Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "three-fold" in the Bible often signifies completeness, strength, and divine perfection. This motif appears in various contexts throughout Scripture, symbolizing the fullness and unity of God's work and character.
Ecclesiastes 4:12One of the most direct references to the three-fold concept is found in
Ecclesiastes 4:12: "And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." This verse highlights the strength and resilience found in unity and companionship. The three-fold cord metaphor suggests that relationships, when bound together in unity, are stronger and more enduring.
The TrinityThe doctrine of the Trinity is a foundational element of Christian theology, representing the three-fold nature of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This triune nature is not explicitly named in Scripture but is inferred from various passages. For instance,
Matthew 28:19 instructs believers to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This three-fold formula underscores the unity and co-equality of the Godhead.
Three-fold Blessings and CursesIn the Old Testament, the number three often appears in blessings and curses, signifying completeness. For example, in
Numbers 6:24-26, the Aaronic blessing is three-fold: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." This blessing encapsulates the fullness of God's favor and protection.
Conversely, in prophetic literature, three-fold judgments or woes emphasize the totality of God's righteous judgment.
Revelation 8:13 warns of a three-fold woe to the inhabitants of the earth, highlighting the severity and completeness of the impending judgments.
Three-fold RepetitionsRepetition in threes is a common biblical literary device used to emphasize a point or to convey the certainty of a statement. In
Isaiah 6:3, the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." The three-fold repetition of "holy" underscores the absolute holiness and otherness of God.
Similarly, in
John 21:15-17, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, paralleling Peter's three-fold denial. This repetition serves to fully restore Peter and reaffirm his role in the early church.
Three-fold Offices of ChristChrist is often described as fulfilling a three-fold office: Prophet, Priest, and King. As Prophet, He reveals God's will and truth (
Deuteronomy 18:15;
John 1:18). As Priest, He mediates between God and humanity, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice (
Hebrews 4:14-16). As King, He reigns with authority over all creation (
Revelation 19:16).
The three-fold nature of these offices reflects the comprehensive and perfect work of Christ in redemption, revealing His sufficiency in meeting all the spiritual needs of humanity.
In summary, the three-fold concept in Scripture serves as a powerful symbol of completeness, unity, and divine perfection, permeating various aspects of biblical theology and narrative.
Strong's Hebrew
7991. shaliysh -- a third (part)... triple, ie (as a musical instrument) a triangle (or perhaps rather three-stringed
lute); also (as an indefinite, great quantity) a
three-
fold measure (perhaps
...Library
TheThreefold Unity
... EPHESIANS THETHREEFOLD UNITY. 'One Lord, one faith, one baptism.'"Ephesians 4:5.
The thought of the unity of the Church is very prominent in this epistle....
AThreefold Cord
... ROMANS ATHREEFOLD CORD. 'And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love
of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which...
Threefold Repentance
... JONAHTHREEFOLD REPENTANCE. 'And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the
second time, saying, 2. Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great...
AThreefold Disease and a Twofold Cure.
... ATHREEFOLD DISEASE AND A TWOFOLD CURE.... Now for the first of these. There is
here". I. Athreefold view of the sad condition of humanity....
TheThreefold Cord of Jesus' Life.
... The "How" of Relationship TheThreefold Cord of Jesus' Life. Think for
a moment into Jesus' human life down here. His marvellous...
O Unity ofThreefold Light.
... O UNITY OFTHREEFOLD LIGHT. From the Canon for Sunday of the Second Tone.
8,6,8,6.... triphenges Monas thearchike. O Unity ofThreefold Light,....
OnThreefold Wisdom.
... Book III. Chapter III."OnThreefold Wisdom. 1. The holy apostle, wishing
to teach us some great and hidden truth respecting science...
AThreefold Thought of Sin and Forgiveness
... VOLUME I: PSALMS I to XLIX ATHREEFOLD THOUGHT OF SIN AND FORGIVENESS.
'Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin...
The Mediator'sThreefold Prayer
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS THE MEDIATOR'STHREEFOLD PRAYER. 'And Moses said unto
the Lord, See, Thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people...
Of theThreefold Prayer of Christ, that we Might be one with God
... THE BOOK OF SUPREME TRUTH CHAPTER XIII. OF THETHREEFOLD PRAYER OF CHRIST,
THAT WE MIGHT BE ONE WITH GOD. But you should also observe...
Thesaurus
Threefold (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Consisting of three, or thrice repeated; triple;
as,
threefold justice. Multi-Version Concordance
Threefold (2 Occurrences).
...Three-fold (1 Occurrence)
Three-fold.Threefold,Three-fold. Three-pronged . Multi-Version Concordance...
(WBS).Threefold,Three-fold. Three-pronged . Reference Bible.
Offices (14 Occurrences)
... THETHREEFOLD OFFICE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT The Failure of the Offices to Secure Their
Desired Ends III.... II. TheThreefold Office in the Old Testament....
Agony (20 Occurrences)
... in Gethsemane, in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:36-46 Mark 14:32-42 Luke
22:39-46, and also in Hebrews 5:7, 8) indicates that it wasthreefold: 1. Physical...
Imputation
... THETHREEFOLD USE OF THE TERM IN THEOLOGY Original Sin, Atonement,
Justification III.... II. TheThreefold Use of the Term in Theology....
Trine
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.)Threefold; triple; as, trine dimensions,
or length, breadth, and thickness. 2. (n.) The aspect...
Triune
... 2. Triple Action: Thethreefold immersion is based upon the Trinity into which the
believer is to be baptized "into the name of the Father and of the Son and...
Immersion
... 2. Triple Action: Thethreefold immersion is based upon the Trinity into which the
believer is to be baptized "into the name of the Father and of the Son and...
Ministry (44 Occurrences)
...THREEFOLD CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY 1. Insistence on Organization (1) Aid Given in
Selecting a Bishop (2) Bishops and Presbyters 2. Multiplication of Orders...
Cord (47 Occurrences)
... consequences or fruits of sin (Proverbs 5:22). A "threefold cord" is a symbol
of union (Ecclesiastes 4:12). The "cords of a man" (Hosea 11...
Resources
Who are the Three Nephites in Mormonism? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jesus ask Peter "Do you love me?" three times? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is holy, holy, holy? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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