered in his epistles. In
1 Corinthians 9:25 , Paul writes, "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one." The Greek word used here, "ἐγκρατεύομαι" (enkrateuomai), is often translated as "self-control" or "temperance." Paul emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and moderation as essential qualities for believers striving for spiritual maturity and eternal rewards.
Spiritual Gifts and the Body of ChristThe concept of being tempered is also illustrated in the metaphor of the body of Christ. In
1 Corinthians 12:24 , Paul writes, "whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it." The term "composed" can be understood as "tempered" in the sense that God has harmoniously arranged the members of the body, each with its unique function, to work together in unity and balance.
Fruit of the SpiritThe fruit of the Spirit, as described in
Galatians 5:22-23 , includes self-control, which is closely related to the idea of being tempered. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Self-control, or temperance, is a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's work in a believer's life, enabling them to live in a manner that reflects Christ's character.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, being tempered involves exercising restraint and moderation in various aspects of life, including speech, behavior, and desires.
James 1:19 advises, "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger." This verse underscores the importance of a tempered approach to communication and emotions, promoting peace and understanding within the community of believers.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of being tempered encompasses a life of balance, self-control, and harmony, both within oneself and in relation to others. It is a quality that reflects spiritual maturity and is essential for living a life that honors God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Temper.
2. (a.) Brought to a proper temper; as, tempered steel; having (such) a temper; -- chiefly used in composition; as, a good-tempered or bad-tempered man; a well-tempered sword.
Greek
3115. makrothumia -- patience, long-suffering... If in English we had an adjective 'long-
tempered' as a counterpart to 'short-
tempered,'
then could be called the quality of being 'long-
tempered...3711. orgilos -- inclined to anger, passionate
... Word Origin from orge Definition inclined to anger, passionate NASB Word
Usage quick-tempered (1). inclined to anger, quick-tempered....
3114. makrothumeo -- to persevere, to be patient
... 3114 ("showing divinely-directed patience") is "longsuffering" because it only
expresses anger (ie is the opposite of being "quick-tempered"). See 3115 ()....
Strong's Hebrew
7116. qatser -- short... 7115, 7116. qatser. 7117 . short. Transliteration: qatser Phonetic Spelling:
(kaw-tsare') Short Definition: quick-
tempered. Word
...2534. chemah -- heat, rage
... Definition heat, rage NASB Word Usage anger (7), angry (1), burning anger (1), enrages
(1), fury (9), heat (2), hot displeasure (1), hot-tempered (3), poison (2...
4197. mezeg -- a mixture
... liquor. From an unused root meaning to mingle (water with wine);tempered wine --
liquor. 4196, 4197. mezeg. 4198 . Strong's Numbers.
639. aph -- a nostril, nose, face, anger
... countenance (1), double (1), face (15), faces (4), forbearance* (1), ground (1),
nose (10), noses (1), nostril (1), nostrils (13), quick-tempered* (1), snout (1...
7307. ruach -- breath, wind, spirit
... 1), cool (1), courage (1), despondency* (1), exposed (1), grief* (1), heart (1),
inspired (1), mind (3), motives (1), points (1), quick-tempered* (1), side (4...
Library
Whether the Philosopher Suitably Assigns the Species of Anger?
... iv, 5) where he says that some angry persons are "choleric," some "sullen," and
some "ill-tempered" or "stern." According to him, a person is said to be "sullen...
Whether Sudden Things are Especially Feared?
... ii, 5) that "those are feared most, not who are quick-tempered, but who are gentle
and cunning." Now it is clear that those who are quick-tempered are more...
What the Flowers Say.
... There is nothing but a dark heavy cloud. The ill-tempered child has no sunshine
on his face.... You can be sweet-tempered, sweet-mannered, sweet-spoken....
1 Cor. xii. 21
... And neither is he content with this, but adds also the cause, saying, "But Godtempered
the body together, giving more abundant honor unto that part which...
Enthusiasm.
... I heard of some one who was speaking the other day of something that was to be done,
and who said he hoped zeal would betempered with moderation....
Aubrey Leigh was a Man who had Chosen his Own Way of Life...
... and attaining his successes by leaps and bounds rather than by close and painstaking
study, the day came,"as it comes to all finely-tempered spirits,"when...
A Divine Cordial
... Several poisonous ingredients put together, beingtempered by the skill of the
apothecary, make a sovereign medicine, and work together for the good of the...
The Son of God Became Incarnate in Order that we Being Cleansed by...
... But cleansed we could not be, so as to betempered together with things eternal,
except it were through things temporal, wherewith we were alreadytempered...
General Considerations.
... The legacy of his generation to the Nicene age was an Origenismtempered in various
degrees by the Asiatic theology and by accommodations to the traditional...
What is Our Free Will, which Stands in Between the Lust of the...
... will, which does not like either to give itself up entirely to carnal desires, nor
to throw itself into the exertions which virtue calls for, istempered as it...
Thesaurus
Tempered (7 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Brought to a proper temper; as,
tempered steel; having (such) a temper; --
chiefly used in composition; as, a good-
tempered or bad-
tempered man; a well
...Quick-tempered (3 Occurrences)
Quick-tempered. Quicksands, Quick-tempered. Quiet . Multi-Version
Concordance Quick-tempered (3 Occurrences). Titus...
Ill-tempered (1 Occurrence)
Ill-tempered. Ill-taught, Ill-tempered. Ill-treat . Noah Webster's Dictionary...
Multi-Version Concordance Ill-tempered (1 Occurrence)....
Even-tempered (1 Occurrence)
Even-tempered. Event, Even-tempered. Eventful . Multi-Version
Concordance Even-tempered (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 17:27...
Temper (14 Occurrences)
... moisten." In So (5:2) a noun from the same stem means "dew-drops." In Exodus
29:2 the King James Version we read "cakes unleavened,tempered (balal, literally...
Event (14 Occurrences)
Temperate (6 Occurrences)
Hot-tempered (4 Occurrences)
Hot-tempered. Hotly, Hot-tempered. Hotter . Multi-Version Concordance
Hot-tempered (4 Occurrences). Proverbs 15:18 An...
Tempest (30 Occurrences)
Resources
Who was Jonah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is situationism? What is a situationist? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean by longsuffering? | GotQuestions.orgTempered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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