The term "exceptional" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of being exceptional is woven throughout the Scriptures, often illustrated through the lives of individuals who demonstrated extraordinary faith, character, or abilities. These individuals were set apart by God for specific purposes and often served as instruments of His divine plan.

Old Testament Examples

1. Joseph: Joseph, the son of Jacob, is a prime example of an exceptional individual in the Old Testament. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph rose to prominence in Egypt due to his God-given ability to interpret dreams. His exceptional wisdom and leadership saved Egypt and his own family from famine. Genesis 41:39-40 records Pharaoh's acknowledgment of Joseph's exceptional qualities: "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands.'"

2. Daniel: Daniel was another exceptional figure, known for his unwavering faith and integrity. Despite being in exile in Babylon, Daniel distinguished himself through his exceptional wisdom and ability to interpret dreams and visions. Daniel 6:3 states, "Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom."

New Testament Examples

1. Jesus Christ: The most exceptional figure in the Bible is Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection are central to the Christian faith. Jesus' teachings, miracles, and sacrificial love set Him apart as the Son of God. His exceptional nature is highlighted in John 1:14 : "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

2. Paul the Apostle: Paul, formerly known as Saul, was an exceptional apostle whose missionary journeys and epistles significantly shaped the early Church. His transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Christ is a testament to his exceptional calling. In 1 Corinthians 15:10 , Paul acknowledges the grace that made him exceptional: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

Characteristics of Exceptional Individuals

Throughout the Bible, exceptional individuals often share certain characteristics:

· Faithfulness: They exhibit unwavering faith in God, trusting His plans and purposes even in difficult circumstances.
· Wisdom: They possess God-given wisdom that enables them to make sound decisions and provide guidance to others.
· Courage: They demonstrate courage in the face of adversity, standing firm in their convictions.
· Humility: They recognize their dependence on God and give Him the glory for their accomplishments.

Divine Purpose

The exceptional nature of these individuals is often linked to their divine purpose. God sets them apart to fulfill specific roles in His redemptive plan, using their unique gifts and circumstances to bring about His will. As seen in Ephesians 2:10 , believers are reminded of their own exceptional calling: "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life."

In summary, while the term "exceptional" may not be explicitly used in the Bible, the concept is clearly illustrated through the lives of those who were set apart by God for His purposes, demonstrating extraordinary faith, wisdom, and character.(a.) Forming an exception; not ordinary; uncommon; rare; hence, better than the average; superior.

This Exceptional Fact must be Tested by Experience. Let those who ...
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Section 28. This exceptional fact must be tested
by experience. Let those who doubt it become Christians. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 28 this exceptional fact.htm

Whether Three Aureoles are Fittingly Assigned, those of virgins ...
... I answer that, An aureole is an exceptional reward corresponding to an exceptional
victory: wherefore the three aureoles are assigned in accordance with the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether three aureoles are fittingly.htm

The Universal Gift
... gift of God's Holy Spirit is not a thing to be desired, as if it were not possessed
or confined to select individuals, or manifested by exceptional and lofty ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the universal gift.htm

A New Kind of King
... significance. I. First, then, I ask you to consider its significance as
an altogether exceptional fact in Christ's life. Throughout ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/a new kind of king.htm

Aubrey Leigh was a Man who had Chosen his Own Way of Life...
... Much to his own surprise, and somewhat to his disgust, he distinguished himself
with exceptional brilliancy on the stage," his voice, his manner, his ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xviii aubrey leigh was a.htm

A Parable in a Miracle
... Christ's miracles are called wonders"that is, deeds which, by their
exceptional character, arrest attention and excite surprise. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/a parable in a miracle.htm

The True Doctrine. Creation Out of Nothing, of God's Lavish Bounty ...
... Hence the exceptional and supra-natural gift of being in God's Image, with the
promise of bliss conditionally upon his perseverance in grace. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 3 the true doctrine.htm

Life of Bede
... Beyond the testimony borne to his exceptional diligence as a student in a letter
from Alcuin to the monks of Wearmouth and Jarrow, we hear nothing of his ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/life of bede.htm

The Bishop of Hippo
... this latter point. But surely the rule could be waived in view of the
exceptional merits of the priest of Hippo. The old bishop ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/i the bishop of hippo.htm

Elucidations.
... Such was his duty according to the primitive discipline, no doubt; but our author
knew well that a relaxing of discipline in exceptional circumstances is the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/elucidations.htm

Exceptional (1 Occurrence)
... (a.) Forming an exception; not ordinary; uncommon; rare; hence, better than the
average; superior. Multi-Version Concordance Exceptional (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/exceptional.htm - 6k

Triune
... This was exceptional. 7. Greek Church: The Greek church has always baptized
by triune immersion. The historical practice of the ...
/t/triune.htm - 13k

Trine
... This was exceptional. 7. Greek Church: The Greek church has always baptized
by triune immersion. The historical practice of the ...
/t/trine.htm - 14k

Immersion
... This was exceptional. 7. Greek Church: The Greek church has always baptized
by triune immersion. The historical practice of the ...
/i/immersion.htm - 14k

Exception (6 Occurrences)

/e/exception.htm - 9k

Excess (20 Occurrences)

/e/excess.htm - 12k

Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... "Supernatural or miraculous birth" will not do, because there is no intimation
that the process of birth was in any way exceptional. ...
/v/virgin.htm - 64k

Quotations
... Another passage in which the same formula is used in a very exceptional way clearly
sets forth the fundamental principle upon which this usage rests. ...
/q/quotations.htm - 40k

Birth (357 Occurrences)
... "Supernatural or miraculous birth" will not do, because there is no intimation
that the process of birth was in any way exceptional. ...
/b/birth.htm - 71k

Nonimmersionist
... of the earliest pictorial representation be collected, then we must infer that affusion
was the usual method and that immersion was exceptional; for the ...
/n/nonimmersionist.htm - 38k

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