Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "things" encompasses a wide array of objects, concepts, and events that are mentioned throughout Scripture. The Bible often uses "things" to refer to both tangible and intangible elements that play a role in God's creation, human life, and spiritual matters.
Creation and Material ThingsThe Bible begins with the account of creation, where God brings all things into existence.
Genesis 1:31 states, "And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good." This verse highlights the inherent goodness of the material world as created by God. Throughout Scripture, material things are often seen as blessings from God, meant to be used for His glory and the benefit of humanity.
Spiritual ThingsThe New Testament frequently contrasts material things with spiritual things, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the latter. In
Colossians 3:2 , Paul exhorts believers, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This verse encourages Christians to prioritize spiritual matters over worldly concerns, reflecting a life oriented towards God's kingdom.
Temporal vs. Eternal ThingsThe Bible distinguishes between temporal and eternal things, urging believers to invest in what is everlasting.
2 Corinthians 4:18 states, "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." This perspective encourages a focus on eternal truths and the promises of God, rather than the fleeting nature of earthly possessions and experiences.
Good and Evil ThingsScripture also addresses the moral dimension of things, categorizing them as good or evil based on their alignment with God's will.
Romans 8:28 assures believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This verse underscores the sovereignty of God in orchestrating all things for the ultimate good of His people.
All Things in ChristA central theme in the New Testament is the reconciliation and unification of all things in Christ.
Ephesians 1:10 speaks of God's plan "to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ." This cosmic vision reveals the redemptive work of Christ, who restores and renews all creation, bringing it into harmony with God's original design.
Practical Application of ThingsBelievers are called to steward the things entrusted to them wisely. In
1 Timothy 6:17-19 , Paul instructs the wealthy "not to be arrogant, nor to put their hope in wealth, which is uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." This passage encourages the responsible use of material resources, emphasizing generosity and trust in God.
ConclusionThe concept of "things" in the Bible serves as a reminder of the multifaceted nature of God's creation and the call for believers to discern and prioritize their focus on spiritual and eternal matters. Through Christ, all things find their true purpose and fulfillment, pointing to the ultimate restoration of creation.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DETESTABLE, THINGSde-tes'-ta-b'-l, (shiqquts; sheqets, synonymous with to`ebhah, "abomination," "abominable thing"): The translation of shiqqutsim inJeremiah 16:18Ezekiel 5:11;Ezekiel 7:20;Ezekiel 11:18, 21; 37:23:00; a term always applied to idol-worship or to objects connected with idolatry; often also translated "abomination," as in1 Kings 11:5, 7 (bis);Jeremiah 4:1Ezekiel 20:7, 8, 30. Sheqets, translated "abomination," is applied in the Scriptures to that which is ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 7:21), creatures forbidden as food, as water animals without fins or scales inLeviticus 11:10-12, birds of prey and the like (verse 18), winged creeping things (verses 20, 23), creeping vermin (verses 41). Compare alsoIsaiah 66:17. By partaking of the food of the animals in question one makes himself detestable (Leviticus 11:43;Leviticus 20:25). Similarly the idolatrous appurtenances are to be held in detestation; nothing of the kind should be appropriated for private use (Deuteronomy 7:26). SeeABOMINATION.
Max L. Margolis
DEVOTED, THINGS
de-vot'-ed, (cherem).
SeeCURSE;DEDICATE.
HIGH THINGS
The translation of hupselos, "high," "lofty," "elevated" (Romans 12:16, "Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate," the King James Version margin "be contented with mean things," the Revised Version (British and American) "Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to (margin "Greek: be carried away with") things (margin "them") that are lowly"); high things are proud things, things regarded by the world as high.
High thing is hupsoma, "a high place," "elevation," etc. (2 Corinthians 10:5, "casting down every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God," "like a lofty tower or fortress built up proudly by the enemy"). In APC Judith 10:8; 13:4, hupsoma is rendered "exaltation."
