The concept of "differs" in the Bible often relates to the distinctions and variations among individuals, gifts, and roles within the body of Christ, as well as the differences between the old and new covenants. This entry explores these themes as they appear in Scripture.

1. Differences Among Individuals and Gifts

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the differences among believers, particularly in the context of spiritual gifts and roles within the church. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 , Paul writes, "There are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. There are different ways of working, but the same God works all things in all people." Here, Paul emphasizes that while there are various gifts and functions within the church, they all originate from the same divine source, underscoring unity amidst diversity.

In Romans 12:6-8 , Paul further elaborates on this theme: "We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one's gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." This passage highlights the importance of recognizing and utilizing one's unique gifts for the edification of the church.

2. Differences Between the Old and New Covenants

The Bible also addresses the differences between the old covenant, given through Moses, and the new covenant, established through Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 8:6 , it is written, "But now Jesus has received a more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises." This verse points to the superiority of the new covenant, which offers a more profound relationship with God through the sacrifice of Christ.

The differences between the covenants are further explored in 2 Corinthians 3:6 : "He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." This contrast between the letter and the Spirit highlights the transformative power of the new covenant, which brings life and freedom through the Holy Spirit.

3. Differences in Roles and Functions

Scripture also acknowledges differences in roles and functions within the family and the church. Ephesians 5:22-25 addresses the roles of husbands and wives: "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." This passage outlines distinct roles within marriage, emphasizing mutual respect and sacrificial love.

In the church, different roles are also recognized, as seen in Ephesians 4:11-12 : "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ." This diversity of roles is intended to equip and strengthen the church, ensuring that each member contributes to the collective mission.

4. Differences in Personal Convictions

Romans 14:2-5 addresses differences in personal convictions among believers: "One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not belittle the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." This passage encourages believers to respect differing convictions and to live in harmony despite these differences, recognizing that each person is accountable to God.

In summary, the concept of "differs" in the Bible encompasses a range of themes, including the diversity of spiritual gifts, the distinction between covenants, the variety of roles within the family and church, and the acceptance of personal convictions. These differences are to be embraced and celebrated within the unity of the body of Christ.1308. diaphero -- to carry through, carry about, to differ, make a ...
... 1308 ("distinguishing what differs") underlines the involved, ie (distinguishing
from) the one element in a comparison (its value) . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1308.htm - 8k

Whether in the Angels the Will Differs from the Intellect?
... THE WILL OF THE ANGELS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether in the angels the will differs
from the intellect? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the angels the.htm

Whether the Honest Differs from the Useful and the Pleasant?
... Honesty must be taken here in its broad sense as synonymous with moral goodness,
from the point of view of decorum.] Whether the honest differs from the useful ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the honest differs from.htm

Whether Eternity Differs from Time?
... THE ETERNITY OF GOD (SIX ARTICLES) Whether eternity differs from time? Objection
1: It seems that eternity does not differ from time. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether eternity differs from time.htm

Whether Delight Differs from Joy?
... OF DELIGHT CONSIDERED IN ITSELF [*Or, Pleasure] (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether
delight differs from joy? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether delight differs from joy.htm

Whether the Aureole Differs from the Fruit?
... OF THE AUREOLES (THIRTEEN ARTICLES) Whether the aureole differs from the fruit?
Objection 1: It would seem that the aureole does not differ from the fruit. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the aureole differs from.htm

Whether Goodness Differs Really from Being?
... OF GOODNESS IN GENERAL (SIX ARTICLES) Whether goodness differs really from being?
Objection 1: It seems that goodness differs really from being. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether goodness differs really from.htm

Whether Cruelty Differs from Savagery or Brutality?
... OF CRUELTY (TWO ARTICLES) Whether cruelty differs from savagery or brutality? Objection
1: It would seem that cruelty differs not from savagery or brutality. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether cruelty differs from savagery.htm

This Person Differs in Nothing
... THE SECOND CENTURY 44 This Person differs in nothing. This Person differs in nothing,
from the Father, but only in this that He is begotten of Him. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/44 this person differs in.htm

That Created Nature Differs Infinitely from Uncreated Being; to ...
... The Oration of the emperor constantine, which he addressed "to the assembly of the
saints." Chapter XIV."That Created Nature differs infinitely from ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xiv that created nature differs.htm

Whether Initial Fear Differs Substantially from Filial Fear
... Article Eight Whether Initial Fear Differs Substantially from Filial Fear.
Whether Initial Fear Differs Substantially from Filial Fear ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article eight whether initial fear.htm

Differs (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Differs (3 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 15:40 There
are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but ...
/d/differs.htm - 7k

Tobit
... For the position of the book in the Septuagint, Vulgate and English Versions of
the Bible, see JUDITH, 2. 3. Contents: The Book of Tobit differs in essential ...
/t/tobit.htm - 34k

Difference (19 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) That by which one thing differs from another; that which distinguishes or
causes to differ; mark of distinction; characteristic quality; specific ...
/d/difference.htm - 13k

Anaharath (1 Occurrence)
... For the position of the book in the Septuagint, Vulgate and English Versions of
the Bible, see JUDITH, 2. 3. Contents: The Book of Tobit differs in essential ...
/a/anaharath.htm - 87k

Splendor (87 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 1 Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial
bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. ...
/s/splendor.htm - 29k

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... The account given in 2 Maccabees differs considerably, both in omissions and in
additions (2 Maccabees 8:9;). There Nicanor, not Gorgias, is the chief in ...
/n/nicanor.htm - 14k

Jehoiada (51 Occurrences)
... 1. Jehoiada and the Revolt against Athaliah: (a) The account in 2 Chronicles
23:1-21 differs in many respects from that in 2 Kings 11:4-20, but even the latter ...
/j/jehoiada.htm - 36k

Samaritan (8 Occurrences)
... The New Testament also, when quoting from the Old Testament, agrees as a rule
with the Samaritan text, where that differs from the Jewish. ...
/s/samaritan.htm - 42k

Alphabet (2 Occurrences)
... 3. Invention: The question of the invention of this alphabet differs from the question
of the origin of the written forms of the letters with which it is often ...
/a/alphabet.htm - 24k

Demonology
... In four of its most vital features the New Testament attitude on this subject differs
from all popular conceptions: (a) in the absence of all imaginative ...
/d/demonology.htm - 24k

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