Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "person" can refer to an individual human being, a distinct identity, or the nature of God as understood in Christian theology. The concept of personhood is foundational to understanding human identity, relationships, and the nature of God as revealed in Scripture.
Human PersonhoodThe Bible begins with the creation of human beings, emphasizing their unique status as persons made in the image of God.
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 underscores the inherent dignity and worth of every person, reflecting God's image in their capacity for reason, morality, and relationship.
Human personhood is further explored through the narratives of individual lives throughout Scripture. Each person is seen as a unique creation with a specific purpose and calling. For example,
Jeremiah 1:5 reveals God's intimate knowledge and purpose for individuals: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Personhood and RelationshipsThe Bible places significant emphasis on relationships between persons, highlighting the importance of love, community, and mutual respect. The Great Commandment, as stated by Jesus in
Matthew 22:37-39 , encapsulates this relational aspect: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"
The New Testament further elaborates on the nature of relationships among believers, describing the Church as the body of Christ, where each person has a role and function.
1 Corinthians 12:12 illustrates this: "The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ."
Divine PersonhoodIn Christian theology, the concept of personhood is also applied to the nature of God, particularly in the doctrine of the Trinity. God is understood as one Being in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each Person of the Trinity is fully God, sharing the same essence, yet distinct in personhood and role.
The personhood of God is revealed in various ways throughout Scripture. The Father is often depicted as the Creator and Sustainer, the Son as the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as the Comforter and Guide.
John 1:14 speaks to the incarnation of the Son: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Personhood and SalvationThe Bible presents salvation as a deeply personal experience, where individuals are called into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9 emphasizes the personal nature of faith: "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
This personal relationship with God transforms the believer's identity and purpose, as described in
2 Corinthians 5:17 : "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!"
In summary, the concept of personhood in the Bible encompasses the unique identity and dignity of human beings, the relational nature of human existence, and the divine nature of God as revealed in the Trinity. Each person is called to live in relationship with God and others, reflecting the image of God in their lives.
Greek
1271. dianoia -- the mind, disposition, thought... Aristotle, 1, 404). But 1271 () works to a
person's own undoing when it
operates apart from the light of God's word (Eph 4:18).].
...5587. psithurismos -- a whispering
... 5587 (from , "whisper") -- properly, a to "quietly" spread ; "" that launches
"secret attacks on aperson's character" (Souter)....
322. anadeiknumi -- to lift up and show, show forth
... noo-mee) Short Definition: I show forth, show clearly, proclaim, appoint Definition:
I show forth, show clearly; hence: I proclaim (aperson's appointment to...
5590. psuche -- breath, the soul
... a) the vital breath, breath of life, (b) the human soul, (c) the soul as the seat
of affections and will, (d) the self, (e) a humanperson, an individual....
2589. kardiognostes -- knower of hearts
... 2589 ("the heart-discerner") is used only of God (Ac 1:24, 15:8) -- the one who
knows the inner workings of everyperson's heart, ie all their moral...
3308. merimna -- care, anxiety
... anxiety. Cognate: 3308 (see 3307 , "divide") -- properly, a , from the whole;
(figuratively) (), and aperson's being. See 3309 ()....
458. anomia -- lawlessness
... and living Word). 458 ("lawlessness") includes the of -- ie its negative
influence on aperson's ( before God). Word Origin from...
5588. psithuristes -- a whisperer
... Cognate: 5588 -- properly, a whisperer; a sneaky gossip (a "back-stabber"); a backbiter,
quietly (secretly) destroying anotherperson's character -- ie covertly...
830. authairetos -- self-chosen, ie of one's own accord
... 830 (an adjective, derived from 846 , "self" and 138 , "make a personal choice") --
properly, act (by free choice); literally describing aperson's decision as...
5354. phthoneo -- to envy
... Cognate: 5354 (from 5355 ) -- to envy, becoming bitter (sour) because of another
person's success. 5354 is used only in Gal 5:26. See 5355 ()....
Library
Whether aPerson's Defect is a Reason for Being More Easily Angry...
... ANGER, AND OF THE REMEDIES OF ANGER (FOUR ARTICLES) [*There is no further mention
of these remedies in the text, except in A .] Whether aperson's defect is a...
Whether Marriage Can Result from onePerson's Consent to Take...
... OF THE OBJECT OF THE CONSENT (TWO ARTICLES) Whether marriage can result from
oneperson's consent to take another for a base motive?...
Whether Man is More Shamefaced of those who are More Closely...
... the excellence which is according to virtue, so too reproach, the fear of which
is shamefacedness, denotes attestation to aperson's defect, especially that...
Love is the Root of all Other Passions. ...
... but even hatred itself is set on work by love; for therefore aperson is angry,
discontented, or displeased, because something comes in the way, hindering him...
Whether Honor Denotes Something Corporal?
... things. Therefore honor consists of corporal things. I answer that, Honor
denotes a witnessing to aperson's excellence. Therefore...
Whether the Mean is to be Observed in the Same Way in Distributive...
... Now aperson's deserts are considered also in commutative justice, for instance,
in punishments; thus a man who strikes a prince is punished more than one who...
Talkers and Talking
... The habitual long-story teller may easily become a bore. Avoid the habit of eagerly
matching the otherperson's story or experience with one of your own....
John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17 Questions About Regeneration
... 1. What is regeneration? It is that complete change of heart and character which
the Holy Spirit works in aperson when he becomes a real Christian....
On the Tongue
... A thirdperson's tongue hath shaken many, and dispersed them from nation to nation;
and it hath pulled down strong cities, and overthrown the houses of great...
(Of those who Ought not to be Admitted to Prefer an Accusation, or...
... who ought not to be admitted to prefer an accusation, or to bear witness; and that
evidence is not to be given but on things happening in theperson's presence...
Thesaurus
Person's (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Person's (3 Occurrences).
... Proverbs 18:8 The words of a
gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a
person's innermost parts.
...Yoke (79 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A frame of wood fitted to aperson's shoulders for carrying pails,
etc., suspended on each side; as, a milkmaid's yoke....
Know (8133 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To be acquainted with; to be no stranger to; to be more or less familiar
with theperson, character, etc., of; to possess experience of; as, to know an...
Gossip (7 Occurrences)
... friends. (See NIV). Proverbs 18:8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels:
they go down into aperson's innermost parts. (WEB NIV)....
Godspeed
... be it well with thee"; chaire, chairete, chairein, were common forms of greeting,
expressive of good-will and desire for theperson's prosperity, translated in...
Will (64996 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) The legal declaration of aperson's mind as to the manner in which he would
have his property or estate disposed of after his death; the written...
Innermost (22 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV). Proverbs 18:8 The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they
go down into aperson's innermost parts. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)....
Invitation (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of inviting; solicitation; the requesting of aperson's company;
as, an invitation to a party, to a dinner, or to visit a friend....
Trespass (101 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) An unlawful act committed with force and violence (vi et armis)
on theperson, property, or relative rights of another....
Demand (34 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A diligent seeking or search; manifested want; desire to possess; request;
as, a demand for certain goods; aperson's company is in great demand....
Resources
Is it possible for a person's name to be erased from the Book of Life? | GotQuestions.orgHow does fearing God add length to a person's life (Proverbs 10:27)? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God sometimes change a person's name in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
