The term "commonwealth" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept can be understood through the biblical themes of community, shared responsibility, and the collective well-being of God's people. The idea of a commonwealth in biblical terms often relates to the covenant community of Israel and the Church, where individuals are united under God's rule and share in His blessings and responsibilities.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel can be seen as a form of commonwealth. God established Israel as His chosen people, bound by a covenant relationship. This covenant was not only spiritual but also social and communal, encompassing laws and practices that governed every aspect of life. The Israelites were called to live as a holy nation, distinct from other peoples, with God as their King. This theocratic commonwealth is evident in passages such as Exodus 19:5-6 : "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

The laws given to Israel, including the Ten Commandments and various civil and ceremonial laws, were designed to maintain justice, equity, and communal welfare. The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) is a prime example of this, where land was to be returned to original owners, debts forgiven, and slaves freed, ensuring that economic disparities did not become entrenched.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of commonwealth is expanded to include all believers in Christ, both Jew and Gentile. The Apostle Paul speaks of this in Ephesians 2:12-13 : "remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."

Here, Paul uses the term "commonwealth" to describe the spiritual and communal unity that believers have in Christ. This new commonwealth transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, creating a new people of God who are united by faith in Jesus. The Church, as the body of Christ, functions as a spiritual commonwealth where members are called to love, serve, and support one another, reflecting the unity and diversity of the Trinity.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of commonwealth in the Bible underscores the importance of community and mutual responsibility among God's people. Believers are called to live in a way that reflects God's kingdom values, promoting justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8). The early Church exemplified this in Acts 2:44-45 : "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need."

This communal life is not merely a social arrangement but a reflection of the spiritual reality of being one in Christ. It challenges believers to consider how they can contribute to the well-being of the community, using their gifts and resources for the common good.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the biblical concept of commonwealth encourages Christians to engage in acts of charity, justice, and stewardship. It calls for a commitment to the local church and the broader body of Christ, fostering relationships that are marked by love, accountability, and service. Believers are urged to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to work for the peace and prosperity of the community in which they live (Jeremiah 29:7).

In summary, while the term "commonwealth" may not appear in Scripture, its principles are woven throughout the biblical narrative, calling God's people to live in unity, justice, and love as a reflection of His kingdom on earth.1. (n.) A state; a body politic consisting of a certain number of men, united, by compact or tacit agreement, under one form of government and system of laws.

2. (n.) The whole body of people in a state; the public.

3. (n.) Specifically, the form of government established on the death of Charles I., in 1649, which existed under Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard, ending with the abdication of the latter in 1659.

COMMONWEALTH

kom'-un-welth (politeia): Spoken of theocracy (Ephesians 2:12). The same word is rendered "freedom," the King James Version; "citizenship" the Revised Version (British and American). Also in the sense of commonwealth in the Apocrypha (2 Maccabees 4:11; 8:17; 13:14); in the sense of citizenship (3 Maccabees 3:21, 23).

See CITIZENSHIP.

4174. politeia -- citizenship
... Feminine Transliteration: politeia Phonetic Spelling: (pol-ee-ti'-ah) Short Definition:
citizen body, citizenship Definition: (a) commonwealth, polity; citizen ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4174.htm - 6k

4175. politeuma -- a form of government, citizenship
... citizenship. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: politeuma Phonetic Spelling:
(pol-it'-yoo-mah) Short Definition: a state, commonwealth Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4175.htm - 6k

1429. dodekaphulon -- the twelve tribes
... twelve tribes. From dodeka and phule; the commonwealth of Israel -- twelve tribes.
see GREEK dodeka. see GREEK phule. (dodekaphulon) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1429.htm - 6k

Ephesians ii. 11, 12
... by that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that ye were at
that time separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and ...
/.../homily v ephesians ii 11.htm

Whether an Accuser who Fails to Prove his Indictment is Bound to ...
... to the person of the accused, for in that case the sovereign could not remit this
punishment, nor on account of an injury to the commonwealth, because then the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an accuser who fails.htm

Of the Divine Providence in General.
... This great king then, knowing by divine inspiration that the commonwealth is to
religion as the body to the soul, and religion to the commonwealth as the soul ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii of the divine.htm

Letter Xci. (AD 408. )
... one of your wisdom, we have no doubt that you would be easily convinced, or rather,
would yourself readily perceive, in what way a commonwealth should flourish ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xci a d 408.htm

Spiritual Religion in High Places --Rous, Vane, and Sterry
... The spiritual struggles which culminated in the great upheaval of the English
Commonwealth were the normal fruit of the Reformation spirit, when once it had ...
/.../chapter xiv spiritual religion in.htm

The First Blast of the Trumpet
... (a) The natural body of man 27-32. (b) The civil body of that Commonwealth [of the
Jews] in which GOD by his own word hath appointed an order.32-34. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/knox/the first blast of the trumpet/title page.htm

Thy Will be done on Earth Also as in Heaven
... to solve the question from this consideration"It is not by virtue of place but of
principle that one who is still on earth but has a commonwealth in heaven ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xvi thy will be.htm

The Epistle to the Laodiceans the Proper Designation is to the ...
... that which has the name of circumcision in the flesh made by the hand"that at that
time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvii the epistle to the.htm

A Sermon Made by M. Hugh Latimer, at the Time of the Insurrection ...
... I hear say they wear the cross and the wounds before and behind, and they pretend
much truth to the king's grace and to the commonwealth, when they intend ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon made by m.htm

Slum Novelists and the Slums
... In this strange and splendid degree it cannot be expected, perhaps, to pervade a
whole commonwealth or a whole civilization; but one commonwealth may have it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xix slum novelists and the.htm

Commonwealth (2 Occurrences)
...COMMONWEALTH. ... Also in the sense of commonwealth in the Apocrypha (2 Maccabees 4:11;
8:17; 13:14); in the sense of citizenship (3 Maccabees 3:21, 23). ...
/c/commonwealth.htm - 8k

Citizenship (4 Occurrences)
... with the meanings which they have in the Bible, are the nouns, polites, "citizen";
politeia, "citizenship"; politeuma, "commonwealth"; sumpolites, "fellow ...
/c/citizenship.htm - 16k

Circumcision (98 Occurrences)
... the Hebrews. (1.) It sealed the promises made to Abraham, which related
to the commonwealth of Israel, national promises. (2.) But ...
/c/circumcision.htm - 53k

State (51 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) In the United States, one of the commonwealth, or bodies politic, the people
of which make up the body of the nation, and which, under the national ...
/s/state.htm - 23k

Commonly (5 Occurrences)

/c/commonly.htm - 8k

Commotion (15 Occurrences)

/c/commotion.htm - 10k

Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... Compare also Philippians 3:20 with Ephesians 2:12, 19, where the church is presented
under the idea of a city or commonwealth for the first time in Paul's ...
/p/philippians.htm - 42k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... The commonwealth sank in exhaustion after the protracted civil and internecine
strife. It was a case of the survival of the fittest. ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

Kings (350 Occurrences)
... They contain the annals of the Jewish commonwealth from the accession of Solomon
till the subjugation of the kingdom by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians ...
/k/kings.htm - 61k

Loan (9 Occurrences)
... At a later period of the Hebrew commonwealth, when commerce increased, the practice
of exacting usury or interest on loans, and of suretiship in the commercial ...
/l/loan.htm - 16k

What were the religious wars / wars of religion? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Contemporary English Version (CEV)? | GotQuestions.org

What is a pariah? | GotQuestions.org

Commonwealth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus