In the context of the Bible, "distinction" often refers to the act of setting apart or differentiating between things, people, or actions according to divine standards. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting God's sovereignty, holiness, and the moral and spiritual order He establishes.

Old Testament

The idea of distinction is evident from the very beginning of the Bible. In Genesis 1, God distinguishes between light and darkness, day and night, and land and sea, establishing order in creation. This act of separation underscores God's authority and the inherent order within His creation.

In the Mosaic Law, God makes clear distinctions between clean and unclean animals, holy and profane objects, and righteous and sinful behavior. Leviticus 10:10 states, "You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean." These distinctions were meant to teach the Israelites about God's holiness and their need to live in a manner that reflects His character.

The distinction between Israel and other nations is another significant theme. God chose Israel as His special possession, setting them apart to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). This distinction was not based on Israel's merit but on God's sovereign choice and covenant promises.

New Testament

In the New Testament, the concept of distinction continues, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus often spoke of the distinction between those who follow Him and those who do not. In Matthew 25:32-33, He describes the final judgment, where He will separate the sheep from the goats, symbolizing the distinction between the righteous and the wicked.

The apostle Paul emphasizes the distinction between the life led by the Spirit and the life led by the flesh. In Galatians 5:16-17, he writes, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." This distinction is crucial for understanding the Christian life and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual and Moral Distinctions

The Bible consistently calls believers to live lives that are distinct from the world. Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This call to distinction is rooted in the believer's identity in Christ and the call to holiness.

Furthermore, the distinction between truth and falsehood is a recurring theme. Believers are urged to discern and uphold the truth of the Gospel amidst false teachings and deceptive philosophies (1 John 4:1, Colossians 2:8).

Eschatological Distinctions

In eschatological terms, the Bible speaks of a final distinction that will be made at the end of the age. Revelation 20:12-15 describes the final judgment, where the dead are judged according to their deeds, and those not found in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire. This ultimate distinction underscores the eternal consequences of one's response to God's offer of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Throughout Scripture, the theme of distinction serves as a reminder of God's holiness, the call to live set apart for His purposes, and the ultimate separation of the righteous from the wicked.1. (n.) A marking off by visible signs; a designation of honor.

2. (n.) The act of distinguishing or denoting the differences between objects, or the qualities by which one is known from others; exercise of discernment; discrimination.

3. (n.) That which distinguishes one thing from another; distinguishing quality; sharply defined difference; as, the distinction between real and apparent good.

4. (n.) Estimation of difference; regard to differences or distinguishing circumstance.

5. (n.) Conspicuous station; eminence; superiority; honorable estimation; as, a man of distinction.

1293. diastole -- a separation, a difference
... a difference. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: diastole Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-as-tol-ay') Short Definition: distinction, difference, separation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1293.htm - 6k

592. apodiorizo -- to mark off
... to mark off. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apodiorizo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-od-ee-or-id'-zo) Short Definition: I make a distinction Definition: I make ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/592.htm - 6k

1243. diairesis -- a division
... Transliteration: diairesis Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ah'-ee-res-is) Short Definition:
division, distribution, difference, distinction Definition: division ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1243.htm - 7k

1851. exoche -- a projection, eminence
... eminence. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: exoche Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-okh-ay') Short Definition: eminence, distinction Definition: eminence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1851.htm - 6k

5018. Tarseus -- of Tarsus
... [Some feel Damascus is older, which also claims this distinction.]. Word Origin
from Tarsos Definition of Tarsus NASB Word Usage Tarsus (2). of Tarsus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5018.htm - 7k

5591. psuchikos -- natural, of the soul or mind
... From psuche; sensitive, ie Animate (in distinction on the one hand from pneumatikos,
which is the higher or renovated nature; and on the other from phusikos ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5591.htm - 8k

1189. deomai -- to want, entreat
... LS and Thayer find expresses distinct meanings in antiquity, perhaps indicating
a distinction in accent (like with the English terms, pro'duce and prod ce).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1189.htm - 7k

5383. philoproteuo -- to strive to be first
... to wish to be first. From a compound of philos and protos; to be fond of being first,
ie Ambitious of distinction -- love to have the preeminence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5383.htm - 6k

1252. diakrino -- to distinguish, to judge
... decide (1), discern (1), disputed (1), doubt (2), doubting (2), doubts (2), judge
(1), judged (1), made distinctions (1), made...distinction (1), misgivings (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1252.htm - 9k

2228. e -- or, than
... A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or;
comparative, than -- and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2228.htm - 6k

5089. noah -- eminency, distinction
... 5088, 5089. noah. 5090 . eminency, distinction. Transliteration: noah
Phonetic Spelling: (no'-ah) Short Definition: eminent. Word ...
/hebrew/5089.htm - 5k

6395. palah -- to be separated or distinct
... root Definition to be separated or distinct NASB Word Usage distinguished (1), make
a distinction (1), makes a distinction (1), set apart (2), wonderfully (1 ...
/hebrew/6395.htm - 6k

914. badal -- to be divided, separate
... Definition to be divided, separate NASB Word Usage came over (1), dismissed (1),
divide (1), excluded (2), made a separation (1), made...distinction (1), make ...
/hebrew/914.htm - 6k

4216. mazzaroth -- perhaps a constellation
... Mazzoroth. Apparently from nazar in the sense of distinction; some noted constellation
(only in the plural), perhaps collectively, the zodiac -- Mazzoroth. ...
/hebrew/4216.htm - 6k

