Topical Encyclopedia
The term "trans" is not directly found in the Bible; however, it is often used in contemporary discussions to refer to transgender individuals—those whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. While the Bible does not explicitly address modern concepts of gender identity, it provides foundational teachings on the nature of humanity, creation, and identity that are relevant to this topic.
Creation and GenderThe Bible begins with the account of creation, where God creates humanity in His image.
Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This verse establishes the binary nature of gender as part of God's original design. The creation narrative emphasizes the complementary nature of male and female, which is further elaborated in
Genesis 2:24, where man and woman are united in marriage.
Identity in ChristThe New Testament introduces the concept of identity in Christ, which transcends earthly distinctions.
Galatians 3:28 declares, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This passage highlights the spiritual equality and unity of all believers, regardless of gender or social status. While it does not negate the biological distinctions established at creation, it emphasizes the primary identity of believers as members of the body of Christ.
Holiness and the BodyThe Bible calls believers to honor God with their bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This passage underscores the importance of respecting the body as part of God's creation and living in a way that honors Him.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn biblical times, cultural norms and understandings of gender were different from today's context. The Bible contains laws and instructions that reflect the cultural and historical setting of ancient Israel and the early church. For example,
Deuteronomy 22:5 states, "A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman's clothing, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God." This law reflects the importance of maintaining distinct gender roles and appearances in ancient Israelite society.
Pastoral Care and CompassionThe Bible calls Christians to love and care for all individuals, recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every person as created in the image of God. Jesus' ministry exemplified compassion and care for those marginalized by society. Christians are encouraged to approach contemporary issues, including those related to gender identity, with grace, truth, and love, seeking to reflect Christ's love to all people.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not directly address the modern concept of being transgender, its teachings on creation, identity, and holiness provide a framework for understanding and engaging with this topic. Believers are called to uphold biblical truths while extending compassion and care to all individuals, recognizing the complexity and sensitivity of issues related to gender identity.
Greek
4254. proago -- to lead forth, to go before... go before. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proago Phonetic Spelling:
(pro-ag'-o) Short Definition: I lead forth, go before Definition: (a)
trans: I lead
...2476. histemi -- to make to stand, to stand
... to stand. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: histemi Phonetic Spelling:
(his'-tay-mee) Short Definition: I cause to stand, stand Definition:trans: (a)...
1994. epistrepho -- to turn, to return
... to return. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epistrepho Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-stref'-o) Short Definition: I turn back to Definition: (a)trans: I turn...
5455. phoneo -- to call out
... fo-neh'-o) Short Definition: I crow, shout, summon Definition: I give forth a sound,
hence: (a) of a cock: I crow, (b) of men: I shout, (c)trans: I call (to...
2523. kathizo -- to make to sit down, to sit down
... to sit down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kathizo Phonetic Spelling:
(kath-id'-zo) Short Definition: I set, make to sit Definition: (a)trans: I make...
2827. klino -- to cause to bend
... to bend. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: klino Phonetic Spelling: (klee'-no)
Short Definition: I rest, recline, make to yield Definition:trans: I rest...
1688. embibazo -- to place on, to put on board
... on board. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: embibazo Phonetic Spelling:
(em-bib-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I embark, put on board Definition:trans: I embark...
1929. epididomi -- to give over, give way
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epididomi Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-did'-o-mee)
Short Definition: I hand in, give up, give way Definition: (a)trans: I hand in...
1236. diago -- to carry over, to pass
... to pass. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diago Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ag'-o) Short Definition: I spend time, pass time, live Definition: (either...
1839. existemi -- to displace, to stand aside from
... existemi Phonetic Spelling: (ex-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition: I astonish, am
astonished Definition: (lit: I remove from a standing position), (a) intrans....
Strong's Hebrew
1820. damah -- to cease, cause to cease, cut off, destroy... cease, be cut down off, destroy, be brought to silence, be undone, utterly. A primitive
root; to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish;
trans.
...1855. deqaq -- to be shattered, fall to pieces
... break to pieces. (Aramaic) corresponding to daqaq; to crumble or (trans.) Crush --
break to pieces. see HEBREW daqaq. 1854, 1855. deqaq. 1856 ....
Library
Additions to the Literature
... Creeds and Conff., Engl.trans., NY, 1894."Callows: Origin and Development
of Creeds, London, 1899. SG Green: The Christ....trans....
For the Burial of the Dead. I. Now Hush Your Cries, and Shed no...
... 8,8,8,8 H??rt auf mit Trauern und mit Klag. After [150]Prudentius. [151]trans.
by N. Hermann.1560.trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855....
Introduction.
... For I entirely agree with Montgomery, that, "In no walk of literature have our
trans-atlantic kindred so worthily rivalled, and so nearly equalled, the writers...
Appendix
... clear indications in these of the sacrifice of children, such as took place in Carthage,
in Phoenicia, and in Palestine " also in the British Isles" (Trans....
Elucidations.
... [5046] Words of Jesus, vol. viii. p. 63,trans., ed. Edinburgh, 1858. [5047]
New-Testament Commentary, Kendrick'strans., vol. iii. p. 120, ed. 1858....
The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in...
... in Jerusalem on that ever-memorable Feast of Weeks, [23] the division of the dispersion'
into two grand sections - the Eastern orTrans-Euphratic, and the...
Literature on the Gospels.
... Fr. Schleiermacher:Kritischer Versuch ?�ber die Schriften des Lucas. Berlin, 1817
(Werke I.2, pp.1-220);trans.... Luke, Introd. and Appendix, Eng.trans....
Preface. Reason for a New Work
... [2328] Cruda. [2329] De jugo. See Strabo (Bohn'strans.), vol. ii.[p. 247. [2330]
Duritia.... [2341] Castrator carnis. See Pliny, NH viii. 47 (Bohn'strans. vol....
Excursus on the xv. Anathemas against Origen.
... viij., p.281 et seqq.); D??llinger (Church History, Eng.Trans., Vol. v., p.203 et
seqq.); Hefele (Hist.... Hist. of Dogma, Vol. IV., n. 249 (Eng.Trans.)....
Excursus on the Present Teaching of the Latin and Greek Churches...
... (Conc. Trid., Sess. xxv. December 3d and 4th, 1563. [Buckley'sTrans.])....
[537] Pt. IV., Chap. VI. [Buckley'sTrans.]). Question III....
Thesaurus
Trans (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Trans (4 Occurrences). Ezra 4:10 and the rest
of the nations whom the great and noble Osnappar brought
...Trans-euphrates (12 Occurrences)
Trans-euphrates. Transcribed,Trans-euphrates. Transfer .
Multi-Version ConcordanceTrans-euphrates (12 Occurrences)....
Nodab (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Noble, probably a tribe descended from one of the sons
of Ishmael, with whom thetrans-Jordanic tribes made war (1 Chronicles 5:19)....
Transfer (6 Occurrences)
Nahash (9 Occurrences)
... His son Shobi, with othertrans-Jordanic chieftains, welcomed David at Mahanaim
with sympathy and substantial gifts when the old king was fleeing before his...
Georgian
... Black Sea, a country that has had an independent national existence of 2,000 years
but is now (under the name Grusinia) a part of thetrans-Caucasian domain of...
Gothic
... Black Sea, a country that has had an independent national existence of 2,000 years
but is now (under the name Grusinia) a part of thetrans-Caucasian domain of...
Fail (130 Occurrences)
... fal (kalah, karath; ekleipo): "Fail" is both intransitive, "to fall short," "be
wanting," andtrans, "to be wanting to." Of the many words translated "fail" in...
Forest (67 Occurrences)
... Thus all the great primeval forests of Syria (Ecclesiastes 2:6; Isaiah 44:14; Jeremiah
5:6; Micah 5:8). The most extensive was thetrans-Jordanic forest of...
Translation (2 Occurrences)
...trans-la'-shun: The verb "translate" is found once in the Old Testament (2 Samuel
3:10 the King James Version, in the sense of "to transfer") and 3 times in...
Resources
What impact did Friedrich Nietzsche have on the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is consubstantiation? | GotQuestions.orgDid Constantine change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
