The term "operative" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of being operative, or actively working and effective, is a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. In a biblical context, being operative often relates to the active work of God, His Word, and His Spirit in the world and in the lives of believers.

God's Operative Power

The Bible frequently speaks of God's power as being active and effective in creation, history, and personal lives. In Isaiah 55:11 , God declares, "so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it." This verse highlights the operative nature of God's Word, emphasizing that it is not merely spoken but actively fulfills His purposes.

The Word of God

The Word of God is described as living and active in Hebrews 4:12 : "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This passage underscores the operative power of Scripture, which is not static but dynamically engages with the human heart and mind, bringing about transformation and discernment.

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is another key aspect of God's operative presence in the world. In John 16:13 , Jesus speaks of the Spirit's active role: "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come." The Holy Spirit is depicted as actively guiding, teaching, and revealing truth to believers, making the divine will operative in their lives.

Faith and Works

The concept of being operative is also evident in the relationship between faith and works. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." Here, faith is portrayed as needing to be operative, manifesting in actions that reflect genuine belief. This passage emphasizes that true faith is not passive but actively expressed through deeds.

The Church as an Operative Body

The Church is described as the body of Christ, called to be operative in the world. Ephesians 4:16 illustrates this: "From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each part, according to its measure." The Church is depicted as a living, active organism where each member plays a vital role, contributing to the growth and edification of the whole.

Prayer as an Operative Force

Prayer is another aspect of the Christian life that is meant to be operative. James 5:16 affirms, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This verse highlights the effectiveness of prayer, suggesting that it is not merely a ritual but a powerful, operative force that can bring about change and align believers with God's will.

In summary, while the specific term "operative" may not appear in the Bible, the concept is deeply embedded in the active and effective nature of God's work, His Word, the Holy Spirit, faith, the Church, and prayer. These elements are portrayed as dynamic and transformative, continually working to fulfill God's purposes in the world and in the lives of His people.1. (a.) Being in effect; acting; most important; surgical; exerting force, physical or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive.

2. (a.) Producing the appropriate or designed effect; efficacious; as, an operative dose, rule, or penalty.

3. (a.) Based upon, or consisting of, an operation or operations; as, operative surgery.

4. (n.) A skilled worker; an artisan; esp., one who operates a machine in a mill or manufactory.

1753b. energeia -- operative power
... 1753a, 1753b. energeia. 1754 . operative power. Transliteration: energeia
Short Definition: working. Word Origin from energes Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1753b.htm - 5k

1756. energes -- at work, active
... Cognate: 1756 (an adjective) -- properly, , full-of-energy (operative). See 1754 (). ...
From en and ergon; active, operative -- effectual, powerful. see GREEK en. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1756.htm - 6k

1754. energeo -- to be at work, to work, to do
... to work, to do. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: energeo Phonetic Spelling:
(en-erg-eh'-o) Short Definition: I work, accomplish, am operative Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1754.htm - 8k

4640. Maasay -- "work of Yah," an Israelite
... NASB Word Usage Maasai (1). Maasiai. From asah; operative; Maasai, an Israelite --
Maasiai. see HEBREW asah. 4639, 4640. Maasay. 4641 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4640.htm - 6k

Whether Human virtue is an Operative Habit?
... ON HABITS IN PARTICULAR (QQ -89) GOOD HABITS, ie VIRTUES (QQ -70)OF THE VIRTUES,
AS TO THEIR ESSENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether human virtue is an operative habit ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether human virtue is an.htm

Whether Grace is Appropriately Divided into Operative and Co ...
... Article Two Whether Grace is appropriately divided into Operative and
Co-operative Grace. Whether Grace is appropriately divided ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article two whether grace is 2.htm

Question one Hundred and Fourteen Concerning Merit, which is the ...
... Question One Hundred and Fourteen CONCERNING MERIT, WHICH IS THE EFFECT OF CO-OPERATIVE
GRACE. CONCERNING MERIT, WHICH IS THE EFFECT OF CO-OPERATIVE GRACE ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/question one hundred and fourteen.htm

Whether the Name "Word" Imports Relation to Creatures?
... qu.63), that "the name Word signifies not only relation to the Father, but also
relation to those beings which are made through the Word, by His operative power ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the name word imports.htm

Whether the Habits of the Speculative Intellect are virtues?
... For virtue is an operative habit, as we have said above ([1518]Q[55], A[2]). But
speculative habits are not operative: for speculative matter is distinct from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the habits of the.htm

Nature and Grace
... Grace and Free Grace. Article Two Whether Grace is appropriately divided
into Operative and Co-operative Grace. Article Three Whether ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/

Of the Power of Prayer.
... not (then) received its form from Christ. But how far more amply operative
is Christian prayer! It does not station the angel of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on prayer/chapter xxix of the power of.htm

Question one Hundred and Eleven the Divisions of Grace
... five questions, i. Whether grace is appropriately divided into free grace and
sanctifying grace.2. Of the division of sanctifying grace into operative and co ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/question one hundred and eleven.htm

Question one Hundred and Thirteen the Effects of Grace
... We shall inquire first into the justification of the ungodly, which is the effect
of operative grace, and second into merit, which is the effect of co ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/question one hundred and thirteen.htm

Whether Grace is Appropriately Divided into Prevenient and ...
... I:answer: just as grace is divided into operative and cooperative grace on account
of its different effects, so is it divided into prevenient and subsequent ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article three whether grace is 2.htm

Operative (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Being in effect; acting; most important; surgical; exerting force, physical
or moral; active in the production of effects; as, an operative motive. ...
/o/operative.htm - 7k

Ophel (6 Occurrences)

/o/ophel.htm - 14k

Virtuous (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous; valiant; brave. 3. (a.)
Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative; efficacious; potent. ...
/v/virtuous.htm - 8k

Operations (4 Occurrences)

/o/operations.htm - 7k

Effective (4 Occurrences)
... to produce an effect or result; fit for a purpose; as, an effective tool; producing
a decided or decisive effect; efficient; serviceable; operative; as, an ...
/e/effective.htm - 8k

Effectual (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (a.) Adequate; sufficient to produce a desired effect;
as, an effectual writing method; efficient; operative; decisive. Int. ...
/e/effectual.htm - 11k

Evolution
... his vital impetus (elan vital); the former in his concept of duration.) As an orderly
change of the form of things, evolution may be viewed as operative in the ...
/e/evolution.htm - 39k

Midwife (4 Occurrences)
... mouth. The midwives must have had considerable skill, as a case like that
of Tamar required some amount of operative manipulation. ...
/m/midwife.htm - 10k

Penetrating (2 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and operative, and sharper than any
two-edged sword, and penetrating to the division of soul and spirit, both of ...
/p/penetrating.htm - 7k

Active (4 Occurrences)
... 6. (a.) Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; -- opposed
to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative ...
/a/active.htm - 9k

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