Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "unchanged" in the biblical context often relates to the nature and character of God, His promises, and His Word. The immutability of God is a foundational attribute that underscores His reliability and faithfulness throughout Scripture.
God's Unchanging NatureThe Bible affirms that God is unchanging in His essence, character, and will. This attribute is known as immutability. In
Malachi 3:6, the Lord declares, "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed." This verse highlights that God's unchanging nature is a source of stability and assurance for His people. Similarly,
James 1:17 states, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow." Here, God's constancy is contrasted with the variability found in creation.
The Unchanging Word of GodThe Scriptures themselves are described as enduring and unchanging. In
Isaiah 40:8, it is written, "The grass withers, the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." This verse emphasizes the eternal nature of God's Word, which remains steadfast despite the transient nature of the world. Jesus also affirmed the permanence of His words in
Matthew 24:35: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."
Unchanging PromisesGod's promises are also unchanging, providing believers with a foundation of hope and trust.
Hebrews 6:17-18 speaks to this assurance: "Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath. Thus by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged." This passage underscores the reliability of God's promises, which are anchored in His unchanging nature.
Jesus Christ: The Same Yesterday, Today, and ForeverThe New Testament further reveals the unchanging nature of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:8 declares, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." This statement affirms the consistency and eternal nature of Christ, providing believers with confidence in His ongoing presence and work in their lives.
Implications for BelieversThe unchanging nature of God and His Word has profound implications for believers. It assures them of God's faithfulness, as seen in
Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" This assurance encourages believers to trust in God's promises and to live in accordance with His unchanging Word.
In summary, the concept of being "unchanged" in the Bible primarily relates to the immutable nature of God, His Word, and His promises. This attribute provides believers with a foundation of trust and hope, knowing that God is constant and faithful in all His ways.
Greek
276. ametathetos -- immutable, unchangeable... unchangeable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ametathetos Phonetic Spelling:
(am-et-ath'-et-os) Short Definition:
unchanged, unchangeable Definition
...Library
[Transcriber's Notes] Original "Misspellings" Such as "Fulness"...
... [Transcriber's Notes] Original "misspellings" such as "fulness" areunchanged.
Unfamiliar (to me) words are defined on the right...
But Since Our views Regarding the Resurrection Have, as Far as...
... after a period of years there will be a conflagration of the world, and after that
an arrangement of things in which everything will beunchanged, as compared...
The God of the Aged
... the same, whatever may be our age; and that God's dealings towards us, both in
providence and in grace, his carryings and his deliverings, are alikeunchanged....
Sin not a Mere Negation.
... Hence if Dr. K??hlbrugge had confessed that the restoration leaves our beingunchanged
and only translates us into a sphere of righteousness, then it should be...
The Work of Regeneration.
... Neither is it a change of ego; nor, as many maintain, a leaving the ego undisturbed,
the personalityunchanged, simply putting the evil ego in the light and...
The Immutability of God
... He isunchanged in his wisdom, he knows as much now as ever, neither more nor less;
he has the same consummate skill, and the same infinite forecastings....
From the Seventeenth Chapter.
... hell, we have said above in the word of Isaiah: "Water shall nourish him, and hell
hath increased him;" who, however, must come with nameunchanged, and doings...
Preface to the American Edition.
... addition of critical and explanatory notes. The translation remains
substantiallyunchanged. Frequent minor changes have, however...
Eucharistic Doctrine.
... It being universally admitted that the substance of the water and of the ointment
remainsunchanged, it is argued from the identity of the language employed in...
The Decree of the Holy, Great, Ecumenical Synod, the Second of...
... making a thorough examination and analysis, and following the trend of the truth,
we diminish nought, we add nought, but we preserveunchanged all things which...
Thesaurus
Unchanged (11 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Unchanged (11 Occurrences).
... 1 Thessalonians 3:8 For it
is life to us if you keep your faith in the Lord
unchanged. (BBE).
...Press (57 Occurrences)
... Otherwise the English Revised Version has left the King James Versionunchanged,
while the American Standard Revised Version uses "new wine" throughout....
Wine (282 Occurrences)
... Otherwise the English Revised Version has left the King James Versionunchanged,
while the American Standard Revised Version uses "new wine" throughout....
Vulgate
... in the Hexapla, and which we are translating, is the same one which the version
of the translators of the Septuagint has preservedunchanged and immaculate in...
Keep (4573 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain
unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor....
Forbid (46 Occurrences)
... rendered, Genesis 18:25 the King James Version, "that be far from thee"); the English
Revised Version leaves the expressionsunchanged; the American Standard...
Theme (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) A noun or verb, not modified by inflections; also, that part of a noun or
verb which remainsunchanged (except by euphonic variations) in declension or...
Remain (933 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To continueunchanged in place, form, or condition, or undiminished
in quantity; to abide; to stay; to endure; to last....
Drawer (1 Occurrence)
... or donkeys. Water drawing was usually done at evening time (Genesis
24:11), and this custom has remainedunchanged. There is no...
Resources
How does the translation process impact the inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility of the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is faith without works dead? | GotQuestions.orgIs the Bible relevant for today? | GotQuestions.orgUnchanged: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
