The concept of "diversities" in the Bible often refers to the variety and differences within the body of Christ, particularly in the context of spiritual gifts, roles, and functions. This diversity is seen as a strength and a reflection of God's manifold wisdom and creativity.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 : "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." This passage highlights the diversity of spiritual gifts bestowed upon believers by the Holy Spirit. Each gift serves a unique purpose, contributing to the edification and unity of the church.

2. Romans 12:4-6 : "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. We have different gifts according to the grace given us." Here, the Apostle Paul uses the analogy of the human body to illustrate the diversity of roles within the church. Each member has a distinct function, yet all are integral to the health and operation of the body as a whole.

3. Ephesians 4:11-13 : "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, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ." This passage emphasizes the diversity of leadership roles within the church, each designed to equip and build up the body of Christ toward unity and maturity.

Theological Significance:

The diversity within the church is a reflection of God's creative power and His desire for a multifaceted community that mirrors His own nature. The Trinity itself is a model of unity in diversity, with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each having distinct roles yet being one in essence.

Practical Implications:

1. Unity in Diversity: The church is called to embrace and celebrate diversity, recognizing that each member's unique gifts and roles contribute to the overall mission of the church. This diversity should lead to unity, not division, as believers work together for the common good.

2. Mutual Dependence: Just as the human body relies on the proper functioning of each part, the church depends on the active participation of all its members. This interdependence fosters a sense of belonging and purpose among believers.

3. Equipping and Empowerment: Church leaders are tasked with equipping the saints for ministry, recognizing and nurturing the diverse gifts within the congregation. This empowerment enables the church to effectively carry out its mission in the world.

Challenges and Considerations:

While diversity is a strength, it can also present challenges, such as misunderstandings or conflicts arising from differing perspectives and backgrounds. The church is called to navigate these challenges with grace, seeking reconciliation and understanding through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In summary, the biblical concept of diversities underscores the richness and complexity of the body of Christ, where each member's unique contributions are valued and essential for the church's growth and mission.(n.) Plural of Diversity.DIVERS; DIVERSE; DIVERSITIES

di'-verz, di-vurs', di-vur'-si-tiz: "Divers" meaning "various," "different in kind," is now obsolete and used only as a synonym of "several," i.e. more than one. The distinction between "divers" and "diverse" in the King James Version seems to be that the former is the wider term, the latter being restricted to the meaning of "different in kind," while "divers" is also used to express difference of number. the Revised Version (British and American) retains "diverse" in all instances but changes "divers" nearly everywhere, except where it has the meaning "several." Compare Matthew 24:7 Luke 21:11 Hebrews 9:10, and others. It is hard to understand why the Revised Version (British and American) retains "divers" as a translation of poikilos, in Matthew 4:24 Mark 1:34, et al., because poikilos certainly cannot have the meaning "several" but "different in kind," and the idea expressed in these passages is not that some of the people had several diseases but that different people had different kinds of diseases. The same is true in Hebrews 13:9 where "divers" does not refer to number but to various kinds of teaching. Hebrews 2:4 and James 1:2 rightly change the reading of the King James Version "divers" to "manifold."

In other passages the Revised Version (British and American) changes "divers" to "diverse," and thus renders the idea of the original text "different in kind." Compare Deuteronomy 25:13; Proverbs 20:10, 23. Other passages are changed the better to render the original text: Deuteronomy 22:9, "two kinds of seed"; Judges 5:30, "dyed"; 2 Chronicles 30:11, "certain men"; Mark 8:3 and Acts 19:9, "some." the King James Version reads. in all these passages "divers." the Revised Version (British and American) changes the King James Version Hebrews 1:1 "at sundry times and in divers manners," an expression often found in Old English, to "by divers portions and in divers manners."

"Diversities" is found twice as translation of diairesis, literally, "distribution" (1 Corinthians 12:4), but the Revised Version (British and American) changes the King James Version, 1 Corinthians 12:28, "diversities" to "divers kinds," as translation of gene, "kinds."

A. L. Breslich

Diversities in Modes of Religious Development, and in The
... THE EPISTLE OF JAMES. INTRODUCTION. 1. Diversities in modes of religious
development, and in the. consequent forms of faith. IT is ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/ 1 diversities in modes.htm

Diversities of Gifts. April 10.
... Diversities of Gifts. April 10. Why expect Wisdom with love in all? Each
has his gift" Our souls are organ pipes of diverse stop ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /diversities of gifts april 10.htm

The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prophets and Apostles.
... especial purpose. We read in 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-11, 28, 29, RV, "Now there
are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.... For to ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter xxi the work of.htm

Treatise on Gratuitous Graces (Qq -182)Of Prophecy (Six Articles)
... First, in reference to the various gratuitous graces, according to 1:Cor.12:
4, 7: "There are diversities of graces . . . and to one . . . ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/treatise on gratuitous graces qq.htm

Antipathies
... Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ... And there are diversities
of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xv antipathies.htm

But as in the Words which I Quoted from Celsus...
... And he ought also, with regard to the countless diversities of plants, which are
regulated by an inherent, incomprehensible nature, [3929] and which have been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter liv but as in.htm

How the Word is the Maker of all Things, and Even the Holy Spirit ...
... I am led to this view of the charisms by the words of Paul which he writes somewhere,
[4683] "There are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit, and ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/6 how the word is.htm

Many and One
... glory.'. The average Christian life of to-day sorely fails in two things:
in being true to itself, and in tolerance of diversities. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/many and one.htm

After Proof that the Spirit is the Giver of Revelation Equally ...
... There is therefore no separation of the divine power and grace, for although "there
are diversities of gifts, yet it is the same Spirit; and diversities of ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xii after proof that.htm

The Christian Church a Family.
... 2. Another thing which is taught by this definition is this, that the Church
of Christ is a whole made up of manifold diversities. ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xv the christian church a.htm

Diversities (4 Occurrences)
... (n.) Plural of Diversity. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DIVERS; DIVERSE;
DIVERSITIES. ... Multi-Version Concordance Diversities (4 Occurrences). ...
/d/diversities.htm - 10k

Divers (36 Occurrences)
... divers philosophers. Also used substantively or pronominally. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia. DIVERS; DIVERSE; DIVERSITIES. di'-verz ...
/d/divers.htm - 20k

Diverse (15 Occurrences)
... 3. (adv.) In different directions; diversely. 4. (vi) To turn aside. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DIVERS; DIVERSE; DIVERSITIES. ...
/d/diverse.htm - 14k

Operations (4 Occurrences)
... Operations (4 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of operations,
but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (KJV BBE DBY WBS). ...
/o/operations.htm - 7k

Worketh (49 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 1 Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but
it is the same God which worketh all in all. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/w/worketh.htm - 19k

Diversions (1 Occurrence)

/d/diversions.htm - 6k

Diverted (1 Occurrence)

/d/diverted.htm - 7k

Ministries (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ministries (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 12:5 and there
are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord; (See NAS). ...
/m/ministries.htm - 6k

Brings (155 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Corinthians 12:6 diversities in work, and yet one and the same
God--He who in each person brings about the whole result. (WEY). ...
/b/brings.htm - 33k

Confusion (71 Occurrences)
... catastrophe. No account of the Deluge could have followed, for all the diversities
of languages would have been wiped away by that event. ...
/c/confusion.htm - 39k

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