Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Meaning: Concord, in a biblical context, refers to harmony, agreement, or unity among individuals or groups. It is the state of being in one accord, characterized by peace and mutual understanding. The concept of concord is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible, emphasizing the importance of unity among believers and the church. Biblical References: The Bible frequently addresses the theme of concord, urging believers to live in harmony with one another. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul often speaks about the importance of unity within the body of Christ. In Romans 12:16 , Paul exhorts, "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited." This verse highlights the call for believers to maintain concord by setting aside pride and embracing humility. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 , Paul appeals to the church in Corinth, saying, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction." Here, concord is presented as essential for the health and effectiveness of the church, urging believers to be united in thought and purpose. Theological Significance: Concord is not merely a social or relational ideal but is deeply theological, reflecting the unity of the Trinity and the intended unity of the church as the body of Christ. Jesus Himself prayed for the unity of His followers in John 17:21 , "that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me." This prayer underscores the divine desire for concord among believers as a testimony to the world of God's love and truth. Practical Application: Believers are called to actively pursue concord by fostering peace and resolving conflicts within the church and their communities. Ephesians 4:3 instructs, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." This involves practicing forgiveness, patience, and love, as outlined in Colossians 3:13-14 , "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity." Challenges to Concord: Despite the biblical mandate for concord, challenges such as pride, doctrinal differences, and personal grievances can threaten unity within the church. The early church faced such challenges, as seen in the disputes among the Corinthians and the disagreements between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:39). Addressing these challenges requires a commitment to biblical principles and a reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain unity. Conclusion: While the Bible does not use the term "concord" explicitly, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of unity and harmony among God's people. Believers are encouraged to strive for concord, reflecting the unity of the Trinity and serving as a powerful witness to the world. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A state of agreement; harmony; union.2. (n.) Agreement by stipulation; compact; covenant; treaty or league. 3. (n.) Agreement of words with one another, in gender, number, person, or case. 4. (n.) An agreement between the parties to a fine of land in reference to the manner in which it should pass, being an acknowledgment that the land in question belonged to the complainant. See Fine. 5. (n.) An agreeable combination of tones simultaneously heard; a consonant chord; consonance; harmony. 6. (n.) A variety of American grape, with large dark blue (almost black) grapes in compact clusters. 7. (v. i.) To agree; to act together. Greek 4857. sumphonesis -- agreement ... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sumphonesis Phonetic Spelling: (soom-fo'-nay-sis) Short Definition: harmony, agreement Definition: harmony, agreement, concord. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4857.htm - 6k 4783. sugkatathesis -- a putting down together, ie agreement Strong's Hebrew 4334. mishor -- a level place, uprightness... from yashar; a level, ie A plain (often used (with the article prefix) as a properly, name of certain districts); figuratively, concord; also straightness, ie ... /hebrew/4334.htm - 6k 4339. meshar -- evenness, uprightness, equity Library Whether Peace is the Same as Concord? Of the Temple of Concord, which was Erected by a Decree of the ... May the Thirty-First Connection and Concord Of the Concord Preserved among all the Four Evangelists on the ... The Articles of Smalcald. AD 1537. Of the Concord Between Matthew, Mark, and John in their Notices of ... Now as to the Union and Concord and Peace of the Animals of ... In this Diversity of the True Opinions, Let Truth Herself Produce ... Petilianus Said: "But He Thus Praises the Ointment of Concord ... Of the Various Kinds of Wars which Followed the Building of the ... Thesaurus Concord (1 Occurrence)... 7. (vi) To agree; to act together. Multi-Version Concordance Concord (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? ... /c/concord.htm - 7k Quarrel (22 Occurrences) Unity (9 Occurrences) Discord (7 Occurrences) Agreement (341 Occurrences) Concordance Predestination Subapostolic Sub-apostolic Quarter (33 Occurrences) Resources What is religious pluralism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Augsburg Confession? | GotQuestions.org What is the Lutheran Church, and what do Lutherans believe? | GotQuestions.org Concord: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Concord (1 Occurrence)2 Corinthians 6:15 Subtopics Related Terms |
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