W. L. Walker
SPIRITUAL THINGS
(ta pneumatika): Things proceeding from the Holy Spirit and pertaining to man's spiritual life, worship, service. Contrasted in1 Corinthians 9:11 and inRomans 15:27 with ta sarkika, things fleshly, physical, which have to do with man's sensuous, corporeal nature, such as food, raiment, money. By "spiritual things" Paul signifies the benefits accompanying salvation, the gifts of the Spirit-faith, hope, love, justification, sanctification, peace-all the fruits and blessings and aids of the regenerate life.
Ecclesiastically:
Things pertaining to spiritual office, the ministry of the Word, or the service of the sanctuary.
Dwight M. Pratt
Greek
5224. huparchonta -- goods, that which one has,things which one...... goods, that which one has,
things which one possesseth, substance, that hast.
... goods,
that which one has,
things which one possesseth, substance, that hast.
...3166. megalaucheo -- boast greatthings.
... 3165, 3166. megalaucheo. 3167 . boast greatthings. Part... Word Origin variant
reading for megas and aucheo, qv. boast greatthings. From...
244. allotriepiskopos -- one who meddles inthings alien to his...
... one who meddles inthings alien to his calling. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: allotriepiskopos Phonetic Spelling: (al-lot-ree-ep-is'-kop-os...
987. blasphemeo -- to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely...
... to slander, hence to speak lightly or profanely of sacredthings. Part of Speech:
Verb Transliteration: blasphemeo Phonetic Spelling: (blas-fay-meh'-o) Short...
5082. telikoutos -- such as this, of persons so old, ofthings so...
... such as this, of persons so old, ofthings so great. Part of Speech: Demonstrative
Pronoun Transliteration: telikoutos Phonetic Spelling: (tay-lik-oo'-tos...
3195. mello -- to be about to
... 1), come (12), delay (1), future (1), going (19), intend (1), intending (8), later
(1), must (1), next* (1), point (1), propose (1), ready (1),things to come...
3745. hosos -- how much, how many
... Word Origin from hos, Definition how much, how many NASB Word Usage all (9),
all...who (5), allthings (1), all who (6), all* (1), degree (1), extent* (2...
18. agathos -- good
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition good NASB Word Usage generous (1), good
(81), good man (2), good thing (6), goodthings (6), goodness (1), goods (2...
3956. pas -- all, every
... word Definition all, every NASB Word Usage all (731), all thethings (7),
all...things (1), all kinds (1), all men (14), all people (4), all respects (3),...
36. agenes -- unborn, of no family, ignoble
... Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and genos Definition unborn, of no
family, ignoble NASB Word Usage basethings (1). basethings....
Strong's Hebrew
7431. remes -- creepingthings, movingthings... 7430, 7431. remes. 7432 . creeping
things, moving
things. Transliteration:
remes Phonetic Spelling: (reh'-mes) Short Definition:
things.
...8318. sherets -- swarmers, swarmingthings
... 8317, 8318. sherets. 8319 . swarmers, swarmingthings. Transliteration: sherets
Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-rets) Short Definition:things....
2899b. tobah -- welfare, benefit, goodthings, good
... 2899a, 2899b. tobah. 2900 . welfare, benefit, goodthings, good.
Transliteration: tobah Short Definition: good. Word Origin from...
2898. tub -- goodthings, goods, goodness
... 2897, 2898. tub. 2899 . goodthings, goods, goodness. Transliteration:
tub Phonetic Spelling: (toob) Short Definition: goodness....
2017. hophek -- perversity, turning ofthings upside down
... 2016, 2017. hophek. 2018 . perversity, turning ofthings upside down.
Transliteration: hophek Phonetic Spelling: (ho'-fek) Short Definition: perversity....
7260. rabrab -- very greatthings
... 7259, 7260. rabrab. 7261 . very greatthings. Transliteration: rabrab Phonetic
Spelling: (rab-rab') Short Definition: great.... very greatthings...
6816. tsaatsuim --things formed, images
... 6815, 6816. tsaatsuim. 6817 .things formed, images. Transliteration: tsaatsuim
Phonetic Spelling: (tsah-tsoo'-ah) Short Definition: sculptured....