466. Eliphelehu -- "may God distinguish him," a doorkeeper
... Elipheleh. From 'el and palah; God of his distinction; Eliphelehu, an Israelite --
Elipheleh. see HEBREW 'el. see HEBREW palah. 465, 466. Eliphelehu. 467 . ...
/hebrew/466.htm - 6k

996. bayin -- an interval, space between
... (sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly, the constructive form
of an otherwise unused noun from biyn; a distinction; but used only as a prep ...
/hebrew/996.htm - 6k

5353. Neqoda -- head of a family of Nethinim
... Nekoda. Feminine of naqod (in the figurative sense of marked); distinction; Nekoda,
a Temple-servant -- Nekoda. see HEBREW naqod. 5352, 5353. Neqoda. 5354 ...
/hebrew/5353.htm - 6k

6304. peduth -- ransom
... division, redeem, redemption. Or pduth {ped-ooth'}; from Qedmah; distinction; also
deliverance -- division, redeem, redemption. see HEBREW Qedmah. 6303, 6304 ...
/hebrew/6304.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... A primitive word; a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
in distinction from kaph, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) In a ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

3240. yanach -- bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let ...
... (The Hiphil forms with the dagesh are here referred to, in accordance with the older
grammarians; but if any distinction of the kind is to be made, these ...
/hebrew/3240.htm - 6k

Whether the Multitude and Distinction of Things Come from God?
... TREATISE ON THE DISTINCTION OF THINGS IN GENERAL (Q )OF THE DISTINCTION OF THINGS
IN GENERAL (THREE ARTICLES) Whether the multitude and distinction of things ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the multitude and distinction.htm

The Distinction of the Father and the Son, Thus Established, He ...
... Chapter XXVII."The Distinction of the Father and the Son, Thus Established, He Now
Proves the Distinction of the Two Natures, Which Were, Without Confusion ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xxvii the distinction of the.htm

Treatise on the Distinction of Things in General (Q )Of the ...
... TREATISE ON THE DISTINCTION OF THINGS IN GENERAL (Q )OF THE DISTINCTION
OF THINGS IN GENERAL (THREE ARTICLES). After considering ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/treatise on the distinction of.htm

The Distinction of the Holy Spirit from the Father and from his ...
... CHAPTER III. THE DISTINCTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM THE FATHER AND FROM
HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. We have seen thus far that the Holy ...
/.../the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter iii the distinction of.htm

Treatise on the Distinction of Good and Evil (Qq -49)The ...
... TREATISE ON THE DISTINCTION OF GOOD AND EVIL (QQ -49)THE DISTINCTION OF
THINGS IN PARTICULAR (SIX ARTICLES). We must now consider ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/treatise on the distinction of 2.htm

The Union and Distinction of the Two Natures in the Person of ...
... Article XIX The Union and Distinction of the Two Natures in the Person of Christ?
The Union and Distinction of the Two Natures in the Person of Christ ...
/.../various/the belgic confession /article xix the union and.htm

Of the Distinction of Meats.
... Article XXVI: Of the Distinction of Meats. It has been the general persuasion,
not of the people alone, but also of those teaching ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxvi of the distinction.htm

Of the Distinction of Sins (Nine Articles)
... OF THE DISTINCTION OF SINS (NINE ARTICLES). We must now consider the distinction
of sins or vices: under which head there are nine points of inquiry: ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the distinction of sins.htm

The Particular Distinction which the Arians Endeavoured to Prove ...
... Book IV. Chapter XI. The particular distinction which the Arians endeavoured
to prove upon the Apostle's teaching that all? The ...
/.../works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xi the particular distinction.htm

Of the Distinction of Habits (Four Articles)
... OF THE DISTINCTION OF HABITS (FOUR ARTICLES). We have now to consider the distinction
of habits; and under this head there are four points of inquiry: ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/of the distinction of habits.htm

Distinction (14 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) That which distinguishes one thing from another; distinguishing quality;
sharply defined difference; as, the distinction between real and apparent good ...
/d/distinction.htm - 11k

Levites (267 Occurrences)
... Wellhausen, Prolegomena, 130). The whole Levitical Law was unknown and the
distinction between priests and Levites unheard of. There were ...
/l/levites.htm - 72k

Priests (451 Occurrences)
... Wellhausen, Prolegomena, 130). The whole Levitical Law was unknown and the
distinction between priests and Levites unheard of. There were ...
/p/priests.htm - 69k

Earth (10501 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The globe or planet which we inhabit;
the world, in distinction from the sun, moon, or stars. ...
/e/earth.htm - 26k

Soul (554 Occurrences)
... immortal part in man; that part of man which enables him to think, and which renders
him a subject of moral government; -- sometimes, in distinction from the ...
/s/soul.htm - 47k

Immortal (3 Occurrences)
... 1:10, aphthartos, literally, "incorruptible," Romans 1:23 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1
Timothy 1:17): 1. Preliminary-Need of Definition and Distinction 2. Biblical ...
/i/immortal.htm - 33k

Immortality (6 Occurrences)
... 1:10, aphthartos, literally, "incorruptible," Romans 1:23 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1
Timothy 1:17): 1. Preliminary-Need of Definition and Distinction 2. Biblical ...
/i/immortality.htm - 35k

Terrestrial (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (a.) Consisting of land, in distinction from water; belonging to, or inhabiting,
the land or ground, in distinction from trees, water, or the like; as ...
/t/terrestrial.htm - 7k

Distinguish (16 Occurrences)
... differ. 5. (vt) To separate from others by a mark of honor; to make eminent
or known; to confer distinction upon; -- with by or for. 6 ...
/d/distinguish.htm - 12k

Distinct (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 14:7 Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp,
if they didn't give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what ...
/d/distinct.htm - 8k

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