891. beushim -- stinking or worthless (things), wild grapes
... beushim. 892 . stinking or worthless (things), wild grapes. Transliteration: beushim
Phonetic Spelling: (be-oo-sheem') Short Definition: ones. Word Origin pl....
2123a. ziz -- movingthings (ie beasts)
... 2123, 2123a. ziz. 2123b . movingthings (ie beasts). Transliteration:
ziz Short Definition: moves. Word Origin from an unused word...
4020. migbaloth -- twistedthings, ie cords
... 4019, 4020. migbaloth. 4021 . twistedthings, ie cords. Transliteration: migbaloth
Phonetic Spelling: (mig-baw-law') Short Definition: twisted....
Library
Things as They Are
Things as They Are. <.Things as They Are Amy Wilson-Carmichael.
Produced by The Bookworm, Emmy and the Online Distributed...
AllThings are Yours.
... ALLTHINGS ARE YOURS. ALLTHINGS ARE YOURS. 13,13,4,5,7. "For allthings
are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world...
Whether the Creation ofThings was in the Beginning of Time?
... OF THE BEGINNING OF THE DURATION OF CREATURES (THREE ARTICLES) Whether the
creation ofthings was in the beginning of time? Objection...
GreaterThings: The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
GreaterThings: The story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka. <. GreaterThings: The
story of Saint Stanislaus Kostka William T. Kane. Table of Contents....
Things to Come
... HYMNSTHINGS TO COME. "He will show youthings to come.""John 16:13. Spitta, 1800.
tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899. Oh what will be the day when won at last....
Whether God is in allThings?
... THE EXISTENCE OF GOD INTHINGS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether God is in allthings?
Objection 1: It seems that God is not in allthings....
LastThings
... LastThings. A... humiliation. We shall then say what madmen we must have been to
have wasted so much time and energy upon such paltrythings....
Whether God Loves allThings Equally?
... GOD'S LOVE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether God loves allthings equally? Objection
1: It seems that God loves allthings equally. For it...
What GoodThings are Announced in the Gospels.
... Book I. 7. What GoodThings are Announced in the Gospels. But it is time
we should inquire what is the meaning of the designation...
The ThreeThings which are Found in Love must be Considered.
... Book IX. Chapter 2."The ThreeThings Which are Found in Love Must Be Considered.
2. And this being so, let us direct our attention...
Thesaurus
Things (10975 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia DETESTABLE,
THINGS.
... See ABOMINATION. Max L. Margolis.
DEVOTED,
THINGS. de-vot'-ed, (cherem). See CURSE; DEDICATE. HIGH
THINGS.
...Subjection (40 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he was in subjection
to them. And his mother kept all thesethings in her heart. (DBY NAS)....
Visible (12 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:20 For the invisiblethings of him since the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being perceived through thethings that are made, even his...
Subjected (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 15:27 For, "He put allthings in subjection under his feet." But when
he says, "Allthings are put in subjection," it is evident that he is...
Stedfast (84 Occurrences)
... the benefit are partaking. Thesethings be teaching and exhorting; (YLT).
2 Timothy 2:2 and thethings that thou didst hear from...
Votive (13 Occurrences)
... Votive (13 Occurrences). Luke 21:5 And certain saying about the temple, that with
goodly stones and devotedthings it hath been adorned, he said, (See NAS)....
Authorities (44 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:23 And when they had been made free, they came back to their friends, and
gave an account of all thethings which the chief priests and the authorities...
Swarming (19 Occurrences)
... one touch any unclean thing, whether it be the carcass of an unclean beast, or the
carcass of unclean cattle, or the carcass of unclean creepingthings, and it...
Stumbling (51 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out
of his Kingdom allthings that cause stumbling, and those who do iniquity, (WEB...
Virtue (21 Occurrences)
... Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whateverthings are true, whateverthings are
honorable, whateverthings are just, whateverthings are pure, whateverthings...
Resources
Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that all things work together for good? | GotQuestions.orgCan we speak things into existence? | GotQuestions.orgThings: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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